| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 09:26 AM |
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1st Post |
sandfly2
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| Location: | Michigan USA |
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I have never reloaded rifle, or pistol ammo, but I would like to start and I'm trying to figure out what would be a good reloading kit to purchase.
I have gone through and searched this web site and also the web sites of the manufactures, that I know of, that sell reloading equipment.. But there are so many kits and info I am a bit overwhelmed with info and unsure what would be a good fit.
I would like to buy equipment I will be able to grow into not grow out of. In other words I don't want to buy a bunch of equipment and in a year or two decided I need to buy a whole new set up. The different calibers I would like to reload are 5.56, 7.62, 7MM Remington Magnum, .45cal, .40cal, and 9MM.
I don't shoot in competitions, except combat..  But I do go shooting quite a bit, usually once a week, when I'm home. So, I was hoping reloading would save me some money, down the road, since the cost of ammo has gotten so expensive the past couple of years, while I have been deployed... I was online recently looking to buy some ammo and saw how much a case of 7.62 was and almost had a heart attack.. And the cost of 5.56 has more than doubled for surplus M193. 
Budget for equipment isn't an issue, I have been deployed for the past two year, so I haven't had a whole lot of time to spend my money, but I don't really want to spend more than a $1000 on equipment. And since I'm new to this I think buying a kit with everything I would need, would be the easiest way to go. But like I said I'm new to this so that's why I'm asking before I start buying reloading equipment.
I have already bought a book about reloading, it called the ABCs of reloading, but since I'm still in Afghanistan I won't be able to read it for a couple more weeks. At least I hope in a couple weeks.. Depends how long it takes me to finish getting out of here.. My goal is to be able to get home have all the gear at the house waiting for me and to spend my leave time getting my reloading station set up and kill some time learning to make bullets and doing some reloading. Then go out and do some shooting and see what the results are..
Any help with this would be appreciated..
Last edited on Sun Nov 15th, 2009 09:30 AM by sandfly2
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"Let us be sure that those who come after will say of us in our time, that in our time we did everything that could be done. We finished the race, we kept them free, we kept their faith." -Ronald Reagan
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 10:39 AM |
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2nd Post |
Bigdog57
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The Lee Turret Press in one of their kits is what I have been using for a good number of years - does everything I need. I load fourteen different calibers at this point in time, but rarely do more than a couple boxes at a time. With a turret for each caliber, it's a simple matter of 'plug&play' to switch calibers to load. With two Lee powder measures I keep one set for handgun loads and the other for rifle loads - minimises the need to adjust more than a few grains for a different load. For rifle loading, I often just use the Lee Dipper closest to what I want but a bit under, then trickle it up with the scale - works fairly quickly once you get the hang of it, and makes very consistent loads.
Being single, I have more time to devote to the different functions than some guys - I can sit and watch telly while decapping or priming cases,or trimming them. I tend to do one operation one night, then another operation for the batch next night. I can have enough loaded for a good weekend shoot.
Just before the 2008 election, I did load up several ammocans of ammo of various calibers in a few marathon loading sessions, using this same turret press - so it can do mass loading if necessary! 
I cannot really justify the cost of a Dillon or other progressive press. The money I save buys more components! 
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 11:34 AM |
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3rd Post |
OldStuffer
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Welcome sandfly, and thanks for your time and efforts served, retired E7 myself, saw the sand a couple times before 20 was done.
I understand the confusion of the plethora of equipment available. So much very good equipment, so much overlap in everything doing the same things slightly different ways.
ABC's of Reloading is a very good start IMO, also, as you get going, loading data from the powder and bullet makers is freely available online, as well as in book form you can buy, and you cannot have too much load data to work from.
My advice is "start small" (and you are already familiar with "keep it simple silly" ;) ). A single stage (I have 1) or turrent (never used, but nothing against them here), especially for rifle calibres. Volumes CAN be loaded, but, you generally don't shoot nearly as much rifle as handgun, so the greater time cost per round is not as "expensive", plus, you are learning the "art", there is a lot to pay attention to when making your own ammo. Much better to learn what you are doing, 1 step at a time, 50 rounds at a time, rather than try to watch 5 differnt things, all happening at once, on a progressive. Mistakes are more likely to be smaller, and less hazardous, and mopre easilly caught, on a small production scale, than on a large scale.
I started small, on a single stage MEC shotgun press, went to rifle, then handgun (both on the 1-stage press), now have 3 MEC's (including the original), the single stage metalic, and 2 handgun progressives.
I have a hodge-podge of equipment gathered over 25 years of loading, some matches, some does not, all does exactly what I want it to.
I started off with a Lee Chalenger O-frame press, am going to retire it finally. My only displeasure is the aluminum linkage from handle to ram, fatigues, and cracks. I am tired of replacing it. I will not call the Challenger Z"junk", as it has served me well, hundreds of .308 rifle rounds and thousands of handgun rounds, just noting it's "weak point". I have a Redding in mind, budget MAY put me in the Lee Classic, all iron and steel.
My progressive presses (both Lees) have their "auto disk" powder measure on them, and work very well, no complaints here.
For my fifle ammo tho, a Lyman #55 measure carries the mail, I get very exacting charges, very repeatable (and it sits on an RCBS stand. LOL). Was no need for "different size rotor" or anything to load full rifle charges to light handgun charges. It's max charge is somewhere in the 250-grain area (would have to look it up, been a long time), just a couple grains minimum, no parts swapping needed..
When setting it for handgun ammo, I get it set to throw 1 charge exactly, then, throw 10 in the pan, and adjust it to throw 10x exactly. (example, adjust to throw 8 grains, then, fine tune to throw 80 grains, exactly)
For rifle ammo, I set it to throw a grain or so light, and trickle to exact on the scale.
Rifle case trimmer is from Lee, and is great chucked into a cordless drill. I don't trim pistol, never needed to. Most of it actually shortens instead of stretches.
Have both Lee and RCBS case mouth beveling/deburring tools, I like the RCBS better, the Lee unit works well.
RCBS magnetically damped beam scale, I don't need electronic.
While a person can make their own case holder blocks ("loading blocks"), I bought 2 MTM/Case Guard "universal" loading blocks, which hold everything from .25 auto pistol thru a .45 colt rimmed brass, and they have served me well, never wanted anything different.
Just thought to look, they won't hold 7.62x54Rimmed rim-down, too large a rim, so I will have to do something for that one as that Mosin Nagant project matures.
Well, I USED to "keep it simple". LOL.
I am sure everyone's kits will do the job just fine, I don't think you can make a big mistake buying one over another, so I won't reccomend a preference, you have to decide your needs and wants. I bought my gear piecemeal, with reasons for every piece, and got exactly what I wanted, seldom "just close enough".
Best of luck to ya, keep your head down troop, and thanks again. :)
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 01:33 PM |
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4th Post |
Don Fischer
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I think anyone's kit will do too but for one thing, most are not complete. You will need a caliper, dial or digital. You can measure over all length, case length and anything that needs to be to .001". You'll need a case trimmer. Won't matter if it's a Lee type, a die type, a lathe type or weather the lather is manual or powered. At some point cases need to be trimmed. After they are trimmed the mouths need champered and you'll need a champering tool for that. It will also serve to remove the crimp in military primer cases. On the list of nice to have is a hand held priming tool. I'm on my second Lee tool, first onl,y lasted 20 some years and back then cost something like ten bucks. They are probably about twenty something now. I don't recall if kits come with a powder trickler but if they don't you need one. Years ago we'd trickle powder from a spoon, works but pretty ugly.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 01:46 PM |
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5th Post |
saddlesore
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Can't go wrong sticking wit all RCBS. Some of the otherr kits like Lee can get troublesome. Not that they don't work, but they get finicky.
You will never outgrow any RCBS product.
You can make do with a lot of things, but you need a press, dies, and a powder scale , and a set of calipers. Everything else you can use other things you have laying around . An old brass cass can be used as a trickler. An exacto knife can be used as a chamfering /deburring tool. A fine file can be used to trim cases.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 02:20 PM |
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6th Post |
wheezengeezer
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I have a hodgepodge of presses,scales,and measures collected over the years.If you get a quality turret press,the next upgrade to a progressive may never be needed.Extra turrets can be bought to facilitate a fast changeover.Several companies have deluxe reloading kits,but some items will need to be added as earlier noted.You will step up from some equipment.I just keep it for backup. Last edited on Sun Nov 15th, 2009 02:20 PM by wheezengeezer
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 02:31 PM |
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OldStuffer
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Yes wheezen, I think about going turrent more as I get to playing with the Mosin, a turrent set up in .308, and one in 7.62x54 Rimmed, would be handier than just die swapping all the time.
But then, I don't load and shoot a lot of rifle, so, I just dunno. ;) LOL
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 03:11 PM |
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8th Post |
wheezengeezer
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I dont load as much as I did in years past.But when I do a turret can minimumize the setup.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 03:26 PM |
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9th Post |
sandfly2
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| Location: | Michigan USA |
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Thank you for the replies... I appreciate the help and advice..
I was looking on Cabela's web site at some kits, what do any of you think of some of the kits in the links below? Do you think these kit are worth the money? Also, can I load both rifle and pistol ammo with them? None of the kits really say what you can load with them.. Like I said this is all new to me, so I'm still trying to figure out what is what and how this equipment works..
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602007-cat20728-cat20847&id=0065713216927a&navCount=63&podId=0065713&parentId=cat20847&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=9IS&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true
[url=http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0044088213986a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&Go.y=4&selectedPerPage=36&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Ntt=+Reloading+kit&Ns=SEL_HIGH_PRICE|1&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=]http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0044088213986a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&Go.y=4&selectedPerPage=36&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Ntt=+Reloading+kit&Ns=SEL_HIGH_PRICE|1&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=[/url]
[url=http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0031379216648a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&Go.y=4&selectedPerPage=36&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Ntt=+Reloading+kit&Ns=SEL_HIGH_PRICE|1&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=6]http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0031379216648a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&Go.y=4&selectedPerPage=36&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Ntt=+Reloading+kit&Ns=SEL_HIGH_PRICE|1&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=6[/url]
[url=http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0018937214924a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&Go.y=4&selectedPerPage=36&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Ntt=+Reloading+kit&Ns=SEL_HIGH_PRICE|1&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=6]http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0018937214924a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&Go.y=4&selectedPerPage=36&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Ntt=+Reloading+kit&Ns=SEL_HIGH_PRICE|1&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=6[/url]http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0018937214924a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&sort=all&_D%3AhasJS=+&Go.y=4&selectedPerPage=36&Nty=1&hasJS=true&Ntt=+Reloading+kit&Ns=SEL_HIGH_PRICE|1&N=0&_D%3Asort=+&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form1&Go.x=6[/url]
Last edited on Sun Nov 15th, 2009 03:31 PM by sandfly2
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 03:37 PM |
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10th Post |
sandfly2
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| Location: | Michigan USA |
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Well I tried to post some links, but I guess the interwebs in a little to complicated for me.. :-)
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"Let us be sure that those who come after will say of us in our time, that in our time we did everything that could be done. We finished the race, we kept them free, we kept their faith." -Ronald Reagan
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 03:42 PM |
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11th Post |
lynxpilot
HB Pro Staff
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| Location: | Ava, Missouri USA |
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I started out big. I got the Dillon RL550B with quick change kits and caliber conversion kits for every round I was going to reload. It was expensive! In hindsight, I might do things different. My rig is quite capable of cranking out a buttload of satisfactory rounds in short time. When the civil war starts or we get invaded, I'll be your go-to guy. Until then, and in hindsight, if I did it again I'd probably get a Rockchucker and devote the extra money to a really nice electronic powder measure and do everything single stage. Everybody (here included) advised starting with single stage and I ignored it. Although I don't regret my purchase (the Dillon stuff is really nice), I think I could have distributed my wealth in a smarter fashion.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 04:36 PM |
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12th Post |
DesertMarine
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Not much more that I can add, has been covered pretty well. I prefer Redding reloading equip. Look at sinclairintl.com, they cater mainly to reloaders and competition shooters. Their equip is great and sometimes their prices are better than Cabelas or Midway. If you subscribe to magazines, I suggest Precision Shooting Magazine.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 04:43 PM |
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13th Post |
Charley
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There is no wrong answer when choosing handloading equipment. No bad products on the market today that I am aware of, just some are more cost effective than others.
YOu might be better off buying your equipment a piece at a time. That way, you can choose what will serve you best. The RCBS kit you are looking at from Cabela's contains some things that are overkill for your needs, IMO.
A good turret press will serve you well, whether Lee, RCBS, Lyman, etc. You need a scale, a powder measure, some means of trimming cases (rifle, mostly), and dies in your caliber(s). That's the basics, you will be able to add more as your experience level increases.
Handloading equipment can always be used...if and when you feel the need to upgrade to a progressive press, you will still find plenty of use for a single stage or turret press.
My personal preferences, based on cost and "usability")
Press: Lee Classic Cast Turret. Cast iron press, very sturdy, and cost efective.
Scale: I have a Pact digital scale, wouldn't go back to balance beam scales. If I had too, I'd pick RCBS' balance beam scales.
Case trimmers: Lee's individual case trimmers win hands down. Inexpensive, never get out of adjustment, and fast and easy to use.
Powder measure: Lee's Perfect Powder Measure. Leaks a bit with fine flake powders, but more accurate than the RCBS DuoFlow it replaced on my bench.
Dies: No real preference, all will work. 7/8x14 is standard thread, and will work on all presses except Dillon's SDB. Buy carbide dies for handgun calibers.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 05:28 PM |
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14th Post |
runfiverun
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i have a hodgepodge of reloading equipment.
when i moved i left my original set-up at my dads place and had to start over again.
for rifle stuff i still use a rcbs single press.
but for my revolver/pistol stuff i went with the dillon 550.
it's a time v.s. quality issue.
depending on what you are going to shoot is where you need to look for reloading tools.
if i were interested in benchrest qquality i'd look at different tools.harells presses that type of thing.
buying a digital scale is never a bad idea especially one with battery back-up.
a bunch of technotools don't do much good if the power is off.
but if time is a factor they are quite accurate and save enough time to get quality loads done in a short time frame.
i'll still recommend the rcbs kit to anybody just starting out,with a few add-ons like a micrometer/caliper.
and knowledge.
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 05:40 PM |
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15th Post |
StretchNM
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Your requirements to me leave but one answer, in my humble opinion: Lee Classic Turret kit from either Cabelas or Kempfgunshop. There is quite a distinction from the Lee Turret and the Lee Classic Turret. The Classic line is the heaviest-duty in the industry. Bear in mind IF you begin looking at Lee, the Classic lines aren't advertised in "Kit" form, rather they are put into Kit form only by Cabelas and Kempf, as far as I know.
Any turret press will give you the extra small amount of speed you will later want when reloading your handgun ammo, but the turret can be quickly disconnected for your rifle ammo.
The other brands of presses are well-made and carry good reputations, but they'll cost more. I have toyed with at least two brands and reloaded a few rounds on at least one other brand that a friend has. They're very good and cannot be faulted, but nor can they justify their price unless it is for no more than peace of mind. Nor is any one of them in any way better than a Classic and one of them not as good as a Lee Breechlock, yet still they cost more.
I have only used one brand of dies: Lee. If you go their route, I suggest the Deluxe dies for rifle and the carbide for your pistol. The Deluxe will include a Collet Neck-Sizing die. There is nothing but good heard about any of the Redding and Hornady dies and bullet seaters and, if I had the money to spare, I would definitely buy a Redding Competition Seater die in at least one of my rifle calibers.
A "Kit" from most any of the manufacturers will include everything you need to get started, usually (though not always) including one set fo dies. With Lee you'll get the dies AND shellholders, but I would still purchase a Collet Neck Sizing Die and later, when purchasing other dies, get the Deluxe where it will be included. Be mindful if you order another brand to make sure it comes with or you order the appropriate sized shellholder for that caliber.
I think you did well getting the ABC's book. That will help alot before you decide which set you'll go with. I would also get the Lee Modern Reloading manual and the Lyman manual. Later, you'll probably get others (I really like the Sierra, almost as interesting as the Lyman, but with the added built-in velocity/energy shown as powder increases).
I make no apologies for recommending Lee. None. Their products are made here yet their prices seem to be out of a bygone era in America. I stand behind them as ardently as I stand behind what is left of our Great Country.
I bought my first Lee equipment more than 30 years ago (Lee Loadall) and was impressed by their price, thrift, and ingenuity. So it was no small surprise that I chose Lee when I started with metallic reloading. I warn against judging Lee because their prices are so much lower. Their Classic line alone, I'm sure, would bring around the most ardent abhorer of their product, were they only careless enough to try it but once.
Good luck and God bless you, for the danger and the cause you're in!
Last edited on Sun Nov 15th, 2009 06:03 PM by StretchNM
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| Posted: Sun Nov 15th, 2009 05:48 PM |
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16th Post |
Thecyberguy
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| Location: | Town Of Sweden, Oxford County, Maine USA |
| Posts: | 597 |
| Photo: | | | Are you a handloader?: | Yes | | Favorite type of cartridge to load?: | I load everything! | | My favorite chambering is:: | The one in my hands at the that moment. |
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First, since you talk about being deployed....thank you for your service to our nation.
Next, my 2 cents worth....I like the Lee products I have purchased over the years. When I had a small issue..they were quick to help me out.
Here is a kit that would get you started....just need dies of your choice, powder, brass, primers, etc....
http://www.factorysales.com/html/xcart/catalog/rlpress2.html
LEE DELUXE TURRET PRESS KIT
90928 serv.parts 162.98 108.99
I have purchased Lee stuff form these guys with good results. I have a turret for each set of dies (12 I think at last count) , they stay set up ....plug and play to rob a term from another passion.
Any way...just my 2 cents worth.... Enjoy and have a good'un, Guy
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I am STILL an angry gun owner.....and the time to vote is coming!!!!!
Support our troops.....they are someone's kids.
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