Question Reloading

cougarw · 11-05-2009, 08:58 AM

Been thinking about starting to reload my own brass. What would be a reasonable but dependable reloader? Been looking at Lee and RCBS.

smokeybear z · 11-07-2009, 09:46 AM

I started with an RCBS, the Partner reloading kit, about 10 years ago in college. Glad I did, had a part break and RCBS sent a new one, free of charge, no shipping or anything. And that was only a couple years ago. It is single stage but I love reloading. Dies are cheap, even cheaper if you get them off ebay. Most of the people I know that reload have RCBS so, if needed, we could just swap equipment. I don't know if you could put an RCBS die in a Lee press or vice versa. I don't know much about the other brands but I do know I have always been pleased with RCBS.

Fun to experiement with the different loads, saves money (but takes more time) and you'll be suprised at how much your groups shrink when you figure out which load your rifle likes.

I don't think you will be disappointed.

NETim · 11-07-2009, 01:34 PM

Redding, Hornady, RCBS... all good.

indeeptrouble1491 · 03-03-2010, 11:19 AM

As smokeybear z said, the warranty on the RCBS stuff is absolutely amazing. I have about 20 presses (7 of which I use) and the only kind that I would buy again is Hornady or RCBS. You can get by with a Lee if plan on reloading for smaller rifles. The compound leverage that the (RCBS) Rock Chucker uses is easily enough to squish your finger if you get it in the wrong place at the wrong time. The compound leverage makes resizing large brass easier and less labor intensive. A quick list of things you will need:
Press (RCBS Rock Chucker is recommended)
Powder measeure - buy a good one
Powder scale - a good balace beam is the best - done be conned into buying an electronic one that measures in GRAMS, all the recipes are in GRAINS
Dies - yes, 99% of modern dies will fit in any press, just make sure they are 7/8 x 14 thread such as Hornady, RCBS, Lee, Lyman
Tumbler/media - not a necessity but very helpful, these are available from Harbor Freight for less $$
Resizing lube - I have recently switched to Imperial Sizing Wax - wicked awsome stuff
Caliper - dial is OK
Reloading manual - I went to Scheels last week to buy another manual but quickly realized that the Hornady Manual that I have is by far the leader of the pack.
Trimmer - eventually, you will need one but a good supply of brass will get you by for a while

The final ingredient - find someone who know how to do it. There can be some very dangerous lessons in reloading - let someone else experience them.

RCBS sells a starter kit for about $350 which isnt a bad deal considering all the equipemnt that you get.

Tall Chief · 03-05-2010, 07:58 PM

I agree with all of the others and I would add that you need to NOT start at the max loading that is listed in the manuel. I suggest starting on the lower end and working up to a load that shoots good for your rifle.

11-05-2009, 08:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
cougarw cougarw is wondering what to do next. Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In the wild Posts: 2,204 Thanks: 161 Thanked 204 Times in 133 Posts	Reloading Been thinking about starting to reload my own brass. What would be a reasonable but dependable reloader? Been looking at Lee and RCBS.

11-07-2009, 09:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
smokeybear z smokeybear z is protecting the cat's tail from my 2 year old son's teeth. Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Norfolk Posts: 302 Thanks: 68 Thanked 39 Times in 23 Posts	I started with an RCBS, the Partner reloading kit, about 10 years ago in college. Glad I did, had a part break and RCBS sent a new one, free of charge, no shipping or anything. And that was only a couple years ago. It is single stage but I love reloading. Dies are cheap, even cheaper if you get them off ebay. Most of the people I know that reload have RCBS so, if needed, we could just swap equipment. I don't know if you could put an RCBS die in a Lee press or vice versa. I don't know much about the other brands but I do know I have always been pleased with RCBS. Fun to experiement with the different loads, saves money (but takes more time) and you'll be suprised at how much your groups shrink when you figure out which load your rifle likes. I don't think you will be disappointed. __________________ "Lord, suffer me a buck so large that even I, in talking of it afterward, have no need to lie."

11-07-2009, 01:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
NETim NETim is not a socialist. Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Platte County Posts: 460 Thanks: 52 Thanked 66 Times in 47 Posts	Redding, Hornady, RCBS... all good. __________________ Blessed are those who, in the face of death, focus on the front sight. - Col Jeff Cooper

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03-03-2010, 11:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
indeeptrouble1491 indeeptrouble1491 has no status. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SE Nebraska Volunteer Hunter Education Instructor Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	As smokeybear z said, the warranty on the RCBS stuff is absolutely amazing. I have about 20 presses (7 of which I use) and the only kind that I would buy again is Hornady or RCBS. You can get by with a Lee if plan on reloading for smaller rifles. The compound leverage that the (RCBS) Rock Chucker uses is easily enough to squish your finger if you get it in the wrong place at the wrong time. The compound leverage makes resizing large brass easier and less labor intensive. A quick list of things you will need: Press (RCBS Rock Chucker is recommended) Powder measeure - buy a good one Powder scale - a good balace beam is the best - done be conned into buying an electronic one that measures in GRAMS, all the recipes are in GRAINS Dies - yes, 99% of modern dies will fit in any press, just make sure they are 7/8 x 14 thread such as Hornady, RCBS, Lee, Lyman Tumbler/media - not a necessity but very helpful, these are available from Harbor Freight for less $$ Resizing lube - I have recently switched to Imperial Sizing Wax - wicked awsome stuff Caliper - dial is OK Reloading manual - I went to Scheels last week to buy another manual but quickly realized that the Hornady Manual that I have is by far the leader of the pack. Trimmer - eventually, you will need one but a good supply of brass will get you by for a while The final ingredient - find someone who know how to do it. There can be some very dangerous lessons in reloading - let someone else experience them. RCBS sells a starter kit for about $350 which isnt a bad deal considering all the equipemnt that you get.

03-05-2010, 07:58 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tall Chief Tall Chief has no status. Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Grand Island Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I agree with all of the others and I would add that you need to NOT start at the max loading that is listed in the manuel. I suggest starting on the lower end and working up to a load that shoots good for your rifle.