Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Pete112288 on September 09, 2013, 09:02:27 AM

Title: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: Pete112288 on September 09, 2013, 09:02:27 AM: I am hoping to get into some reloading for my 30-06. What good kits would anyone suggest for a beginner just working on a 30-06? I was looking at the Lee Breech Lock kit or the 50th anniversary one that they have on Cabelas. Pros? Cons? Other equipment I would need? Tips? Advice? I dont have a lot to spend.
Thank you
Title: Re: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: LEN on September 09, 2013, 10:36:58 AM: Get a good RCBS or other well respected brand (the basic kit) and only buy once. If you opt out you can sell it for most of you $$ and you won't be up grading in just a few. This is a very bad habit Really!

LEN
Title: Re: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: chrisb on September 09, 2013, 10:37:40 AM: I started with this last year, I like it except for the autodisk powder measure.

Lee 4 Hole Turret Deluxe Press Value Kit with Auto Index - $160 on Amazon.
Title: Re: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: h20hunter on September 09, 2013, 10:39:30 AM: I know you said beginner and a budget....however....there is a Dillon 550B in the classifieds....maybe the seller will work with you on price. If you picked that up you are set for all the pistol and rifle loading you want. You will grow into the press as the years go and it carries a "no bs" warranty from Dillon. Just a thought for you....
Title: Re: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: lostbackpacker on September 09, 2013, 10:47:20 AM: there was a thread on here bout month ago that talked with the necessary components for a good starter kit. . you might look at piecing a kit together if ya are looking to save coin.

alot of times people will have duplicate sets or dies they dont use anymore. should be cheaper than a new set
Title: Re: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: Fl0und3rz on September 09, 2013, 11:33:49 AM: Quote from: lostbackpacker on September 09, 2013, 10:47:20 AM
there was a thread on here bout month ago that talked with the necessary components for a good starter kit. . you might look at piecing a kit together if ya are looking to save coin.

alot of times people will have duplicate sets or dies they dont use anymore. should be cheaper than a new set

Lee is a good bargain on dies (comes with loading data) and presses, but their powder measures and scales seem to be disfavored by most. The Lee presses are pretty solid and typically come with the parts to prime on the press.

Just starting out on the cheap, and only loading one caliber? Skip a powder measure and go with the Lee powder dippers, a powder trickler, and a decent scale. Saw several RCBS scales on Craigslist the other day.

You'll need to trim cases eventually, and the Lee trimmers are a decent bargain and easy to use. I went that way starting out, and I'd do it again, if I had to. But I have since bought a lathe-style trimmer. I'll make you a deal on my Lee trimmers, but I don't have 30-06.

You'll need to be able to clean cases, which includes a number of small hand tools for cleaning up primer pockets and case mouths. But you can get by for general case cleaning with a liquid cleaning solution (google for recipe) in a closeable rubbermaid pitcher.
Title: Re: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: JohnVH on September 09, 2013, 03:44:57 PM: Lee Classic Turrett Press kit :tup:
Title: Re: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: OnHoPr on September 10, 2013, 07:51:22 PM: If you go to gun shows sometimes, I've seen used single stage presses reasonable, rcbs and the like. Then a set of rcbs or lee dies should work, depends on if your going to factory crimp cast bullets or the such. A lee steel 06 holder and cutter and case length gauge with a chamfer and primer pocket tool should get you started on your brass. Get yourself sizing lube and make your own pad. The lee priming tool is very decent. Get your self a decent powder scale. I have heard yeas and nays about the lee scale. The lee powder measure has difficulties with fine ball powder like magpro, big flaky powder like steel, and long extruded powder like 7828, but some of the extruded powders are being made in the ssc versions now. Though the kit is not bad for the beginner, especially if you may not like reloading after awhile. Midsouth has them for $109. Just keep your eye on the measure and scale with a bullet for tare. Oh, a case neck brush is a must and a set of 6" calipers is optional for starting. There is probably a few more nick nacks for convenience that added but that should get you started.
Title: Re: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: wadu1 on September 10, 2013, 08:11:39 PM: All good advice here, I started with an Lee 50th anniversary set and went to a Lee 4 Hole Turret Deluxe Press. I also found a RCBS rock chuck for under $50. I use Lee dies because of price and I found a digital scale on eBay for under $20. And I was given a Lyman trimmer. And I have been loading .223, 22.250, 6.5X55, .308, 30-06, 9.3X62 and 45-70 in rifle then 9mm, 45 ACP and 45LC pistol all with the two presses.
Title: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: Tommythebarber on September 10, 2013, 08:17:13 PM: Quote from: wadu1 on September 10, 2013, 08:11:39 PM
All good advice here, I started with an Lee 50th anniversary set and went to a Lee 4 Hole Turret Deluxe Press. I also found a RCBS rock chuck for under $50. I use Lee dies because of price and I found a digital scale on eBay for under $20. And I was given a Lyman trimmer. And I have been loading .223, 22.250, 6.5X55, .308, 30-06, 9.3X62 and 45-70 in rifle then 9mm, 45 ACP and 45LC pistol all with the two presses.

Wadu1 Are you on the easy side or west side I have a bunch of 30-06 brass that I'd like to reload I don't know anyone that does it but I'd like to load them with someone to see if its something I'd be interested in before I go out and buy all the stuff to start
Title: Re: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: HawkCreek on September 10, 2013, 08:25:00 PM: FYI RCBS is having a sale until the end of the year, $300 spent gets you $50 off.
Title: Re: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: kbrowne14 on September 11, 2013, 09:31:47 AM: Go with an RCBS Rock Chucker. Doing progressiver for 30-06 isn't necessary, it doesn't save that much time if you are really looking for precision. You can find used rock chuckers for cheap. Get a mechanical scale, lee cutter, lee powder scoops, rcbs hand primer, and other hand tools. You don't need a lot of fancy stuff to make good ammo. As you get more comfortable with loading, you can get more fancy, unnecessary things. But right now stick to the basic stuff, just do your research, figure out what you need, not what you would like to have.
Title: Re: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on September 11, 2013, 09:39:23 AM: I bought the basic RCBS RockChucker kit 25 years ago now and never regretted it. Still going strong. Other than manuals and a few other little trinkets, I have really not added much more to my bench since either.
Title: Re: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: TwoSixFourWins on September 23, 2013, 01:30:26 PM: Quote from: LEN on September 09, 2013, 10:36:58 AM
Get a good RCBS or other well respected brand (the basic kit) and only buy once. If you opt out you can sell it for most of you $$ and you won't be up grading in just a few. This is a very bad habit Really!

LEN

:yeah:
Title: Re: Good beginner reloading kit?
Post by: CAMPMEAT on September 23, 2013, 01:44:42 PM: I got the Hornady Lock-N- Load. I like it.