Looking for reloading setup

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BigTimeMediocrity

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Hey guys,

So I'm looking to get a single stage press setup going to handload .308. I was originally looking at getting a RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, but it looks like it'll add up a good chunk with all the accessories I need. Where should I look for used presses? And what exactly do I need to have a functioning setup?

As well, are die's compatible across all presses? I.e. can I use a Lee's 4 die kit in a RCBS press?

Thanks!
 
BigTimeMediocrity said:
Hey guys,

So I'm looking to get a single stage press setup going to handload .308. I was originally looking at getting a RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, but it looks like it'll add up a good chunk with all the accessories I need. Where should I look for used presses? And what exactly do I need to have a functioning setup?

As well, are die's compatible across all presses? I.e. can I use a Lee's 4 die kit in a RCBS press?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Get a LEE kit on sale, it will still make bullets as good as any of the other setups. The kit will come with pretty much everything you need.
 
To me, determine (i) how many rounds per (week/month/year) you want to reload, and then (ii) what is your budget.

I started off 11+ years ago with a Lee "pound and load", then upgraded to a Lee C-press single stage, and now am using a Lee turret press. But be prepared to get a long list of items so the cost adds up.

For 308 rifle, really you need
- reloading manual (yes, most important. Read the first 1/3 - 1/2 fully. I have the Lee, Lyman, Hornady, Hodgdon, and Western Powders manuals. All are good but I personally like the Lee. All manuals say their brand is best. Lee & Lyman both full of propaganda to me)
- press & method to mount it to a table/bench (or good old hand press)
- 3 die set (can get away with a 2 die set but I'm a fan of the Lee factory crimp die)
- shell holder (may come with die set)
- powder funnel
- method to measure powder (digital scale, beam scale, Lee scoops)
- case lube
- case lube pad
- method to trim your brass
- method to measure the length of your brass and finished cartridge OAL (caliper)
- reloading block
- inside & outside case neck deburr tool (after you trim you need to deburr)
- method to insert primer (hand prime? on press primer?)
- method of cleaning brass (could just wash it or even ignore this step, but vibratory tumblers or sonic cleaners are popular)
- log book (very important to keep good records)

And then of course brass, primers, powder, and projectiles.

Hope this helps!
 
Go to X-reload and look at some of their reloading kits. Some of them have everything that you need to get you started except for die, bullets, brass, primers. Just be aware that some parts of these kits will last forever, other parts you will end up upgrading over the years. I started off with a LEE kit many years ago and just plainly wore that press out after a few years. Upgraded to a Redding Big Boss and still use it for some operation. I now have both the Big Boss and a Fosters Co-ax.
All other upgrade that I have done over the years are to improve consistency and speed up production.
 
First off decide what you're going to be reloading your 308Win for. Hunting or Match.

The requirements for match shooting will need a different sort of press and dies.

Are you going to load for other cartridges later?

If you're cash strapped, not an uncommon condition, Lee makes a very handy little press they call the LEE HAND PRESS. I can tell you from experience it will make very accurate ammunition. Not sure what they cost now, but you can usually get the complete set up to reload one cartridge, not including a scale for less than $200 delivered.

The hand press fits into a small tackle box and there's room left over for powder/dies/shell head holders/primers/bullets.

The drawback is that the cartridges loaded with it will be neck resized only (the shoulders can be bumped back .002) That means you have to sort your brass for each rifle.

There are several cheap digital powder scales on the internet in the $50 range. They're pretty much the same but will often have brand names put on them such as LEE or Hornady.

YES, they're accurate. My $50 Hornady scale that I put in with my Lee Hand Press kit, when I travel, is every bit as accurate as my Dillon.
 
To get started with the most basic/starter reloading set up, you will need this:

1. Press (single stage) O frame
2. Scale (beam scale) for weighing powder charges and bullets.
3. Priming tool (some presses come with a priming tool, LEE for example)
4. reloading die set for your chosen cartridge AND shell holder (LEE dies come with shell holder)
5. trimmer (not needed for most handgun cartridges) use the LEE handheld trimmers for about $15
6. powder funnel
7. loading block (easy to make it yourself with a piece of 2x4 and a drill)
8. case preparation tools (inside/outside neck chamfer, large and small primer pocket cleaners)
9. caliper (digital or dial)
10. inertia bullet puller, because you will need one eventually

This is a basic setup that will make excellent quality ammunition and is all that many shooters will ever require. At some point you may want to add a powder measure and some kind of brass cleaning machine but you don't need it right away. An experienced reloader can make 50-100 cartridges per hour with that setup.

An older thread that has some info: What needed to start reloading (canadiangunnutz.com)
 
And don't forget to check your local gun shop/shooting range for used deals. I took a friend of my son to a local range and was able to find an as new Rock chucker, dies, funnels, shell holders, brass prep tools and scale for somewhat less than
half of new cost.
 
I'm new to handloading too, after much deliberation, reading many reviews and watching lots of videos I decided on the MEC marksman single stage press.
 
BigTimeMediocrity said:
Oof, their product pages are very hard to navigate...

I also have found a used RCBS RCS here for $120+S&H, I'm just trying to see if there's an "Accessory" kit out there to make it worth it
Click to expand...

That's a $300 press, plus taxes and shipping if you bought it new. Buy it an pick up the accessories from Higginson.

Are you trying to navigate their product pages with a cell??
 
If you navigate to ht tp://www.higginsonpowders.com/catalogues.html and hit the Lee Catalog entry, it'll explain what all these actually are.

It's sort of like grown-up equivalent of the toy section of the old Sears Christmas Wish Book (anyone remember that?)...
 
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