Reloading Setup

C

Cruizin

New member
Ok so I've been wanting to start reloading. I have 2 rifles, 204 and a Rem 700 243 that is accurized, custom stock all that good stuff and eventually I want to have a custom 243 ackley barrel made for it. My question to you guys is what do I need? I started looking at presses and well there are a lot of choices. I don't want to break the bank but I do want to load accurate loads. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,
 
You will need a good press, of course. A powder measure, a scale, a case trimmer, a tool for deburring inside and outside of neck, a priming tool, dies, shell holders,loading block, a lube pad and lube or use the one shot spray, which I really like btw. A manual and I would recommend a vibratory media case polisher. I would also recommend a caliper to measure case length.
 
What brand name press would you guys recommend?

Redding, RCBS, Dillon ect.

Any kits that you guys would recommend? I'm not looking to reload tons of rounds but I would like to sit down and load up 50 to 100 rounds.
 
RCBS rockchucker will be a good press. You need to buy a good powder measure, thats where you will spend your money. I use a Harrells measure and love it, but they are a little expensive. You dont have to spend alot on the other stuff you need to get good equipment. An RCBS or Lee priming tool will work great although with the Lee you will need different bushings than your press takes. I prefer Redding dies, but the other brands will work fine. Check rcbs for packages they sell. You can get everything you need in one package except a decent measure.
 
One of my favorite sources for good reloading equipment are the area gun shows. Many times I buy, and sell, equipment and really hammer the cost down. My RCBS Rockchucker press was $50.00. If you save a lot on some of the items, such as the press, you can then step up and afford the better quality dies, aka Redding as mentioned above. I find the Lee dies to be less costly and their tolerances are very tight, thus a good product.

The package deals offered help keep the cost down and may be the best way to begin. Buy good quality reloading equipemnt and thirty years later, like me, you'll still be using it and making great handloads.


Good luck,
CharlesB
 
Check out www.bosesguns.com you can pick up the lee deluxe 4 hole turret press kit for $79.99. It comes with all the goodies to get you started. 2 sets of dies and you would be out the door at around $130. Once you set up your dies on the turret head you don't need to set them up again, just snap on your other turret to load a different caliber. You can operate auto index/4pulls per round, or single stage. It's a pretty slick setup for a beginner, and way faster than a single stage press.
 
Check out MidWAY, they have some good deals on just about everything needed. I too use the Rockchucker press and really like it for my rifle loads. I also have a Dillon 550 but I use it for pistol rounds or just plinking rounds for an AR-15. the powder measure on the Dillon just won't throw an accurate enough charge of powder for the rifle rounds for good accuracy. Good luck and good reloading
 
I have mostly RCBS stuff. A Rockchucker will last you and your kids.. and your grandkids' lifetimes. I have an electronic scale which I love, but a balance type will work also, it's just slower. Midway is a decent place to get stuff.
 
Buy Lee and dont look back best but for the cash My lee equiptment will load just as accurate rounds as any bodies expensive equiptment and now you guys are gonna say " my stuff will last longer" prove it and if my Lee stuff wears out I dont have to break the bank to buy more. You can buy a complete Lee set up for less then the competators press alone. I was very leary when I bought my setup but it was all I could afford so I tried it and man am I impressed. I've used the rock chucker and it is nice but for the money I'll stick with my Lee. And by the way www.midwayusa.com is a great place to get opinions and equiptment.JMHO
 
Cruizin

I was just thinking as I was reading these posts!

Search these bulletin boards and you'll find a lot of stuff at reasonable (usually) prices!

One thing I'd suggest though!
Buy the best equipment you can afford!
I bought my RCBS equipment back in 1974 and still use it (a lot) right today!
RCBS will warrant their equipment forever, that is, if it wears out, they'll replace it! No Charge.

Of all the single stage presses, I would suggest RCBS or Redding!
 
Thanks guys for the feedback. I've been doing the research and I think I will get started with just a single stage for now. But first need to make room for the bench.
 
Cruizin',

I remember when I was interested in getting started with this reloading. I had a friend help me out with all sorts of things and I am grateful. I will tell you the biggest favor he did for me: He insisted I buy a good reloading mannual and read it before I bought anything else. He recommended the Lyman 47th Reloading Handbook. I reluctanly took his advice and read the book from cover to cover before I bought any equipment. That scenario helped me more with realoading than any other element. These sites were a big help too. I've learned a ton from guys posting reloading experience on the boards. Reloading is one of my favorite things to do period. I hope it turns out the same for you....but read that mannual first and you will start on the right foot.

I also have several items that I could possibly let go if you need.

God bless,
JB
 
Quote:
Cruizin',

He insisted I buy a good reloading mannual and read it before I bought anything else. He recommended the Lyman 47th Reloading Handbook. I reluctanly took his advice and read the book from cover to cover before I bought any equipment.

God bless,
JB



Cruizin,
I'm doing this exact thing now. I bought Lyman's 48th and Less's Modern Reloading and am studying. I think I'm gonna take my tax return money and go down the Forster Co-Ax route.
 
I have been reloading for over 30 years I consider the Lyman reloading and their Cast bullet the two books I refer to the most. I also have other reloading books, and I check out loads on the computer. There is so much information out there all I have to do is look.
 


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