New to reloading

[Wetwoodshunter]

So, I want to get a press and start reloading. I think I'm leaning toward an RCBS is it worth getting a starter kit?

Are there other items not in kits that are essentials or plain better to have?

[2labs]

I think you'll save buying a kit. A must have are calipers.

[bobcat]

I'd get this kit for only $289: 

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit?cm_vc=ProductFinding


I've had a RCBS Rockchucker for 30 years and it's worked great, it's all you'll ever need.

As 2labs said, the only other thing you would need with this kit is calipers, and you can get decent calipers for about $30.

[Fl0und3rz]

RCBS are probably the best or at least most popular kits.  Being most popular, it is easy to find brand stuff locally. Most big names are excellent with warranty, etc. RCBS is no exception.

You'll need a case trimmer, eventually.  You could get by without a case tumbler, but it makes things easier.  You can Google some wet case cleaning recipes to start, however. 

Priming on the press is inferior to a hand primer.

You'll save buying a kit.  You'll save more watching craigslist, here, and other places to buy the same kit, slightly used.

Welcome to the addiction.

[2labs]

That's a good deal on the kit bob has a link to. Priced separate your well over 5 bills!
Let the addiction begin

[brokenvet]

Been using a Lee Turret for nearly 40 years and now its time to purchase a new press. 

I had a RCBS Rockchucker, but the deprime pin kept breaking every 20th case or so.  That's when I switched to Lee, in 36 years I have not broke a depriming pin.  RCBS has improved over the years, just giving you another option.

For case lube,  be sure to use Imperial wax, forget all others.     

[h20hunter]

Dillon 550. No BS warranty, a little pricey compared to some but get it set up, lock it down and start pressing. Love mine.

[theleo]

I'm not new to reloading but am piecing my reloading room together. As far as a press goes I got an RCBS Summit and really like it. Not having the upright piece of metal between me and the case seems to move things along a bit faster. It also has a pretty small foot print and doesn't have to hang out over the edge of my bench blocking drawers or doors. The down sides though are that it's more expensive than the Rock Chucker and it doesn't come in a kit. For starting out the kits do save you money and give you everything you really need (except calipers) to get you making accurate rounds. There's things that can make your life easier but I'd hold off on those till your sure you want to sink more money into it.

As a side note, don't expect reloading to save your bank account much pain. You'll be very tempted to try tons of different powders, primers, and bullets experimenting. My rifle and load combos all shoot under an inch but I'm constantly curious to see what other loads might equal or exceed what I have already. Or I can get bored, and little demented, and find what works for turning my go to rifle big game setup (280Ai with 140 grain Accubonds going 3100 FPS) into a coyote bomb (110 grain TNT's going 3400 FPS). Tinkering with loads can become a expensive addiction.   

[C-Money]

I use the RCBs Rockchucker kit. All my family uses the RCBS Rockchucker kit. Get the kit, and like said above a good caliper.

[Buzz2401]

Have had a rockchuckrr for 30 years with no problems.  A few years ago I bought a hornady locknload progressive.  It's really nice but I still load my rifle stuff single stage on the rockchucker

[SeaRun1]

RCBS is also a great company to work with.  Another endorsement for the Rock Chucker as a first press to learn on.

Harbor Frieght has sales on calipers frequently.

SR1

[hub]

RCBS customer service is top notch. I,ve been using rock chucker since 1982. No problems noted. 

[Stein]

I have a lee turret and a Lee C press.  I use the turret for both pistol and rifle and although other's may be better I simply can't see anything wrong with my setup.  For rifle reloading, I would get:

Lee turret press (4 stage cast iron)
Lee 3 die set for your cartridge
Some type of priming tool - I use Lee lever prime (I think)
Lee balance scale (cheap and crazy accurate)
Lee zip trim with cutter for your cartridge
Deburring tool (lee one works just fine)
Tumbler with media (Frankford arsenal)
Rotary media separator (Frankford)
Calipers (frankford)
Powder trickler
Cartridge holder thing (frankford) (or block of wood with holes in it)
Case lube (I use Lee)
Load guide or 3 (internet works as well and is free)

Optional stuff:
Digital scale (although I don't like them as you always have to recalibrate and they don't seem too consistent)
Primer pocket cleaner
Flash hole uniformer
Hornady length gauge

That should get you where you need to be without breaking the bank.

[JimmyHoffa]

You can mix and match from lots of different companies if you want to piece your station together part by part.  Buying new, probably wont get in under kit price.  But you can go over Ebay, garage sales, used shops and get some good deals.  I remember I found an entire shotgun shell set up that must have taken up half a garage for $50, went back the next day and it was gone!  Got a few sets of dies for $5 or $10.
A few things will be proprietary (mostly Hornady) like the quick cams for the press or how the shell holders lock into the case trimmer, but other than that most should be pretty interchangeable.

[freezerfull]

The rock chucker supreme kit on midway is a great deal right now! I think I payed close $350 for mine when I started reloading. And that was about 8 yrs ago.

[Wetwoodshunter]

Thanks for all the info so far. Looks like a lot of you use RCBS but there are other options out there in that ballpark. Other than the priming tool are there other spare parts that I would need to keep around if stuff breaks or is that a non-issue?

Looks like I have a few weeks to decide what one to go with since someone posted an 7mm-08 x-bolt today 😍

[CAMPMEAT]

Hornady Lock-N-Load starter kit.

[jasnt]

I went with the rockchuker kit years ago. Still using a lot of it.  One thing I haven't seen mentioned. Loading manual. Yes the kit comes with one but grab up a few more from different manufacturers. Can be very helpful to cross reference your load data with each book. Also don't forget the shell holders when you but your die sets. This can get frustrating real quick when you get ready to load those first rounds and no shell holder.    Good luck and ask questions as much as you need. If possible find an experienced reloader near you to mentor you

[Stein]

Thanks for all the info so far. Looks like a lot of you use RCBS but there are other options out there in that ballpark. Other than the priming tool are there other spare parts that I would need to keep around if stuff breaks or is that a non-issue?

Looks like I have a few weeks to decide what one to go with since someone posted an 7mm-08 x-bolt today 😍

Mostly a non-issue but each have their own quirks.  Deprimer is an issue unless you are 100% good about checking your cases for rocks and tumbling media before resizing.  The lee turret can burn through a plastic washer thing that is needed for the progressive feature.  Check forums and most of the shortcomings are well known.  That said, I would plan on loading thousands of shells between breakdowns.

The other thing I forgot is a bullet puller.  Frankford makes a good one for a decent price and if you load rifle you will need it.

[Fl0und3rz]

Lee makes a shell holder set, and their dies are reasonable price and quality and come with a shell holder. The Lee universal decapping die is useful for depriming without sizing.  My best used buy was a MEC Sizemaster with universal charge bar, components, and manuals for $80.

If you decide on Lee trimmer system, I can make you a deal on a set of common caliber trimmer set.

[luteai]

Your new to you x-bolt has been fed by a lee challenger press, rcbs dies, a Hornady scale, a lee ram primer, and a lee perfect powder measure.   

[sagerat1]

I am new to reloading too. I have the rockchucker kit. I have added three manuals, lee individual caliber case trimmers, better calipers, weights to calibrate scales, for my own piece of mind being new at this. HOURS

[300rum]

What are you loading?  Pistol, .223 or high power precision rifle rounds?  If you are just wanting to put some hunting rounds together, go with the RCBS.  If you are doing pistol and .223 and shoot quite a bit then go straight to a 650. 

[T Pearce]

I've been reloading almost 40 years.
Every shooter has a favorite..... I sold all my "RCBS" reloading gear at one point knowing I would be needing to reload again when I returned.

When I started over I bought an inexpensive Lee anniversary kit due lack of funds. Later when I could buy anything I wanted, I stayed with Lee. I keep a Classic cast turret press and that Alum. Lee anniversary press setup for all my needs. The turret press is progressive but I use it single stage and keep the dies setup in the die holder (can't remember what they call it)
Digital measure and scale can be a pain, I Prefer the powder measures (i have and use both) Case trimmer pick is the LEE again "case gauge and trimmer" I keep an expensive rcbs trimmer for the .204 only.

Note: New, never used RCBS Rock Chucker under the bench..... not for sale though.

All equipment except the scales are mounted on stools. The portability allows for case sizing on the patio as the coffee goes down and the sun comes up.

Sorry so wordy.
Have fun.
T

[2labs]

T pierce, I made a .204 lee trimmer out of a 22-250. Very easy works great.
Need the .223 shellholder

[T Pearce]

I thought about it but decided to keep a couple of others around for neck turning and such.

Thanks
T

[Wetwoodshunter]

Ok, I'm back at looking at getting into reloading again so Im resurrecting this thread from a few weeks ago. I have seriously considered the RCBS rock chucker and now am contemplating dropping a little more money and going with a Redding T7. I have been told that the rock chucker is a great press but the Redding T7 is the cats meow of presses for accurate rifle ammo.

Does anyone have any experience with the Redding T7? Is it worth the extra investment, I'm assuming that either press would be used for the next 50 ish years. I will be reloading mostly for 7mm rem mag, 7mm-08, 44 mag, and .22-250.

Additionally... I have a serious stock piling problem. Thinking this was going to be less expensive for shooting I now have a box of nosler 140 gr. ballistic tips (100), 140gr. nosler accubonds (100), 150 gr. nosler accubound  LR (100), 140 gr. barnes TSX (50), and 160 gr. sierra game kings (100). I guess over the last few weeks of reloading as I saw stuff on sale I amassed 450 bullets.

[iusmc2002]

I have a Lee press, and really like it.

As for stockpiling, reloading makes each box of ammo cheaper, but since you think you're saving money, you will load and shoot MORE hahaha. It is a great addiction to have!

[Fl0und3rz]

I have a Lee Classic Cast and find it a great value.  I also have a Hornady LnL Progressive, which is great for high volume.  But as far as general reloading the Lee Classic Cast is fine.  That said, I have wanted a Redding T7 since I began reloading.   It would make reloading a bit easier not having to switch out dies all the time.

Redding makes fine reloading gear, and my accessories (powder measure, scale, trimmer, etc.) are all Redding.

[yorketransport]

I've been using my Lee Anniversary press for about 16 years ( I bought it on my 18th birthday) and tens of thousands of rounds. I do some pretty dramatic case forming and the press has handled it all with no problem. I paid about $110 for the kit when I bought it. I added a Cabelas dial caliper and an RCBS case trimmer and I've been running the same setup the whole time. My dies are a pretty broad assortment from RCBS, Lee, Hornady, Redding, Wilson, Forster, and a few custom made sets. They all work about the same but I do have a bit of a preference for Hornady dies.

I'm going to replace my Lee press soon just because I need to get a press big enough to run a CheyTac case. My Lee will just become my portable press that will come with me when I'm shooting.

Andrew

[T Pearce]

With my LEE classis turret press (cast iron) the dies (4) are always setup.
Switching calibers takes seconds .... twist the die holder and start seating bulllets.
The money I save, I purchase more components
Spend as much as you want.

From my patio table I have backstops at 100,220,600 and 710. Using the Lee products hasn't caused an accuracy issue.

Spend the bucks on a precision bullet seating die if you need to but I would measure bullet runout first because you may not need it.
What ever press you use, enjoy the sport.
T

[rudysts]

I'd get this kit for only $289: 

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit?cm_vc=ProductFinding


I've had a RCBS Rockchucker for 30 years and it's worked great, it's all you'll ever need.

As 2labs said, the only other thing you would need with this kit is calipers, and you can get decent calipers for about $30.

I started with this kit you will need a powder trickler and a vibratory case tumbler I got mine at http://www.harborfreight.com/5-lb-metal-vibrator-tumbler-67617.html and it works really good cheaper the buying a name brand.

[Wetwoodshunter]

Well, I had my first opportunity to reload yesterday and I learned a lot. I made 30 rounds for my 7mm rem mag. I have three variations of powder according to the nosler book and IMR 4831 with 140 gr. ballistic tips and 3 variations of powder with 160 gr. sierra game kings with IMR 4831. All my batches have 5 rounds in them with less than .02 grains difference in powder.  I loaded all the rounds to the max length that was recommended in the book because I didn't know I was supposed to take the rifle to my buddies house with my stuff.

We used a redding T7 press and I liked it but it would be a lot of money to start reloading with this press once I paid for all of the gadgets to go with it. I think I am sold on the RCBS rock chucker kit that was posted. We used the redding as a single stage press anyway and once I got the hang of what I was doing rounds were coming out quick.

Talk about addicting, I want to take everything I made to the range and make more.

[jasnt]

Let us know how it goes

[iusmc2002]

I would add one piece of equipment that I found VERY helpful during my first couple months of hand loading, and still sees use periodically. 

The Hornady Cam Lock bullet puller.

 I was given 350 30-06 rounds when I first started out, that turned out to be someone else's hand loads.  I decided to pull them apart, for components, after I fired one and the primer was enough to push the bullet out of the case and lodge just into the rifling.  I pulled all those rounds apart in less than an hour with the Hornady puller.  I've never used one of the hammer-type pullers, because I haven't heard anything good about them, other than they are inexpensive, but I've heard they're a PITA.  Get something to separate components because there will come a time when you seat a bullet too deep, or a ladder test isn't performing well, and you want to save those components for reuse. 

[mkcj]

As said what do you plan on reloading? I have an RCBS rockchucker and what I have found is it's great for loading our hunting and shooting of our rifles, I also use it to load for 223, 9mm, 40, 10mm and 45acp but for the amount you can shoot of these rounds you will spend a lot of time at the bench vs a progressive, I know I would reload many more of these rounds if I had a prog. As for advise that can be found here and Nosler has a forum with a lot of knowledge and good guys like this site has.

[theleo]

My bolt guns get loaded to maximum magazine length so long as the rounds aren't jammed up into the lands.

[Wetwoodshunter]

I'm starting out loading a 7mm rem mag, 7mm-08 and a .22-250. Additionally in the near future, I will most likely be loading a .338 win mag, .300 win mag, and a .270. I don't have any guns that I put high volumes of bullets through but I am contemplating getting a Ruger Redhawk in .357 to carry when I archery hunt.

[Wetwoodshunter]

Went and shot my first loads today. Out of my 7mm rem mag I landed on a 5 hole touching group with 160 grain Sierra game kings spbt and my lightest load chronographed at 2765-2773 Fps. The middle load of sierras did not shoot and had about a 4" group. The hottest load was about a 1" group and showed no signs of pressure pushing the bullet at 3020-3035 Fps.

The noslers 140 gr. ballistic tips shot best at 3000 Fps with my lightest load my 5 shot group was about an inch. As I went up in powder my groups opened up to about an inch and a half. My nosler by loads went from about 3000 Fps (most accurate) to about 3300 Fps with the hotter loads.

I think that my 7mm rem likes the heavier bullets so I will be loading some 150 grain nosler accubond LR next and working up more variations with the game kings. Additionally I would like to try some 160 gr nosler ballistic tips.

All rounds were fired from a lead sled and at 100 yards.

[2labs]

Nice job on the first reloads! Keep records, I use an old Rolodex.
Your hooked huh?

[Crunchy]

Sounds like you are having fun.  Best single piece of reloading gear I bought was the RCBS Chargemaster 1500.  Pick two or three bullets and develope your load from there. 
My Rem 7mag
67.5 grains of  H1000
168 grain Bergers VLDs