[Advice Please] First Reloading Setup

[heavyhaulin818]

[target_shot]

Start with the precision ammo first because you will be safer to start with a single stage press.
Later on, get a progressive press for your high volume reloading.
There really is no other way to do what you want to do WELL.

Agreed. I can do it, but not well, which is what I am after. Oh well, figured someone may have figured out the magic solution. I need high quality rifle ammo, but want to produce bulk ammo, so single stage it is.

Having two goals is fine, I would pick one first. Specifically reloading rifle calibers, at first just to learn and later after learning you will have a great setup for that specific task. Single stage is great for this, and doesn't cost that much. Then later start reloading bulk stuff, the early grounding in how to do it will make that much easier.

I think this is the route I am going to take, and will just have to bite the bullet (pun intended) on two presses - single stage to start, and move to a progressive. Have no idea how I am going to fit them into basically a closet though...

[tabascoz28]

Just make a base thick enough that you can drill multiple holes so you can change them out. The presses aren't that big. Don't use particle board, make sure it's solid wood or at least thick plywood.

[SmokeTheClay]

Press that will allow you to feel: RCBS Partner press $100

Scale to grow into and buy once. If you get into it, you'll buy this eventually. Might as well buy it now: fx-120i $475

Lee powder scoops $18

Buy a used, cheap case trimmer

RCBS handheld primer, for good feel: $60

Frankford arsenal hand decapper: $40

To clean your brass, wipe it down unless there are rocks on them.

EDIT: you can buy now, or eventually make the FX the fastest and most accurate powder measure for the price: https://autotrickler.com/pages/autotrickler-v4

[Strafer]

+1 on the recommendation for a solid base.

I got a piece of 3/4" solid oak from home depot that was discounted 70% off due to a large chip in the piece. At my HD they spray the discounted/seconds wood blue, but I sanded it all off and it looks fine. Squared it up, rounded the corners and bam, a solid mounting base was born.

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[SmokeTheClay]

If you need a reloading table, you can pick up a solid wood old entertainment center from goodwill or salvation army. I picked up a heavy one for $15, solid wood, with enough cabinets to hold my stuff

[divingin]

If you need a reloading table, you can pick up a solid wood old entertainment center from goodwill or salvation army. I picked up a heavy one for $15, solid wood, with enough cabinets to hold my stuff

And if the top is not solid enough, an additional layer of 1/2" or 3/4" plywood screwed on top will make it so.

[the_tunaman]

Go Dillon 550 or 750. Get the aftermarket kits that take out all the slack in the Dillon and remove the auto feeding section, dispense the powder as a second step. The Dillon can act like a single stage just fine. Then it will fly with bulk ammo.

Just ensure you hand dispense the powder and take up the slack on the dies mounting block. You thread them and screw in pins rather than the pins you use. Takes up the slack.

Consistency is the key

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THIS and THIS. I use mine for precision single-stage loading mostly, but can also crank out bulk quickly when that is the objective.

I’ve had mine now for well over 10 years and have never had a need to get anything else - it will likely last for the rest of my life. Especially with the no-questions-asked lifetime support.

Can hardly beat blue.

[capo602002]

Single stage is perfect way to start - most all are good!. For volumne handgun loading I would purchase a Lee APP and batch process sizing and expanding duties on this little gem. Little fiddly to set up, but once going it really speeds up sizing and expanding. Then get a good hand priming tool and sit in front of the TV and prime all your brass. Pick up a good powder measure such as a Hornady lock-n-load, a good grain scale, and some loading blocks. Load powder and then seat the bullets on your single stage. Crimp on single stage. You will be surprised how many rounds you can produce in a relatively short time.

[RNE228]

Hard to go wrong with any of the primary manufactures "O" presses. RCBS, Hornady, Redding, Lyman. I've gotten tons of use out of my 35 year old RCBS Rockchucker. Sub-MOA 308 isn't that hard(Federal or Lapua brass, 168 SMK, 4064, match primer)

That said, I have been looking at the Blue Koolaid for a bit now... Dillon 550 looks good; have friend that load on them.

Also looking at 6.5-284. Got last three years Wyoming whitetail with one. Anything the CM can do, the -284 can do faster and with longer heavier bullets.

[ysr_racer]

OP, walk before you run.

[robert829]

Wow great advice here!! Same here as OP I'm thinking about doing my own reload..

[desertrider]

Agreed. I can do it, but not well, which is what I am after. Oh well, figured someone may have figured out the magic solution. I need high quality rifle ammo, but want to produce bulk ammo, so single stage it is.



I think this is the route I am going to take, and will just have to bite the bullet (pun intended) on two presses - single stage to start, and move to a progressive. Have no idea how I am going to fit them into basically a closet though...

I started on a single stage that I bought used, moved to a turret because an online retailer had an amazing price on a kit, and eventually got a progressive for high volume.

Based on the bolded part of your post ^^^, are you saying you only have a small space available for reloading?

I do all of my reloading on a single desk that is 36"w x 27"d

[NORCAL50]

Honestly there's plenty of guys shooting long range that use or have used the Dillon RL 550C, Eric Cortina and F-Class john are just two that come to mind. Just measure every powder charge on a nice scale because im not sure if a powder thrower meets your accuracy needs. If your gonna buy an auto powder dispenser, save your money and buy an A&D FX120i w/ the V3 auto trickler.

[SmokeTheClay]

Honestly there's plenty of guys shooting long range that use or have used the Dillon RL 550C, Eric Cortina and F-Class john are just two that come to mind. Just measure every powder charge on a nice scale because im not sure if a powder thrower meets your accuracy needs. If your gonna buy an auto powder dispenser, save your money and buy an A&D FX120i w/ the V3 auto trickler.

100% best advice for the 120i and V4 is out now