Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: bowhunterforever on March 18, 2010, 03:53:16 PM

Title: What all do i need to start reloading my 204 ruger
Post by: bowhunterforever on March 18, 2010, 03:53:16 PM: Ok i'm gonna start reloading for my 204 ruger once i get every thing i need to start. I already have an RCBS press. So what else do i need?Thanks, I am newbie at reloading.
Title: Re: What all do i need to start reloading my 204 ruger
Post by: coyotewallace on March 18, 2010, 04:22:04 PM: so you have a press only right now?
Title: Re: What all do i need to start reloading my 204 ruger
Post by: bowhunterforever on March 18, 2010, 04:34:53 PM: Yes all i have is the press, It's a RCBS jr.
Title: Re: What all do i need to start reloading my 204 ruger
Post by: coyotewallace on March 18, 2010, 04:47:36 PM: Lets see then...I'm sure i'll miss some stuff but others will let you know
*a good reloading book/s*
primers,powder,bullets,brass
dies&shellholder,scale(dont buy the cheapest you can find on this),deburing tool,case trimmer,dial caliper,lube&lube pad,hand priming tool,bullet puller,case tumbler an media,log book(or something to keep track of your loading,ammo boxes,Powder Trickler,Powder Funnel,Powder Measurer,Reloading Tray,stuck case remover,Primer pocket cleaner
Title: Re: What all do i need to start reloading my 204 ruger
Post by: AWS on March 18, 2010, 04:48:11 PM: Staring from scratch, you have the press I have to assume nothing else.

Reloading manual - Lee, lyman , Hornady etc. with reloading instruction in it not just a data pamflet

204 Ruger Full Length sizing die set

204 Ruger/ .378 head size shell holder also used for .223, 222Rem

Resizing lube to keep the brass from sticking in the resizing die

Scale for accurate measuring of powder I prefer a beam scale but electric works

Set of calipers, a decent Digital one can be purchased at Harbor Freight for under $20 you'll use it for checking case length and bullet seating depth

Case trimer An inexpensive Lee will work well and is pretty near foolproof

Case chamferring tool to taper the inside of the case mouth so the bullet will enter easier and take the shap edge off the outside of the case mouth

Primer pocket cleaner to remove the prime residue so the new primer can be seated completely

If your press doesn't prime I'd pick up a hand primer, the Lee works very well and is reasonable

Primers small rifle I would sugest a thick cup primer like CCI 450 or Rem 7 1/2

Powder and bullets you can decide which is best after reading your loading manual.

AWS
Title: Re: What all do i need to start reloading my 204 ruger
Post by: AWS on March 18, 2010, 04:55:35 PM: Quote from: AWS on March 18, 2010, 04:48:11 PM
Staring from scratch, you have the press I have to assume nothing else.

Reloading manual - Lee, lyman , Hornady etc. with reloading instruction in it not just a data pamflet

204 Ruger Full Length sizing die set

204 Ruger/ .378 head size shell holder also used for .223, 222Rem

Resizing lube to keep the brass from sticking in the resizing die

Scale for accurate measuring of powder I prefer a beam scale but electric works

Set of calipers, a decent Digital one can be purchased at Harbor Freight for under $20 you'll use it for checking case length and bullet seating depth

Case trimer An inexpensive Lee will work well and is pretty near foolproof

Case chamferring tool to taper the inside of the case mouth so the bullet will enter easier and take the shap edge off the outside of the case mouth

Primer pocket cleaner to remove the prime residue so the new primer can be seated completely

If your press doesn't prime I'd pick up a hand primer, the Lee works very well and is reasonable

Primers small rifle I would sugest a thick cup primer like CCI 450 or Rem 7 1/2

Powder and bullets you can decide which is best after reading your loading manual.

AWS
Title: Re: What all do i need to start reloading my 204 ruger
Post by: AWS on March 18, 2010, 05:06:27 PM: Thanks Coyotewallace, I forgot the funnel. As fare as a tumbler and bullet puller, you can pull with a pliers and I've been loading for 40+ years and don't own a tumbler, just clean the brass as it come out of the sizing die with a piece of cloth or paper towel. Never ruined a die yet, I do wipe off any dirt or dust befor lubing.

AWS
Title: Re: What all do i need to start reloading my 204 ruger
Post by: coyotewallace on March 18, 2010, 05:33:56 PM: I agree..you can get by without a tumbler but they are nice to have. I wipe my brass off then throw it in the tumbler just to make sure all the lube is off. on the bullet puller I use the hammer type as pliers usually mess up the bullet.
Title: Re: What all do i need to start reloading my 204 ruger
Post by: bowhunterforever on March 19, 2010, 12:12:43 AM: What dies and 20cal case trimmer do you guys recommend?Thanks
Title: Re: What all do i need to start reloading my 204 ruger
Post by: coyotewallace on March 19, 2010, 01:12:39 AM: I like redding myself(RCBS will work)..but with that small of a bullet Hornady might be the way to go because the bullet seating die has a floating bullet seater alignment sleeve which will guide the bullet down into the case after you turn loose of it.. case trimmers I would buy Redding,RCBS(which I have and I know they offer a .20cal pilot),Foster or Lyman you should be able to get a 20cal pilot for any of them
Title: Re: What all do i need to start reloading my 204 ruger
Post by: bowhunterforever on March 19, 2010, 03:41:08 PM: Thanks for the help guys! :tup: Is there anything else that will help me out when i start reloading?
Title: Re: What all do i need to start reloading my 204 ruger
Post by: MtnMuley on March 19, 2010, 03:45:34 PM: My best advice would be to spend a few hours watching a seasoned reloader go at it. You can learn a lot from actually seeing reloading happen in the process compared to reading it in a book. :twocents:
Title: Re: What all do i need to start reloading my 204 ruger
Post by: AWS on March 19, 2010, 04:52:48 PM: I like a wilson trimmer and the Hornady dies just for the seater. I use a Redding FL Type S Bushing die for sizing and the Hornady for seating.

AWS