Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: addicted on July 10, 2011, 02:55:33 AM

Title: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: addicted on July 10, 2011, 02:55:33 AM: What is the best starter kit for reloading. Single stage is probably more than I'll need as I don't plan on doing a ton of reloading, this also means i don't intend to save money....unless i make loads for others.... i'll have to hold onto that idea.

What do you guys think is the best reloading starter kit?

Doesn't have to be one of these but this is what i'm looking at.

RCBS Special 5 Kit $279
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/rcbs-special-5-reloading-starter-kit.aspx?a=506874 (http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/rcbs-special-5-reloading-starter-kit.aspx?a=506874)

Lee Deluxe turret Kit $103
http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/lee-deluxe-turret-press-kit (http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/lee-deluxe-turret-press-kit)

lyman Crusher kit $294
http://www.opticsplanet.net/lyman-crusher-master-reloading-kit.html (http://www.opticsplanet.net/lyman-crusher-master-reloading-kit.html)

hornady lock and load $330
http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/pid=38567/Product/Hornady_Lock_N_Load_Classic_Reloading_Kit (http://www.sinclairintl.com/.aspx/pid=38567/Product/Hornady_Lock_N_Load_Classic_Reloading_Kit)
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: Bigshooter on July 10, 2011, 04:43:13 AM: I'd go with RCBS.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: addicted on July 10, 2011, 05:41:43 AM: any particular reason why? a lot of people say they are the best but..... why?
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: yorketransport on July 10, 2011, 07:55:41 AM: I'd recommend the Lee Kit. I bought an Anniversary kit 12 years ago and all I've upgraded has been the powder scale (the Lee scale broke during a move) and the case trimmer (RCBS Trim Pro). Other than those two items, I've loaded just short of 25,000 rounds with that original kit.

The other presses are excellent quality, but you don't sound like a high volume reloader, so there's no reason to spend that kind of money. Ammo loaded on a Lee is just as accurate as the stuff coming from an RCBS.

Andrew
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: addicted on July 10, 2011, 08:19:37 AM: yeah i just wanted to make sure my european calibers are shooting good when i get back to the states.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: Fishnclifff on July 10, 2011, 08:43:29 AM: I've loaded thousands of rounds with my Lee anniversary kit.
Add a digital scale and you are good to go.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: cwuwildcat on July 10, 2011, 08:53:34 AM: I've got both the RCBS and the Lee classic turret. I've found I like the convinience of the turret much more. I don't reload a ton, but have about 8 different calibers. I like the ease of putting the dies into the turret, setting them once, and then that's it. With a single stage, you've got to screw one die in, use it, back it out, put in the next one, use it, back it out, put the next one in, use it, etc...

The RCBS is a great piece of equipment, don't get me wrong.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: dreamunelk on July 10, 2011, 08:54:07 AM: I purchased and RCBS "Rock Chucker" 26 years ago and still use. So I lean toward RCBS. Be aware the kit is not all you will need. You will want a tumbler and trimmer. Other than that it is great fun.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: 300rum on July 10, 2011, 09:06:18 AM: I would go with the Rock Chucker especially if you are reloading magnum/large case type rifle ammo. you will need to put quite a bit of umpf! to resize etc. and the Rock Chucker is very strong. The other reason is for RCBS's warranty. I just emailed them on Friday because I broke a depriming pin on a die (there was a primer in the brass on the upstroke and it broke the pin) they returned my email the same day saying they shipped it out. They have the best warranty you can get.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: B.G.hunter on July 10, 2011, 09:11:32 AM: I mix and match Lee and RCBS to get what I want in a reloading set up.

my favorite press is the Lee cast turret press (the turret works just not as strong) because you can leave your dies in the turrets and not have to change the recalibrate when changing operations.

I use the RCBS powder scale because the lee is not quality

RCBS powder measure more solid

RCBS powder trickler a must

Lee dies Love them they are less expensive you get a shellholder and a factory crimp die also.

Lee autoprime works great

Lee case lube hate RCBS pad and rolling system

Lee case trimmers easy to use and inexpensive

Lee primer pocket cleaner inexpensive

Lee chamfer tool inexpensive

these are few that I can think of off the top of my head.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: HoofsandWings on July 10, 2011, 09:21:59 AM: I would go with RCBS. After 50 years of use, a part wore down and RCBS sent the replacement the day I called.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: Huntbear on July 10, 2011, 10:30:32 AM: RCBS all the way. Any part I have ever needed replacing they have shipped for free. :tup:
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: addicted on July 10, 2011, 10:59:54 AM: this is pretty tough. I like the turret design but the RCBS one dosnt appear to have a pass through for the powder.

Lee Classic Turret Press Review 2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRn_twi9B0g#ws)
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: Biggerhammer on July 10, 2011, 11:09:50 AM: Quote from: Huntbear on July 10, 2011, 10:30:32 AM
RCBS all the way. Any part I have ever needed replacing they have shipped for free. :tup:

+1

I have been reloading for 25 years and I still load a little every now and then on my original RCBS press it all started with.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: PA BEN on July 10, 2011, 12:23:51 PM: I love the LEE quick change bushings for the Dies.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on July 10, 2011, 12:56:50 PM: RCBS ALL THE WAY!!! Great company and great products :tup:
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: Jamieb on July 10, 2011, 01:23:24 PM: I use and recomend RCBS. The equipment will work well and last a lifetime. RCBS's customer service cant be beat. The kit in your link would work well but need a couple of things, right off, calipers, I like a hand primer over primming on the press. You'll need a case trimmer, but you dont need that to get started.
I dont load any speer bullets anymore but still use the speer book often, the trim to and max case lengths, along with Ken Howells case drawings in there are very usefull.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: addicted on July 11, 2011, 03:34:33 AM: would it be beneficial to have mulitiple reloading manuals
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: Bigshooter on July 11, 2011, 04:01:57 AM: Quote from: addicted on July 11, 2011, 03:34:33 AM
would it be beneficial to have mulitiple reloading manuals

Manuals are things you can buy over time, I wouldn't buy a bunch of them right at the start. I like to look at different manuals thou. But you can find just about everthing for reloading data on the internet.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: Skyvalhunter on July 11, 2011, 05:58:44 AM: RCBS and look at Midway prices.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: addicted on July 11, 2011, 06:18:12 AM: primer out

resize

primer in

powder in

flair

bullet

crimp

like this?

this takes 4 dies right?
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: cwuwildcat on July 11, 2011, 09:27:21 AM: Quote from: addicted on July 11, 2011, 03:34:33 AM
would it be beneficial to have mulitiple reloading manuals

Over time, yes. I've got 6 or 7, and none of them cover all of loads and types of bullets I use. They're like cook books, a good cook has more than one. Also, the powder sites are great for this info. It wouldn't hurt to print out what you need and keep them in a three ring binder.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: C-Money on July 11, 2011, 09:35:53 AM: RCBS! Rockchucker.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: NRA4LIFE on July 11, 2011, 09:46:19 AM: RCBS Rockcucker kit. I also have been loading with it for nearly 25 years. Good solid, hard working press, have never had a problem with it. And yes, you'll definitely find yourself needing multiple manuals. I have 4 or 5 myself.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: spookgus on July 11, 2011, 11:32:51 AM: RCBS
Assuming your loading bottleneck cartridges and don't have a tubular magazine, a normal two piece die set is all you need. The sizing die will size and de-cap the casing. The seating die will seat the bullet. You will need calipers or a length gage, a powder trickler, and a method for seating primers. You will need a case trimmer shortly if you shoot often. A tumbler is nice but not mandatory.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: TheHunt on July 11, 2011, 12:06:23 PM: Most my friends have RCBS. I have my Dad's Hornady and it is red. I have never seen one like it as I think he picked it up in the early 50's. I have two buddies that have Dillon pregressive reloader and they love them. But those are not beginners kits.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: brokenvet on July 11, 2011, 02:39:15 PM: My original press was an RCBS Rock Chucker back in 1972 . I got tired of the de-capping pins breaking all the time. I switched to the Lee Turret press in 1973 and I still use the same press today, however a part of the press broke on me in February this year, the part cost me $5 and $4 to ship from Lee. I have loaded at least 15,000 rounds on my press.

Been using Lee press and dies ever since I switched and up to today I have not broken any de-capping pins even when sizing brass that has military crimps. I have sized 3,000 military brass for my 223 not a broken pin. 1,000 military brass for my 308win no broken pins.

I like the turret press because of the quickness you can change caliber.

I say buy the Lee press for now; once you have learned enough then you can up qade if you desire
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: AWS on July 11, 2011, 03:03:00 PM: Sold my Rockchucker 30yrs ago and haven'tt missed it once. I've loaded on presses by Lyman(3 turrets and a Crusher II) Hornady (007) a Pacific C press C&H(3 H presses) a Bair press and a couple of big Herters presses. Just sold my T-Mag and am replacing it with a Lee Cast Classic Turret because I can change out the 16 sets of dies I use without having to adjust anything. I'll be down to three presses the Lee a 50yr old Lyman TruLine turret and a Lyman Crusher II for heavy case forming and bullet swaging.

I like Lee stuff, their trimmers are fool proof and their dies make good ammo, just orderred a set of their 223AI dies. I'm going to fool around AIing my 22-204. Should end up with a Super Duece Improved.

AWS
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: Jamieb on July 11, 2011, 06:12:43 PM: Quote from: addicted on July 11, 2011, 06:18:12 AM
primer out

resize

primer in

powder in

flair

bullet

crimp

like this?

this takes 4 dies right?
Thats for strait wall cartridges like pistol cartridges. 3-dies, the bullet seater can be adjusted to crimp. I use a crimp die so I dont have to readjust the seater so I load pistol with 4 dies.
Bottelneck cartrides dont need flaired or crimped so most rifle dies come as a 2 die set ( sizer and seater)
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: Jamieb on July 11, 2011, 06:17:09 PM: Quote from: addicted on July 11, 2011, 03:34:33 AM
would it be beneficial to have mulitiple reloading manuals
As has already been said, all the powder como=panies have load data online, some bullet companies put some data online.
Load data is not interchangable from bullets of the same weight but diffrent brand so I like to use data from the manufacturer of the bullets I'm loading.
Title: Re: Best reloading starter kit?
Post by: addicted on July 11, 2011, 08:57:02 PM: Thanks guys.

As I think I will be reloading a relatively small amount of ammo in a few different calibers i think the turret may be the way to go so i can swap out calibers without adjusting therefor reducing the headache and chances of me screwing it up.