Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: goody31 on December 03, 2009, 07:55:08 AM

Title: Rifle reloading?
Post by: goody31 on December 03, 2009, 07:55:08 AM: Hi,

I would like to get started reloading my rifle rounds. I haven't the slighest clue on what model of relaoder to get or what i need. What is your favorite brand that you use? I shoot a REM CDL 30.06 these loads will be for Mulies and Elk which I hunt in Oregon. Thanks for the advice and help.

Goody
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: elk311 on December 03, 2009, 08:24:52 AM: It's a bit advanced for starting but it has valuable info and can give you an idea of where you want to go. http://www.precisionreloading.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PRE&Product_Code=SI00999&Category_Code=DVD_RELOAD

What brand is like asking which pickup truck do you like. You'll get endless opinions... See "where" you want to go and how much you're willing to spend FIRST. For example why by a progressive reloader that will pump out 500 rounds per day if you only need to shoot 5-20 rounds per year? Progressive reloader $500, single stage reloader $100 (or less). The opposite may also be true for you, it just depends.
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on December 03, 2009, 02:24:16 PM: i am a redding and rcbs fan big time. rcbs has a nice starter kit that midway usa and cableas and a few other outdoor stores sells its not to much and is a great setup :twocents:
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: Jamieb on December 03, 2009, 03:48:14 PM: If I was just starting out. I'd buy a RCBS kit, add a calliper and a case trimmer and your pretty well set.
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: dontgetcrabs on December 03, 2009, 03:53:39 PM: :yeah:
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on December 03, 2009, 03:56:17 PM: Another for RCBS. I've had a Rockchucker for 20 years now. Couldn't even tell you how many rounds it's reloaded. I also originally bought the kit.
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: Gutpile on December 03, 2009, 03:58:51 PM: Quote from: Jamieb on December 03, 2009, 03:48:14 PM
If I was just starting out. I'd buy a RCBS kit, add a calliper and a case trimmer and your pretty well set.

I agree, or you can watch the want adds or craigs list. I got mine from the want adds. It came with dies, manuals, brass, bullets, tumbler, trimmer, etc etc etc etc for $200.00. There are good deals to be had if your patient but that starter kit isn't bad either.
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: ing on December 04, 2009, 06:47:21 AM: RCBS Rockchucker. Hornady makes good reloading stuff also.
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: alanger on December 04, 2009, 06:52:35 AM: RCBS is the best stuff to get. :twocents:
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: Rgrady35 on December 04, 2009, 07:08:39 AM: I use Lee. I've never had any issues with them. I load .38 special .45 acp .45 Colt 7mm Mag 6mm .243 and until I gave my brother in TX my .22-250, I reloaded them too. I think it's a good press, but I've never used any others.
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on December 04, 2009, 07:29:41 AM: For bottle neck cartridges, A strong single stage reloading press is best for anyone starting out or veterans of reloading. I started with a Lyman, but Hornady makes a couple good ones too. I've had an RCBS RockChucker for years. A JR before that. My RockChucker sits opposite to my Dillon, and next to my Star Lubrisizer. Right there with my Uniflo and RCBS 10-10 and the Lyman Case trimmer. Tools on the bench include a dial caliper and RCBS concentricity guage, primer pocked reamer/cleaners, funnel, lube pad, debur tool, load blocks, reloading books and manuals, bullet pullers, and a whole slew of dies.

Reloading is a great hobbie, and once you have all the tools, you will save money on your ammunition, not to mention the custom rounds you get to make for your chosen rifle.

WARNING! It can be a very addictive hobbie.

-Steve
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: KillBilly on December 04, 2009, 07:34:06 AM: I prefer the Lyman turret press for most of my work. I also have a Lee press that I use for de-capping and neck sizing. I use a variety of dies, Lee, RCBS, & Redding.
I would suggest reading some articles on reloading first. Most reloading manuals have great info in them, usually in the very front of the book. I would argue that there is a cheap way to get started... It takes a lot of equipment to load consistent quality hand loads. If you are not looking for high quality loads then you can get by with a starter kit but in my opinion it defeats the purpose.

My :twocents:
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: thinkingman on December 04, 2009, 09:43:49 AM: Lee Anniversary kit will get you started for less $ and will turn out excellent ammo, as long as you do your part.
Get a couple of manuals and read, read, read.
Then read some more.
Don't let anyone tell you Lee is junk...it's not.
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: runningboard on December 04, 2009, 11:51:03 AM: I agree with most of what has already been posted, but another angle is that you might not save money but will shoot more. I know that's true for me, one day my nephews tracked me down at the range and asked how many shots I took that day, I replied "67 & still going. I have more rifles that I haven't touched yet." one of them said "I don't shoot that much in a year."
a lot depends on what your goals/reasons for getting into reloading are. I like being able to have premium bullets in my rounds without spending $50-$70 per box of 20.
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 04, 2009, 12:04:47 PM: And buying a new barrel
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on December 04, 2009, 12:20:37 PM: Well, yeah! That's a given. If you reload ammo for cheaper, you'll most likely shoot more. Which makes you spend more on shooting as a whole. New guns. Different calibers/cartridge/chamberings. The hobbie is like a disease! That flesh eating disease that just takes bites out of the check book at random. You'll be subscribing to reloading vedors, surfing the web for deals and going to gun shows.

Nothing wrong with that! You've been warned.

-Steve
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: elk311 on December 04, 2009, 08:31:33 PM: Forgto my other :twocents: ... I use a good old fashion RCBS RockChucker single stage press for ALL my rifle loadings (one bullet at a time works best for me when it comes to long shot rifle loading) and I borrow a Dillion RL550 to "mass load" my .45ACP rounds.

Both excellent at what they do!
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: Jamieb on December 04, 2009, 08:58:26 PM: Get a name brand kit any you'll be fine.
Important things to keep in mind.
Keep good records, I use spiral bound notebooks.
Only reload when you have the time, dont rush, get a routing down.
Don't drink while reloading.
Only have one can of powder sitting on the reloading bench at a time. and dump the uniflow or what ever thrower you choose back into the can when your done.
Ask questions here, the only stupid question is the one you never asked.
I could probably go on for a while but I've already posted enough advise that you didn't ask for.
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on December 04, 2009, 09:54:38 PM: Quote
Forgto my other ... I use a good old fashion RCBS RockChucker single stage press for ALL my rifle loadings (one bullet at a time works best for me when it comes to long shot rifle loading) and I borrow a Dillion RL550 to "mass load" my .45ACP rounds.

Both excellent at what they do!

You've seen a photo of my reloading room? (I've got a Dillon 450, not a 550)

-Steve
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: fishseeker on December 05, 2009, 05:54:35 AM: I decided to start back reloading last year after not doing it for 39 years. Don't have a lot of extra bucks laying around so I have been picking things up here and there. Bought the Lee Classic Cast Turret kit from Cabela's last Jan. Picked up a Rockchucker. Traded for some other things. Still haven't reloaded a round! With the way things were trying to get componets I held off. Should have things set up in a couple weeks. Just need to get primers and powder. Dumped the old stuff I had, was proably still good but figured it would be fine for the garden.It don't have to break the bank to get set up, Just take some time!!
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: C-Money on December 05, 2009, 07:52:37 AM: I like the RCBS Rockchucker kit. Has most of the things you need to get started. You will need a good caliper. The ole 30-06 is a great cal to begin loading. Look at IMR 4350 or RL-17 powders. Look over a reloading manual to find a load you want to try. I use the Nosler book the most. Good luck and pay close attention to what you are doing and you should have much better groups!
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: Huntbear on December 05, 2009, 08:06:50 AM: I well add to the Rockchucker list. Mine is over 25 years old. Still works like new. But you will need some calipers.
Title: Re: Rifle reloading?
Post by: fishseeker on December 05, 2009, 08:29:02 AM: I have to decide if I'm going to keep the Rockchucker. All the reading I've done before and after I bought my kit, I think the turret will do every thing I need. Set up as a single stage for rifle and a turret for my 9mm. I like the idea of having the dies all set up and just swapping the plates. That and I am real short on space!!! Researching and deciding is half the fun for me! LOL