Thinking about starting into reloading.

CompBoy

CompBoy

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and of course I have a few questions I picked up the ABC's of reloading and read through it and I'm starting to get an idea of what I'd like to buy but wanted a little bit more of an idea here which way to go.

Right now I can only see myself reloading my .30/06 as my SKS is cheaper to go with surplus but I can see myself reloading at least one pistol caliber and most likely .223 in the very near future. I'm a little torn between buying the Lee 50th Anniversary kit and the Deluxe turret press kit.

I've been kind of mulling around the idea of get the single stage press with the kit and getting the turret after I get a Handgun. Some day in the near future hopefully. :redface:

Just wondering how tedious does the one stage at a time get when your loading say 100 rounds and does the turret press work well for larger rifle rounds like the .30/06

Oh and room isn't the issue I've got a small workshop about 10 by 10 I'd say with a fair size bench.
 
"...how tedious does the one stage at a time get..." Been using one for everything for 30 plus years. Speed is a matter of technique. One step to all of your cases, then change dies. Use both hands with a bin on either side. Into the shell holder with one hand, operate the press and out with the other. Easier to do than describe, but it takes a bit of practice. You can process your brass until it's ready for powder and bullet and store 'em in any container with a lid. They'll wait.
"...with a fair size bench..." Solid, as in no particle board, top? Reloading doesn't have to take up a lot of space, but the bench top needs to be solid. Bought a cheap work bench kit from Beaver Lumber, long ago. The particle board top broke on the very first use. A square foot of 1/4", mild, steel(got it from a guy I shot with at the time) bolted on with the press bolt to the steel fixed it. 3/4" plywood will do though.
Lee's warrantee isn't as good as RCBS', but their beginner's kits aren't as expensive either. Buying used is fine. Only RCBS kit if you buy used though. Their warrantee is on the equipment, not who bought the stuff new. They'll fix any issues with a phone call, even if you buy used. Get access to the Equipment Exchange forum, if you haven't already. Lots of shooters sell their old kit when they upgrade.
 
I find that I just plug away in stages and I don't really find it "tedious". I would recommend that you shy away from a "kit" press. Buy the press you want and then accessorize based on what you want in equipment as opposed to making due with the crap that comes in the kit. Do your due diligence in researching your stuff and make sure you buy a decent scale, that is very important and not something to cheap out on. I see your from Mississauga, take a drive up to Ellwood Epps one day, they have a large selection of stuff and will have everything you will need. Definitely worth the trip...
 
get your self a used RCBS rockchucker...its a single staged press thats built like a tank...
i think all new re loaders should start of with a single stage press..
this gives them lots more experience in learning all the separate stages used to reload..
 
You should go with a digital scale. RBCS at that. my first digital was a lyman. what a pos. I now use the RCBS and have never looked back. Its instant with no more second guessing.

Reloading is something you get better at with time. At first mostly make sure your not over charging your powder load. most important part.

Good luck tho. have fun.
 
I load mainly for large rifle on a single stage press. I like to run batches of 100-300 rounds. Sometimes I spend weeks preparing and sorting cases. One week cleaning and decapping. Another for trimming, ect, ect.

I think single stage works better and allows better examination of the cartridge for large and magnum rifle. A progressive works well for small rifle and handgun loading.
 
fogducker said:
i,ll lend you my rock chucker press for a total of 30 days if that helps you out;):D
Click to expand...

Alas my limit is self imposed I limit myself to $20 a week on my hobbies so it's going to take a while to save I'm at $245 for this week and with moving I'll have to pass for a month or so on that offer, as we need to get settled and organized. :D My house right now is a shambles all of my tools are packed away and my bench is 40 minutes drive away.

At least I'm not spending any money right now since getting to the range is all but impossible too busy. Part of the reason to reload is the reduced recoil rounds are a little expensive.
 
You don't actually save money from reloading. You get much more shooting with the same amount.

In the long run its cheaper. For premium shooting 30.06 hunting loads, my cost is about 65 cents. Some friends pay over 40 bucks/box and they don't shoot better than my home loads.
 
I've heard that before. That's kind of what I'm shooting for as it were. That and I really don't like shooting deer hunting loads as target loads at the range.
 
I agree with the single stage route. I load for .303 and .308, and also 9mm and .38 S&W. With the handgun stuff, I break it up into steps: decap and size, spread over a week or two or even longer, same time frame for priming, then when I'm ready, powder and seat the bullets.
It can be done, and I too am on a tight budget. Upgrading to a progressive just isn't in the cards for the forseeable future.
 
Another thing not mentioned, reloading allows you to better economize your time, money, and shooting. You buy the components and slowly stock up when you have the cash. You prepare all your cases when you have free time or bad weather, and load up some rounds. When you're out shooting and you're getting low on rounds, you simply charge them with powder and seat the bullet.


My hunting loads are the same as my target loads in most cases. I can purchase extra/different bullets, but why bother to work up several different loads when you only need to master one?

For 30.06 180gr SP: powder 25 cents, bullet 30 cents, primer 4 cents = 60 per shot. Bulk buying gets a you a better deal, as does shopping and hunting for bargains and sometimes going to shows.
 
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