choosing my first reloading kit

[RNE228]

Have reloaded a lot of 30-06 over the years. Until I got a digital scale, most of my 30-06 was done on a Rock Chucker press, RCBS FL dies, a beam scale, and basic dial caliper. Pretty basic stuff.

- A basic "O" scale and a set of dies will get you doing. I still like the Rock Chucker (had mine 40 years), but all the manufactures off solid entry level "O" presses. You can prime on most "O" presses
- Basic entry level beam or digital scales are available. Get a simple powder trickler to go with it.
- A simple dial or digital caliper works fine.
- A file and a trim die is inexpensive if only doing a single cartridge
- A bottle of spray lube will get you going.
- I like Speer or Sierra load manuals.

I have had good luck for deer and target with Rem brass, CCI primer, 4064 powder, and Speer 150gr spitzers for a simple load.

Have found good used reloading stuff on this forum, and Craigslist.

[Imageview]

Anyone on the forum buy this perchance? I could use a copy of the user instructions. Thanks.

I might have, I bought one the other day. Gonna set up a mobile reloading bench for the bedroom. Shoot me a pm with your email address and I’ll get it sent.

[packnrat]

it late here, but you will be money ahead by buying a RCBS rock chucker set up, and a couple reloading books. and go up from there,
my rock chucker is well over 30 years old and going strong, never let me down.
best to learn slow and steady, then worry about going to a progressive press.

[Cowboy T]

RNE228, I think, has it right. Any single-stage O-frame press, from any of the major companies, will work very well for reloading .30-06 or any other cartridge short of .50 BMG. For the OP's purposes, I would recommend the Lee Breech-Lock Challenger setup. It's not only economical, it makes very good ammo and does it very well. I would recommend staying away from any of the progressive presses for his particular situation.

I also would recommend the complete 4-die set of Lee dies. This set includes not just the full-length sizing die (needed for the first resizing), but also the neck-sizing die. The neck-sizing die will be the one he uses most, because he's shooting it out of a single rifle, his M1903 Springfield bolt-action. He can simply wash the cases with soap and water after firing them. Tumbling them is nice, but there's not enough shooting here to justify that expense.

Not saying RCBS or Hornady or Dillon or Forster or anyone else's gear sucks. It doesn't. I simply believe this will give the OP the best bang for the buck, while making excellent ammo.

One last thing: get at least two good reloading manuals and study them, before you ever load a single case. Seriously, do that. I use Lyman's 51st Edition, Lee's Modern Reloading, and Hornady Reloading Manual. I've also read and enjoyed Speer's Reloading manual. They're all good; pick a couple and read them.