I think I want to start reloading

[Prc329]

Well probably not till July, but I want to buy my stuff now and get power, bullets, etc later. I was thinking of getting this

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press Master Kit

As well as a set of dies. I plan on reloading .223 and .308. Is there anything else I should look into getting? A different/better starter kit you can recommend? Also I have over a 1000 rounds of federal XM193 so I should probably start holding on to this brass I also like to shoot wolf gold. Is that brass good for reloading?

[ocabj]

Redding dies.

[thmpr]

Have you looked into a Dillon setup? 550B or XL650.

[C.G.]

I may eventually get a progressive press, but in the meantime I went with the Rockchucker and I am happy with it. This place has a lot better price and they are pleasant and fast shippers:

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000449357

[Prc329]

Dayum, that is a lot cheaper.

[Prc329]

Have you looked into a Dillon setup? 550B or XL650.

Do they sell complete starter kits?

[Gunsrruss]

Things that save me time.....

RCBS trim-pro electric trimmer
RCBS three way cutter in .223, .30cal, 6.5X55 Chamfers, deburs, and trims cartridge all at once
Pact powder dispenser and scale $219.00 dial in what you want and hit dispense
I didn't have a Dillon, so my progressive Lee press was crap I use it as a single stage/ along with a Rock Chucker I picked up for ten dollars
I also use Small base dies on the .223 .308 30.06 That's because I use them in simi-auto.

[Gunsrruss]

I went cheap at first.....

Do they sell complete starter kits?

But after most of that stuff failed to work properly I paid the money for the things that saved me time and worked the best for me

[Prc329]

The 308 will definitely be for precision. The 223 will probably be for bulk.

[TonyM]

Simply my advice:

Think about how much you expect to reload. Really think about it. The person that got me into reloading used a single stage as advised by an "old timer" that he knew. When I was going to buy a press my friend advised me to jump to a progressive press, simply for the time savings and ease of mass production. I would say the same to you. Loading via a single stage is alot slower of a process, and if you're anything like me, time is a valuable thing and I'm not going for super accurate .05 MOA loads. Just normal factory type ammo.

I personally have a Dillon 650, and I love it. The reputation is right on with my experiences, and the warranty is great. The quality of the press is top notch.

As far as a kit for the Dillon, yes, pretty much. You buy the press setup for a specific caliber, then you can add tool heads, casefeed plates, and caliber conversion kits as you need. I keep a toolhead for each of the following setup with their own powder drop and all the dies setup: .40S&W, 10MM, 45ACP 500S&W and just got setups for .223 and .308 that I need to setup. Makes changing calibers a snap and only takes a couple minutes to change the tool head, case plate and the primer assembly (for when changing from small-large primers).

Dillon presses are a bit more investment, but I believe that it's better to buy once. Just make sure to research before you buy a tool that you will hopefully be using for years and years to come.

Good luck, no matter which brand you choose.

[Cazach]

I hate to sound like ARF but "Get both!"
You can use the progressive for volume and the single stage for precision/specials. You will need all of the accessories regardless of which press you buy (scale, gauges, several load manuals, etc.) and some of the starter kits have decent packages.

I crank out all of my pistol ammo on a Dillon and my precision rifle on a (gasp) Lee single stage.

Some will argue that you should learn on a single stage but I don't necessarily agree. You need to have a complete understanding of the process regardless of what machine you are using. (i.e. purchase and read as many reloading resources as you can get your hands on.)

[grammaton76]

Don't forget a hand press so you can decap brass while you watch TV.

[Prc329]

I hate to sound like ARF but "Get both!"
You can use the progressive for volume and the single stage for precision/specials. You will need all of the accessories regardless of which press you buy (scale, gauges, several load manuals, etc.) and some of the starter kits have decent packages.

I crank out all of my pistol ammo on a Dillon and my precision rifle on a (gasp) Lee single stage.

Some will argue that you should learn on a single stage but I don't necessarily agree. You need to have a complete understanding of the process regardless of what machine you are using. (i.e. purchase and read as many reloading resources as you can get your hands on.)

I think that is probably what I will do. Buy a kit and get a progressive press later on.

[chickenfried]

Any reason why you prefer Redding? Thanks.

Redding dies.

[ocabj]

I've noticed that Redding dies just seem to have better quality than RCBS. I used to buy RCBS all the time, but converted over to Redding. The basic Redding seater is more consistent and seems to give better seating based on ogives. The Redding sizing dies do not appear to work the body as hard as the RCBS dies (and the resulting case still fit the appropriate case gauges without issues).

Plus, Redding offers bushing dies and micrometer seaters.

Granted, other manufacturers like Forster and Hornady offer alternatives. But if you have a specific need, it appears Redding makes the die that will fit your need.

Redding probably is the go to manufacturer for dies right now.