reloading kit

[dkrakel]

what is the best reloading kit or system for a beginner? to be used for rifles.

thanks,

dean

[Suka]

Stick with any common brand and you won't go too far wrong. I'd suggest if you have a large store available, simply look at the different brands carefully, take a good look at construction of the items included. Just because grampa had brand "Y", doesn't mean it's still the best made one in kit form, nor is the most expensive necessarily the best. Don't get carried away with lot's of bells and whistles, for example, a scale for measuring powder works better than a fancy measuring device, at much less cost. Do, however spend the money on a good reloading manual, make sure it has good ballistic tables to cover any lead weight/style, you think you might ever use, compare the different manuals to each other before you buy one.
Also, pick up a cheap scribbler, and keep records of all your loads, different powders act differently, and by keeping records you'll find what works best for you.
Take a VERY good look at the cases every time you reload, and know how many times each has been reloaded. I file a tiny notch in the edge of the head of the shell, and only reload a shell 3 times, then junk it. Don't assume the hottest load is the best, you may find one or two lighter is really more accurate.
Hang onto your newspapers, just stand them in a box, when the box is full, but not super dense, shoot different leads into it, you can use it to compare penetration, bullet weight retention, etc. Great way to check different leads/loads. You may find what's been your favorite lead is junk, I did. Watch your fingers though, the leads will be Hot!
Think you'll also find you shoot more once you start reloading your own, and you'll be more accurate. Have fun, you'll love it.

[dkrakel]

your advice is much appreciated. thanks!

[dkrakel]

suka (or anyone out there)

would the lee anniversary reloading kit be a good one....the price at 70 bucks from cabela's is certainly good. what else would i need to go with it for relaoding.....338 win mag and a .270.....do i have to buy lee dies?

thanks,

dean

[Suka]

Wow, to me that looks like a good deal, prices have definitely come down since I bought reloading equipment. Looks pretty complete, you'll need a set of plastic calipers for measuring cases. Far as dies, the dies should say if they work with other brands of presses, but I think they're all interchangeable. My stuffs quite old, but I have 3 different brands of dies, and they all work on the RCBS press. Take your time setting the dies, or you'll have feed problems, and when using the dies too much lube is just as bad as none. I'd suggest 4831 and 4350 powders with those calibers to start with, least that's what we use most commonly. Don't be scared to spend a lot of evenings going over ballistic tables and load data, it's time well spent.
You're going to have a ton of fun, take extra pride in the next animal you take, cause it'll be with Your bullet.
Bruce

[Todd G.]

How serious are you about reloading?

This is a question you really need to ask yourself before deciding to buy a "kit" or any components. If you are simply looking to load a few shells for the occasional outing, any "kit" will work. The Lee is a good option under this category.

If you intend to use reloading to add some decent volume to your ammo needs, you may wish to step it up a little with a nicer press and better tools. The Lee is very basic and you may be happier having a Hornady or RCBS "kit" instead.

If you are really serious about your reloading, skip the idea of getting a "kit" and get what you want/need direct. You will find that several items you get in the average "kit" are not what you will want as you scale it up. For example, why pay for a mechanical scale when you will soon buy an electronic one? Why get all the lubing gear when you will eventually use a spray lube? The list can go on and on.

Personally, if you want to go with a "kit", I would recommend a RCBS or a Hornady. Both of these companies make solid presses and great accessories. You will also find they are highly recognized in the arena. They are well thought out, and will get you a great start.

[KOS50]

I agree with Todd G. If you intend to do any amount of reloading buy your components separately. An electronic scale makes reloading much easier. I have an RCBS Rock Chucker press and Lyman electronic scale. It will easily handle any reloading you will do. Also, when reloading do not start with the maximum recommended load. Start low and work up. Another helpful hint if you intend to do a lot of reloading is to buy your reloading components (powder-bullets) with the same lot numbers. Different lots do group differently. Especially different powder lots.
Good Luck.
KOS 50

[Fowl_Hooked]

I too just got into reloading and after doing a lot of research and polling two names kept coming up over and over, RCBS and Dillon. But I would not recommend a Dillon progressive for the beginner as it is to easy to screw things up. I went with the RCBS "Kit" with the rock chucker press that can be upgraded to a progressive press down the road.
The only other comment I heard a lot was the sound of laughter and the words "piece of cr@p" when I asked about a Lee press. Now this is just hearsay, as I have no experience what so ever with a Lee press.

Hope this helps,
FH

[Suka]

Think it all comes down to what you want to spend. Never heard of Dillon, must be a newcomer? The rest of the brands mentioned have all been around for decades. I've never used a Lee press, but have a set of Lee dies, and am happy with them. Pretty safe to say if places like Cabelas are selling the kit, it'll do it's job nicely. Never known these folks to sell anything but good quality. No point in putting big bucks into reloading equipment when 70 bucks will get you started. (unless you've got the budget) If you find you'd like different tools down the road, ebay the stuff you've got and buy fancier stuff. After all, when it comes to hobbies you can never have enough stuff, eh?

[Fowl_Hooked]

Dillon has been around for a lot of years and is regarded by most that I have talked to as the best progressive loaders on the market. But they are anything but cheap, as their economical presses start at around $300.I would still warn about going to cheap on reloading equipment -- it is only going to cost you in the long run. I agree that cabelas sells some pretty good stuff and if you did get a POS press they would likely take it back and replace it at no charge.
dkrakel -- do not take my word or any one person's word on reloading equipment, but go out on the web and read as many independent reviews as you can, it won't cost you anything more than time -- I think you'll start to see a trend on who makes quality presses. But you never know -- you could always get lucky a get the best of both worlds: high quality and low price.

[airborne]

Just my advise. Get an up to date book. Not the inexpensive one from two years ago. A lot changes in reloading every year. Also I recommend you work with someone very experienced until you get the hang of it. My buddy loaded a 223 round 4 grains over and now he has a nice stainless 223 with a junk bolt. It turned out to be a very expensive mistake. I bought a lot of equipment last year for x-mas and I still won't use it until my brother has the time to teach and observe me. Be safe and enjoy

[dkrakel]

hey thanks everyone. i'll be doing some research.

best,

dean

[Sadie]

WANNA DO VOLUME???
I believe I have found the holy grail of volume reloading: I shoot .223 so volume is good
Lee progressive 5 station press with lube die in station2, sizing/decapping station3 (I like rcbs xdies because they shrink the case before trimming) and dillon motor trim on station 5
This is on one turret and you just dump your brass in the hopper and pull the handle.
Tumble brass, and then on a second turret, nothing station 1 prime station 2, charge station 3 seat on 4, and crimp on 5. NO HANDLING OF BRASS FOR TRIMMING! I can do about 600 to 900 an hour with junk surplus brass. Just dump your brass in and pull handle and drop bullets on!!
Don't try and decap at station 1, it doesn't have a case retainer and will break your decap pin
Most other presses don't have the room on the turret for the dillon (it overlaps the other holes on either side of it) so beware.
Oh and that's 600 to 900 START TO FINISH. And I am not very handy with it yet!

[rem 700]

Lee Anniversary is the best value out there. All you need is components and dies w/ shellholder (and bolts to mount it somewhere ;) ). It has a complete powder handling system and a good priming tool. The press works great, but I upgraded to a Lee Classic Cast. I still use the old one for whatever I need it for, such as decapping. It's no questions the best $70 setup you can buy. You can use any brand dies with standard threads. RCBS, Lee, and Hornady would all work.

[huntinny]

I have used the lee reloader kit for about 10years now, with no problems. You should get a calipur and brass trimmer along with the kit. lee also makes chep trimmers that are calibur specific, be sure to adjust the lee trimmers correctly. I prefer the hornady dies.