New setup. No money wasting. Simple

DerekSus

DerekSus

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Hi all, new here.
I am starting to get into long range precision. I have a buddy that won’t allow factory loads so he makes me rounds. (Thanks JJ) I’d like to be self sufficient.
Looking for a reliable, simple setup that can be expanded.
Current calibers:
308
308 Norma mag
9mm Luger
30 carb
556nato.

I’m thinking mechanical balance. Low volume set up

Please help me not waste time buying garbage. I’ll spend money but I’m not setting up a sweat shop here.
Super low volume.

Cheers,
DS
 
Last edited:
DerekSus said:
Hi all, new here.
I am starting to get into long range precision. I have a buddy that won’t allow factory loads so he makes me rounds. (Thanks JJ) I’d like to be self sufficient.
Looking for a reliable, simple setup that can be expanded.
Current calibers:
308
308 Norma mag
9mm Luger
30 carb
556nato.

I’m thinking mechanical balance. Low volume set up

Please help me not waste time buying garbage. I’ll spend money but I’m not setting up a sweat shop here.
Super low volume.

Cheers,
DS
Click to expand...

If you aren't in a huge rush, go to the two day gun show in Chilliwack at Heritage Park on Mar 19-20. There are usually several used, good quality presses, like RCBS, Lyman, Hornady and Lee. There are usually good balance beam scales as well but you aren't saving much money on them, if any. There are some very good digital presses available, if you do some due diligence, that are cheaper.

This show is also a good place to look for the other accessories you're going to need and likely some components.
 
I put together a reloading kit for my son from what I found at that show and Kamloops.

For a press ,a cast iron from Lee, Lyman,Redding, Hornady or RCBS. The paint colour means little here.
Scale, the Ohaus 5-0-5 , in RCBS colours is a great choice, but Lyman and Redding both made good ones.
The plastic Lee powder measure is cheap, but it's also is the best
Another Lee product, the hand primer is great,also cheap used. But it needs it's own set of shellholders, get those too.
The RCBS powder trickler , not the Hornady.
Dies:
308Norma, you should be able to find a good set at the show
308 for a precision rifle, get a new Lee Collet die set new from Higginson , for that matter the whole 308 set.
the rest, I know nothing about

Both Lymans and Lee manual are good introduction to reloading manuals. You might need an older one for the 308Norma data.

The trimming of cases deserves it's very own topic , and it will be a long one.
 
DerekSus said:
...long range precision...

...Looking for a reliable, simple setup that can be expanded...

...Super low volume. ...

308
308 Norma mag
9mm Luger
30 carb
556nato
Click to expand...

The performance requirements suggest a quality single stage setup. A good press meant for precision reloaders (Redding, Forster), match grade dies, and a good scale. Add some accessories like a priming tool, a way to trim, a volumetric powder measure, and a trickler, and you are off to the races.

But then I look at the calibre list and do a double take. Why are you loading 9mm in low volume? Eff that, just buy the ammo. .30 carbine I'm guessing is just low volume, precision can be disregarded? In that case standard dies and just drop powder from the measure, skip the trickler for that one. You'll be able to load 50+ rounds an hour, which isn't too bad.
 
Forster Co Ax Press, Forster or Redding dies, and chargemaster or fx 120 and auto trickler.

If you want a little more volume could go for a Dillon 550, floating tools heads, a few upgrades and load good ammo on that. Still going to be slow for pistol.

will want to blow your brains out loading pistol on a single stage and 223 isnt worth it unless its precision ammo.
 
Thanks, you’re correct. I’ve got lots of 556and 9mm. My priority would be 308 win and 308 Norma mag. The others are just in the future. Definitely the 308’s are my focus. I just wanted to give all the info. The 3a carbine is just since it’s such a pain in the but to find. I really want to make sure I have a quantity setup. I don’t want to go to cablela’s and get something that isn’t universal. Your input is exactly what I’m looking for.
 
A 308Norma is only slightly more expensive to reload than a 30-06. It takes a little more powder is all. Until I found 30Norma brass, I simply used 300WM brass and trimmed after full length sizing. I shortened a Lee trim rod to 308Norma length at the screw end.
 
DerekSus said:
Hi all, new here.
I am starting to get into long range precision. I have a buddy that won’t allow factory loads so he makes me rounds. (Thanks JJ) I’d like to be self sufficient.
Looking for a reliable, simple setup that can be expanded.
Current calibers:
308
308 Norma mag
9mm Luger
30 carb
556nato.

I’m thinking mechanical balance. Low volume set up

Please help me not waste time buying garbage. I’ll spend money but I’m not setting up a sweat shop here.
Super low volume.

Cheers,
DS
Click to expand...

You might be best off to hear what your buddy would get today, if he was to start over. Sounds like you are happy with the product that he produces - maybe you will want to replicate what he has?? If I know 5 other people that have reloaded for more than 20 years, there will be at least 8 opinions about what is the best to get today. Some gear I bought about 40 years ago and am still using it. (RCBS 308 Win dies) Some gear I bought and used for 25 rounds and never touched it again (Forster HOT case neck thinner). I chose to use the Lee case gauge and spinner / trimmer system for case length trimming - after about 15 or 18 of those, I probably could have bought a really good lathe type case length trimmer plus shell holders and pilots - but just tonight I ordered another Lee case gauge set, for a new-to-me cartridge. I use an RCBS Rockchucker press that I bought used - I wanted a compound leverage press to replace the earlier single leverage type that I had been using - is the fourth (?) press that I have used, and a brand new, never used one is sitting on a shelf, if this one ever dies. I had so many duplicates of ways to do things, that I boxed up a bunch and was able set-up my brother to reload, using tooling that I had tried and preferred another type - and that included a reloading manual - but he had to buy his own dies. He is quite satisfied with the system, that he is still using after 5 or 6 years - I guess the price was right??
 
DerekSus said:
Thanks, you’re correct. I’ve got lots of 556and 9mm. My priority would be 308 win and 308 Norma mag. The others are just in the future. Definitely the 308’s are my focus. I just wanted to give all the info. The 3a carbine is just since it’s such a pain in the but to find. I really want to make sure I have a quantity setup. I don’t want to go to cablela’s and get something that isn’t universal. Your input is exactly what I’m looking for.
Click to expand...

Lots of good advice here already. Particularly, I'll echo the value of a good hand priming tool. Nothing else allows you the same sensitivity when seating primers.

OP, you know yourself best and whether or not you'll be happy with cheap and cheerful or not. It is worth considering going with the basic Lee single stage kit at this point. It will get you producing ammunition right away, and that's when you'll start really learning about what matters to you. Frankly, I'd get the kit, add a reputable budget electronic scale, hand priming tool and powder trickler of your choice and you can make some fine reloads NOW.

Yes, the press is not as nice as the Classic Cast, but it is more than serviceable out of the gate. Even if you do choose to get a heavier press in the future it is really nice to have a spare press (in case your primary needs parts) or even have two presses set up on your bench.

There's very little from the basic Lee kit that I don't still use 15 years later. Anything you don't like can easily be sold at a minimal loss (or no loss at all if you buy smart).
 
Priming on the coax gives a lot of feel and control. Never found a reason for a hand priming tool.
 
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