New to Reloading - Advice on Kits and Tumbler

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Geppetto

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Hi there

I've been looking at getting into reloading for about a year now. Most of my shooting is range, which is what I'd primarily be loading for (in .223 and .308).

My question is does anyone have experience with buying a kit to get started? I've read a lot of good things about RCBS, and there's a Rockchucker supreme master kit available locally. Would this be a good rig to start out with, and are there any tools not included in the kits that one needs to get started?

Also (I hope not too silly a question), is a tumbler essential to have for cleaning brass?

Many thanks!
 
Geppetto said:
Hi there

I've been looking at getting into reloading for about a year now. Most of my shooting is range, which is what I'd primarily be loading for (in .223 and .308).

My question is does anyone have experience with buying a kit to get started? I've read a lot of good things about RCBS, and there's a Rockchucker supreme master kit available locally. Would this be a good rig to start out with, and are there any tools not included in the kits that one needs to get started?

Also (I hope not too silly a question), is a tumbler essential to have for cleaning brass?

Many thanks!
Click to expand...

The kits are all good and will get you started. There are no essential tools to making loaded ammo that are not included, although there are some things that are nice to have that are not included. You can add to the kit as you desire more items and have the funds to pay for them.

The Rockchucker kit is an excellent setup, but likely priced at the higher end in your local shop.

A tumbler is in no way necessary for cleaning brass. You can wash it in soapy water or solvent to remove case lube, dirt, powder residue etc. The brass will become tarnished, but that in no way affects the ammo, other than appearance. The tarnishing could hide case defects, but close inspection will reveal these as well.
 
Geppetto said:
...I'd primarily be loading for (in .223 and .308).
Also (I hope not too silly a question), is a tumbler essential to have for cleaning brass?
Click to expand...

Cleaning brass with a tumbler is not necessary as stated, but to do .223 and .308 in a sink, and drying them is a royal pain.
Tumblers are fairly inexpensive @ under a $100 for a decent one (get the largest you can afford). Walnut blasting media can be bought in 50LB bags for around $25 that should last a while. Other than that, I'd recommend also buying a media separator to keep the mess to a minimum when removing the media from the cleaned brass.
 
Many thanks.

My biggest worry was going out and picking up a kit, only to realize I need one or two more essential things before I'm ready to go.

Thanks again!
 
LEE anniversary pack + the dies you need + case trimming pilots for each caliber would take care of the lower price range. Unless your brass is really dirty, who cares?
 
Is the "1000 free bullets" deal at Hornady still on? It might be worth your while to get the LNL kit, and 1000 free .30cal XTP bullets. You will still have to pay twice for shipping but it's still a great deal.
 
Mercury0_0 said:
Is the "1000 free bullets" deal at Hornady still on? It might be worth your while to get the LNL kit, and 1000 free .30cal XTP bullets. You will still have to pay twice for shipping but it's still a great deal.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I hadn't heard of this. Do I just order from their website?

adriel,

Good point. Most of the brass I have now is once fired (by me) factory, and so besides being a little dark around the case mouth looks just like new. Thus my next question (apologies, this is new to me) - do those who do clean brass in a tumbler do it every time before reloading or only once in a while?

Thanks again!
 
Looks like the deal is still on. http://www.hornady.com/media/get_loaded_again.pdf
There are a couple of things you have to do to get the bullets though.
1. Send all paperwork to Hornady directing bullets to an exporter in the States. (Such as: http:/ /www.reloadinginternational.com/catalog/index.php )

2. Apply for import permit (http://www.international.gc.ca/eicb/EXCOL/intro-en.asp)
3. Send permit to exporter who applies for export permit
4. Exporter mails bullets to you

You do have to pay Hornady $21.95US for shipping and then you will have to pay the exporter for shipping and his time. After all that, it still works out to just several cents per bullet. And they are top of the line bullets worth 10 times what you end up paying.
 
On cleaning brass

I got a Lee Aniv.and upgraded to a Lee Classic press and a Ohaus 5-0-5 scale,mine said RCBS on it.The Classic is a much better press,one of the best out there, and the scale,while not as sensitive,weighs brass and is easier to set up.The rest of the stuff worked great.

For cleaning brass I use the Lee trimmer,a drill and a scotch-brite type super fine pad.The Lee trimmer chucks the base of the case,the drill spins it and I just grab it with the pad. I think cleaner brass sizes easier.
 
Mercury0_0 said:
Looks like the deal is still on. http://www.hornady.com/media/get_loaded_again.pdf
There are a couple of things you have to do to get the bullets though.
1. Send all paperwork to Hornady directing bullets to an exporter in the States. (Such as: http:/ /www.reloadinginternational.com/catalog/index.php )

2. Apply for import permit (http://www.international.gc.ca/eicb/EXCOL/intro-en.asp)
3. Send permit to exporter who applies for export permit
4. Exporter mails bullets to you

You do have to pay Hornady $21.95US for shipping and then you will have to pay the exporter for shipping and his time. After all that, it still works out to just several cents per bullet. And they are top of the line bullets worth 10 times what you end up paying.
Click to expand...

Thanks for this - I was definitely confused about how I'd be able to get them here with the prohibition on bringing in reloading components.

downwindtracker2 said:
For cleaning brass I use the Lee trimmer,a drill and a scotch-brite type super fine pad.The Lee trimmer chucks the base of the case,the drill spins it and I just grab it with the pad. I think cleaner brass sizes easier.
Click to expand...

Hadn't thought of this. If I had the brass held secure, do you think a hard felt-bob or very light abrasive bit chucked in a drill would work for light cleaning as well?

Again, thanks for all the suggestions!
 
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