Guys,

I'm interested in buying a press/reloading kit but have minimal to no experience with the equipment needed to begin other than the research I've done via the Internet. Could someone here provide some suggestions/guidance as to which press/kit would work best for a beginner and one that would last for many years too?

BTW, I saw a Rockchucker kit at Cabela's for about $300, which is what my budget will allow. Also, the sales associate said I would need to buy the dies, shell holders. primers, powder and projectiles (I have the casings already). Is there anything else I need to add to this to get started?

Any information provided will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Steve

Tx. Buy a handloading manual 1st. If you have a bullet preference already then I would buy that manual. All have a section that will answer all your questions. We will of coarse answer all we can here but you really need to get a manual 1st.

Iowaloha Txboy, nice to meet ya,
I can't know what is in that kit that you looked at. RCBS is good stuff, so I suspect that you will be fine assuming that your salesman was near honest?

I run a lot of RCBS stuff here, and like it all very much. Most is near 30 years old and still running as new. RCBS has "fixed" a few problems free of charge for me over the years. Good investmet in good reloading tools has been my experiance.

Cheezywan

I'll move this thread to the Handloading Forum. As said above, get a manual first. I'd rate Lyman's best, with Hornady, Sierra and Speer all running a close second. What calibres will you be loading? That can change your equipment list a bit. For example, pistol cartridges rarely if ever need trimming, but high powder bottle-necked rifle cases stretch and you will need a case trimmer.

Bye
Jack

I will be reloading for 270, 30-06 and 25-06 calibers. Although I have a couple of pistols, I don't really shoot them as often as my rifles so I want something that is good for rifles. It seems to be lot's of fun so I will probably want to reload handgun ammo such as 40 cal, 357 and 9mm later on.

Thanks.

I can not express enough, how well the Lee Anniversary kit works. A member here turned me towards them when I started looking, and I bought one for myself and one for my brother. The Lee kit comes with everything but dies for under $100, and it will do everything an RCBS will. Now I do have some RCBS dies, and Im not knocking RCBS at all. Just for someone looking to start out, there is no better setup than the Lee.

First. buy the Lyman 49th Edition Reloading Manual. It's more than load recipes. It is packed full of great information on everything to do with reloading. The same man that had me get the Lee kit, had me get that manual also. I trusted his experience and it has served me very well !

I've only been loading for about 9 months, and I have several Sub-MOA loads now, in 4 different rifles.


For $300, you can get The Lee Anniversary Kit, some dies and componets. By the way, Lee dies come with the needed shell holders.

I definitely second Tang's thots on the Lyman manual, it's the best available IMO, with the Hornaday set right in there with it...I personally use and like RCBS, have for over 40 years...... if I was buying today, I would take a hard look at the Lee Classic Cast press, and stay away from the kits, as I do NOT like the scales they usually include, I prefer the RCBS or Ohaus Model "10 - 10" scales (Ohaus makes em' for RCBS) ...these scales have a "Micrometer Poise" and I like it a lot better than the other style of fine adjustment weight...the Rcbs "5-10" scale has the same poise, but has no dust cover, works the same...you can compare them on e-bay, just do a search for "rcbs scales" ....the rest of the "Stuff" you will need is available at most gun stores.... funnel, powder trickler, bullet puller, powder measure, etc.... handle them and see what you like....

Any of the reloading equipment brands would work for you. I'm a dedicated Lee Precision guy and really like the Classic Cast and Classic Turret. I like the value of the kits and like the Lee scale but some do not for sure. Everyone seems to like the Lyman reloading manual. I like Richard Lee's Modern Reloading and would recommend it especially if you decide to get Lee equipment. It is good to see more and more people join the finest fraternity of people - reloaders. All are (good) "one percenters" and all are helpful and generous with their time. I believe that the majority had someone show them the ropes. I did and am thankful that someone took the time to help me get started.

I can not express enough, how well the Lee Anniversary kit works. A member here turned me towards them when I started looking, and I bought one for myself and one for my brother. The Lee kit comes with everything but dies for under $100, and it will do everything an RCBS will. Now I do have some RCBS dies, and Im not knocking RCBS at all. Just for someone looking to start out, there is no better setup than the Lee.

First. buy the Lyman 49th Edition Reloading Manual. It's more than load recipes. It is packed full of great information on everything to do with reloading. The same man that had me get the Lee kit, had me get that manual also. I trusted his experience and it has served me very well !



I agree 100%! Whenever a beginner asks for suggestions, I recommend the Lee Anniversary Kit, you can find them under $100. It is inexpensive and loads good ammo for someone just starting out. RCBS is a fine brand too but IMHO, it is hard to beat the Lee kit for a beginner. Get a manual and read it, they Lyman is my favorite too. You will learn a lot from it and from doing searches on this site, also a good resource.

Same from here. ALL the brands make good equipment, good enough for way past the beginner stage. Most kits will save you money at the expense of being locked into one brand of product. I think they all come with a manual of some kind, but you really need two, if only to crosscheck against typos (which DO happen!) I usualy recommend three manuals. Your primary one for data should be the bullet maker's book, with a crosscheck being the powder maker's book, and your ultimate safety guide would be data from a trusted independent source - which is the Lyman manual, hands down. (The Lee manual is okay, but they only copy data from elsewhere, they didn't shoot a single load to compile it.)

Welcome to the Society of Handle Pullers!

Rocky I use Lyman and Nosler manuals. As well as Hogdgon and Aliant's websites, along with Ammoguide.com. You can't have too many sources.

There used to be a definite difference between the inexpensive and expensive brands of reloading equipment, enough so that after loading with an inexpensive brand for years, I upgraded. Now, the competition between the equipment manufacturers is so keen, that all of them make excellent gear. About all I can say is if you're just starting out, I would recommend a good single stage press. It is a tool that you will use for a lifetime. Later, if you need more production, you can get a turret or progressive reloader but start with the single stage. Ditto on the suggestion to start off with a good reloading manual (I like the Lyman or Speer) to read up on the reloading process BEFORE buying any equipment. That way, you'll have a pretty good feel for what you need before placing your order. Best wishes!

I like the lee turret kit it has every thing butdies and if one loads more than one caliber the turret is the way to go.I have two and about all the other brands.the turret will work single stage to learn and auto advance after learning the basics.I have RCBS,Lyman,and pacific,and lee powder measures.

Well, I got a new Rock Chucker Supreme reloading kit for fathers day after all. I loaded up my first 10 rounds and headed out to the range this past weekend. They shot very well for my first time out. I was getting about 1" groups at 100 yards out of my Stevens model 200 .270. I was shooting off a bench with sandbags. I referenced the Speer reloading manual to load my ammo and used RC dies, Hornady 140 grain BTSP Interlocks with 49.6 grains IMR 4350 (almost the minimum charge), Winchester large rifle primers and federal cases. Although they shot very well, I can't take much credit because my gun was shooting factory ammo the same way. That gun can shoot.

Also, I just got another set of RC 25-06 dies to load some more ammo. The shop where I bought the ammo was out of the Hornady 117 grain BTSP so I went with the Sierra Gamekings 117 grain BTSP. My youngest son helped me load 20 rounds using the same bullet with 49.6 grains of IMR 4350, Federal cases and Winchester primers. We'll see how they fly next chance I have to visit the range.

BTW, if the Sierra GK's don't have a cannelure like the Hornady bullet how do you know how deep to seat the bullet in the case?

Also, if you remove a bullet with the bullet puller do you have to resize the case or can you just reseat the bullet a little higher on the same case?

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

BTW, you guys were right, this reloading hobby is fun.

Thanks again.

The cannelure is just for crimping. You need a good set of calipers, and set the bullets to saami spec to begin with. Later on you can play with seatng depth.

For example, max cartridge overall length for my 300 and 338 is 3.34". So thats always where I start. Look in your manual, it will tell you the COAL for every load usually. If not it will say at the beginning of that caliber's "chapter".

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Reloading! All good info so far. I always suggest SOME reloading manuals; A Lyman Reloading Handbook, Lee's Modern Reloading, one or two from bullet manufacturers, one or two from powder manufacturers. They have a "how to" section as well as reloading data. Get 'em. Read 'em and then you can decide what is best for your reloading needs. You can always refer back to any of these for proceedure reminders and compare load data. (I don't use any ONE source of reloading info; a manual, web site, or any "expert"). I also suggest starting out with a single stage. This will enable you to learn the "theories" behind each loading step from die adjustment to lever exertion/pressure, to primer and bullet seating, etc. (every reloader "needs" to crush some cases or install primers backwards just to see how it feels!) Besides, it'll last you for quite a while (5 years ago I bought a used CH press, don't know how old it is, and have reloaded a few thousand rounds in in and it's nowhere near wearing out!) then you can upgrade as you need for your style of reloading.:D

As already said,the Lyman manual is a good start,but you will need at least one more;better yet,a third manual.
The Lee line of equipment is the least expensive,and is good enough for a lot of Folks.Use it to learn 'how to',and upgrade,if you feel the need,later.
No need to guess,if you are not sure of anything.Pose a question here,before trying a questionable load or practice.
Good luck
Frank

Hi there Txboy: I'm in the same boat as you are. I will be reloading the .270, .35 Remington and .38 special. I just bought the Lee Classic Turret Press reloading kit at Cabela's item XJ-216337 $189.99 and 2 additional turrets item 9IS-215923 $10.99 each. The reason for the additional turrets is so that I can set up each caliber in one turret once, and then forget about as all I would have to do is change the turret (5 seconds) and I'm ready.
In fact, I spent about 1 hour today building a base to spread the load on a table and putting together the turret and the automatic safety primer and lee zip trim. I did buy Lee's Modern Reloading second edition manual followed by Lyman's 47th edition. And I just ordered the Speer and Hornady reloading manuals, as well as doing a lot of research in the internet.
The Cabela's Lee Classic kit comes with the Auto Pro Powder Dispenser, a Lee scale (you need at least one) to test your loads periodically, Auto Disc Riser, Lee Rfile Chargin die for small capacity rifle cases, large and small primer feeders. For the .38 special I ordered the which comes with the Collet neck sizing die as well as the full length resizing die. For the .270 and .35 I ordered the Lee Deluxe Rifle set for each the calibers as it also comes with with full length resizing die in addition to the collet neck sizing die. The difference is that with the collect neck sizing you do not need to lube the case whereas with the full length you must so that it wont get stucked.
The only warning I can give you at this early stage, is that the Lee documentatio that comes with the press, dies, powder dispenser, is IMO lacking sufficient detail for us newbies who have never done this before. I am a handy person, and I'm going very slowly to make sure I understand what goes where. I hope this helps.

tx boy it sounds to me like the kit you got is the same one i got. the book came with mine.what it didnt have was the calipers,case trimmer , and powder trickler.i find those items absolutly neccasery to production.if you dnt know anybody close by with a fair amount of expeariance w reloading that you can "aprentice" under then get those books that have been recomended and read them cover to cover be fore proceeding it will save a lot of head aches later.this can be asa safe or as dangerous as you make it please be safe and have a life time of fun reloading and shooting/ hunting