Reloading equipment recommendations

[mlubahn]

Hello. I have never reloaded, but am going to have to start. I have acquired some rare caliber guns, and the ammo is scarce, if available at all. Bottom line, for each of these guns, I have been buying the loading dies when I could find them. Most of these die sets are discontinued. I now have a Redding set, and RCBS set, a Lyman set, and I think one other brand. Some of them are 3 and some are 4 die sets. All are pistol calibers. Enough back story.

THE QUESTION. I have nothing except for the dies sets. What else do I need???? I will not be loading much, only occasionally. Maybe a 1000 rounds a year??? Any insight would be great. Does having all different company loading dies mean I have to buy all respective companies additional equipment, or can I just buy say a loader from redding, and use all my dies in it?

THANKS, MIKE

[GeoffLinder]

Most dies are the same thread (7/8-14) except for a few specialty ones (like for the Dillon Square Deal press) and some really old Lyman ones that you would need inserts to use with a 7/8-14 threaded press.

Besides dies, all you really need then is a single stage press and a few accessories like a powder scale, powder funnel, priming tool and some calipers to do your measurements with.

I cannot recommend the RCBS RockChucker press enuff. You can get it stand-alone or as a kit with all the accessories you will need.

Midway USA has a good price and carries the RCBS kit setups.

I also recommend buying several loading manuals and reading them through several times. Best 1st book is the Lyman manual. ABC's of reloading is good and the RCBS loading manual is also good.

[Chief-7700]

Hello. I have never reloaded, but am going to have to start. I have acquired some rare caliber guns, and the ammo is scarce, if available at all. Bottom line, for each of these guns, I have been buying the loading dies when I could find them. Most of these die sets are discontinued. I now have a Redding set, and RCBS set, a Lyman set, and I think one other brand. Some of them are 3 and some are 4 die sets. All are pistol calibers. Enough back story.

THE QUESTION. I have nothing except for the dies sets. What else do I need???? I will not be loading much, only occasionally. Maybe a 1000 rounds a year??? Any insight would be great. Does having all different company loading dies mean I have to buy all respective companies additional equipment, or can I just buy say a loader from redding, and use all my dies in it?

THANKS, MIKE

Mike, Your going to get many recommendation on what hardware to buy!
Your first purchase should be Lyman's 49th Edition Reloading Manual and a few other how-to-reload books. READ THEM COVER TO COVER. The general thought train is for very new reloader to start off with a single stage press, so you can learn each step in the reloading process.
Chief

[wc12]

I've been reloading for only a few months. I decided on a lee turret press because it can also be operated as a single stage. The best advise I got was as the chief said, start on a single stage. I reloaded on a single stage until I understood exactly what each stage does. I'm glad I pick the turret press because I did not see myself loading on a single stage press even if I'm only loading a hundred rounds every loading session. Good luck!

I bought the lee turret press as a kit so the only other items I bought separately was a caliper and a tumbler both from harborfreight. Also, you may want to consider buying a gooseneck lamp and position it so that you can ensure that you have powder in your brass.

[WAP]

Whether you go progressive or single stage you will need a powder thingie to dispense propellant into your cases and something to weigh your charges to maintain consistantcy. You need something really accurate like a micrometer to check your case and cartridge dimensions. You may need a primer loader. You may need a case trimmer. You will need a tumbler. You will definitely need a bullet puller.

[EWILKE]

Buy a dillon and buy once and never regret it I have a 550b and load 1000's of rounds per year and never have any problems.

[LGB Loader]

Mike, Your going to get many recommendation on what hardware to buy!
Your first purchase should be Lyman's 49th Edition Reloading Manual and a few other how-to-reload books. READ THEM COVER TO COVER. The general thought train is for very new reloader to start off with a single stage press, so you can learn each step in the reloading process.

I could not stress this enough, Mike. Take your time and learn the craft. Learn it right and always practice safety.

LGB

[BigBronco]

Mike definitely take your time to decide. Try not to let the coolaid drinkers sway your decisions. After all everyone believes the gear they chose is the best. In all reality the best gear is what fits your budget and gets used. Look for secondhand gear and save some $$$. If you out grow it chances are you can get what you paid for it back when you sell it. If you take to reloading and need higher outputs then step up to progressive presses. I whole heartily believe in starting with a single station press. I have gear from almost all makers. I like many started with a RCBS Rock chucker and still use one. Though I now have a Hornady Lock and Load AP, The Rock Chucker will always be an important tool on my bench. I would buy a quality scale and get that new.

[gunboat]

If you are going into rare/unusual cartridge reloading in addition to the other manuals and tooling you might consider "designing and forming Custom Cartridges for rifle and pistol" by Ken Howell and " The Handloader's Manual of Cartridge Conversions" by John Donnelley.
While not knowing the cases you intend to load, I second the Rock Chucker as a good heavy duty press. The lee cast iron "O" press would also seem suitable and a mite cheaper.
my ha-penny

[Divernhunter]

FIRST----Get a Lyman reloading manual and read it. That will answer most questions and explain what you need to know/do.

As stated before most dies will fit any of the presses except a few odd-balls. I would suggest an RCBS or Hornady KIT. If you want to go cheap then a lee kit. The choice is yours and it is your money. Just like optics you get what you pay for.

You should batch process your brass. If you do not have them yet you will need shell-holders for those dies. I would suggest a hand primer(comes in the better kits) and you can prime while watching TV. Unless you are too lazy or unable to take 30 seconds to screw in one die and unscrew another then a turret press has nothing to offer over a O-style single stage press and the O-style will not flex or lossen up over time.

Like I said get the Lyman reloading manual and read it first.

[Dark Mod]

You can go RCBS if you really want to, but your paying more for the extra quality. If your not even gonna do much reloading, get a Lee. Still works great, and its almost half the price! All you need is a press and the accessories: scale, funnel/measure, calipers. Lee has a kit thats about $100 with everything you need except the calipers.

[Sunday]

1) Dillon 550
2) RCBS single stage
3) A lyman#49 reloading manual then several others, Reloading is fun and simple if you take your time and get all the goodies needed to do a good safe job. Rolling your own is a fun part of the hobbie.

[Divernhunter]

Check Starline for new brass. You might be surprised at what they make.

[knucklehead0202]

lots of people crap on Lee products because they feel superior buying the more expensive stuff, but here's a tip, it doesn't work any better. it's kinda like some guy at the bar whips you at pool with a broomstick and you've got a 100-dollar cue. who's the a-hole here? nobody. buy whatever seems attractive and is affordable to you. if you like the color, buy the color you like. if the features sound good, buy that one. as was said, everyone has their brand preference but it's mostly because people need the reinforcement that other people like their brand. anyhow, the basics, reloading manual, any press, any powder measure, scale, trimmer, i prefer a hand-priming tool, shellholding blocks, case lube, tumbler, media, brass, bullets, powder, and patience. take it slow and you should be fine. good luck!

[Prenub]

I have the RCBS rockchucker and I love it. One thing that bothers me is the plastic tray that collects the primers. Its impossible to take that thing out without spilling a few primers on the floor.