Post by: Wetwoodshunter on July 29, 2015, 09:33:31 PM
Are there other items not in kits that are essentials or plain better to have?
Post by: 2labs on July 29, 2015, 09:43:32 PM
Post by: bobcat on July 29, 2015, 09:55:06 PM
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.
Post by: Fl0und3rz on July 29, 2015, 09:56:02 PM
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.
Post by: 2labs on July 29, 2015, 10:04:02 PM
Let the addiction begin :tup:
Post by: brokenvet on July 30, 2015, 06:21:22 AM
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.
Post by: h20hunter on July 30, 2015, 07:17:01 AM
Post by: theleo on July 30, 2015, 07:38:14 AM
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. :chuckle:
Post by: C-Money on July 30, 2015, 07:39:58 AM
Post by: Buzz2401 on July 30, 2015, 08:07:07 AM
Post by: SeaRun1 on July 30, 2015, 08:13:14 AM
Harbor Frieght has sales on calipers frequently.
SR1
Post by: hub on July 30, 2015, 04:41:48 PM
Post by: Stein on July 30, 2015, 04:51:36 PM
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.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on July 30, 2015, 06:59:24 PM
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.
Post by: freezerfull on July 30, 2015, 07:07:34 PM
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on July 30, 2015, 07:26:10 PM
Looks like I have a few weeks to decide what one to go with since someone posted an 7mm-08 x-bolt today 😍
Post by: CAMPMEAT on July 30, 2015, 07:49:50 PM
Post by: jasnt on July 30, 2015, 08:45:51 PM
Post by: Stein on July 30, 2015, 08:45:54 PM
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.
Post by: Fl0und3rz on July 30, 2015, 08:56:46 PM
If you decide on Lee trimmer system, I can make you a deal on a set of common caliber trimmer set.
Post by: luteai on July 31, 2015, 07:19:51 PM
Post by: sagerat1 on August 07, 2015, 10:49:01 PM
Post by: 300rum on August 08, 2015, 07:41:47 PM
Post by: T Pearce on August 08, 2015, 08:41:16 PM
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
Post by: 2labs on August 08, 2015, 08:46:49 PM
Need the .223 shellholder
Post by: T Pearce on August 08, 2015, 09:21:25 PM
Thanks
T
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on August 14, 2015, 09:32:44 AM
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.
Post by: iusmc2002 on August 14, 2015, 09:35:38 AM
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!
Post by: Fl0und3rz on August 14, 2015, 07:37:30 PM
Redding makes fine reloading gear, and my accessories (powder measure, scale, trimmer, etc.) are all Redding.
Post by: yorketransport on August 14, 2015, 08:13:47 PM
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
Post by: T Pearce on August 14, 2015, 08:44:47 PM
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
Post by: rudysts on August 16, 2015, 08:46:58 AM
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.
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on August 19, 2015, 03:57:32 PM
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.
Post by: jasnt on August 19, 2015, 05:33:58 PM
Post by: iusmc2002 on August 20, 2015, 02:00:07 AM
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.
Post by: mkcj on August 20, 2015, 02:51:54 AM
Post by: theleo on August 20, 2015, 09:25:11 AM
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on August 20, 2015, 01:05:36 PM
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on August 23, 2015, 08:15:08 PM
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.
Post by: 2labs on August 23, 2015, 08:31:37 PM
Your hooked huh?
Post by: Crunchy on August 23, 2015, 08:34:28 PM
My Rem 7mag
67.5 grains of H1000
168 grain Bergers VLDs