Equipment

[Texas1911]

So what is the best equipment out there? Whats the best bang for the buck equipment?

What do you need to do proper reloading of pistol ammo?

 

[machinisttx]

Best equipment? Short of a full on commercial machine, Dillon Precision if you're talking progressive. Single stages are another matter, as are turret presses.

Required?*
At least one loading manual
Scale
powder measure
priming tool
calipers
case trimmer
chamfer/deburr tool
appropriate dies
press
appropriate bullets
appropriate primers
appropriate powder
brass
shellholders

*some of these may not be required or may have a different name depending on press and progressive or not

 

[ambidextrous1]

I agree on Dillon progressives.

My first press, some 15 years ago, was (& is) the 650; at my age, it should be the only press I'll have to buy.

I don't like the idea of starting with a single stage press and working up to a progressive. You'll sell the old setup for pennies on the dollar (or worse, stack it in the garage with the other junk you'll never use again).

I had to wait several months until I could afford the 650, then walked into the Dillon sales room and paid cash for the press, dies, digital scale, primer flipper, etc. etc. The price I paid is long forgotten, but the equipment soldiers on...

Manuals! You can't have enough reloading manuals!

I use only two powders for handgun reloading (mostly autos) and am thinking of using one powder for everything: this will be more economical and safer - no accidental mixing of powders. I've tried several "new & improved" powders over the years, and they all functioned, but none of them gave me any reason to adopt them.

Your reloading bench must be sturdy! The ideal bench is one of those poured concrete picnic tables commonly found in public parks. I don't know anyone fortunate enough to have that setup. I use a 27 X 60 inch bench with 4 x 4 legs, mounted in the corner of the room ans secured to the walls on two sides with large steel shelf brackets. I also anchor the top of my press to a wall stud via a 1 X 4 'flying buttress'. Because the table rests on a concrete slab, I have no need to anchor it to the floor.

Your environment is as important as your equipment. I havea separate lockable room that contains my gun safe, a (lockable) closet with shelves for ammunition storage, and the reloading bench with permanently mounted press and shelves & drawers for components and tools. No one comes in while I'm in there.

That's the ideal situation; but if you organize your equipment and space, you can do very well with a much smaller, temporary space. If you have an unused closet (lol), you can store and use everything you need in that space; Be sure it has a lock, and you have the only key.

I hope someone will start a thread showing pictures of their 'efficiency' reloading setups.

Excuse the long post,

Rich (in name only)

 

[phatcyclist]

I'm using an RCBS Jr. 2. It was my late grandfathers and was purchased in the late 60s. I have his set of Herters (now RCBS) .45ACP dies as well. Most of my other diesets are RCBS, I have one set of Lee Dies too.

I have a digital scale, but I also have an RCBS 1010 beam scale. I have a set of digital calipers, and use the Lee case trimming tools. I also keep some nail polish around for sealing up primer pockets and around bullets (for my hunting loads).

I like RBCS and Lee stuff because that's what I use. When I start reloading pistol calibers, I'm going to pick up a volumetric powder thrower, and a priming die.

 

[machinisttx]

I agree on Dillon progressives.


I don't like the idea of starting with a single stage press and working up to a progressive. You'll sell the old setup for pennies on the dollar (or worse, stack it in the garage with the other junk you'll never use again).

Rich (in name only)

I still have three single stage presses set up, with another one in a cabinet because I needed bench space, and a hand press for use at the range or in front of the TV.

If the only press I had was my Dillon 650, I'd throw it in the pond after one too many adjustments while trying to find a good load. It's just too inconvenient for some things.

 

[chevydeerhunter]

Excuse the long post,

No need to apologize. That's what this forum is exactly about. People sharing their experiences, especially about reloading. There can never be posts that are too long about reloading, IMHO.

 

[LHB1]

I see we have some Dillon enthusiasts on board. Just to give you another opinion, some of us prefer Hornady LNL progressive reloaders. I currently have two LNL's set up. For single station presses, there is RCBS, Hornady, Redding, etc. For multi station H presses, I like the C-H press. Have one on my reloading bench that was purchased in late seventies and it is still going strong. For dies, I have used RCBS for the last 44 years with excellent results and see no reason to change.

 

[texaspartsman]

I have Lee progressive that is fine for pistol rounds and .223. Tried .338 Lapua on it but was afraid I was going to break something because of the force to get the handle down. I use a RCBS single stage for it. Many thousands of rounds have been reloaded with it.

 

[Charlie]

I've got RCBS (single stage press + other stuff) in my "man shack" and like it very much. I don't load hundreds of rounds per setting so it does fine. Like texaspartsman said there is a lot of good stuff out there. Not too much difference in most of them, one just likes what one gets used to. And ambidextrous1 is correct in that you cannot have too many manuals. I enjoy the satisfaction of reloading and the "preciseness" (is that a word?) required. I broke a decapping pin and bent the threaded rod that held it and the expander ball on a .30 caliber round and when I inquired of RCBS customer service, I was very impressed that the guy I was talking to was also an avid reloader, knew exactly what I was talking about, and sent me new parts gratis! I'm a happy camper.

 

[ambidextrous1]

Yes, there are many paths to the top of the hill! I'm partial to Dillon, but have seen other presses functioning quite well. We tend to use what we're familiar with, and if, as previously stated, there's "no reason to change", you've made a good investment.

What's everyone else using? Does anyone know how to modiify this thread to serve as a poll?

 

[comanche]

Best bang for the buck... LEE I have a Lee deluxe turret that I really like. I believe it cost about $100.
I saw a LEE anniv. Kit online the other day. for $79.00 quite the bargain, has everything you need to get started except dies. I also have a RCBS rockcrusher that I learned on. very nice! Dillon and Horniday make nice stuff also but, at 3 times the price of Lee. I use Lee carbide dies exclusively at 1/2 the price of the other guys, and they work just as well or better than the others. hope this helps.

 

[byronw999]

It would mainly be determined by how much you need to reload..If yer only shooting a box of ammo every month or so it wouldnt pay to buy a progressive.. A single stage or turrent would be fine..Even a little Lee hand loader would work.. I used one for quite a few years back in the 70s..

I have a Lee classic cast turrent that I use for odds and ends.. In other words small batches of odd caliburs.. Even use it to reprime Brass 12 ga BP shotgun shells...Works fine for what it costs..

For volume .357,.40 etc I use a Hornady LNL progressive with an auto case feeder. This is one awesome press but it cost a lot of $$... I shoot CAS so I go through a lot of .357 rounds..

I also have a Lee Loadmaster Progressive that I can NOT recommend to anyone.. Nothing but a plastic part laden piece of crap that Wally World would be proud to import from china.. Never have been able to get it to work right without it eating one plastic part or another or constantly having to tinker with it...My free time is valuable and rebuilding some cheap crap press is not on my list of fun things to do..

 

[sbb]

Personally I have a Dillon set up. However, any of the other brands mentioned above will do you a great job. As byronw999 said if you shoot low numbers of rounds each month you would be better served with a single stage press. If you think that you will save money by reloading you need to rethink this also. My cost per round is substantially less than factory ammo but I spend the same amount due to more rounds fired down range.

 

[baboon]

For 30 years I got it done on a RCBS Rockchucker. On another forum i mentioned that I was thinking about a Dillon Super 1050. Another member mentioned he had a Dillon SDB with .45 & .38/357 dies for half price.

I guess it's more important to learn these things in life, then to learn them later in life! I can see myself with 3 different presses working in harmony.

 

[lonewolf23c]

I agree on Dillon progressives.

My first press, some 15 years ago, was (& is) the 650; at my age, it should be the only press I'll have to buy.

I don't like the idea of starting with a single stage press and working up to a progressive. You'll sell the old setup for pennies on the dollar (or worse, stack it in the garage with the other junk you'll never use again).

I had to wait several months until I could afford the 650, then walked into the Dillon sales room and paid cash for the press, dies, digital scale, primer flipper, etc. etc. The price I paid is long forgotten, but the equipment soldiers on...

Manuals! You can't have enough reloading manuals!

I use only two powders for handgun reloading (mostly autos) and am thinking of using one powder for everything: this will be more economical and safer - no accidental mixing of powders. I've tried several "new & improved" powders over the years, and they all functioned, but none of them gave me any reason to adopt them.

Your reloading bench must be sturdy! The ideal bench is one of those poured concrete picnic tables commonly found in public parks. I don't know anyone fortunate enough to have that setup. I use a 27 X 60 inch bench with 4 x 4 legs, mounted in the corner of the room ans secured to the walls on two sides with large steel shelf brackets. I also anchor the top of my press to a wall stud via a 1 X 4 'flying buttress'. Because the table rests on a concrete slab, I have no need to anchor it to the floor.

Your environment is as important as your equipment. I havea separate lockable room that contains my gun safe, a (lockable) closet with shelves for ammunition storage, and the reloading bench with permanently mounted press and shelves & drawers for components and tools. No one comes in while I'm in there.

That's the ideal situation; but if you organize your equipment and space, you can do very well with a much smaller, temporary space. If you have an unused closet (lol), you can store and use everything you need in that space; Be sure it has a lock, and you have the only key.

I hope someone will start a thread showing pictures of their 'efficiency' reloading setups.

Excuse the long post,

Rich (in name only)

The long post is fine, it helps to have a clear understanding of what's needed and how to setup everything.

I'm very limited on space, so when I start reloading after I get my equipment I'm going to need to do some cleaning in my shop to accomodate the equipment. Plus it gives me an excuse to visit my 2nd favorite store (Home Depot) for building materials to build a solid workbench. I will also have to invest in some lockable cabinets to store all of the powders and such in.

Thanks for the post.

 

[On The Border]

I started reloading about 2 months ago. I really enjoy it, it's a relaxing pastime. I can see, though how it can become addicting. I'm already experiencing symptoms!

I'm using a Lee turret that I "neutered" to use as a glorified single-stage. (I like doing them in batches for some reason.) It, and my Lee dies work just fine. I did a lot of research before I bought and Lee won because I'm a bang-for-the-buck kinda guy.

My bench is an old, but incredibly sturdy, coffee table top that I mounted on 4X4 legs and built a "hutch" for. Because my wife is wonderful, and she loves me, I have it in the den side of our greatroom. The computer is behind me, so I can keep all my load data handy. I'll try to get a picture up tomorrow.

 

[lonewolf23c]

I started reloading about 2 months ago. I really enjoy it, it's a relaxing pastime. I can see, though how it can become addicting. I'm already experiencing symptoms!

I'm using a Lee turret that I "neutered" to use as a glorified single-stage. (I like doing them in batches for some reason.) It, and my Lee dies work just fine. I did a lot of research before I bought and Lee won because I'm a bang-for-the-buck kinda guy.

My bench is an old, but incredibly sturdy, coffee table top that I mounted on 4X4 legs and built a "hutch" for. Because my wife is wonderful, and she loves me, I have it in the den side of our greatroom. The computer is behind me, so I can keep all my load data handy. I'll try to get a picture up tomorrow.

I haven't started reloading yet, but I've already started my arsenol of reloading materials, and books. Crap, now I need another book case for the reloading shop. Oh well, gotta have my guns and ammo.

I'm looking at the Hornady L-N-L AP press mainly due to a friend of mine that passed away a few years ago left his reloading equipment to me and that's what he had. I'm just looking at doing a few upgrades to his since I think he lost a few parts to it from lack of use. Or at least I couldn't find the parts in his shop.

 

[On The Border]

Here is my bench. All told, I think I have about $30.00 and a few hours invested. The most expensive part of it was the sheet of plywood for the hutch.

 

[lonewolf23c]

Here is my bench. All told, I think I have about $30.00 and a few hours invested. The most expensive part of it was the sheet of plywood for the hutch.

Thanks for the pic. I think I could build that in a weekend, amongst other projects. I'm gonna have to find some time though. Seems as though my weekends lately have been pretty busy with house chores and taming the leaves in the yard. ugh!!!

 

[txsyotehntr]

I have a RCBS Rock Chucker and am saving my pennies for a Dillon. I never liked the Lees nothing wrong with them I just didn't like the ones I tried.