Thread: Best Reloading kit to start with?

Hi everyone im looking at getting in to reloading and would like to know what kit i should look at getting? Will be reloading for bolt guns and have 204,223,270,308,7mmRm that i would like to reload for and thinking i might start with the 223.

Thanks

Yikes, that's like asking what's the best rifle to start with !

Option 1 - single stage. Slower for individual rounds, handy for the various calibres you've got. Handy for low numbers of rounds. Cheap to set up.

Option 2 - progressive. Can do multiple calibres, can make loads of rounds and there's cost savings in the long run. Expensive to set up.

Some people swear by *their* set up but I feel a lot does come down to how much $$ you're willing to spend.

Single stage is cheap and changing calibres is cheapish, can be quite rewarding crafting each round if that's your thing. Me I use a Lee kit I picked up cheap from Reloaders for my 223 for target and rabbit shooting, but a Dillon progressive for 9mm as I'm churning through a lot more rounds.

RCSB kit - RCBS Partner Press Reloading Kit - Presses - Reloading - Reloaders Supplies Ltd
Lee kit - Lee 50th Anniversary Kit - Presses - Reloading - Reloaders Supplies Ltd
Both kits come with everything you'll need.

Wow that RCBS kit looks a decent buy for $399.

If you can afford this rather than the Lee I'd suggest buying this, hell I'm tempted. Get Lee Ultimate dies though I think they are the best, especially for the money.

Originally Posted by Kscott

Some people swear by *their* set up but I feel a lot does come down to how much $$ you're willing to spend.

people do swear by their set up ...

I swear by mine because it fits my purpose ... you need to figure out why you're doing this ..

If you're doing it to churn out ammo, then maybe a multi stage press is what you need.

Or maybe you're in it for the accuracy - or to produce a load you cant buy off the shelf.

You may not know yet exactly what your purpose in doing this is ...

regards

Tim

Originally Posted by kiwi39

8><---

you need to figure out why you're doing this ..

If you're doing it to churn out ammo, then maybe a multi stage press is what you need.

Or maybe you're in it for the accuracy - or to produce a load you cant buy off the shelf.

You may not know yet exactly what your purpose in doing this is ...

regards

Tim

Yep, agree, economically for instance you need to be looking at 2000 rounds of say winchester 308w for it to make sense to buy a reloading kit. I figured out 2 to 2.5 years/seasons to do it. Then its incrementally about $150 per caliber, just dies and maybe a prep die for the quick trim. What I did find was, it is fun to do. I just wish I had more time....

Get a kit with a decent cast iron/ steel press

Originally Posted by josh86

Hi everyone im looking at getting in to reloading and would like to know what kit i should look at getting? Will be reloading for bolt guns and have 204,223,270,308,7mmRm that i would like to reload for and thinking i might start with the 223.

Thanks

The Lee single stage kit, about $230NZ.

Ppl know more about reloading than me but I'd suggest loading the bigger 308w, 270 and 7mm08 cartridges is more forgiving for a person just starting out and not the 223 unless maybe you shoot it a lot.

Single stage press, with simple gear. Start with only one caliber and get that smokingly accurate before you buy anything for the others.

I'd suggest 223. Nice accurate calibre, and cheaper to load than the big calibres .. So cheap to learn on...

You will probably waste money on gear you wont need or use - I know I did ... So get that out of the way before you buy gear for other calibres.

The only other advice I can give is read heaps. And then some. There's is a wealth of info out there. Some of it shite some good and some fantastic.

The other thing would be find yourself a local mentor. Bloody useful to be shown the ropes.


Tim

I have the RCBS kit with the reloader special 5 press which I bought from Forlongs in Hamilton. Even though the press itself is cast alloy it is a pretty solid press and it is churning out some nice accurate ammo for my 270 and is way more solid than the RCBS partner press only thing that would make me upgrade the press is if I could afford a rock chucker other than that I would not give up the RS5 press for anything.

@kiw39 says reads also watch lots youtube, ammosmith is worth watching.

https://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zSG804HwVk

I have the RCBS rockchucker its only disadvantage is the sucky way it deals with the de-primed primers, just about any other press I have looked at seems to do it properly. Otherwise I have mostly Lee kit.

Originally Posted by steven

@kiw39 says reads also watch lots youtube, ammosmith is worth watching.

https://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmith

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zSG804HwVk

Yep, he is ... Very knowledgeable source


Tim

Forlongs has the reloader special 5 press kit down to $405 from the $580 I paid for it at the moment and you can order online from them

Workshop Innovation has a very good selection of high quality reloading gear to choose from and Julian's prices and service are excellent. You could do worse than ask for his advice as he's not into pushing you into high end gear if he thinks you don't need it.

Workshop Innovation - Gunsmithing Tools: Reloading Stuff +

I personally prefer Redding and Forster dies.

Yup Julian is a top guy

Originally Posted by 10-Ring

Workshop Innovation has a very good selection of high quality reloading gear to choose from and Julian's prices and service are excellent. You could do worse than ask for his advice as he's not into pushing you into high end gear if he thinks you don't need it.

Workshop Innovation - Gunsmithing Tools: Reloading Stuff +

I personally prefer Redding and Forster dies.

Originally Posted by Shamus

Yup Julian is a top guy

+1 ... hes a good bloke .. and gives excellent customer service