Thread: So if I start reloading

Originally Posted by rambo-6mmrem

Imo

You need Medium-good quality tools from the get go
Some lee tools are fine however most of what you get in the “everything you need” kits is shit and you will spend more money buying replacement stuff

My suggestion is to buy a rcbs or hornady kit
On top of this
Dies. lee is fine and get the job done pretty well actually but hornady or rcbs would be my pick for Budget dies redding is my favourite but expensive and not required for loading up plinking or basic hunting ammo with a good standard of accuracy

Callipers you have to be able to accurately mesure stuff.... I would add the comparator kit as cbto is alot more accurate measurement than coal that’s Optional though

I would add Lyman dies to the list their new ones are excellent I have been using them for my 6mm Remington and .357 Mag every bit as good as the standard Redding
and better than the RCBS, only problem with reloading gear is getting hold of it at the moment.

Not so sure about the quality of Lyman anymore. Bought three of their "M" dies and the locking nut that locks the expander is punched and threaded not machined as on an old version I have. When the lock nut it tightened it skews the expander off centre. Fixed with an O ring under the nut.
Now made in China perhaps?

Originally Posted by Remmodel7

Cheers @Gibo will take you up on that at some point. Initial want to reload for 6.5 Grendel but will also reload for 708 at some point too.

Greetings Remmodel7,
Don't get discouraged by all the complexity and sometimes contradictory advice you are getting. Handloading is only as complex as you make it. The flashy kit that some handloaders regard as absolutely essential can be regarded as practically useless or totally unnecessary by others. Over time you will find your comfort spot in that range. Sit down with Gibo and he will run you through the basics. Leave laying out the cash until after that. You can always buy something you actually need later but you are stuck with things that you buy that you don't need.
Regards Grandpamac.

Does anyone know if any kits around that $500 mark. Most seem to either be 300 or 700. Rcbs 650 I think.

Originally Posted by Remmodel7

Does anyone know if any kits around that $500 mark. Most seem to either be 300 or 700. Rcbs 650 I think.

https://www.magnumimports.co.nz/prod...-reloading-kit

A good breathing technique helps for when you think you have your loads sorted... and you don't.
Well, I need it anyway. Woosaa

Sent from my SM-G975F using Tapatalk

Watch here and T/M, pick up bits and pieces as you go. Go for better type scales, had my Hornady for 40 odd years, still accurate. I personally find any scales that are not cast metal flimsy.ie Lee.

How would something like this go?
https://reloadingdirect.co.nz/shop/r...reloading-kit/
Also crimp dies yes or no?

The press is cast alloy. It wouldn't be my choice (space here for all the Lee alloy press owners to chime in), Its the bottom of the RCBS pile.
I'd be looking for a good older second hand cast iron press. If you end loading something more grunty than your Grendel it's better to have a robust cast iron press when full length sizing.

My cast iron RCBS press is coming up 50 years old. Still in great condition with no unecceptable slop or wear. It will outlast me and I'll need to make provision for it in my will.

The scales supplied in that kit would be suss as well. Although they are beam balance type the latest RCBS scales have a bad rep for quality, most likely Chinese in origin. All the older scales were good quality usually made by the Ohaus Scale Company in the States. RCBS along with other reloading gear companies badge engineered their scales ie used Ohaus and rebranded.

You won't need to crimp your Grendel, despite what Richard Lee says about crimping in his book. His theory is that powder combustion is more consistant with crimping. I haven't found that to be the case.
I only crimp one of my loadings, a 32/20.
Only necessary for auto loading pistols where the projectile can move in the live rounds in the mag under heavy recoil. Of for the behomoth African rounds, again to prevent projectiles moving under heavy recoil.

What's the verdict on these one sided presses? Think they would be more prone to flex also

C presses, with the exception of the RCBS Summit, which is not a classical C, and with the exception of a few very expensive almost custom C style eg the Sinclair, don't have the strength of a closed O type press.

There's nothing wrong with say neck sizing and bullet seating with a C press but full length sizing is what sorts them out.

Some will argue that a C press with the open front gives you better access but that would be the only redeeming feature. And if the C press is alloy as well......

That lyman kit I posted is cast iron....but it is an open press.....probably still stronger than than the lee cast alloy o press....I saw neckshots one he broke in half sizing 260 brass.
My press is the lyman crusher o frame, not sure if that is still made? But it has been plenty strong enough for everything I have loaded.
One was for sale on here not long ago but it got snapped up pretty quick I think.

https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketpl...ing/3046139885

Have a crack at this Lyman press, try and snake the auction in the last minute. Looks old but will no doubt last longer then most of us.

Yes keeping an eye on that one cheers

@Remmodel7, I have a set of Hornady 6.5 Grendel dies listed on TradeMe currently with a bonus neck sizing die.

PM me if you'd be interested.