wanna start reloading.. im looking for a starter kit suggestion please
- Thread starter vince514
- Start date
You've gotten some good advice from some serious reloaders on this site with tons of experience but I thought I would throw my hat into the ring because I was just like you 8 months ago,,,,,a guy who was interested in reloading. That being said, I wanted to reload for my rifles only. I wanted to buy a kit so I watched the ads (EE) closely from 2-3 hunting forums looking for used kits, likely being sold because guys were upgrading. I could recognize a good buy because I had researched what they cost new. I ended up buying a Hornady Lock n Load kit that came with a RCBS dry media tumbler and a set of callipers.
Everything was new, never used except the tumbler and I ended up paying half the retail price. I would have bought a RCBS Rock chucker kit, as well, had I found a used kit first because i had heard very good things about them, too. I've used everything in the kit and the only upgrade I have made recently was buying a RCBS balance beam scale just so I could make comparison checks with the electronic scale that comes with the Hornady kit, which is a lower end scale. BTW, I haven't had any issues with it,,,,,,just thought the balance beam scale would give me piece of mind regarding accuracy of powder charges. I also bought a Hornady OAL tool with the comparator attachment which is a very handy tool to own if you're going to reload rifle ammo.
For hunting rounds, I decided to go the copper pill route (TTSX) because I like the idea of lead free meat, as well as getting increased velocity since you can go with a much lighter bullet since they retain almost 100% of their weight upon impact. For practice rounds I went with interlock type bullets which were considerably cheaper and had close to the same POI. I had held onto all my brass from spent ammo the last few decades so that wasn't a cost I would have to worry about.
For dies, I went with Lee Deluxe sets (4 dies),,,,, a full length sizer, as well as a neck, plus the bullet seater, and crimp die which I don't use. I know there are better dies out there but so far they seem to be working just fine. Besides, I don't know any better so far so they should suffice for awhile. I also bought a RCBS Trim Pro 2 because you need something to trim your brass but there is of course better, more expensive units available and cheaper ones, as well. I'm happy with the one I've got.
My kit came with the Hornady book, as well as a Nosler book but I've really only used them to work up loads with. I've done very little reading out of the books. I'm not suggesting you do that but I seem to learn much, much better by watching so I visited 2-3 people I knew who reloaded ammo and watched them like a hawk go through the entire process. I also watched TONS of you tube videos on each stage of the process, as well, which I found extremely helpful. I'm pretty confident I know all the do's and dont's associated with reloading in terms of the process, as well as safety, but I also quickly came to the realization that there are no stupid questions and luckily between the forums I visit and asking people I know all the questions are being answered. Us reloading newbies are extremely lucky that forums like this exist because they provide a wealth of knowledge. It's comforting to know that the "experts" aren't taking what they know to the vault and are being as helpful as they are. A big thumbs up for that!
As others have mentioned, I don't think you could go wrong with starting with a single stage press. Chances are, since you want to load ammo for pistols, as well, you'll eventually get a progressive unit but you'll still end up keeping your original press. Good luck with your reloading,,,,it's a pretty addictive hobby, especially if you like to shoot.
Everything was new, never used except the tumbler and I ended up paying half the retail price. I would have bought a RCBS Rock chucker kit, as well, had I found a used kit first because i had heard very good things about them, too. I've used everything in the kit and the only upgrade I have made recently was buying a RCBS balance beam scale just so I could make comparison checks with the electronic scale that comes with the Hornady kit, which is a lower end scale. BTW, I haven't had any issues with it,,,,,,just thought the balance beam scale would give me piece of mind regarding accuracy of powder charges. I also bought a Hornady OAL tool with the comparator attachment which is a very handy tool to own if you're going to reload rifle ammo.
For hunting rounds, I decided to go the copper pill route (TTSX) because I like the idea of lead free meat, as well as getting increased velocity since you can go with a much lighter bullet since they retain almost 100% of their weight upon impact. For practice rounds I went with interlock type bullets which were considerably cheaper and had close to the same POI. I had held onto all my brass from spent ammo the last few decades so that wasn't a cost I would have to worry about.
For dies, I went with Lee Deluxe sets (4 dies),,,,, a full length sizer, as well as a neck, plus the bullet seater, and crimp die which I don't use. I know there are better dies out there but so far they seem to be working just fine. Besides, I don't know any better so far so they should suffice for awhile. I also bought a RCBS Trim Pro 2 because you need something to trim your brass but there is of course better, more expensive units available and cheaper ones, as well. I'm happy with the one I've got.
My kit came with the Hornady book, as well as a Nosler book but I've really only used them to work up loads with. I've done very little reading out of the books. I'm not suggesting you do that but I seem to learn much, much better by watching so I visited 2-3 people I knew who reloaded ammo and watched them like a hawk go through the entire process. I also watched TONS of you tube videos on each stage of the process, as well, which I found extremely helpful. I'm pretty confident I know all the do's and dont's associated with reloading in terms of the process, as well as safety, but I also quickly came to the realization that there are no stupid questions and luckily between the forums I visit and asking people I know all the questions are being answered. Us reloading newbies are extremely lucky that forums like this exist because they provide a wealth of knowledge. It's comforting to know that the "experts" aren't taking what they know to the vault and are being as helpful as they are. A big thumbs up for that!
As others have mentioned, I don't think you could go wrong with starting with a single stage press. Chances are, since you want to load ammo for pistols, as well, you'll eventually get a progressive unit but you'll still end up keeping your original press. Good luck with your reloading,,,,it's a pretty addictive hobby, especially if you like to shoot.
One thing that has been mentioned in other threads, that I haven't seen here: Don't reload with any distractions (significant other, kids, pets, TV, etc.) around. Also, if you're inclined to have a cool frosty one at times, save it for when you're done reloading for the afternoon / evening....
Damn good advice.
Also don't take anything for granted. even if there is only one container of powder on the bench, read the label and make sure it is what you want. Read and confirm everything else (bullets, primers, casings, load data etc etc). Hopefully you will quickly get in the habit and won't even think of it but do it all the time.
i would be ready to order an RCBS press. I decided to start with a single stage as mentionned a few times here to start with the basics and understand the process.
Where you guys would order your RCBS stuff from????
Any RCBS starter kit comes to your mind?
Where you guys would order your RCBS stuff from????
Any RCBS starter kit comes to your mind?
buy a lee challenger kit to start
it's cheap for a whole kit
it works
you will always need a cheap press
AND, you will eventually possibly want a forster co-ax for rifle anyway, so why pay 2 expensive presses.
I am telling you, just buy a damn lee kit to start, it's cheap and it works the same as that nice rockchucker press.
or, IF you want a better press in a kit, the lee chassic cast single stage is unbeatable for the price... it's a really nice press for less.
(but again, you don't need it if you eventually buy something else).
https://www.westernmetal.ca/shooting/lee-precision-breech-lock-challenger-kit-lp-90030
190$ for everything
it's cheap for a whole kit
it works
you will always need a cheap press
AND, you will eventually possibly want a forster co-ax for rifle anyway, so why pay 2 expensive presses.
I am telling you, just buy a damn lee kit to start, it's cheap and it works the same as that nice rockchucker press.
or, IF you want a better press in a kit, the lee chassic cast single stage is unbeatable for the price... it's a really nice press for less.
(but again, you don't need it if you eventually buy something else).
https://www.westernmetal.ca/shooting/lee-precision-breech-lock-challenger-kit-lp-90030
190$ for everything
