?'s on Reloading Equipment

hill1970

hill1970

New member
I would like to start reloading my own ammo. I will be reloading .223, .270, 7mm-08, 25-06, 7mm Mag, and maybe some pistol ammo. I would like to start reloading to try and improve my accuracy. I am more concerned with accuracy than I am with being able to produce a lot of ammo. What reloading equipment do you guys recommend to be the most accurate/best? I am starting at ground zero, so I need a list of everything.
Thanks,
Joe
 
A simple rcbs rockchucker kit from cabela's will get you rolling. Reloading is a lot of fun I couldn't tell you the last time I bought factory ammo. I reload for a gun right out of the gate. But note this, the gun can also play a large part in accuracy, barrel trigger pull etc.

enjoy your new hobby.
 
I don't reload a lot (few hundred rounds a year max) so I went with a single stage lee press. I also went with A hornady lock and load auto charge powder measurer. It sped the process up and it's super accurate. I use a lee hand priming tool and it works great.
 
I agree with duck. You can get the same kit about anywhere for a better cost. The rcbs kit will get you going. But be ready for alot more costs with upgrades. Its like a drug once you start you cant quit. I really like my RCBS tools and all the add ons. Get one bought and enjoy
 
RCBS makes a very good product and they back it up. Rock chucker kit is very nice. If you think you'll save money trust me you won't. But you will someday be able to shoot more for less.
 
Originally Posted By: Dennyr If you think you'll save money trust me you won't. But you will someday be able to shoot more for less. ....I think that depends on your point of view...

If you depreciate your initial investment on the mechanicals over a five year period, the cost per year is not really that great...If you can manage to buy your component supplies in bulk, when they are on sale at various times and stock pile, you will find that inflation will overtake your initial component expense within a few years...

Example...I have approximately $500 invested in my mechanicals (some were bought in pawn shops and at yard sales)...I have 1,000 rounds of virgin 10mm brass that I paid $101 for six years ago that now retails for about $160...500 rounds of 9mm virgin brass and 500 rounds of new Lake City .223 that is still waiting to be used...Can't even estimate the number of bullets that I have on the shelf...since I have over 21,000 rounds loaded and in storage, I'm not in a hurry to load most of my calibers...I recently picked up five pounds of rifle powder when it was five dollars per pound under normal shelf cost...

My cost to reload .223 ammo is right at $0.30 per round ($6 per box of 20 that is as good or better than any factory premium available) and that's not even considering the reuse of brass...
 
I do not want to go buy a kit and figure out that I want to upgrade this piece of equipment or that piece of equipment later. I would rather buy the best that I can afford the first time.
 
Originally Posted By: hill1970I do not want to go buy a kit and figure out that I want to upgrade this piece of equipment or that piece of equipment later. I would rather buy the best that I can afford the first time.

That's going to happen any way, I started out with the Lee Anniversary kit and the few other essentials, nearly 20 years ago, now I've upgraded just about everything save for a few things Lee makes that's really good stuff. My initial investment except for components was less than $150. Now I don't even what to know how much money I have setting on my bench, it's in the thousands. even the bench has seen serious upgrades
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The biggest reason most don't save money reloading though is because you tend to shoot up your savings and then some (or a lot) lol

The RCBS kit is a very very good place to start
 
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Originally Posted By: hill1970I do not want to go buy a kit and figure out that I want to upgrade this piece of equipment or that piece of equipment later. I would rather buy the best that I can afford the first time.

IME, this is a good idea hill1970; I wasn`t sure if I would really enjoy reloading (continue with the hobby) so I bought the cheapest kit available (Lee). I can`t say that the cheap kit has NOT worked well(still using it 4-5 yrs later) but having a heavier duty press and better scale would have been nice.
If I was to do it again (kit wise) I think RCBS has a good kit. I say RCBS over the Hornady press kits because of the beam scale included.
Not totally against electronic scales they have their place/uses.
If you have not checked it out yet, there is a good post all about reloading up towards the top of the reloading forums..read up! and welcome to Predator Masters.
 
I have been using my RCBS Rockchucker kit for over 25 years and have never been sorry. I don't trust a powder measure though. I weigh every single load, and a simple tea spoon is my trickler.
 
Originally Posted By: Rich CronkI have been using my RCBS Rockchucker kit for over 25 years and have never been sorry. I don't trust a powder measure though. I weigh every single load, and a simple tea spoon is my trickler.

Why not just throw your charges a little shy & then trickle up to desired weight with a trickler? It works great for me! Very fast once you get going. Certain powders I'll set my dispenser to throw the exact charge & then weigh every tenth or so charge just to check them for consistency.

Also, my RCBS powder dispenser is spot on with baffle installed & the hopper kept full. Of course, a lot of it has to do with the types of powders being used. I also installed the micrometer adjustable handle so that I can record the setting for loads and return to them quickly & easily.
 
My first choice in single stage presses would be the Forster Co-Ax, Dillons for progressive's. Forster Is my first choice of dies then Redding. RCBS 10-10 scale and a Harrell's powder measure should round it out nicely.

Then there's the books, lubes, trays, priming tools, chamfer tools, case trimmers, annealing tools and hoards of other misc stuff.
 
My list would look something like this:

Redding Big Boss II press
Hornady Auto charge (currently on sale at Natchez for $170)
RCBS beam scale
Lyman case prep XPress
Powder trickler
Sinclair Ultimate Stainless trimmer (along with appropriate holders)
RCBS hand priming tool
An electric caliper & a dial caliper
Powder funnels
Appropriate Dies & Shellholders



***You would never have to be concerned about upgrading with this setup, unless you'd decide to go progressive***
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I started out with a Redding Big Boss II, Redding dies, chargemaster 1500, and starrett digital caliper, Wilson trimmer, and a cheap tumbler and I have yet to upgrade anything.

My philosophy is to buy the best you can afford and if you are not happy with it you'll be able to recoup most of you $ when you get rid of it.

I only reload rifle cartridges though. I haven't got into handgun reloading yet
 
RCBS, buy the best you can afford, and buy power everything including a Chargemaster 1500. We load over 5000+ rounds per year with mostly 223, 38 special, 357, and just starting on .40S&W. We shoot alot so we save money on the amount we handload. Good Luck, this is an addicting hobby.----Riflemann
 
Originally Posted By: getemduckA simple rcbs rockchucker kit from cabela's will get you rolling. Reloading is a lot of fun I couldn't tell you the last time I bought factory ammo. I reload for a gun right out of the gate. But note this, the gun can also play a large part in accuracy, barrel trigger pull etc.

enjoy your new hobby.

+1

Since you are going to load for 7mm Remington Mag. The RCBS rockchucker is a good idea. If you were loading the smaller rounds a "C" press would be okay. Buy yourself a used "C" press for decapping and get a decapping die. A RCBS press plate would be nice to buy. I have found a lot of used reloading gear on ebay.

If you can take a NRA reloading course. They will start you off the right way. There are a lot of reloading videos on line. Brownell's and MidwayUSA.

Have fun
 
I have been loading since 1974 . I started with a used RCBS A2 press. Reloading is like shooting . It's not the gun it's the guy behind the trigger . You can make good loads with any of the equipment available. The RCBS kit is just a good place to start . It includes numerous pieces of equipment that will last a lifetime. For guys on a budget the Lee kits are very serviceable . I believe Redding offers a kit as well. RCBS is popular because of their quality service and equipment . Over time you will add to your collection of tools. I have:
RCBS rock chucker
RCBS jr
Redding T-7
Lee Classic Cast turret
RCBS green Machine

All my loading could be done on the Jr .
 
Originally Posted By: Ricky BobbyOriginally Posted By: Rich CronkI have been using my RCBS Rockchucker kit for over 25 years and have never been sorry. I don't trust a powder measure though. I weigh every single load, and a simple tea spoon is my trickler.

Why not just throw your charges a little shy & then trickle up to desired weight with a trickler? It works great for me! Very fast once you get going. Certain powders I'll set my dispenser to throw the exact charge & then weigh every tenth or so charge just to check them for consistency.

Also, my RCBS powder dispenser is spot on with baffle installed & the hopper kept full. Of course, a lot of it has to do with the types of powders being used. I also installed the micrometer adjustable handle so that I can record the setting for loads and return to them quickly & easily.
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Well Ricky, after experiencing both under charges and over charges a few times with IMR-4831, I learned to never trust thrown charges. You are not alone in thinking that I am nuts for weighing every single charge. I am a perfectionist, and that isn't always a bad thing ya see.
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Ricky Bobby is right:

Throw the charge with a measure with it set a little low, then trickle it up on your scale. The scale is still the last word while the measure saves time.

The next train stop on this would be the likes of a RCBS Chargemaster and that ticket is a cool upper $200's.


Three 44s
 
The OP's question about how to start:


If you pistol shooting might really take off another real fine press that has not been mentioned:

The Lee Classic Turret

You can use it like a single stage, you can use it like a turret.

I would also suggest a Bonanza coax (though I have never had one) The advantages here involve the "floating die" concept. You snap in a particular die but it can self correct alingment. This also speeds die changes.

Of course the Rock Chucker is dandy also.

I started in '75 with a RCBS Jr. and still have it. About 5 years ago I added the Classic turret.

I now also have the Redding big boss as well (found it slightly used on the net). I have other presses just for fun but they don't add to this discussion.

If you can manage to buy "it all" right now and not add to your craft ....... write back and tell us how you did that .... please ........... (but I won't let my wife see that post)!! LOL!!

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But the main thing ......... Just START!! Don't sweat the money too much. It sure beats booze and broads!!

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Three 44s
 
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