Reloading Purchase thoughts

B

BangFlop

Member
First, thanks to everyone that posted on my previous post. Below is what I am thinking of purchasing to reload for 3 different 7mm-08’s and a 223. All rifles are bolt guns. I will obviously need to get powders, primers and bullets.

What are your thoughts? What are things I don’t need? What are things I am missing? I ultimately would like to keep cost lower but I want to have what I need as well! I am choosing RCBS as my research shows they offer quality products and I can get them at a great price through a friend.

Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit (RCBS # 9354)
Rock Chucker Supreme Press
M500 Mechanical Scale
Uniflow Powder Measure
Hand Priming Tool
Universal Case Load Block
.17-.60 Debur Tool
Hex Key Set
Case Lube Kit
Powder Funnel
Nosler #7 Reloading Manual
RCBS Stand (RCBS # 9092)
RCBS Powder Trickler 2 (RCBS # 09089)
RCBS Flash Hole Deburring Tool 22 Caliber (RCBS # 88145)
RCBS Flash Hole Deburring Tool 284 Caliber (RCBS #88147)
RCBS Primer Pocket Brush Combo (RCBS # 9575)
RCBS Shell Holder #10 (RCBS # 9210)
RCBS Shell Holder #3 (RCBS # 9203)
RCBS 2 Die Set 223 (RCBS # 11101)
RCBS 2 Die Set 7mm-08 (RCBS # 13901)
Lee Case Length Gauge and Shellholder (Lee # 90114)
Lee Case Length Gauge and Shellholder (Lee # 90167)
Lee Case Trimmer Cutter and Lock Stud (Lee # 90110)

Thanks again for taking the time to help me!
Steve
 
I give you a A+

RCBS customer service is second to none.

When my grown son, finally wanted his own reloading set up, this is what he chose. He has added a Chargemaster.

You will need a caliper, start with a cheaper one from Harbor Freight, EBay, or RCBS has them. Dial or digital, they both have their pros and cons, like, the battery will never be dead on a dial.
 
I'd go with individual components and scrap some of the stuff on your list.

1. I would ditch the flash hole uniforming tool. You'll have far more tolerance stacking that will hinder accuracy between the standard dies, accuracy of a commercial beam scale, and so forth before a perfect flash hole comes into play. Not saying that you aren't going to load accurate ammo with this equipment, because you will, just that this is a complete waste of time and money.

2. Instead of the misc case prep tools, I'd buy the lyman kit. They're very high quality and get you everything that you need. Later on you can get a power station and use them on that too.

3. I'd also forgo the Lee measuring stuff and get yourself a good pair of calibers and the Hornady bullet comparator kit, plus their headspace gauges and the COAL gauge. The ability to measure your exact chamber size and bump brass only as much as you need to (.002" for field reliable ammo) plus determine your exact distance to the lands with any given bullet and measure them at the ogive which is far more consistent than the tip is worth it's weight in gold for loading accurate ammo.

4. Lastly I'd spend a little more for some higher grade equipment. For not a lot more you can get a Redding standard die set, or better yet a Forster Benchrest die set. These dies not only offer some nice features over the RCBS, but the quality of manufacturing is far greater and will yield ammo with less runout. Same thing with the press, spending a little bit more for a Redding big boss II which is higher quality and produces less runout will also aide in making more accurate ammo.


If you just want to load ammo then the kits will do and you'll still load accurate ammo, but if you want all the precision that you can wring out of a rifle then the equipment quality does matter.

If you want to save money and figure out what you need and upgrade over time I'd actually buy the Lee kit over the RCBS. Since RCBS sent their manufacturing over seas several years ago the quality isn't what it used to be and it honestly doesn't get you anything over the Lee other than a name. I'd rather have that kit and more money to spend on some of the measuring tools and better dies than have the RCBS kit, you'll see better results this way.
 
What i use is no better than anybody else.

But i use a Redding T-7 turret press, and have had the best luck with Forster dies.
Lyman case prep machine
RCBS charge master for load development. (you can change from 25.5 grains to 25.6 grains in seconds)
Hornady OAL gauge and case combo
Sinclair bump gage insert, comparator and bump gage body.
RCBS electronic caliper. If you have money go with mitutoyo.

The rest is noise. Buy what color package you like best.
 
Looks good to me.
Prepare to buy another manual, stay away from manuals from bullet manufacturers and powder manufacturers unless you exclusively use their products, otherwise you'll have a bookcase full of manuals like me.
Also, as mentioned above, get a bullet comparator kit, doesn't matter what brand.
 
I tend to agree with buying individual components. Surprised no one said get a Forster press... they are good but I personally would recommend the new MEC press. I have Forster/ MEC/ Hornady Iron press two RCBS ‘s RC’s and a CH press and Redding T-7.
Hand primer I recommend Frankford Arsenal
Latest Nosler Manual is very good.
Get several loading blocks I personally don’t like the universal but they work.
 
Individual components is best, buy once cry once. The problem is that most beginners don't know what they need or what the options even are. Without a mentor, the choices are overwhelming and confusing. Even then, everyone has a different opinion of what is best.

For that reason, the RCBS Rock Chucker Surpreme kit for $249.99 on sale (or similar kit) is a decent deal and give a novice somewhere to start. For some, the hardest part is figuring out where to start.

Then after you start using it for a while you're like, man, this mini-lathe trimmer sucks and takes forever! So you get a WFT or WCT and never look back. And so on with the upgrades. The press itself will always be useful but you might end up upgrading pretty much everything else eventually to same time reloading and make tasks easier (motorized).
 
It is very hard, especially when I am looking to reload only to provide accuracy and the use of bullet options that are not available in a factory load. I will be loading probably 100 rounds a year (more at the beginning with load development, etc). So progressive and Forster Co-ag are definitely not needed. In fact, I would prefer to buy the bare minimum to load quality/safe ammo. I only shoot 150 yards and under as well.

Thanks for your help!
 
Originally Posted By: BangFlop...I am looking to reload only to provide accuracy and the use of bullet options that are not available in a factory load. ... I would prefer to buy the bare minimum to load quality/safe ammo.

Should have just got some Wilson hand dies and a plastic face hammer then.

Put me down in the individual components camp. Never went the kit route, glad I didn't, would have got rid of everything except the press anyway.

- DAA
 
Hunters & shooters living in the totalitarian state of CA would agree: learn to reload!

BangFlop, you've made a wise decision to begin reloading.

My advice is to start slow and buy what you need when you figure out you need it.

I started with a Rockchucker Combo set. I've added a few things like a Chargemaster for rifle loading.

BTW, a digital scale is infinitely more accurate than a balance beam scale. I have a good friend in the pharmaceutical industry. All scientific scales used to measure fractions of grams of chemicals used to compound medicine are weighed on digital scales. NASA uses digital scales. Hence, I'd go digital scale outta the gate.

I started old-school: balance beam scale. Not only was it a laborious & tedious process, it wasn't as accurate. So I went digital. You don't need a high-end German model that'll weigh a pencil mark on paper. An inexpensive digital scale will be fine as long as it's accurate.

I had bought a set of Forster competition loading dies for my new .222 Rem. The vendor emailed me with notice that they wouldn't become available for delivery until Feb '19. I trashed that order & did 'net research. I bought RCBS Gold Medal dies & had 'em in my hands within a week. All I'm waiting on is a neck bushing, which I should have early next week.

I load for the .270 Win & 7MM Rem Mag. I use standard dies for each. I can print .25" with hunting ammo with both cartridges. You don't need tricked out stuff for excellent results. All you'll need is attention to precise detail if you want better than factory ammo accuracy.

BTW, the ONLY reason I went tricked out dies for my .222 Rem is it's an extremely accurate cartridge. I wanna see if I can get that baby to shoot to its stellar reputation. The reality -and I was told so by an RCBS rep- is I probably couldn't improve results had I had gone with 30 buck RCBS dies. There was no way I was gonna allow reason to interfere with my want of tiny groups ;-) What can I say? I LOVE accuracy.

When CA went full Josef Stalin on We, the People by forcing us to suffer background checks to buy ammo, I bought an RCBS 7-stage progressive because progressives have ruined what was once the Golden State. It's intended use is reloading handgun ammo. I've yet to use it. But until I can escape tyranny, I'm keeping it.

Go slow, buying what you need as needed. Reloading is a excellent hobby that can get expensive in a lot faster than a New York rush.

One last point: look for sales. Last Christmas I bought a bunch of Nosler & Sierra hunting bullets from Cabelas that were on sale & included free shipping. I should never have to buy another box of big game hunting bullets. Compile a list of at least a half-dozen components vendors & keep in handy. Midsouth is always running sales. I really like Powder Valley. Try to buy powder for local vendors. That way you won't get extorted by that bogus tax known as HazMat fees.

Buy cheap (inexpensive), shoot a lot, and have a whole lotta fun! Reloading is a lotta fun!!!
 
Speaking of saving a few bucks, Nosler overruns and blems work as well as those sold @ retail and they offer military discount to boot. Sign up for their emails.

Regards,
hm
 
I have not purchased anything yet. I am still struggling with what I need vs what my research says I need. It is very complicated process as some say they have never cleaned brass as they shoot a bolt and don’t ever have brass from the ground/range etc as an example.

Super confusing! I want the stuff I need to be accurate and safe, nothing more and nothing less. Speed of reloading is not important based on my volume.

So what do I NEED?
 
Lots of equipment out there to choose from; some to use, some to sell, if you get my drift. What is a necessity for me might sit in a drawer in someone else's shop.

Just to load a few hundred rounds/year does not require a progressive press with all the bells & whistles, but consider the fact that you will probably shoot more once you start rolling your own. If you chose the bare essential setup, you will probably decide to upgrade........or not.

It would be great if you could find a local mentor to help you get started. Or, you might be interested in an NRA Metalic Cartridge Reloading Class. I would imagine they cover the basics of reloading and equipment.

Regards,
hm
 
Originally Posted By: EMP3Hunters & shooters living in the totalitarian state of CA would agree: learn to reload!



BTW, a digital scale is infinitely more accurate than a balance beam scale. I have a good friend in the pharmaceutical industry. All scientific scales used to measure fractions of grams of chemicals used to compound medicine are weighed on digital scales. NASA uses digital scales. Hence, I'd go digital scale outta the gate.



Just because your pharmacist and NASA use a digital scale does NOT mean that they are more accurate than a balance beam. A balance beam if calibrated is very accurate, more accurate than you need for loading 100 shells per year. The basic low end digital scale is probably NOT as accurate as a balance beam used by someone who is paying attention.

Professional high dollar digital scales are probably extremely accurate, and by law they most likely have to be if a pharmacist is weighing out drugs for sale. Comparing professional scales with low end reloading scales is apples and grapes.
 
I bought the R CBS kids then I added to charge master, tumbler And Lyman case prep center. I next bought a Dillon 550c and am now buying a trim it 2 case trimmer.
 
OR should I do this list instead?

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Single Stage Press
Hornady Lock-N-Load Press and Die Conversion Bushing Kit
RCBS RangeMaster 2000 Electronic Powder Scale 2000 Grain Capacity
RCBS Chamfer and Deburring Tool 17 to 60 Caliber
Hornady One Shot Case Lube Aerosol
RCBS Quick Change Powder Funnel Kit
Nosler "Reloading Guide 8" Reloading Manual
RCBS Powder Trickler 2
RCBS Flash Hole Deburring Tool 22 Caliber
RCBS Flash Hole Deburring Tool 284 Caliber, 7mm
RCBS Primer Pocket Brush Combo
RCBS Shellholder #10 (17 Remington, 204 Ruger, 223 Remington)
RCBS Shellholder #3 (308 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield, 45 ACP)
Redding 2-Die Set 223
Redding 2-Die Set 7MM-08
Lee Case Length Gauge and Shellholder 223
Lee Case Length Gauge and Shellholder 7MM-08
Lee Case Trimmer Cutter and Lock Stud
 
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