Post by: danjabellza on November 29, 2021, 10:00:39 AM
Post by: timberfaller on November 29, 2021, 10:12:36 AM
You need a press, scales, dies, for starters. Tons of books or computer, most reloading books are on line now. Of course the bullets,primers and powder to go with your brass.
Lee, RCBS, Lyman are a good start up brands.
If I were to do it all over again(50+ years of stuff), I'd go L.E. Wilson and a abhor press set up. You can reload anywhere then, not tied down to a bench! A bit more money BUT in the long run, well worth it!
Good luck!
Post by: Evil_EdwardO on November 29, 2021, 10:46:25 AM
Post by: Stein on November 29, 2021, 10:54:40 AM
That is probably about the minimum needed for decent reloading both pistol and rifle. From there, the sky is the limit.
Post by: rainshadow1 on November 29, 2021, 11:14:36 AM
Post by: boneaddict on November 29, 2021, 11:47:47 AM
Post by: carpsniperg2 on November 29, 2021, 11:56:48 AM
Post by: Stein on November 29, 2021, 11:58:51 AM
Post by: Jingles on November 29, 2021, 12:01:11 PM
Post by: Farmer72 on November 29, 2021, 02:07:47 PM
If you are ever in my area (Port Orchard) I can show you my set up and maybe help you with some tips.
Post by: wadu1 on November 29, 2021, 02:09:59 PM
I'm with Stein, I have a Lee cast turret and it is set up for 9mm, 45ACP, .357/.38, 30-06, .308, 6.5X55, 45-70 and 9.3X62 all on different plates. I also run a Dillion Square Deal for 38/357 when I want to crank out a bunch. Keep in mind you won't be saving any money it's just fun and relaxing. Shoot me a PM, I might have some spare gear laying around.
Post by: bmc02 on November 29, 2021, 02:29:35 PM
Post by: GUscottie on November 29, 2021, 02:41:54 PM
The ole RCBS rockchukar I or II has sure been a solid press for many folks
Literally what I use for all of my reloading needs. Is it a bit slow and cumbersome, yes...but does it get the job done, also yes.
Post by: Igor on November 29, 2021, 03:08:42 PM
In addition to the already mentioned equipment don't forget a case lube pad, and shell holders for the different calibers. In addition to the walnut media I, too, would recommend corn cob media. I use a hand-priming tool rather than using the press to seat dies.
Good luck, and have fun. It is a very rewarding hobby.
Post by: Snakeriver on November 29, 2021, 06:33:33 PM
Post by: Snakeriver on November 29, 2021, 06:37:29 PM
Post by: cooltimber on November 29, 2021, 06:44:31 PM
Post by: JJB11B on November 29, 2021, 07:04:44 PM
:hello:I agree, not 50 years worth of reloading but lots of thousands of Dollars could have been better spent. I wish I could swap my dies for all my more accurate rifles out for Redding or L.E. Wilson dies.
You need a press, scales, dies, for starters. Tons of books or computer, most reloading books are on line now. Of course the bullets,primers and powder to go with your brass.
Lee, RCBS, Lyman are a good start up brands.
If I were to do it all over again(50+ years of stuff), I'd go L.E. Wilson and a abhor press set up. You can reload anywhere then, not tied down to a bench! A bit more money BUT in the long run, well worth it!
Good luck!
Post by: Wolfdog2314 on November 29, 2021, 08:11:18 PM
https://averyadventures.com/unknown-munitions-ammo-deconstructed-pt-1-equipment/
I’d give this a listen. I wish I had this info before I had bought some things. There is also a part 2:
https://averyadventures.com/unknown-munitions-ammo-deconstructed-pt-2-the-process/
Post by: jrebel on November 29, 2021, 09:02:38 PM
Dillon 550b for the win. I use a single stage for my hunting rifles, everything else is done on a Dillon 550.
The cost difference is not that much more in the whole scheme of things.
Post by: Jason on November 29, 2021, 09:18:03 PM
The thought of reloading pistol and 556/.223 on a single stage press makes me want to vomit. If you only shoot a couple hundred rounds a year, I guess you could make it work…..but time is money.:yeah: spent many of hours reloading pistol ammo on a single stage and I get light headed every time I remember them days. It worked and worked well if you have nothing else to do but burn time. Rock Chucker for the large rifle stuff and a progressive press for everything else. I have the Hornady AP press for pistol rounds and 223.
Dillon 550b for the win. I use a single stage for my hunting rifles, everything else is done on a Dillon 550.
The cost difference is not that much more in the whole scheme of things.
Post by: NRA4LIFE on November 29, 2021, 09:18:15 PM
Back on topic, I started with an RCBS Rockchucker kit and and some extras and have never looked back, 35 years now I think. I still use the same setup. Yes, slower than some, but it is somewhat therapeutic to me. I also may have some spare stuff to sell cheap or give to you. PM me a reminder if interested, I'll let you know what I got.
Post by: jrebel on November 29, 2021, 09:29:07 PM
Johnny, you'd be doing a lot of barfing in my reloading room. Took 200 raw 223 once fired military cases and prepped them from start to finish this summer, loaded them and took them with the new AR-15 to WI. Rattled off the whole lot with my dad in a half hour.
Back on topic, I started with an RCBS Rockchucker kit and and some extras and have never looked back, 35 years now I think. I still use the same setup. Yes, slower than some, but it is somewhat therapeutic to me. I also may have some spare stuff to sell cheap or give to you. PM me a reminder if interested, I'll let you know what I got.
:yike: :yike: :yike:
Yes, I think I just threw up in my mouth. :chuckle:
Post by: jasnt on November 30, 2021, 06:58:39 AM
First, read lots of books and manuals:
The ABCs of Reloading
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1440213968
Also available on iTunes
The Beginner's Guide to Reloading Ammunition
http://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Reloading-Ammunition-Apartment/dp/148207379X
Lyman 50th Edition Reloading Manual
http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-50th-Edition-Reloading-Manual/dp/B01N76GD2F
Lee Precision - Modern Reloading
http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Modern-Reloading-Format/dp/B000N8OKAU
And watch videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmith/videos?flow=grid&view=0&sort=da
t=58s
And conduct other research:
http://rcbs.com/Resources/Introduction-to-Handloading/Step-by-Step-Reloading.aspx
http://ultimatereloader.com/
Equipment: Start out with a single-stage press. A single-stage press will force you to focus on each step. You should master each step before you attempt to combine them into a single-pull of the lever. Further, turret and progressive presses add complexity and points of failure that single-stage presses don’t have. You will always have a use for a single-stage press on your reloading bench, and you may find that you never need anything more than a single-stage, so get a good one.
The Bare Minimum:
□ Books & manuals (You can never have too many books and manuals)
□ Reloading press* (Single-stage - RCBS Rock Chucker)
□ Scale* (Balance beam scales; pref. Ohaus, RCBS, Lee, etc.)
□ Priming tool* (Rcbs hand primer)
□ Case lube* (Hornady one shot)
□ Funnel*
□ Calipers ($10 eBay Stainless .001")
□ Shell holders (rcbs)
□ Dies (for the specific cartridges you will be loading)
□good accurate chronograph is a must
□ powder trickler
Near Essentials:
□ Bullet puller (Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Impact Bullet Puller)
□ Primer crimp remover (Lyman)
□ Case trimmer (rcbs trim pro)
□ Chamfer/deburring tool*
□ Case headspace gauge (Hornady)
□ If loading .223/308 for AR platforms: Small base sizing die(s).
Note: If you need them, you need them; regardless, highly recommended, particularly if reloading for semi-autos.
Very Nice to Have:
□ Powder measure*
□ Loading block*
□ Plastic cases for your loaded rounds
Other stuff to make your job easier:
□ Hornady Lock-n-Load bushings (adaptable to many presses)
□ Digital powder measure (RCBS Chargemaster; 1500 or Lite)
□ Brass tumbler (Rotary/wet: Cheap - Harbor Freight Dual Drum; Best - Extreme Rebel 17. Once you go wet, you never go back)
- [ ] Hornady aol gage
- [ ] Hornady bto comparator set
* Included with most starter kits (RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit)
Note: The RCBS Rock Chucker is probably the best-selling single-stage press ever made. The other tools in the kit are also top quality and, no matter how far you “advance” in the reloading game, you will always be able to use every component in the kit and they will outlive you. It is a little more expensive than some of the other kits but remember that this is a lifetime investment; it is not money wasted but a solid foundation to build on. RCBS customer service is as good as any.
Post by: Jingles on November 30, 2021, 07:12:25 AM