thinking its time to start reloading.

[eastcoastguy]

Ive decided i need to start reloading. I'm told its way more accurate and cheaper...Once you have everything. So i was wondering what press everyone uses. Minded i don't want to break the bank,however i don't way cheap either. Recommendation appreciated.

It would be for my 7mm mag,if you needed to know.

Thanks.

[Buzz2401]

I run a RCBS rock chucker for all my rifle stuff and a Hornady Lock-n-load for all my pistol stuff.  My RCBS is over 30 years old and still going strong.  For the 7 mag I would just pick up a Rock chucker supreme kit and get started.  You will also most likely need a case trimmer if you are reusing cases as they stretch each time they are resized.  Oh and a set of calipers and don't forget your dies.

[jay.sharkbait]

Rock Chucker all the way.

[Lefthook]

I run a RCBS rock chucker for all my rifle stuff and a Hornady Lock-n-load for all my pistol stuff.  My RCBS is over 30 years old and still going strong.  For the 7 mag I would just pick up a Rock chucker supreme kit and get started.

 

7mm Rem Mag, RCBS Rock chucker, approaching 30 years.

[JimmyHoffa]

I use the hornady classic.  The quick change inserts are nice for switching out dies.

[Ridgeratt]

RCBS Rockchucker the one on the bench is close to 40 years  old and still works great.
Have 3 more just laying around was going to set up another bench but never found the time.

[JJB11B]

I just got a new press because years ago I gave my brother my reloading gear, I now have a Dillon but I think I am going to grab a single stage press too.

[Jason]

Rock Chucker press and Chargemaster 1500 powder despenser for the rifle loads.

[huntandjeep]

Another vote for RCBS , watch Cabela's around the holiday they usually have the rock chucker supreme kit cheap. Comes with everything except dies , calipers  and consumables.

[Blacklab]

Rock Chucker press and Chargemaster 1500 powder despenser for the rifle loads.

x2

[BULLBLASTER]

Rock chucker! And a Hornady conversion to the quick change die things

[Jonathan_S]

Yep you start reloading because it's cheaper and pretty soon you have a closet full of premium components and tools. It's a natural progression.

[JJB11B]

Rock Chucker press and Chargemaster 1500 powder despenser for the rifle loads.

That's what I had before, need to find a used one....all I need is the press I have everything else

[BULLBLASTER]

Yep you start reloading because it's cheaper and pretty soon you have a closet full of premium components and tools. It's a natural progression.

[Mtnwalker]

Reloading to save money is like hunting because it saves on the grocery bill.    it does have its benefits though

[jasnt]

Rcbs rockchucker supreme

[Fl0und3rz]

You can recoup your "savings" faster by shopping craigslist for the deals.  Chargemaster is a luxury IMO.  Save your money and get a good trimmer and scale.  Otherwise, Lee dies are a bargain. 

[mountainman]

Mirror comments for the Rockchucker. Many thousand thru mine

[eastcoastguy]

Awesome.  Love the inputs. Was actually looking at the rock chucker.

[Oh Mah]

I love my Hornady lock&load weve done well over 3k in loads and never any issues.Dies i have both HORNADY AND RCBS. 

[Taco280AI]

  It's cheaper if you settle on a load (not counting the initial cost of equipment). If you're like a lot of us, you'll try load after load after load trying to find the perfect one. Different bullets, different powders. It isn't cheaper 

But... if you find that one load and stick with it, then it gets cheaper

[Jason]

It's cheaper if you settle on a load (not counting the initial cost of equipment). If you're like a lot of us, you'll try load after load after load trying to find the perfect one. Different bullets, different powders. It isn't cheaper 

But... if you find that one load and stick with it, then it gets cheaper

Is there even a such thing as a cheap hobby??

[JJB11B]

It's cheaper if you settle on a load (not counting the initial cost of equipment). If you're like a lot of us, you'll try load after load after load trying to find the perfect one. Different bullets, different powders. It isn't cheaper 

But... if you find that one load and stick with it, then it gets cheaper

Is there even a such thing as a cheap hobby??

I can think of one, course its not family friendly

[jasnt]

It never gets cheaper, because you'll just shoot twice as much

[Buzz2401]

I find that the real cost savings is in reloading premium bullet large rifle calibers.  It is a lot harder to recoup money loading pistol and 556.  But man I find it super fun loading pistol ammo.  Just get it set up and roll.  I can do about 500 rounds/ hour once my lock n load is set up.

[Fl0und3rz]

 
.45-70, .45 LC, .410, premium hunting/shooting ammo, for example.  Sometimes, .223 Rem/5.56, for example, depending on the political climate, reloading is the only way to get ammo. 

It never gets cheaper, because you'll just shoot twice as much

We're still talking reloading, right?  And the other one is NOT cheaper.

[JJB11B]

It never gets cheaper, because you'll just shoot twice as much

yeah the laundry bill would add up fast if you don't do your own laundry

[BigGoonTuna]

i bought a rock chucker just about a year ago and it's been a fun hobby since.  i've got a couple rifles that are really expensive to buy ammo for(a 264 mag and a 45-70) and i think i'll start breaking even pretty quick.

just way too many cool toys and accessories you can buy.  next step for me is a chronograph, bullet comparator and headspace gauges...

[quarterstaff]

Due to moving around alot and too many other hobbies I didn't start reloading until a couple of years ago  But the smartest thing I have done is I have been collecting gear for 25 or so years and my RCBS R/C II cost me 20$ and my RCBS jr. cost me $5 at garage sales and I get all my dies used, mostly on here actually but sometimes on Ebay or hole in the wall guns shops which I love almost as much as junk yards, the point being there is alot of good gear out there cheap and don't wait do it now. Oh and by the way the day reloading becomes obsession is when you find a neat old rifle (Swiss Vetterli) in an obscure caliber( .41 Swiss made from 8mm Lebel) and are quick to justify the trip down the rabbit hole by thinking oh no biggie I reload.

[quarterstaff]

Due to moving around alot and too many other hobbies I didn't start reloading until a couple of years ago  But the smartest thing I have done is I have been collecting gear for 25 or so years and my RCBS R/C II cost me 20$ and my RCBS jr. cost me $5 at garage sales and I get all my dies used, mostly on here actually but sometimes on Ebay or hole in the wall guns shops which I love almost as much as junk yards, the point being there is alot of good gear out there cheap and don't wait do it now. Oh and by the way the day reloading becomes obsession is when you find a neat old rifle (Swiss Vetterli) in an obscure caliber( .41 Swiss made from 8mm Lebel) and are quick to justify the trip down the rabbit hole by thinking oh no biggie I reload.

This is what I mean.

[JJD]

Reloading to save money is like hunting because it saves on the grocery bill.    it does have its benefits though

 

[JJD]

It never gets cheaper, because you'll just shoot twice as much

   too

[boneaddict]

+1 for RCBS, long lasting and reliable.   

[Magnum_Willys]

That Lyman pocket digital scale with .1 grain accuracy looks like a good addition for $24.99 !

[slm9s]

Lee Classic Cast.  Quality just as good (ITS SOLID!!!) and $104 at midway right now.  It even lets you reload up to 50bmg.

[JJB11B]

I finally got a bench and set up my stuff, I hadn't reloaded in a long long time until tonight. Once I got everything set up and dies adjusted I cranked 100 9mm in no time.

[JeffRaines]

Like others have said, reloading 9mm/556 isn't where you really start to see savings. Sure, its cheaper... but compare the cost of reloading with premium components(bullets, brass, etc) vs the cost of match grade+ ammo which is essentially what you are loading, and you'll see the savings start to add up fast. Add in obscure or uncommon chambering, and its really apparent.

While 257 weatherby isn't exactly uncommon, I think the cheapest ammo you can find will run you about $2 per shot. For the nice Weatherby stuff with premium components its $4.25 a cartridge!

Reloading the Weatherby equivalent(bullet, brass), I'm paying about $1.20 each in components. Once I shoot through my first 50 rounds I'll have paid for the components and die set, and still have enough powder to load another 50.

[JJB11B]

You see that stack of dies? I still need a couple more. In that stack is 6.5 creedmoor and 6.5x55 7.5x55.....8mm Mauser.....22-250 you just can't buy my preferred combo for .22-250 very often. Plus when I start loading my hunting ammo for my .223 I am building it will be nice. I like to handload for my .357 and when I get around to loading for .45LC that will be nice because ammunition options are limited

[JimmyHoffa]

.45 LC is a pretty good one to load where you can see some real savings.  You can get a box of 500 to 1000 cast bullets for pretty cheap.  The powder charge is usually only 6-7 grains.  The brass lasts a long time.  You could get a pour mold and make your own bullets to further cut down cost.  Ammo at the gun store seems to run $0.75-$1.00 a pop.

[HighlandLofts]

After picking up bits & pieces of reloading equipment over the last year & a half I'm finely about ready to start making ammo. My son came out to visit a couple of weeks ago and built my bench and set up the Hornady Lock & Load Classic set up and adjusted all of the die sets I had. About a dozen of them.
I spent a chunk of change on stuff that I needed while he was here. I doubt I'll ever recoup savings on reloading, but it will be fun shooting more once I get started.
I have a couple of extra single-stage presses and a few other things that I can part with.I'll look and see whats all there.