new to reloading
- Thread starter backdraft341
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This is a very true statement but Hornaday and Lee make some fine products as well.
Surf the web and look at basic starter kit. Remember you will also need a tumbler, case trimmer for rifle brass, a powder dispenser, calipers, manuals and other assorted tools.
There are three basic types of press.
1. Signal stage - cheap, slow but gets the job done.(50 rounds an hr)
2. Turrent press - considered by many as the only way to load rifle ammo. (75 - 100 rounds an hr)
3. Progressive press - loads fast and effectively. For those that need to run off 1000 rounds or more at a time. (125-250+ rounds an hr)
Anyway you go you will spend some cash but if you shoot a lot it will pay for itself very quickly!
The press needs to suit your needs.
The more ammo you need should define the style press you get - IMO.
Now with that said, new to reloading I suggest you get a basic starter kit with a single stage press. This gets a lot of your basic equipment and keeps cost down. It also allows you to learn the basics of reloading. Lee, RCBS and Hornaday all offer their versions of a starter kit and they are all good quality.
The more complex the press, the more there is to go wrong and without a good set of basics in reloading that unwanted KA-Boom is more prone to happen!!!!
BurkGlocker
Active Member
Defiantely couldnt be more true. I did however start off on a Lee Challenger Kit and it served my purpose until I was wanting to upgrade to the big boys. It loaded many thousands of rounds over its 8 year use, but I do alot of pistol shooting and decided to upgrade to an RCBS progressive press, but also have a Rock Chucker that I load all of my rifle rounds on. Some people dont enjoy reloading as much as they thought they would (and which ones that I have met are far and few between) and now they have a reloading kit sitting in the corner and all it does is collect dust. Matter of fact, thats how I came by my presses and I got them for CHEAP.
There is alot of work that goes into reloading; case prep, load development but those are also the joys of it as well. Nothing beats developing a load that will put every single bullet into one nice ragged hole...
Definately the Rock Chucker for the rifle ammo. If you can find a used kit it would be great, you cannot wear out RCBS equipment. You can upgrade at a later date on scales and prepping equipment. Check Ebay, they always have a bunch of used presses and kits for sale.
For the 9mm, save your money and buy a Dillon Square Deal B. Unless you do not shoot very much, you just cannot produce enough pistol ammo on a singe stage to make it worth while IMHO.
For the 9mm, save your money and buy a Dillon Square Deal B. Unless you do not shoot very much, you just cannot produce enough pistol ammo on a singe stage to make it worth while IMHO.
I have been reloading for a little over a year now. I started by purchasing the RCBS Rockchucker master reloading kit at Basspro. I feel like I certainly got my money's worth and have loaded THOUSANDS of rounds on this setup, but here are some observations:
1. The only thing I do not like about the Rockchucker is the spent primer collection tray. It fills up fast and is difficult to empty without making a mess. I have a Lee Classic press and it dumps the primers through the hollow ram into a 5-gal bucket, WAY better. Don't let this one thing stop you from getting a Rockchucker, because it really is a great press, just something to consider. These days I use my Rockchucker soley for seating bullets, so my complaint about the primer tray is moot...
2. I really really like the RCBS hand primer that comes in the kit.
3. I have pretty much replaced all my RCBS dies with Lee. I have had two RCBS die sets that were bad out of the box (different calibers) and one that isn't quite "right". The Lee "Pacesetter" sets come with a factory crimp tool, shell holder, and cost considerably less than a regular RCBS set. All of my Lee dies function flawlessly.
4. I am extremely pleased that I started with a single-stage. Reloading is not difficult, but it does require you to know what you are doing. Single stage lets you learn nice and easy, and even with all the whiz-bang progressives you may buy later - that single stage press will still get used alot for test-batches and fixing cases and all sorts of things.
1. The only thing I do not like about the Rockchucker is the spent primer collection tray. It fills up fast and is difficult to empty without making a mess. I have a Lee Classic press and it dumps the primers through the hollow ram into a 5-gal bucket, WAY better. Don't let this one thing stop you from getting a Rockchucker, because it really is a great press, just something to consider. These days I use my Rockchucker soley for seating bullets, so my complaint about the primer tray is moot...
2. I really really like the RCBS hand primer that comes in the kit.
3. I have pretty much replaced all my RCBS dies with Lee. I have had two RCBS die sets that were bad out of the box (different calibers) and one that isn't quite "right". The Lee "Pacesetter" sets come with a factory crimp tool, shell holder, and cost considerably less than a regular RCBS set. All of my Lee dies function flawlessly.
4. I am extremely pleased that I started with a single-stage. Reloading is not difficult, but it does require you to know what you are doing. Single stage lets you learn nice and easy, and even with all the whiz-bang progressives you may buy later - that single stage press will still get used alot for test-batches and fixing cases and all sorts of things.
+1 on the RockChucker master kit, check price at Midway. I started several years ago on this setup and did many rifle and pistol rounds before going to a Dillon 550 for pistol, but still use the RockChucker for rifle.
That being said, I also agree that products from the others are most excellent also, they will all do what you want them to do.
That being said, I also agree that products from the others are most excellent also, they will all do what you want them to do.
Dillon is still the best way to go the 550b is now $406, not exactly cheap. buy once cry once it will load nearly all rile and pistol calibers. A step up is the650 at$529. You will still need scales a case trimmer calipers and some manuals. It is easy to invest a thousand dollars in reloading equipment. As long as you can find componants you will always be able to shoot.
A good single stage set up will be a little cheaper.
A good single stage set up will be a little cheaper.
I too am just getting into reloading and bought the Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Kit (single-stage press) along with a set of their dies for 9mm. Other than a tumbler, the kit comes with pretty much everything you need to get started.
I especially like the "lock and load" die mounting system and the "positive priming system". I prime during the downstroke after expanding the cartridge mouth. The kit also includes a hand primer that I have tried yet. I also like the digital balance over the beam balance that comes with the RCBS kit.
One disapointment is that the powder measure comes setup for dispensing 5 - 100 grains for rifle loads. This made my loading of 115gr 9mm at 5.8 grains a bit of a pain. I have a handgun sized rotor and measure (0.5 - 17 grains) on order.
I do not think that you can go wrong with any brand-name kit, it's just a matter of what you are comfortable with.
I especially like the "lock and load" die mounting system and the "positive priming system". I prime during the downstroke after expanding the cartridge mouth. The kit also includes a hand primer that I have tried yet. I also like the digital balance over the beam balance that comes with the RCBS kit.
One disapointment is that the powder measure comes setup for dispensing 5 - 100 grains for rifle loads. This made my loading of 115gr 9mm at 5.8 grains a bit of a pain. I have a handgun sized rotor and measure (0.5 - 17 grains) on order.
I do not think that you can go wrong with any brand-name kit, it's just a matter of what you are comfortable with.
