New to reloading, Need Package advise

savageshooter565

savageshooter565

Member
Rating - 100%
15   0   0
Location
West Kootenays
Good day all,

My father and I have finally decided to jump in to centerfire reloading this year. What we need now is some advice on the must have products or brands to get started. We have already decided to buy a RCBS Chargemaster, so our scale issue is done. We are leaning towards a RCBS single stage press press. We will be reloading .308, .270, .223 and .22.250 to start. If someone is willing, can you please provide a list of products, and the best make for the tools we need. We don't want to spend a mint but we would like to buy quality the first time.
Single Stage Press Make and Model?
Dies, which company?
Chrono?
Case trimmer(do we need one to start)?
Reloading Manuals?
Any other tools to start?

I understand everyone's tastes are different, but feedback from the real experienced guys will give us a good starting point.

Thank you for any help and advice.

SS
 
I'm not the most experineced, but here's what I use:
Press RCBS Rockchucker single stage
RCBS dies. Small base for semis, Competition - for the obvoius reason, or plain full length size dies. Never sized just the neck, so I can't tell if it is good or not.
Chrony - cheap and good.
Lee case trimmer for anything else but competition shooting.
Some say it is cumbersome to trimm all the cases by hand..... but you can use a drill.
Ohhh and they are cheap too. The RCBS seems to be some ppl favorites, but more money.

Primer pocket cleaner. Optional primer pocket trimmer/uniforming tool and decrimping (if you use milsurp brass) - less likely

Reloading manuals...... hehe... all of them.
Start with whatever bullet you want to use. Look up for the powders recommended and then.... start with the minimum...... Buying the manual will lighten the path further.

If you read 50-100 posts on the forum you're bound to find a lot of links to sites that provide more data and a lot of info on this matter.

Other tools? Tumbler, Case lube& pad, Powder tricler, ....
Or buy a relaoding kit from RCBS. The one that doesn't have the Charge Master in it.
Cheers
 
Package Reloading start

Here you Go​


Reloading Starting Kit​


Loading Manual Suggest Hodgen #26 for a start/Speer
Good weigh scale RCBS Mod 502/505 either will do. [A MUST]
Press. Partner or Rockchucker [Partner is good starter]
Dies RCBS Hornaday Lyman Lee my preference RCBS [ Carbide set for Pistols]
Case Lube Must for lubing rifle cases before resizing. Not required for most pistols if using carbide dies.
Loading block RCBS or ? used to hold cases.
Powder funnel
Primer Tray or [Flipper]
Trim to Length gauge Rifle-Pistol
Hammer type bullet puller [You will need] sooner or later
Build a solid bench.


Nice to Have​

Digital Calipers [check house of tools]
Electronic powder scale & dispenser RCBS $319 + Scales $300-or Lyman Auto Scale $360.
Case trimmer [I like Forster] $83.00-$90.00 For rifle mainly.
Primer pocket cleaning brushes $9.00 ea handle $11.00 again mainly rifles.
Powder measure RCBS Uniflow [I prefer] $110 Lyman same $ as RCBS
Case Cleaner Tumbler $120-$259.00
=============================================================

Shop the Gun shows, Bargain Finder Etc Price 50%-70% depending on condition. You can use Wholesale Sports catalog as a guide to new prices.
=============================================================

If going to load mainly for pistol look at Dillion Blue presses. 550-650



Reloading

Take time to phone the following and ask for their free catalogs.

  • RCBS tell them you are going to be reloading soon and would like a catalog and anything else they have to guide you in getting started.
1-800-533-5000 .

  • Do same for Lyman at 1-800-22-Lyman ask for reloading and cast bullet Guide to assist you to start.
 
a perfect press for rifle calibres is the new Rockchucker, good choice (the old one too). for a powder measure/dispenser also go RCBS and get the micrometer measuring upgrade. You've got a great scale, but for quick and easy measuring of small kernel powder the Uniflow is an excellent tool, and it'll give you a backup for if/when your electronic dispenser craps out. repeatability is also excellent. Trimming, you want the RCBS Pro case trimmer, quick and simple to use, and if you have a 1/2 chuck drill you can turn it into a power trimmer. Dies, well there are a ton of them out there, but I like RCBS, competition for my .308 and .223 and carbide for the pistol. As mentioned above a good case tumbler is also needed.
 
Lee anniversary kit with Lee loading manual is a good cheap place to start, then you can go from there with your upgrades if you stick with the hobby. I like Lyman's reloading book.
 
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit, RCBS Accessory Kit.

(These two kits will give you everything you need to get started except dies, shell holders and components.)

I use RCBS dies (carbide where available).

For a trimmer, I like the original Forster.

Tumblers are Lyman Turbo-Flo 2200's.
 
go dillon 550 , you can reload pistol and rifle , plus it has removable tool head so you can change calibers with out fuss . It is a bit more money than the others , but you get what you pay for . Joe
 
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit since you're both newbies to reloading and you'll be loading primarily rifle rounds. The RCBS accessory kit is a nice addition. Whichever kit you go with, a good set of calipers is strongly recommended. You get the latest Speer reloading manual with the above kit, but the Hodgdon pr Lyman are also good choices. I generally recommend new reloaders purchase a couple of good manuals just so you can cross reference them. Check out the Hornady M-2 case tumbler. Its good, inexpensive and will more than meet your needs. For dies, I stick with RCBS or Redding. RCBS has the absolute best customer service in the business and all of its tools (electronics excepted) are guaranteed for life...life of the tool, not yours! Dillon also has a good warranty and customer service. Redding's isn't bad, but its not in the same ballpark as the other two.
 
I am looking at reloading too. I was thinking of a Dillon 650 for 38super. Is a progressive press OK for reloading rifle rounds (300WinMag) or should I get a single stage for rifle reloading?
 
My opinion would be:

Press RCBS Rockchucker or the new LEE CLassic Cast
Scale would be the RCBS 505 or 10-10, either or.
Powder dispensing unit if wanting would be a Harrell's.
RCBS priming tool would be fine.
For cleaning primer pockets I would get a small and larger primer pocket uniformer.
Rcbs dies would be fine for all to start. Later on when you get more confident I would go with a necksizing dies by Redding. You could always sell the RCBS later on.
Get a few loading trays.
Shell boxes by I believe Plano. They are hinged tops.
Book Sierra or the Hornady books would be great. Lots of info on reloading for the beginner.
Funnel.

That should have it. Idealy, I would get together and reload with someone who is competent for the first time. Ask questions. Always start 10% lower than the min charge until you get to know what you are doing.

Enjoy and good luck.


Calvin


I forgot to mention case trimmer. I would get a Wilson, one of the best out there. Calipers go to Princess Auto and buy a digital from them. Reasonable priced and very effective.
 
Last edited:
If you have no tools currently and don't want to drop very large bucks.

GET A LEE ANNIVERSARY KIT. It will come with everything you need. I thought I would upgrade but in 7 years and literally 1000 and thousands of rounds of rifle and pistol. I have'nt had any need to! I did break the press link once (admitedly it might have been my fault) Lee sent a new one in 3 days.

Save your money for a chronograph (MUST HAVE)
Powder (buy at higginsons in 7 lb lots)
and bullets!

I 'd love to have some of RCBS 's products but I just have'nt needed anything but the LEE stuff and for the 600-1200 bucks I would spend in the upgrade process I can buy a lot cooler toys!
Reloading is fun in a kinda means to an end way. You want lots of cheap, accurate ammo, sitting looking at your press gets old quick so who cares what it is if it gives you cheap accurate bullets.
 
Last edited:
I've just gotten into reloading myself and i'm having a great time doing it. You're getting excellent information from everyone on this thread IMHO. The gear I went with most closely resembles what X-man has suggested except I'm using Redding products primarily and no electronics whatsoever.

IMHO a progressive rig like the Dillon setups would be the cat's ass if you're loading pistol (high volume). For rifle I think you'll be better served by the SS setups being recommended here.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom