New to reloading, and just got a bunch of equiptment

H Wally

H Wally

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So as part of a deal I picked up a bunch of reloading equiptment, mostly minus the instructions. All is as new or close to new and includes three rcbs .223 full length die and sizer sets, a .303 set, a 30-06 set, and a .22-250 set. It also included an rcbs "RELOADER SPECIAL-5 PRESS" (it's marked RCII), a scale, and 500 rds .223 brass, and two large freezer bags of .303 and 30-06. I'm fairly sure I'm off to a good start, but is there any other equiptment that is absolutely recommended, or required to reload? The only thing I can think of is a shell holder, but I don't know which one(s) would be needed for .303 and 30-06. Also, any good websites with instructions on beginner reloading? I have found a few, but I can't make much sense of the tables etc.
Thanks,
H Wally
 
Websites are not the place the learn reloading. The people who write them are anonymous amateurs. You want your information from professionals who are accountable to their publishers/lawyers.

Go buy a reloading manual. It will contain several chapters of "how to", plus hundreds of pages of pressure-tested load data, and tips on how to use that data. I have the Speer manual, which is great. I also have a Hodgdon manual, which has more data but less instruction. The Hornady manual also looks good.

Do not attempt to make ammo until you own and have taken the time to peruse a good manual. Please.
 
Get a manual or two. There are a variety, all are useful. I use Sierra and Hornady. Every maker uses different code munbers for their shellhoders. Why not just get a Lee shellholder set? You are going to need powder weighing/measuring equipment, a trimmer, chamfering tool, you may want a case tumbler. Lots of odds and ends needed. But get a manual first.
 
A powder thrower, case blocks, and case lube / pad are also very useful. If your dies still have the original RCBS box, the shell holder # is marked on the label.
 
Excellent. I think I can borrow a reloading manual, but what's a powder thrower? Also - Tiriaq, can a lee shellholder set be used in an rcbs press? I have never seen one, so I don't know the ins and outs of how they function. As far as the case trimmer, camfering tool, and tumbler goes, are those absolutely required? What purpose do they actually fullfill?
Thanks,
H Wally
 
H Wally said:
can a lee shellholder set be used in an rcbs press?
[...]
As far as the case trimmer, camfering tool, and tumbler goes, are those absolutely required? What purpose do they actually fullfill?
Thanks,
H Wally
Click to expand...

1) yes, shell holders are interchangeable.

2) have you checked the video link I posted earlier? Your questions are answered there.
 
H Wally said:
Excellent. I think I can borrow a reloading manual, but what's a powder thrower? Also - Tiriaq, can a lee shellholder set be used in an rcbs press? I have never seen one, so I don't know the ins and outs of how they function. As far as the case trimmer, camfering tool, and tumbler goes, are those absolutely required? What purpose do they actually fullfill?
Thanks,
H Wally
Click to expand...

The case trimmer trims brass to a common length for consistency, and avoids brass that exceeds maximum lengths as specified in the reloading manuals. An inexpensive tool for trimming is the Lee trimmer
Leecasetrimmer.jpg


Just picked one up and they are cheap ($20) and easy to use in conjunction with a power drill, or on their own. The chamfer tool cleans the brass after trimming and removes rough spots. I would say the trimmer is important, but if you measure all brass and discard any over the maximum length it may not be essential.
 
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H Wally said:
but what's a powder thrower?
Click to expand...

A powder thrower dispences a charge of powder by volume. Once you adjust it to for the correct charge weight, you can add powder to your cases without weighing each one. It speeds things up quite a bit over weighing each charge on your scale or using powder scoops (what ever they're called).
 
Shellholders are interchangeable among manufacturers. The Lee set is reasonably priced, and has an assortment of shellholders; will cover most all common calibres. Higginson Powders in Hawkesbury ON is the best source for Lee, Hornady.
There are many, many options for all the various operations and procedures. Nothing on the market is junk, some folks prefer one make over another.
Reloading is not inherently dangerous or difficult, but you really want to understand what you are doing. That's why it is important to get a good manual and to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the instructions and explanations.
 
take your time.........dont think your a pro with your first batch.......
practice lots ,just making up dummy rounds..
pop out and the primers......resize add bullets on dummy rounds.
even put back the spent primers to get the feel of all..
test to see if your new dummy rounds will chamber properly..
read ........reread your manuals..
ask here if your not sure..
try and get togeather with some one who knows the in,s and out,s of reloading.to learn a few tricks of the trade..
have fun with this new addiction:D
 
Oh - I plan to.... ilovepotatos and I both just got reloading sets (he got lee and I got rcbs:rolleyes: ) so I think we're going to tag team on the reloading. I'll be sure to ask when I get questions
 
A primer tool, a powder funnel, a means of cleaning cases. Reading your manuals will fill you in on the "nice to have" items. Don't try to make a magnum out of a sow's ear and you'll be way ahead of most newbies.
 
Best to hook up with someone who knows the ropes, especially if you are using someone elses used equipment, and particularly used brass - you can run into a lot of headaches. I'm sure someone will help you out if you offer up a poverty pack of beer. Oh - and spend the 30-40 large on getting a reloading manual, if you cant afford it, you should take up frisbee...
 
The steps you need to take are:.
  1. Get a manual!
  2. Read manual from cover to beginning of reload tables.
  3. Do step 2 again.
  4. Make a listing of items you need to reload
  5. Make a second list of items you would LIKE for reloading.
  6. Stroke off the items you have currently.
  7. Get the remaining required items.
  8. Start with single steps and have several spare brass and bullets to try "empty" shells with.
Basic Requirements:
Reloading manual
Reloading press
Dies & appropriate shell holder
Priming method (Either for the press or a separate tool)
Scale & pouring funnel
Vernier Calipers (For case length and OAL)
Case lube (You mentioned all rifle cals)
Case trimmer & reaming/chamfer tool
A CLEAN place to work. (Table/chair/workbench) Clutter can lead to errors
Components​
Nice to haves:
Tumbler
Powder thrower or full electronic dispenser
Primer pocket brushes & reamers
Loading blocks (If not used, just need to be careful with the ones that are loaded as knocking over 50-60 grains of powder sucks huge.....)
Ammo boxes for storage (Seen tupperware & Zip-loks)
Many more precision tools that most people would never need.​
 
Speaking of manuals, keep in mind that a manual from a powder company will generally list only their own powders, but many brands of bullets.
While a bullet maker, Nosler for example, would only list their own bullets, but many powders. So..... if you buy a Nosler manual and plan to reload for a 458 Win Mag, you may be disappointed as they don't make a 458 diameter bullet. So no listing at all.

The point is, get as many manuals as you can.
AND READ THE DAMN THINGS, not just the one page that you are loading for, but the important stuff at the front
 
"...knocking over 50-60 grains of powder sucks huge..." And that's being polite. Even if it's not 50-60 grains. Loading blocks let you check the cases for a powder charge quickly and easily too.
Did the die sets not come with the shell holders? If not, ask the guy you got the stuff from if he has them. They're not terribly expensive, but if you can save the money, you're ahead. If he doesn't, you'll need one per cartridge. However, the .22-250 and .308 use the same one.
Here's a list by number and cartridge for RCBS shell holders. Add the W's.
.kinneman.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=6
The RCBS web site has a decent 'How-to' as well.
 
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