Reloading basics

Dont skimp on a press, trimmer or scale.

1) .015 -.030 Bullet Jump from lands works great for most rifles. Nosler has good process for finding ideal OAL using black jiffy marker.

2) I like to finish powder charge with trickler for precise measuring.

3) When seating start your bullet into the case then lower the ram and turn case 90 deg and seat a little more repeat
2x then finsh seating...this can help reduce bullet run-out when using plain bullet seating die vs competition seating die which has internal sleeve to align bullet with case.
 
TSPIRI said:
I've already figured out a basic press is enough for me. I'm not going to be producing hundreds of handgun rounds every week. I'm looking at maybe 20-60 rifle rounds at a time as I tinker with my rifles. I've read some people saying one press is more accurate than another but how big a difference is there between the machines themselves. I mean they're basically a ram that pushes brass back and forth into dies. Does the brand of the press have that big an impact on the finished product or are people being brand snobs. I don't mean to offend anyone but I can drive to work every day in an old beater truck or a Mercedes. Both will get me to work every day one is fancier and way more expensive. I've found some presses that are hundreds of dollars more expensive than their competition. I work with tools every day. I learned long ago that buying junk today to save a few bucks will cost you a lot more when you have to replace junk equipment later.
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You're mostly right. Any "heavy-duty" press will be just fine for your needs. That's why so many people responded by saying "get the lee anniversary kit", it's about 1/2 the price of a rock chucker kit and it'll suits your needs. I think the only press you should avoid is the small Lee C-type press. I have one, and it's too small and will bend when trying to size large rifle cases. Other then that one, you're good to go.

Just FYI: There's a lot more difference between an old beater and new mercedes than between a Lee and the other brands. The Lee would be a brand new 30k$ Honda Accord and the Hornady/RCBS would be a 60k$ mercedes. They'll both take you very comfortably to work, the difference will actually be quite subtle, and a lot to do with grandstanding.
 
Warranty is a big reason as well. Lee is 2yrs, and companies like RCBS are lifetime. I started with a Lee Challenger 2001 press but soon upgraded to a better one (RCBS, Redding, Dillon)
 
I would never pay a 100% premium for a warranty on anything. If a warranty is worth more than the product, then the product is junk and I don't want it at anyprice.

That being said, I bought a used press with a broken primer arm on the EE and Lee replaced the part for free, I only paid shipping, which was almost nothing. Got the part a week later. Some people seem to hate Lee around here, but my experience with them so far has been better than what people consider a good experience at RCBS.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend their single stage or turret press to anyone.
 
Get a rcbs kit,it comes with the manual and almost everything you'll need.
Get some spare decapping pins and a stuck case removal set.

Read your die,set up instructions carefully,as that's where lots of new reloaders,run into problems.

You can get a cheaper trimmer,but you will, more than likely want to upgrade,later on.
So buy the best you can afford.

You'll also want a trickler,for stick powder.( must have),

I now use lanolin and isopropyl alcohol for my lube,and haven't had a stuck case yet.

You'll also need a set of calipers,I got the Canadian tire set and haven't had an issue with them.(3 years and going strong).

As for cheaper,I'd say yes,you'll get to shoot a lot more.
 
It should definitely be cheaper to load the .338.. I load for .243 and it's considerably cheaper with better results to boot. I can buy cheaper factory ammo, but not with a premium bullet.
Cost aside, you have more control over the quality of your ammo if you're serious about reloading for precision.
I didn't buy a kit, instead bought a new piece here, a used piece there.
My issue with the kit was that I'd have several items I had no intention of using. I could have sold them, but didn't want to go that route.
My intent was (still is) to develop two loads. One for range/target/varmint use, the other for a deer load.
 
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