Starting out

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Gunusr

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So I've never done any reloading before and need some advice on gear. I want/need a rig that I can use to reload anything from pistol calibers up to 300win mag and possibly up to 50 cal in the future.

Not really on a budget, but saving a few bucks here and there means more money for guns and ammo :ar15:
 
With the exception of the .50 BMG, there are four basic types of reloading setup. (The .50, I believe, needs an extra-large one.)

The Lee Loader comes in a box not much bigger than a couple of cigarette packages. Instead of a press, it uses a hammer and your effort to cycle the rounds through. It turns out perfectly good ammo, but takes longer, is noisy and takes more effort. Each Lee Loader is for one specific calibre.

The next three all use interchangeable dies, one to swage the case back to the proper size after having expanded in the chamber, one to kick out the primer and bell the case mouth just a bit and the third to push in the bullet and crimp it in place. (There are variations on that theme, but it's a good intro.) The difference is in the press, the gizmo that uses mechanical leverage instead of a hammer. The thing is, all you have to do is change the dies (each set calibre-specific) and a couple of other minor things and you can reload anything from .17 to .458.

The single-stage press uses one die at a time. You have to run a bunch of cases through, swap out that die for the next, run them all through, swap out the die... It's slower than the other two, but is simple and cheaper. It's where most people start and most never see the need to move past it.

The turret press is much the same, but all the dies are mounted in a moveable plate, allowing you to switch dies much faster. They're a bit more expensive.

The progressive press is like a miniature factory. Every time you pull the handle, components feed in from hoppers and a finished round kicks out. For people doing beaucoup shooting, they're the way to go, but they're considerably more expensive and they are more complex.

I would strongly recommend you look at a book called The ABCs of Reloading. It's one of the best introductions to reloading and will answer most of your questions.
 
I started out with the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master reloading Kit and it started my one of many obsessions (hobbies). You may add to it later if you want or need, but it has done me quite well.
 
.303 said:
I started out with the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master reloading Kit and it started my one of many obsessions (hobbies). You may add to it later if you want or need, but it has done me quite well.
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That looks pretty good! WSS wants $499 for it lol
 
The Lee Classic Cast will be the press that will do all of that. It will accept small and large diameter dies and is sturdy.From the smallest pistol to .50 BMG it will do it. Get yourself a good reloading manual first and read through it a couple of times.After that you will will be able to make a more informed choice on what you need. A good scale,case prep tools and dies of your choice and you are of on the road to reloading.Use published data for your loads and you will will stay safe.If you feel that you are not comfortable, find a mentor or take a reloading class.
 
The book 'The ABCs of Reloading' is always quoted as must-read material, and it is in fact super important that you read it. But, speaking only for myself, I learned most of what I needed to get started from YouTube and forum postings (reddit.com/r/reloading, The High Road, The Firing Line, 6mmBR, etc).

YouTube in particular taught me a ton of stuff at the beginning (well, I'm still pretty much at the beginning. I should say 'at the *very* beginning' ;) ). There are a number of videos or video series that show reloading from start to finish. Hickock45 on YouTube is a great source, but there are tons of other great videos. Just do yourself a favour and watch more than one and *always* read the manuals for your gear when you get it. On several occasions I've watched YouTube videos where people are doing stuff that even a noob like me can tell is just plain wrong. E.g.: failing to lube case necks properly, or using a hand priming tool with the tool pointing at their face :)
 
The ABCs of Reloading is a great start. Another that I would put on a par with it is a mentor. Do you have a buddy or fellow shooter that's into reloading that could help physically walk you through the basics to start with?
 
Johnn Peterson said:
The ABCs of Reloading is a great start. Another that I would put on a par with it is a mentor. Do you have a buddy or fellow shooter that's into reloading that could help physically walk you through the basics to start with?
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Not too worried about it. I can do everything from building computers and meccano (with my son) to building a house. I don't need instruction for most things, but for reloading I will do some reading.

I just want to get good gear to start with and go from there.
 
Well, unless you have your heart set on a turret or progressive press, the Lee 50th anniversary kit will probably do you quite well to start. ttp://ca.wholesalesports.com/storefront/reloading/presses/lee-50th-anniversary-kit/prod252150.html
I don't know what sponsors carry it, I haven't really checked in a while.
 
I think the Lee anniversary kit comes with the aluminum C frame press. A press like a Rockchucker, Honady 007 or a Lee classic Cast will out last most people and perhaps their kids too. The cost for one of these is not great and would be money well spent.
 
mr.e moose said:
I think the Lee anniversary kit comes with the aluminum C frame press. A press like a Rockchucker, Honady 007 or a Lee classic Cast will out last most people and perhaps their kids too. The cost for one of these is not great and would be money well spent.
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:agree:

Here's the thing, a good quality "D" frame single stage press is what you'll want at minimum, for magnum rifle calibers like the 300 WM you mentioned. Aside from this, even if you were to develop your reloading setup toward high volume loading of pistol and .223 with a progressive, you will retain your single stage press. You will always find uses for your single stage press no matter what other kind or how many (yes some very experienced Reloaders keep multiple presses) presses you eventually own. Don't hesitate to start with a good SS and don't treat it like a temporary or a stepping stone. Now someone will surely post that they sold their SS when they went to a 550 turret or a full progressive but these trade-ups are not typical. Bullet pulling, stuck case removing, case forming/shoulder bumping and pre-tumbling case de-priming are some of the many uses you'll find where a SS press is the best tool for the job.

Look into the Hornady L&L bushings. There are, of course, Hornady LnL presses but certain Redding and RCBS SS press models will accept this cheap bushing conversion too. These bushings will transform the performance of a SS press into turret press speeds and are a small fraction of the cost of a turret. I have a Redding Ultramag SS press, a Hornady LnL progressive and L&L bushing on every die I own. "Hope this helps" ;) .
 
Gunusr,

The reasons ABCs is a good idea as a first step is that it explains the options open to you. It's like deciding to buy your first car while knowing nothing about them - a bit of time with the right book will explain the differences between a sports car and a pickup truck, between standard shift and automatic. But it's your call.

As to the various brands of gear out there, there is a lot of fierce brand loyalty to be seen. Some swear at Lee as junk and want only RCBS. Others state that they use nothing but Lee and that RCBS and the rest are over-priced. From what I've seen, none of the major firms make bad reloading equipment, but some is better suited to your personal needs than others. Buying a startup kit is a good way; you'll figure out what more you want with a bit of experience.
 
Gunusr said:
Not too worried about it. I can do everything from building computers and meccano (with my son) to building a house. I don't need instruction for most things, but for reloading I will do some reading.

I just want to get good gear to start with and go from there.
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You should be well on your way then. Like yourself, there many of us here that have been involved in home construction and have fine tuned skills from a lifetime of involvement in industry. I merely suggested what I did, as something that could help cut down the time line in getting started and help keep you away from some of the little pit falls of the task. No sence in learning the hard way and re-inventing the wheel if you can learn from others. Good luck on getting into reloading, be safe and enjoy.
 
Wow lots of good feedback here. Still don't know what kit I'll get but are any of them NOT made in China? That may make it easier to decide.. lol
 
Gunusr said:
Wow lots of good feedback here. Still don't know what kit I'll get but are any of them NOT made in China? That may make it easier to decide.. lol
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Chances are that's where most of it comes from or is outsourced to these days. It would seem that Made In China today is the Made In Japan of the 50's & 60's. I've always been well satisfied with RCBS. My experience with their product quality, customer service and technical advice/suggestions when required has been second to none. Some of my equipment upgrade a few years ago included a Rock Chucker Supreme press, ChargeMaster Combo scale & powder dispenser and a AmmoMaster Chronograph. Sadly, marked on the bottem of the last two items, Made In China. However, again, I've never had serious issue with any of their products and any minor concerns were speedily addressed. Will I purchase more from RCBS, definately.
 
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