New to reloading, starter kit recommendations?

[N7XW]

I did a little reloading for my dad many years ago but never got into it myself until now.  Being a newbie, I should probably start slow.  What do you guys recommend for starting equipment?  One of the starter kits, such as the RCBS rock chucker?  Are there any brands to stay away from?  Any cut and dry better than others?  TIA.

[bobcat]

I'd probably get this one: 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013036852/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit


I've been using a Rockchucker for over 30 years, never had an issue, and never felt the need for anything else. I don't think you can beat it for under $250.

[N7XW]

I'd probably get this one: 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013036852/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit


I've been using a Rockchucker for over 30 years, never had an issue, and never felt the need for anything else. I don't think you can beat it for under $250.

Good to know.  Thanks.

[CAMPMEAT]

Hornady Lock N Load starters kit.

[HighlandLofts]

 

When I started to buy stuff to reload I bought a few single stage presses, powder measurers and other stuff. I bought a Hornady Lock & Load Classic Kis just for the free sonic cleaner.
I set up the Horhady Lock & load press and sold three of the single stage presses I bought.
I kept a Pacific single stage press and had it drilled & taped for the Lock & Load adapter so I have Two complete Lock & Load presses, All set up.
One for Handgun and the other set up for Rifle.

To start out the Lock & Load is the only way to go.

If you were closer I'd invite you over to check it out and try it out for yourself.

[N7XW]

When I started to buy stuff to reload I bought a few single stage presses, powder measurers and other stuff. I bought a Hornady Lock & Load Classic Kis just for the free sonic cleaner.
I set up the Horhady Lock & load press and sold three of the single stage presses I bought.
I kept a Pacific single stage press and had it drilled & taped for the Lock & Load adapter so I have Two complete Lock & Load presses, All set up.
One for Handgun and the other set up for Rifle.

To start out the Lock & Load is the only way to go.

If you were closer I'd invite you over to check it out and try it out for yourself.

Great, thanks for the info.  I'll definitely check it out.

[bobcat]

If you want to save money, you may be able to spend less by not buying a kit. The kits come with a powder measure. In 34 years of reloading, I've never had one. It also comes with a hand held priming tool, which you don't need as you can prime your cases using the press. So, just something to consider if you're on a budget.

Here's a press by itself for $112:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/513567/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-single-stage-press

[C-Money]

 

I have been using a RCBS Rock Chucker for a long time now. Was a Christmas gift from my wife. I agree with Bobcat, I have never used the powder measure or the hand primer. I did buy the set of Lee powder scoops and that speeds up weighing out my powder charges vs using a spoon. I do enjoy loading with the RCBS. I am interested in doing a little research on the Hornaday Lock & Load. From the comments above, it must be a good system.

[Biggerhammer]

I've literally spent years of my life behind a reloading press.  I started with RCBS and still own some RCBS. I feel that Hornady has surpassed RCBS with the quality of their dies and presses, single stage or progressive and of course there are many other options, the sky is the limit if price isn't a issue.

As mentioned before. You may not need a "Kit". Make a list of what you "Need" to get going. Trust me the rest will come piece at a time when you need it and before you know it a room or a section of the shop or garage will be taken over with reloading equipment.

[CAMPMEAT]

Like Hammer says, I've added to mine in just 5 years. I have all kinds of stuff, including several loading manuals, tumbler, electric scale etc.

[JDHasty]

Either the RCBS or Hornady kits suggested above are going to work out just fine.  Add a Lee hand priming tool and dies and you are pretty much set. 

[bobcat]

Another thing that comes with the RCBS kit that I'd have no use for is the lube kit. All you need is a can of Imperial sizing wax. It'll last forever and is about $10. If I'm doing a large number of cases all at once I might use Hornady One Shot, as it's much faster. But I could get by just fine with only the Imperial wax. Lately most of reloading I don't even use lube as I'm only neck sizing. That's something to consider as well. If you're using only bolt action rifles, you can neck size only and it sure simplifies a deer speeds up the entire process.

Here's a link to the Imperial sizing wax:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012768051/imperial-case-sizing-wax-2-oz

And here's the type of die set I would recommend:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011184659/lee-ultimate-4-die-set


You'll want calipers, this is what I use:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101286239/lyman-dial-caliper-6-stainless-steel


For trimming cases:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/476992/lee-case-trimmer-cutter-and-lock-stud


A set of Lee dippers:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101284828/lee-improved-powder-measure-kit


And a scale:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/781073/lyman-pro-500-magnetic-powder-scale-505-grain-capacity

[JDHasty]

Another thing that comes with the RCBS kit that I'd have no use for is the lube kit. All you need is a can of Imperial sizing wax. It'll last forever and is about $10. If I'm doing a large number of cases all at once I might use Hornady One Shot, as it's much faster. But I could get by just fine with only the Imperial wax. Lately most of reloading I don't even use lube as I'm only neck sizing. That's something to consider as well. If you're using only bolt action rifles, you can neck size only and it sure simplifies a deer speeds up the entire process.

Here's a link to the Imperial sizing wax:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012768051/imperial-case-sizing-wax-2-oz

And here's the type of die set I would recommend:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011184659/lee-ultimate-4-die-set


You'll want calipers, this is what I use:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101286239/lyman-dial-caliper-6-stainless-steel


For trimming cases:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/476992/lee-case-trimmer-cutter-and-lock-stud


A set of Lee dippers:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/101284828/lee-improved-powder-measure-kit


And a scale:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/781073/lyman-pro-500-magnetic-powder-scale-505-grain-capacity

Yea, Lee Dippers are a Godsend.  They save a heck of a lot of time.   

[JohnVH]

Lee Classic Turret Press kit. Got mine 10 years ago, still use it today, everything from .380 to 300 WSM. I love that you can leave the dies setup on a disc and change calibers in 1 minute.

[Stein]

Lee Classic Turret Press kit. Got mine 10 years ago, still use it today, everything from .380 to 300 WSM. I love that you can leave the dies setup on a disc and change calibers in 1 minute.

 

You can't beat Lee for value.  I have the cast iron turret press for pistol ammo and the Lee Precision press for seating rifle bullets when absolute precision is a must.  The turret press is awesome as you can set up a turret for each caliber and never have to change out dies.

[JohnVH]

Here is a deal on the kit.

https://www.brownells.com/reloading/reloading-kits/4-hole-turret-press-deluxe-kit-prod56289.aspx

[lamrith]

As already mentioned, most current reloaders will always (and for good reasons) recommend new reloaders start with a single stage press.  That is sound advice and single stage forces you to focus and dial in each step, so you understand what is going on.  That is very important, and jumping straight into a progressive press with all stations running is overload and not safe.  Just too much going on.  It is also why most starter kits are based around a single stage press.  Many also will note that a good single stage is something you can use forever for dedicated processes, or to make extremely precise rounds due to tighter tolerances and less moving parts.

Once you get the hang of it though, if you are running any volume of pistol or maybe 223 for an AR, you will quickly want to jump to a progressive.  For that reason, I recommend a new reloading person buy a progressive press right out of the gate, and get a quality one if they are planning to feed a semi-automatic firearm.   This to me is buy once cry once, knowing you will need progressive long term, just go ahead and get it from the start.  HOWEVER, run it as a single stage with only one die or action going at a time whe you start out.  Run all brass thru with only the size/preprime die in it, do the entire batch just as if you had a single stage press.  Pay attention to how the die works, how the press feels, how it cycles, etc.  Take that die out, then run all brass thru only priming.  etc etc until you have finished rounds.

Dillon and Hornady both make outstanding presses, and if you go full tilt with case feeders, bullet feeders etc, it is about a wash in terms of $ for press setup (Dillon650 vs Hornady LnL).  I think Hornady is a little cheaper/easier to add calibers to, but for a ready to load press for a single caliber you are dead even. 

Beyond that though, I recommend Hornady, and a big part of that comes down to the core feature that they named the press after; LnL.  The individual locking lugs for each die are extremely useful.  I have found I make use of the ability to use individual dies on my press pretty much every time I use it.  With the lug system it means no having to re-adjust the dies every time you want to change something.  This allows you very easily to run the a single process at a time like I mentioned above, the LnL is perfect for doing that and learning as you can add/remove dies in seconds.  Then when you are comfortable you can add all the dies and start doing single pass reloading.  You WILL need to tweak all the dies some as the tension and actions of each die will affect the others, so take your time and check everything again.

If you wish to go Single stage, as other have mentioned I would lean to the LnL Classic kit as it uses the same locking lug system with quick die changes and I believe those lugs can be used with the Progressive if you upgrade later.  Dies would still need to be re-adjusted between single and progressive.

[JohnVH]

on that note, the lee classic turret press, you can take the center screw out and use it as a single stage if you prefer. Its easy to use as a turret too, Ive done 100rnds of 9mm in an hour.

[lamrith]

ohhh books.  books books books.  You want to pick up a couple reloading manuals and read them.  Hornady, Lee, Lyman, etc..  Always good to have more than one and be able to compare loads between sources.

I would pick up a book and read the opening chapters before even buying a press.

[Curly]

Horndady kit is on sale now at Midway:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012998011/hornady-lock-n-load-classic-single-stage-press-kit


It's slightly more money than the RCBS kit.

The stuff included in the Horndady kit seems better to me than the items included in the RCBS kit.  You will have to add calipers, though.  Also a trimmer, but the RCBS kit doesn't have a trimmer either.

Items included in Kit:
Lock-N-Load Classic Single Stage Press, Lock-N-Load Powder Measure, Digital Scale, Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, 3 Lock-N-Load Bushings, Primer Catcher, Positive Priming System (Small and Large Primer Cups Included, Handheld Priming Tool, Universal Reloading Block, Chamfering and Deburring Tool, Powder Funnel and Trickler, 5.5 oz can of One Shot Aerosol Case Lube

Everything in that kit is useful.........although I will say I haven't used their version of the hand priming tool.  I use RCBS hand priming tool, but I will say the Lee Hand priming tool is better.

Also, they don't specify which digital scale they include.  I have no idea the quality of their scale.

[Evil_EdwardO]

on that note, the lee classic turret press, you can take the center screw out and use it as a single stage if you prefer. Its easy to use as a turret too, Ive done 100rnds of 9mm in an hour.

That's what I use. Use the turret for 9mm and remove the rod and use it as a single stage press for rifle. Plus I have extra turrets, one for each caliber I reload. Just plop a turret in and reload.

[JohnVH]

That's what I use. Use the turret for 9mm and remove the rod and use it as a single stage press for rifle. Plus I have extra turrets, one for each caliber I reload. Just plop a turret in and reload.

I love that about it!

[N7XW]

Looks like I have some catching up and research to do.  Thanks guys! 

[screedler]

piggybacking on this topic, I'm also new to reloading; have everything I need to reload 30-06 (eventually 9mm & 223 but no hurry), but the scale I've got is a super old balance beam scale that my dad just had, he didn't know how he got it, it was in a pile of reloading junk from when he was going to reload 44 mag but then didn't (the 44 die and a big box of bullets are still here)...

Thinking of getting a nice electronic scale that would hopefully be reliable in the budget range of $150? Just want to buy once cry once rather than getting some cheapo electronic scale that I can't trust. Any expensive scales to avoid? Horror stories? Anecdotes? Lay em on me!

[jnordwell]

If you plan on loading for 1or 2 caliber get the lock in load. But if you want to do more then look for rcbs. The quick bushing that Hornady makes you use is expensive. I load for 13 different guns. Way to expensive but I bought a rcbs partner press for 45$ off a clearance rack and have loaded 1000’s of loads.. buy a cheap kit and then upgrade the scale that’s where to spend the money not in the press unless you are planning on a progressive. I can do the single stage and load 100 in a little over a 1.5 hrs...enjoy the new hobbie

[BigGoonTuna]

piggybacking on this topic, I'm also new to reloading; have everything I need to reload 30-06 (eventually 9mm & 223 but no hurry), but the scale I've got is a super old balance beam scale that my dad just had, he didn't know how he got it, it was in a pile of reloading junk from when he was going to reload 44 mag but then didn't (the 44 die and a big box of bullets are still here)...

Thinking of getting a nice electronic scale that would hopefully be reliable in the budget range of $150? Just want to buy once cry once rather than getting some cheapo electronic scale that I can't trust. Any expensive scales to avoid? Horror stories? Anecdotes? Lay em on me!

i have heard mixed reviews on the electronic scales.  i would like one for working up loads out while i'm shooting to save time, but every time i read the reviews on most of them i see the same complaints(the zero wanders, accuracy concerns etc).  you don't see that much with a quality balance scale.  i definitely would not want to be without mine.

[Stein]

Balance scales are the way to go, way more accurate and dependable.

[N7XW]

What's the deal with case tumblers?  I don't see them included in any of the beginner kits.  Are they needed or just nice to have to make your used brass shiny again?  Also, how many times can you safely reuse your brass, assuming you aren't building overly hot rounds?

You guys are great.  Thanks for all the great info.

[Curly]

Tumblers are not a requirement.  I got by without a tumbler for over 20 years. I just bought one this year. It is nice to have. I got one that uses stainless steel pins and it is nice to clean inside and out, including the primer pockets.  They are a little spendy and you can get by without by just cleaning with a rag and alcohol.

Another thing I just got this year is an annealing machine. It's nice to have. Annealing will give more consistent neck tension and brass will last longer.

As far as how many times you can reload.....it depends on the cartridge, the brand of brass and if you full length size every time or neck size.  It's hard for me to put a number on it.

[C-Money]

piggybacking on this topic, I'm also new to reloading; have everything I need to reload 30-06 (eventually 9mm & 223 but no hurry), but the scale I've got is a super old balance beam scale that my dad just had, he didn't know how he got it, it was in a pile of reloading junk from when he was going to reload 44 mag but then didn't (the 44 die and a big box of bullets are still here)...

Thinking of getting a nice electronic scale that would hopefully be reliable in the budget range of $150? Just want to buy once cry once rather than getting some cheapo electronic scale that I can't trust. Any expensive scales to avoid? Horror stories? Anecdotes? Lay em on me!

i have heard mixed reviews on the electronic scales.  i would like one for working up loads out while i'm shooting to save time, but every time i read the reviews on most of them i see the same complaints(the zero wanders, accuracy concerns etc).  you don't see that much with a quality balance scale.  i definitely would not want to be without mine.

I have given thought to an electronic scale for speeding up measuring powder charges, but accuracy concerns have kept me away. The electronic scale thoughts have pretty much gone away since I bough the Lee dippers.  The Lee dippers/scoops help weigh out each load much faster on the balance scale. I sure enjoy reloading, and there is a good deal of pride taking animals for the freezer with ammo you put together yourself.

[JDHasty]

piggybacking on this topic, I'm also new to reloading; have everything I need to reload 30-06 (eventually 9mm & 223 but no hurry), but the scale I've got is a super old balance beam scale that my dad just had, he didn't know how he got it, it was in a pile of reloading junk from when he was going to reload 44 mag but then didn't (the 44 die and a big box of bullets are still here)...

Thinking of getting a nice electronic scale that would hopefully be reliable in the budget range of $150? Just want to buy once cry once rather than getting some cheapo electronic scale that I can't trust. Any expensive scales to avoid? Horror stories? Anecdotes? Lay em on me!

i have heard mixed reviews on the electronic scales.  i would like one for working up loads out while i'm shooting to save time, but every time i read the reviews on most of them i see the same complaints(the zero wanders, accuracy concerns etc).  you don't see that much with a quality balance scale.  i definitely would not want to be without mine.

I have given thought to an electronic scale for speeding up measuring powder charges, but accuracy concerns have kept me away. The electronic scale thoughts have pretty much gone away since I bough the Lee dippers.  The Lee dippers/scoops help weigh out each load much faster on the balance scale. I sure enjoy reloading, and there is a good deal of pride taking animals for the freezer with ammo you put together yourself.

I have Chargemaster combos, but still keep my Ohaus 1010

I don't use the 1010 at all, the Chargemasters are really pretty reliable... but they are not in the $150 range either

I don't know anything about the Chargemaster Lite that they are selling now. 

[Evil_EdwardO]

I hate the balance scales. I bought a Franklin electronic scale for $30 and it's worked great for me. My rifle loads are chronoing -/+ 5 fps. Just check and recheck the weight. If the weight is different dump a re-weigh.

Another friend of mine that reloads for distance shooting suggested converting the grains to mgs and use a mg electronic scale that reads to the thousandths.

Also a good powder trickler is a good purchase too if you are reloading rifle.

[bobcat]

Yes, gotta have a trickler, no doubt about that. And they're cheap so no reason not to.

[Hilltop123]

piggybacking on this topic, I'm also new to reloading; have everything I need to reload 30-06 (eventually 9mm & 223 but no hurry), but the scale I've got is a super old balance beam scale that my dad just had, he didn't know how he got it, it was in a pile of reloading junk from when he was going to reload 44 mag but then didn't (the 44 die and a big box of bullets are still here)...

Thinking of getting a nice electronic scale that would hopefully be reliable in the budget range of $150? Just want to buy once cry once rather than getting some cheapo electronic scale that I can't trust. Any expensive scales to avoid? Horror stories? Anecdotes? Lay em on me!

i have heard mixed reviews on the electronic scales.  i would like one for working up loads out while i'm shooting to save time, but every time i read the reviews on most of them i see the same complaints(the zero wanders, accuracy concerns etc).  you don't see that much with a quality balance scale.  i definitely would not want to be without mine.

I have given thought to an electronic scale for speeding up measuring powder charges, but accuracy concerns have kept me away. The electronic scale thoughts have pretty much gone away since I bough the Lee dippers.  The Lee dippers/scoops help weigh out each load much faster on the balance scale. I sure enjoy reloading, and there is a good deal of pride taking animals for the freezer with ammo you put together yourself.

I have Chargemaster combos, but still keep my Ohaus 1010

I don't use the 1010 at all, the Chargemasters are really pretty reliable... but they are not in the $150 range either

I don't know anything about the Chargemaster Lite that they are selling now. 

I have had a Chargemaster for about 14 years, last year I bought a jewelers scale that would measure a grain down to a thousandths. Thinking I could get my SD's a little tighter, well that was the hope.
After two weeks of drawing charges from the Chargemaster and remeasuring on the jewelers scale, I learned one thing. What I learned was, that the money I spent on the jewelers scale was a waste of money. The Chargemaster was always nuts on!   Always the difference was just a couple kernels of powder. Two kernels of powder, don't do squat for your SD's either. JMTCW

[Mossy]

Only have experience with rcbs but what I can say is their customer service is better than any company I've dealt with. I have a new drop tube coming in the mail thanks to the kiddos; rcbs said no charge.....along with other parts to my uniflow that found feet and walked away.

[thinkingman]

Lee Classic Turret Press kit. Got mine 10 years ago, still use it today, everything from .380 to 300 WSM. I love that you can leave the dies setup on a disc and change calibers in 1 minute.

Yup.
Sometimes you can get a whole Lee kit.
Good reloading equipment if you're not status-conscious.

[Biggerhammer]

My trickled is my thumb and forefinger. 

[HighlandLofts]

I have the Hornady Lock & Load Classic set up, Hornady has a stand up customer service equal to RCBS.

If you buy a new Hornady Reloading kit you get 500 free bullets, there is a shipping charge involved.
If you buy new Hornady Reloading Dies you get 100  free bullets, There are shipping charge as well.

I like the Lee hand held priming tool, I have one set up for small primers and one set up for large primers.
I bought them used on the gun forums. I also use lee shell holders for the priming tools and for the Hornady press. .

As far as tumblers I have the Hornady Sonic Cleaner that came with the Hornady Lock & Load Classic Kit.

I bought a Frankfort stainless steel needle bearing media tumbler, cleans up the brass the best.

And I have a tumbler I bought out of Harbor Freight along with 25 pounds of the coarse Walnut hull media.
I use this one the most. I cut up dryer sheets to put in it to collect a bunch of the dust produced.
To seperate the brass from the brass from the walnut hull media I bought the black plastic (looks like a gold sifting pan) with slots in the bottom. I set in one of the 3 gallon safeway bakery buckets and dump the brass & media in it, Sift it, Dump the brass in another bucket. The dump it back into the sifting pan over the bucket with the media in it. I do this several times.
Throw the dryer sheets a way.

Once seperated I bought the cheap four piece pick set from Harbor Freight, I use the one that looks like a mini-Ice Pick and with a white lit up back ground I clean any material out of the little hole between the primer pocket and the case.

I like the Lee Universal Depriming Die, I do all of my depriming with it before I tumble the brass. The depriming pin got bent so I bought three extra pins through Walmart.com and picked them up at the local store.

Look on E-Bay for reloading books and start reading reloading material cover to cover, as far as the loading data, just look at the calibers you are interested in. Some manuals are better then others, I found some good reading in several of them. And they can be bought cheap, some with free shipping.

I also bought the lee dippers that I like when making a few rounds.

A trickler is cheap and necessary, I have three different tricklers, the one that came with the Hornady Kit, a RCBS and another one, can't remember what make it is but I like it.
For a few bucks just buy one.

I use 3 gallon plastic buckets from the Safeway Bakery to hold large quanities of dirty brass.
I use the Safeway gallon plastic ice cream containers to hold deprimed brass in.
Then I use Sterilite 11&1/2" x 7&3/8" x 3&1/4" plastic storage containers out of Walmart to hold clean, resized brass in. They cost around $3.

For the loaded bullets I like the plastic ammo cases from Cabelas with the hinge top, caliber specific. Around $3.

For keeping track of everything I bought a Dyno Labeling tool out of Walmart with extra label cartridges. I thing it was like $30 maybe $40, but wort the cost and it's a hell of a lot better then my writing.

For lube I use Hornady One Shot lube.

When the ram on the press starts to bind up from all of the fine particles from depriming I use Hornady One Shot Cleaner & Lube. Spray the ram, wide it down with a paper towel and repeat until all of the gunk is gone and it travels freely again.

Like some one wrote the lock & load adapters cost a few bucks, but once bought you have them. I buy the large ten piece pack for around $40. It take two to three adapters per caliber, sometimes four.
I have dies for close to fifteen calibers. My extra money went it to reloading for a long time, but I have it now and can load anything I could possibly want. I can have a friend come over and we can both load at the same time as I have two complete reloading presses and componets all set up.

How much do I have invested in all of this?

I don't know and I don't care, it's what I wanted and I got it. That's all that matters.
I need to stock up on primers and a few bullets fora couple of calibers.

Which brings to mind, for checking case length, Over All Length and other stuff I prefer the dial calipers over the digital, And i do have a couple of each.

For trimming the cases I like the lyman case trimmer.

[Special T]

Midway USA has the rock chucker kit on sale for $223

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[wooltie]

I just started reloading, but purchased everything separately.

Probably $1,000 I'm set.

PM with questions.