New guy looking to start reloading

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I am looking to start reloading myself and I need to buy everything from scratch. I will be reloading 7.62x51 for my Norinco M14 and then .358 Win and .243 Win for hunting purposes.

What items do I need to get started? Which brand names should I be looking at for a press, scales, dies and so on. Im not looking for top of the line stuff rather something that offers good value and gets the job done well. Thanks
 
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I'm going to sidestep that and suggest that your first step should be a large paperback called . The ABCs of Reloading. It's a very good general introduction to reloading and will answer a whole bunch of questions about types (as opposed to brands) of gear, the process, safety, etc.
 
There are a lot of starter kits that will get you going, but you'll also have to add dies and possibly shell holders for each different cartridge you plan on reloading. There will always be other things you might want to add along the way.

If you're on a budget, Lee equipment seems to be most popular. If you can spend more, RCBS, Redding, Hornady, and a few others make good stuff too. ATOM's suggestion to start off with a manual is probably the best advise for a newbie.
 
Get a Lee Classic turret press kit, won't break the bank and will have everything to start you off. Some people hate Lee, but it's not that bad. If you have lots of money the Dillion is really nice, but it does not come cheap at all. The classic turret press will always be useful even if you get a progressive later on. Hornay is good, but at least double the price of a Lee.
 
I picked up the rcbs rock chucker kit after reading lots of good reviews.Also got a layman case trimmer and dies that I needed. Didnt break the bank by any means.
 
Is the RCBS equipment better than Lee Reloading equipment? Sorry but I am a complete newbie here. I do have a great mentor close by that I am going to use for knowledge. He just mentioned I pick up a good starter kit and I really have no idea what im looking for.

To get a good quality kit that includes most of the stuff to get going am I looking around $400? I by no means need top of the line stuff but I do want good quality equipment that will last a while.
 
IMHO ...the RCBS is heads above anything Lee makes, much more precise and robust, with excellent warranty, the Rockchucker kit is good kit. I prefer Redding and Forster for both presses and certainly dies, with the Forster Co-ax my favorite press, although i also use a couple of Rockchuckers, one has been used by me since 1965. The Dillon mentioned earlier is a diff. matter as it is progressive, and a good one , but for your needs i think a single stage might work best.....I'd get a few good reloading manuals like Lyman's 49th....and sit in on a reloading session with someone that knows what they are about, you may even find someone close on this site....Ben
 
Purely personal opinion ... Unless you are loading for IPSC and burning through hundreds of rounds a month, you dont' need any type of progressive press.

Also, more personal opinion ... I think every person starting reloading should start with a single stage press and learn the details of each stage in the process before moving to a more "complex" reloading system.

Any Rockchucker press will serve you well - they are the F150/Chevy 1500 of the reloading world - been around forever, and while not the shiniest, prettiest, etc.. They will get the job done with no fuss or hassle all day, every day.

x2 on the ABC's or Reloading. Great book with a lot of info in it - but there is no actual Load Data, so you will need other books later if you do get decide reloading is for you.
 
Can somebody please explain the difference in the presses? I hear things like progressive, turret and single stage. I now have had a few people tell me to start with a good single stage press but what is the difference?
 
ok that's pretty simple- single stage- has only one position, you have to screw in each die/powder measure as you use it- ie resizing die, then powder measure, then seating die , then crimper if you have one
turret- exactly as it says- sizing die, powder measure , and seater die all in one CONVIENT TURRET- you just rotate the turret to whatever step you want to do- some have 4 places and some rotate that turret automatically- typically one shell for every 3-4 pulls of the handle
progressive- has all the dies mounted in a circle , and each pull of the handle rotates the shellplate( the thing in the bottom) to a different stage in the cycle- resize, prime, powder charge, seat, then crimp- you get a round for EVERY pull of the handle when all the stations are occupied- which sounds like a dream set up, but not all progressive presses will take RIFLE rounds, and some will only take certain rifle rounds
 
Can't comment about the rockchucker, but as far as customer support, warranty, the entire reloading industry is light years above anyone else in regards to looking after their customers. Don't worry about that end, just take a real look at your budget and how much you plan to shoot.
 
The aforementioned Forster Co-ax is much quicker and less expensive to operate as dies do not screw in or out and don't use a shell holder. You don't have to buy shellholders or extra turrets, dies and cases just slip in, and most importantly; centre themselves for little or no runout. You don't have to change out turrets, shellholders etc.
 
It still bothers me that no one on this site ever reccomends using a lee hand loader to beginners. I have a rcbs, and lee press. Guess what I still use 95 percent of the time? My 30 dollar lee hand loader that does the job every bit as good. Unless your loading in bulk, there's nothing wrong with a lee hand loader, especially if your just trying it for the first time.
 
jmax857 said:
It still bothers me that no one on this site ever reccomends using a lee hand loader to beginners. I have a rcbs, and lee press. Guess what I still use 95 percent of the time? My 30 dollar lee hand loader that does the job every bit as good. Unless your loading in bulk, there's nothing wrong with a lee hand loader, especially if your just trying it for the first time.
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well, for one thing it NECK sizes only, and most of the time we have NO IDEA what the o/p is using for a rifle- that's fine if it's a BOLT, but anything else REQUIRES a FULL LENGTH RESIZE- and the lee requires SPECIFIC powders for bullet weights , which may be not what the o/p wants- or the bullet weight- that's why the RELOADING MANUALS are full of 'RECIPES" FOR cartridges - moreover your 30 dollar lee loader uses a priming system that can be downright frightening for the newbie that doesn't get that primer centered in the cup and uses his priming tool on it- they go "BANG" when you hit them backwards too- i too started out with a lee, but quickly found the tap tap tap thing tedious- not to mention that the STUPID LITTLE SCOOP is OUT- light by at least a couple of grains even according to LEE's table- when you can't get everything right according to YOUR OWN RULES , etc
 
jmax857 said:
It still bothers me that no one on this site ever reccomends using a lee hand loader to beginners. I have a rcbs, and lee press. Guess what I still use 95 percent of the time? My 30 dollar lee hand loader that does the job every bit as good. Unless your loading in bulk, there's nothing wrong with a lee hand loader, especially if your just trying it for the first time.
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That is what I started with and I found it to be slow and a bit of a pain. While there is nothing wrong with a Lee Loader if it suites your style, in my own personal experience I bought a single stage kit shortly after. I just found it too frustrating to use the Lee Loader, and that's why I never recommend them to someone starting out. I wanted to enjoy reloading, not find it frustrating. Everyone's experience may vary though.
 
ben hunchak said:
The aforementioned Forster Co-ax is much quicker and less expensive to operate as dies do not screw in or out and don't use a shell holder. You don't have to buy shellholders or extra turrets, dies and cases just slip in, and most importantly; centre themselves for little or no runout. You don't have to change out turrets, shellholders etc.
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Considering the fact that the Forster press is probably the most expensive press on the market, I think it is a poor suggestion for a beginner.
It is however an excellent unit but it does have it shortcomings.
You might save time by being able to change out dies quickly if thats important.
However the Forster lovers don't mention the fact that its a royal pain to switch the shell plates if you go from 223 to 308 or 300 mag case heads.
Care must be taken not to lose the springs when taking it apart.
For the person loading rounds with a common head size its ok.
The time saved switching out dies is quickly lost when monkeying with the shell plates.
If a beginner finds that handloading is not his or her bag and wants to get out of it, they would find it impossible to retrieve their investment after buying expensive stuff, but on the other hand if one starts out with affordable pieces there is always room for an upgrade regardless of make.

Just my 2cents worth.... :)
 
t-star said:
well, for one thing it NECK sizes only, and most of the time we have NO IDEA what the o/p is using for a rifle- that's fine if it's a BOLT, but anything else REQUIRES a FULL LENGTH RESIZE- and the lee requires SPECIFIC powders for bullet weights , which may be not what the o/p wants- or the bullet weight- that's why the RELOADING MANUALS are full of 'RECIPES" FOR cartridges - moreover your 30 dollar lee loader uses a priming system that can be downright frightening for the newbie that doesn't get that primer centered in the cup and uses his priming tool on it- they go "BANG" when you hit them backwards too- i too started out with a lee, but quickly found the tap tap tap thing tedious- not to mention that the STUPID LITTLE SCOOP is OUT- light by at least a couple of grains even according to LEE's table- when you can't get everything right according to YOUR OWN RULES , etc
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I have a lee full length sizing tool for reloading semis, in a bolt action there's no real need to full length size your cases every reload. And sorry but if your careless enough to put the primer in upside down, then a little pop from the primer is a just a reminder to take your time. Also you shouldn't be using the scoop to measure the powder, use a scale like you normally would.
Lots of people buy the equipment, try it, and never use it.
It makes more sense to me to use a lee when starting out. If you don't like it, your only out 30 dollars.
A lee loader teaches newbies patience, and if you don't have patience, you should give up reloading.
 
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