Bringing your game to its highest level

[Dirtlaw]

Let's say you want to be the best you can be. List your purchases in order of importance (including specific brands / items). I think this exercise will help a lot of people. That is my goal.

[Duck Killer]

Rcbs charge master is #1 for me.

[Cowboy T]

Highest level? Best you can be? You're now talking commercial reloading gear, something like an Ammoload Mark X, assuming we're talking handgun ammo.

For rifle ammo, if you're talking spitting out a bunch of rounds for general-purpose shooting, that's the Ammoload Mark LV. Otherwise, Lee Classic Cast Press, RCBS Rockchucker Supreme, or similar high-quality single-stage press. Lee Precision rifle dies do a very fine job of making precision rifle ammo, as do dies from several other companies (Hornady, RCBS, and so on)

Now, you've got to weigh your charges precisely. For that, nothing beats a quality Ohaus 10-10 beam scale.

That's where I'd start, as far as equipment.

[NoHeavyHitter]

Let's say you want to be the best you can be.

List your purchases in order of importance

I'm always looking to improve my knowledge, since I have all the necessary gear.

I like books and stuff from people who are out there on the edge testing things.

[kcstott]

You can’t just lump it all together like that. You need to figure out what outcomes you want from specific rounds and firearms.
I have three Fclass rifles that I will accept nothing more than 1/4 moa.
I also have a marlin 336 in 30-30 and if it can hold and inch or so I’m good with that.
Pistols are just load and go. I don’t worry about accuracy in a hand gun. It will hit the A zone at 15 yards with the worst of ammo.

If you want the best gear it’s Wilson dies, Redding dies, AMP Press and annealer, Prometheus scale, Berger bullets, peterson or Lapua brass, Borden actions, Shilen or Brux barrels, Xring stock Hendrix model. Seb Neo front rest, Edgewood rear bag gator model. March scope high master or genesis. Konus spotting scope

I have two RL550B’s set up to load bulk everyday ammo, match and dangerous game ammo is loaded on the ammomaster.
It all comes down to what you desire to get out of reloading.
Me? I’m trying to clean a target at 1000 yards. Hand gun stuff I just want to be reasonably quick and proficient.
Then there my black powder cartridge rifle I load for. AR’s, AK’s Garand’s, Mauser’s, and my shotguns, not to mention cowboy action shooting.
You’re looking at $10-$15k for one rifle with the above support gear.

[LynnJr]

You need a good scale that will measure to a single kernel. The scale will allow you to sort brass bullets and primer as well.
You need a reliable caliper and two comparators next.
The two comparators will allow you to seat bullets to 0.001 and also to sort bullets.

[SharedShots]

The highest level depends on the game.

The casual shooter can have difference ideas of what the highest level is compared to the F-Class competitor, the Silhouette shooter etc.

If your rifle shoots 1.5-2 MOA, its a stock Mini-14 with decent run of the mill loading equipment that is the best it and you can do, throwing the equipment some F-Class guy uses at it isn't going to dramatically change it's level of performance, it sure won't change yours. That 1.5-2 MOA is the highest level unless we're now going to rebuild that Mini. For that some people are thrilled and they have the same grin on their face as the F-Class who just cleaned up and took first place.

I'd say start with the rifle and use what you have until you reach a plateau. Evaluate your skill and see if that is the limit. If not, go the ladder route, better or improved rifle, better or improved loading equipment and components. New plateau, start the ladder again. That is though, a very expensive way to do it but it's one way to satisfaction because when you get to where you want to be the grin on your face will tell you.

It's only money.



.

[Epaphroditus]

Purchases? Waste of money. Being the best starts with a proper mindset. Everything falls into place after that. One cannot purchase a mindset.

Mindset, persistence, determination and willpower are all necessary and simply cannot be purchased.

Small example of a lapse in concentration. Was watching Jerry Miculek going through various carry options. No one can doubt Mr. Miculek's skill, ability and experience but when demonstrating drawing from a level 3 retention holster he flubbed it!

Even with the best gear, a lifetime of practice and experience a single fleeting moments lapse in concentration results in failure.

Something to ponder.

[hambam105]

When in the presence of a Reloader who knows more than I do on the subject I shut up and listen.

[Ronin6]

The biggest bang for my Buck was my first RCBS Chargemaster Lite then the Supreme, I found myself reloading more and more often which meant more shooting. My biggest investment was the Area419 Zero, jury still out but reloading more different calibers so starting to shoot more rifles or safe queens / chamber maids.

Always learning something new and as I get better it puts more pressure on my shooting.

[Lozoya37]

Single stage

Area 419 Zero Press
Prometheus 2 Powder Scale
Primal Arms CPS/ Competition Primer Seater
Amp annealer with case feeder mod
Redding Comp Dies

Progressive

Mark 7 Evolution
Lyman Pro dies
Mr.Bullet Feeder
Primer Xpress

[divingin]

In general, I tend to ignore any post that asks "What's the best...?"

The best for particular application (say precision rifle, for example) will not be the best for some other (say, bullseye pistol.) The best for one person will be a horrible choice for another. One person's perfect press will be despised by another.

The people who ask for the best are generally not willing to put any effort into learning what they need, and just want to be told so they can feel good about themselves.

The only way to get to what is the best for you and your application is to work at it, figure out what's not working and what can be improved, and change based on that. In truth, though, you'll never get to perfect.

[QED]

Labradar and a high quality spotting scope. The proof of a good load/loading process is on the target.