virgin reloader

[krazykj03]

Hi guys, i want to get into reloading just like everyone else. i know the press is just part of the battle on what to get. i am thinking of the lee turret press. But i wanted to ask to get a complete thing going can you guys recommend a list of stuff i should get over the other. i know i will want to get a turret/progressive later, but i want to learn the ins and outs of reloading and maybe when i get better move up to the big guys. Or is there a machine i can do 1 and add on to for later. or do you always need a single and turret/progressive?

i would like to load everything i have from 9mm, 40 s&w, 45 acp, 38 spl, 44 magnum, 223, 308

i can wait on rifle ammo, but i know there is more stuff to it and other tools need and preparation. but if i can get everything i would like to just so i dont have to in the future. i like gadgets thats why the RCBS charge master caught my eye but i maybe dont need it.

Also i have my actual work bench for doing projects and my tool stuff i would need to add a little extension so i can accommodate my reloading stuff from press and everything that is needed to do the job.

parts i need to get:
press
tumbler
media separator
scale
powder measure ( im interested in the RCBS charge master combo)
bullet puller
dies
loading block
Case Lube (you won't need if using carbide dies)
Case Neck Brush
Case Trimmer
Deburring Tool
Primer Pocket Clean
Primer Tray
Priming Tool (if the press doesn't come with a primer attachment)
Powder Scale
Powder Funnel
Powder Trickler
Powder Measure (nice for faster powder charges)

i know i am missing other stuff if you can add to the list that would be nice

i have:
basic tools
digital caliper

thanks for your time guys.

[Bt Doctur]

I use the RCBS RockChucker . There are complete packages on auction sites for around $300 .00 ish. You can lube cases using the carbide die. dosent hurt.
RELOADING BOOKS
bullets
brass
primers
powder

[Nirrad]

Get yourself The ABC's of Reloading and a manual.

And what's your location?

Maybe take a look at joining the club and attending one of the reloading clinics?

I do most of your list on a Lee Pro 1000 and am pretty satisfied.

[krazykj03]

I live in long beach. I got 4 books on the way. The ABC, hornady, lee and Lyman.


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[Nirrad]

LBC!

We tried to hold another class but didn't get enough students, so it was cancelled.

Keep an eye in this forum for updates.

[alfred1222]

Get a kit. like a hornady kit. Or an RCBS kit. Or a lee kit. ill repeat, GET A KIT, it will save you time and money

[f4tweet]

Allsafe Defense systems run by TJ Johnson in Orange offers a class in metallic reloading. This is where I took my reloading class. Great class, great guy.

http://www.allsafedefense.com/Courses/NRA_Courses.htm

NRA Basics of Reloading (metallic cartridge and shotshell)

Covers everything from brass prep, bullet, primer, and powder selection, shotshell reloading, plus tips on reloading all the major rifle and pistol calibers on both single stage and progressive reloaders. This is hands-on training; participants will actually load ammunition as part of the class.

[Nirrad]

I've taken a couple of TJ's pistol courses and he puts on a fun class. I'm sure the reloading class would be very good as well.

[knucklehead0202]

if you're considering the chargemaster, your heart is in the right place, a digital dispenser/scale is an awesome piece of equipment you'll never regret buying. I use the lyman 1200dpsIII, which is similar, better in some ways, not in others, hornady also makes the L'N'L dispenser/scale which also a good design and they're both much less expensive than the chargemaster. that said, they all seem to work well. far as presses go, you can never lose having a single-stage around, even if you graduate to bigger and better things. start with a single-stage or turret, and if you REALLY feel you need a progressive, then upgrade. don't let anyone talk you into buying way more than you need to start with, like the others said: get a kit. I started with the cheap LEE breechlock challenger kit and still use most of it. for 110 bucks, you'll have everything but dies, brass, powder, primers, bullets and a tumbler. hard to beat it. good luck. and definitely get some manuals and READ before doing anything!

[krazykj03]

is dillon 550b 650 worth the money? i know all the press do the main job of a press which is press. but i know there are all mixed reviews on different brand people like or dont like. Do you guys have a brand i should go with, customer service, parts available for future things. i have always wanted to get into reloading ever since i saw my uncle's dillon in the philippines and that was like 20 years ago. but never saw a reason cause i didnt shoot a lot but since i have these handguns and rifles i might as well get a reloading system but i always thought they were expensive. i am trying to make room on my work bench to put a press and other products. I know primers are hard to come by so im just wanting to get ready.

[milotrain]

There will be a different opinion for every person but I LOVE my 550. I've used MEC progressives before and the 550 is a much better progressive machine. Perhaps the only thing I've seen everyone agree on is that you'll never regret having a single stage lying around.

My ideal is a pair of 550s a single stage and a turret.

[Capybara]

You are going to get a huge variety of responses in regards to what gear you should buy. I am biased but I concur that it is really smart to take a reloading class and get some hands-on time with some different gear before you buy anything. The California Reloading Long Beach class was canceled but there will be other classes coming up monthly in SoCal. There are chapters in LA, IE, San Diego, Sacramento, Ventura County and we are growing fast and will undoubtedly open more clubs this year. I don't know Allsafe but others recommend TJ, that would be a good option as well. I bought a digital scale and after attending my first reloading clinic, I wished that I had bought a mechanical scale instead, the instructors were able to demonstrate and show me why a mechanical scale is often superior. I can't conceive of buying something as personal choice as a press without some reloading time on one. We have five different models of presses on our reloading table and people often will bring their progressives just so students can check them out.

The good news is that almost all of the reloading gear on the market is surprisingly high quality and it all works pretty well from what I have experienced. There don't seem to be too many crappy presses on the market, even some of the really inexpensive ones are fine for many uses/calibers. So if you decide to jump in blindly, you won't end up with bad gear, but you may waste money on stuff that you don't really need and you may overlook a lot of support gear that makes reloading more fun, less tedious.

Good luck but my advice is take a class before whipping out the Visa.

[Nirrad]

^^^perfectly stated - but stay far away from anything SmartReloader branded.

[CSACANNONEER]

Take a intro class from the reloading club.

Yes, Blue machines are worth the money. I prefer my 550 to the 650 I use to have for several reasons. However, even if you drink the blue koolaid, you will still want a single stage press on your bench.

[brettkeating]

I'm also brand new to this. I got the Rock Chucker kit, which comes with just about everything on your list, except

the bullet puller
primer pocket reamer/cleaner
caliper (which you already have)
case trimmer
trickler
case cleaning stuff (tumbler, media separator, etc.)

From what I've seen and read, the case cleaning is totally optional. I plan to get that later. Maybe.

Even though the Rock Chucker kit came with a deburr/chamfer tool, I went ahead and got a Lyman multi tool which has the reamers and cleaners.

I got a manual case trimmer (works great for me) from RCBS, and manual calipers from RCBS, to round out my setup. Oh… and a Frankford Arsenal kinetic bullet puller.

Aside from the caliber-specific stuff like dies, shell holders, etc. that's all I really felt that I needed and so far I think I'm right… except I'm starting to think I need a powder trickler because I'm not happy with my powder dispenser so far, and also will want to hand-measure loads from time to time (in fact I'm going to do that for my second-ever batch. I had to pull my first batch heh). I probably spent around $500 on that stuff, not including the dies/shell holders.

After having tried it out, I am extremely glad I started out with a single stage press. I think I would have been a complete mess trying to understand the intricacies of reloading at the same time as operating an expert-level piece of equipment like that… now that I see what can and will go wrong with various pieces of equipment and my own inexperience, I think starting with a progressive would be a total nightmare.