Want to start to reload

Rctic

Rctic

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Hi All,

I just picked up a 45-70 lever gun and really like it but the ammo is pricey. I have read that reloading is the only way to go if you want to shoot often. Now I know nothing about reloading other than the you tube videos I have found but there seems to be a lot of tools I would need to get started. So which brings me to my question... I have been looking at a lot starter kits like "Lee 50th Anniversary Reloader kit" which is quite reasonable at around $200 and I have seen other kits like the "RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Deluxe Reloading Kit" which is over $1000. There others that seem to be in between but I am not sure what would be best for me? I don't mind spending the money on something if there is a value to it and I don't want to buy something that is plain not worth it. For someone that is just getting started is there a kit that you would recommend?

Really appreciate the help!!
 
I have been reloading for 6 years and am still happy with my purchase of a 50th anniversary kit. I've upgraded to a gempro scale and added a few things like a tumbler but it was a great kit to learn on. I only load for rifles and don't load more than 1000 rounds a year these days so the slower pace of it doesn't bother me
 
Yup...Im reloading 45-70 on a $150 dollar Lee press ;)

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I started with the rock chucker kit,about 3 years ago.
I still use it for all my rifles.
It’s only about $350 though .

You’ll need s few other tools,that don’t come with the kit.

It’s not that difficult, lots of you tube and lots of help on this site.
 
Stared off with a Lee 50th myself. Didn't know if I'd stick with it at the time but I did and started cranking out a lot of pistol ammo and that's a LOT of work on a single stage. Ended up getting a Hornady LNL AP for my plinking ammo but still use the Lee for my precision ammo, pulling bullets and depriming spent brass.

Prophet usually has an RCBS Rock Chucker kit on sale plus rebate. Didn't see 'em promote it this winter so not sure if RCBS is still doing sales/rebates.
 
I just picked up an RCBS Summit a few months ago for $219 from Epps. While the Rock Chucker is a good press, the Summit is by far the best single stage press RCBS makes. This thing is solid, weighs a ton and is a top down design like the Coax. I couldn't be happier with it. Get a good set of dies, a scale, hand primer and give it. I own lot of dies but from now on I buy Lyman or Hornady dies... they just work well.

I am of the "buy once, cry once" mindset and have given away almost all my older stuff and couldn't be happier with what I have now.
 
It's not like you're gonna win benchrest competitions with 45-70, so just about any press will work just fine. The lee 50th anniversary bundle is a goos choice, so is a turret press. Both are good choices for 45-70.
 
I bought a 50th lee kit about 8 years ago. It was my first press and is still my only press. I am happy with the kit but have bought a used rcbs scale witch I find easier to use compared to the lee scale. IMHO if you buy the lee kit and find reloading is not for you, or you want a better press, you will be able to sell the kit. Again IMHO there is no better way to learn reloading than to buy a kit and get started. Many people have said they keep there lee press when they buy a more expensive press.
 
The basics of reloading - the basic steps that one should follow:

Deprime
Clean brass
Resize
Trim
Prime
Powder
Projectile
Bullet

I have the Lee 4 stage turret press that I got lucky enough to pick up for $50 at a sale - it was just the press, nothing else. I use this press mostly for rifle and only to deprime before cleaning, and resizing. You need to resize you brass back down to factory specifications using a full length resize. To do that you need a good set of dies (I use Hornady) and some lubrication. And some patience. Setting dies up for the first use can be a little confusing - but - its actually not that hard. A good set of wrenches is what you need here, don't use anything other than fitted, no 'adjustable' types or you are gonna mess with your nuts and dies.

Single stage Press - $200 - $1000
Dies $80 - $100 per calibre
Case Lube - $10
Tumbler - $100
Scale (for powder measuring) - $100

For reloading the cleaned and trimmed brass I use a progressive press. Empty case in, full cartridge out when done. Hornady Lock n Load AP Progressive press is my choice here. There is another 'blue' one, but honestly they both need some tweeking to get working smoothly, and the hornady is better value. You don't need a progressive (I load a lot of pistol ammo, and a progressive is only choice here - 100 rounds in about 15 minutes - as long as you have clean brass waiting you can load up and get out).

As long as you press comes with a powder drop, priming/depriming tools, you just need to get a scale, a good loading block ($10-$20).

So there is some food for thought. My journey into reloading is still a learning process. I've wasted money on things I didn't need and ruined dies because I didn't do things right. You need patience.

But let me tell you - it is a VERY satisfying feeling shooting tight groups with your own brand of ammo. It's as much of a hobby as sitting on the bench or running a course of fire in PPC.
 
Don't be afraid to buy some tools used. It would take decades of use to wear a press out. Lots of people go in whole hog and don't really get too heavy into using the gear before losing interest. I would look for and buy as much used tools as possible. This is something I wish I had done myself because I spent a "LOT" of money initially.Btw, if anyone tries to charge you a $1000 for a rock chuckerr supreme kit, just laugh and walk away. Excellent kit but they don't cost anywhere near that. I have that kit and highly recommend it. There are usually a few on the EE and prophet river puts them on sale frequently.
 
I use a Lee 4 hole turret press and it serves my needs very well. Ive been lucky enough to find almost all my reloading equipment used at great prices either from other club members or at gun shows.
 
I got a lee challenger kit, when I started reloading in 1987. Still have it still my main press for reloading for my rifles.
I got a couple of lee progressive presses I used for reloading for pistols, don't load or use my hand guns much anymore.
You have to tinker with the progressive presses to get them to work, but they still work good.
Can't go wrong on a lee single stage, later if you want you can upgrade if you feel you need to, I just never needed to.
 
Lots of guys got started with Lee equipment; myself included. It'll get you going, and while you're at it get going with some inexpensive casting equipment at the same time. A 45/70 is a natural for cast bullet loads and you will recover your modest investment in no time,. maybe even the first day if you go hard. That's important.

That's the good news. The reason why its important is that if you stick with it and load a lot of ammunition you will probably realize what flimsy junk it really is. At least you can shrug and say that it doesn't owe you anything when you buy the good stuff.

So yeah, buy the Lee and forget all about buying once and crying once. No use being smarter than the rest of us.:)
 
First I want to say thank you for all the responses! When I get a some free time I am going to read each one!
 
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