Thread: first reloading setup

hi so i dont reload at the moment and havent before so looking to buy a kit and was wondering should i get a kit like

RCBS Reloading- Hunting and Outdoor Supplies

the master kit with all the stuff to start

or is it worth just going stright to a auto loading kit like

Hornady Lock-N-Load Auto Progressive EZject Press

am looking to load both for high accuracy long range 6.5mm and 7mm rifles but also for 308 and 300 blk plinking simis

guess another question is the auto loader a bit of a mess around for load devolopment, (diffrent powder and seating depth) is it only really for loading alot of the same like for plinking bullets

thanks

kinda depends on the volume you're shooting...

changing a progressive press from one caliber to the next can be quite a mission. you could always buy another turret and keep the dies for a particular caliber set up in their own turret, but you may end up having to swop shell plates etc. amount of work and complexity depends on the press.

progressive presses really shine when it comes to straight wall pistol cases. for rifle, I tend to do too many (rifle) brass prep steps to make it feasible.

progressive presses are also fairly complex machines and quality makes a massive difference. if you compare single stage presses, IMHO there is not that much difference between a Lee Cast press and RCBS etc. but if you compare a Lee Pro 1000 to a Dillon it is night and day.

when it comes to high accuracy long range ammo, I doubt if you would get consistent enough powder throws from a progressive, mostly done off the press with a trickler and high quality scales.

hope that helps

If you are looking for kits, check here:

Workshop Innovation - Gunsmithing & Reloading Tools: Reloading Stuff +, Reloading Kits

Julian is a top bloke, and the Redding Pro-Pak kit is good value and a sharp price.

Agreed, it depends on the definition of 'volume'.

I use a progressive unit for high volume (batches of 500 at a time and they get shot within a couple of weeks) and a Lee single stage for my rifle (223 and 303).

But then working on the single stage I find it very relaxing working methodically through the rounds, but for the high volume stuff it's looking at how much free time I have and can I burn through them before doing other stuff.

On the bright side, you can easily spend more money than you planned getting reloading gear

Probably best to start with a single stage to decide if you like it. I crank out round 50 223 at a session, and as above it's relaxing. It's easy to not save money by reloading and only shooting occasionally. I do 223, 3030, 308,6.5x55, 7.62x54R, 303, 45/70, and 577/450 all on an Lee press low volumes for some admittedly but would use round 60-80 223 per month.

you can pump out the numbers with a single stage. ... and they are a cheap way to get into reloading ... if you decide to go for a progressive later you will easily sell on your single stage ... or if you decide to get out of the game (highly unlikely as it's extremely addictive)

also if you;re getting into this for accuracy, a progressive press is not really the way to go... as its quite important to be finicky about your powder weights and seating depths ... which its harder to do on a progressive

T

Workshop innovation is a bit cheaper.

Gunsmithing &Reloading Tools - RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit, Presses

It would be a very good kit.

Reading is a bit cheaper,

Gunsmithing &Reloading Tools - Redding Big Boss Pro-Pak, Presses

or the hornady kit.

However they are pricey, I would suggest a Lee Kit and if you enjoy it buy the RCBS or Hornady press on its own as an upgrade to your kit.

I would suggest the Dillion 550 is about the minimum for bulk reloading if going progressive, Lee dont make a decent progressive press IMHO, that can handle full sizeing of rifle cases.

Our club uses a Dillon 650 to load 308w visitors/beginners rounds, load varies by 0.2gr.

Workshop Innovation - Gunsmithing & Reloading Tools: Reloading Stuff +, Presses

That is $1k but I good buy for what it is I suspect, I am pondering one.

Good info thanks.

Ok wont worry about a progressive. So would the rcbs master kit be my best bet not to worryed about the price

you might spend less in the long term if you adopt the strategy buy the absolute minimum, do some reloading for one calibre only and then , base on your experiences buy gear for other calibres.

I started out with gear only for my 223 ... once I'd done a bit, learned a bit, and got my loads really accurate, then, I started buying dies etc for 243.

These days I'd not even buy a big press "strong enough to crush steel girders" -I'd go straight for an arbor press.

by the way - you tube and google are your friends. Read read read .. and watch watch watch ... its your cheapest and easiest way to accuracy and good reloading. Theres shitloads of mostly good stuff out there...

I have the RCBS press you are looking at is a good one. Tried a progressive and went back to single stage as they keep things simple and accurate. Don't get me wrong if you want to turn out hundreds of pistol rounds quickly they are good but i found even with 223 the need to measure powder accurately is the slowest part of rifle reloading.

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

I have the RCBS press you are looking at is a good one. Tried a progressive and went back to single stage as they keep things simple and accurate. Don't get me wrong if you want to turn out hundreds of pistol rounds quickly they are good but i found even with 223 the need to measure powder accurately is the slowest part of rifle reloading.

This : Lyman Gen 6

or this , for a bit more :
Lyman Gen 5

was one of the best things I bought for speed and accuracy ...

Another option is to use a mechanical powder thrower and an accurate set of scales to trickle the fine amounts in

Originally Posted by kiwi39

This : Lyman Gen 6

or this , for a bit more :
Lyman Gen 5

was one of the best things I bought for speed and accuracy ...

Another option is to use a mechanical powder thrower and an accurate set of scales to trickle the fine amounts in

Wow they look tempting.. tried a few of the older gen ones and found the mechanical + a tickler faster. Hell 2 grains a sec is awesome.. now when they are back in stock and the kiwi is a bit stronger (almost meets the $400 gst free mark!).

Just ordered one

You won't be disappointed

I picked up a Lyman Gen 6 and wish I bought one ages ago, certainly has sped up my reloading for 223.

Originally Posted by 300CALMAN

Just ordered one

Online? Good one.