New rifle reloader questions

[Shorthair]

I've got a couple hundred each of 30-30 and 30-06 brass and want to get myself a reloading set up for xmas. I loaded shot shells back in the day but never rifle. I could use some advice on the best/cheapest set up to get started and what I really need and what would be optional. I am not a high volume shooter but that is mostly due to ammo cost. I currently shoot aprox 500 rds of these 2 calibers combined in a given year. Or am I better off just buying factory ammo on the cheap? These are also the 2 rifles I hunt deer with. I kind of need a pastime to keep me occupied and reloading seems like something I could get into. I have a shop equipped with a solid bench to work from.

[CSACANNONEER]

Cheapest would be a Lee set up. There is nothing wrong with most Lee products but, I would get a better scale. All you need is a Single Stage press, trimmer, dies, scale, lube and a deburring tool. But, you will want a bullet puller, powder measure, hand primer and a few other things pretty quickly. If you're 30-06 brass has crimped primer pockets, you will need to swage or cut the crimp out.

You will never be able to buy cheap factory ammo that will perform as well as you can make your reloads perform.

Reloading is a hobby in and of itself. If you are just reloading for "cheap" ammo, you'll end up hating it and not doing it.

[bsumoba]

i like this guy's video. helped me get started.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXYCHd75a6I

[ducky_0811]

Lee makes a good kit for a good price but like already stated you'll want some better equipment and there's some things it won't include.
Another option that will cost you a bit more but get you loading quicker without buying other stuff is the Lyman starter kit. It comes with a great powder measure and scale, and their universal trimmer. All you'll need to get is a tumbler of your choosing and some die sets, and shell holders. The press comes with an on press priming system that worked great for me. It also comes with the Lyman 49th manual which is great.
There are lots of great options out there for a new loader, review them all and get what will suit your needs and price range. Oh... and welcome to the loading community! This may become habit forming...

[Divernhunter]

Where are you located? Someone near may be able to help you. I have helped dozens of people myself.
Also get the Lyman #49 book and read it. It will answer most questions and has great load data.

[CSACANNONEER]

Where are you located? Someone near may be able to help you. I have helped dozens of people myself.
Also get the Lyman #49 book and read it. It will answer most questions and has great load data.

Yea, we have chapters of the California Reloading Club throughout the state and run beginner clinics when we can. I can't recommend the Lyman #49 because, I still use my #47 as my primary reloading manual. Having and using more than one or two reloading manuals is one of the best things any reloader can do.

[Victor Cachat]

It costs a lot less than all the guns I reload for.

[HickFu]

I started with the Lee Breech Lock kit and still use it... I dont like the Lee scale so I got a nice digital scale. Lee dies are good as well...

Lyman 49 is a great read and will help you will load data... Work up your loads from minimum and see where your rifle starts to group good.

[kdsd731]

I like the hornady lnl deluxe kit I started with.

[Grunt81]

If you're only going to load rifle rounds, then a single-stage press is all you need. For those calibers, the decision you're going have to make is do you want the cheapest $28 Lee Reloader single stage press, or the $65 Challenger Breech Lock. Several people reload 30-06 with the Lee Reloader press, but some have stated it the ram doesn't line up perfectly with the die, leading to ammo that isn't perfect.

If I were you, I'd probably go with the cheaper Lee Reloader. My brother has one and it served him fine until he got a Lee turret press. This press uses 1/4" bolts to mount, while most presses use 1/2"-3/8" bolts to mount. If you end up not liking the press, you can throw a $12 Lee universal decapping die and just use it as a dedicated depriming station.

Definitely get Lee dies. I own sets in 9mm, .223, and 308. They all come with a shell holder, dipper, instructions, and some load data. You'd also need a scale and you can spend as much as you want on one. I use a $30 Frankford Arsenal. It serves me just fine. Just always make sure to calibrate it. You'll get a feel for when it starts to drift by taking note of the negative reading once you take the powder pan off of it.

If you seriously think you are only going to make 500 rifle rounds per year, then skip the powder measure. The Lee dipper works well to get you close to the charge you want, then use it as a trickler by tapping the side.

You're also going to need case lube!!! Don't forget that. It'd be impossible to resize without it, and still have good looking brass. Imperial is highly recommended. I use Hornady Unique and absolutely zero complaints.

The Lyman 49th is a great manual for rifles. I agree having more than one is better, but there is a lot of load data on manufacturer websites as well so you can get by with one. I shoot a lot of Nosler bullets. When I compare the data on Nosler's website with Hodgon's website, and Lee's data, they usually jive within 0.5 grains.

You'll need a case trimmer. I like my Lyman EZEE trim set. You'll need pilots for the two calibers and using a drill makes trimming a lot faster. I also use the Lyman multi-tool for chamfering, deburring, and swaging when necessary. I don't really have a need for primer pocket cleaners since I wet tumble.

I own the the Harbor Freight Rock Tumbler. One drum should be good for 20 30-06 cases and up to 35 30-30 cases at a time. Find some stainless steel pins online, maybe amazon, dish soap, and Lemi-shine (found at Target, maybe Walmart).

The Lyman inertia bullet puller feels really good in the hand, but the Frankford Arsenal will do the same thing, just not as pretty and you have to put the o-rings in yourself.

Optional: primer pocket uniformer and flash hole uniformer. Doing these operations will only help accuracy.

If you ever decide to load pistol ammo and don't want to take forever and a day, a turret press is where it's at for speed vs price.

[JagerDog]

I lean to the bit more robust stuff than Lee. Hard to beat a good RCBS Rockchucker or even their lighter presses. Rifle dies I like Redding. A nice RCBS 5-10 or 10-10 scale. I'm not trusting much to a $30 digital scale. Much can be found on the 2nd hand market keeping the price down.

Small stuff like a primer flipper, charging funnel, deburring tool. Powder trickler comes in very handy. Since both rifles are 30 cal, I'd suggest a press mounted collet style bullet puller vs. Kinetic. Just better control and better ability to save powder without cross contaminating.

You'll need a case trimmer. That can be simple to...........extravagant. I might suggest the between such as the RCBS or Hornady little lathe style.

A case gauge is nice to have. Did without them, but prefer to have them.

If you can make any of the clinics or find a mentor, you'll be miles ahead. You don't indicate your locale.

It is a fun hobby if it fits you. I enjoy reloading almost as much as unloading. Others reload just to save money and probably get less reward.

Have to look at how flush or frugal you are too. It can be done on a "shoestring" but if you've got $500 that won't change your diet, then get a bit better equipment. Of course you can always spend more and get even nicer equipment.

It's going to seem a bit pricey getting set up (all that little stuff adds up) but not much pricier to get a little better equipment.

[Grunt81]

I don't think anyone's mentioned a hand priming tool, loading block, 50 or 100 round plastic ammo cases, and some digital calipers yet. And definitely get two extra shell holders. I keep one for the press, one for the hand priming tool, and one for the case trimmer.

Lee Auto prime works fine, The Lyman priming tool feels a lot better and way more durable.

I don't have a 223 case gauge because my ARs only get fed full length sized cases.

I do have a Dillon case gauge for a .308 bolt-action. I figure it ought to help me know whether or not a case has been fire-formed...I have yet to use it for that, but soon.

To the OP, I started out cheap to begin with by loading on a Lee hand press, then I bought a Lyman T Mag II Turret press on Craigslist from a fellow Calgunner. He upgraded/ just spent more for a Redding, but I'm perfectly happy with the Lyman. I think you have plenty of input here. Spend as much as you are comfortable spending, for something you MIGHT not enjoy or do that often. Your first 500 rounds can pay for all your gear, or your first 2,000 rounds can pay for your gear. The choice is yours.

[bubbala]

a lee kit is not a bad deal if you toss the scale.get a 505.

[Sputnik]

a lee kit is not a bad deal if you toss the scale.get a 505.

Agreed. When I got my turret kit about the first thing I did was replace the scale with an RCBS digital model. I'm sure Lee's beam scale works but I wanted something easier and better. I weigh at least every tenth when loading pistol rounds and every charge when doing rifle rounds so that extra time will add up.

[Shorthair]

Thanks to all of you for the valuable input.
I will start rolling my quarters now.
Should be some deals online with Christmas right around the corner.