Thinking of buying a reloading kit which brand is

Pdog

good. Looking at Lee but should I save up and get Lyman, RCBS, Redding, or Horandy. Or suggest a good brand. Would mostly reload for 22 hornet, 22-250, 25-06. And maybe a .243 but doubtful since its a semi auto and heard its a pain in the *. Its a Browning to.

sealyon

Any of the ones you mentioned will get the job done. I'm partial to RCBS myself even though I own and use a Lyman turrent press. As for reloading for the semi auto, just make sure to full length resize everytime and get a good crimp ( I like a collet crimper) on the bullet. Reloading=cheaper ammo=more shooting=more fun !!!

God put stupid people on earth just to test me

Talking Head

You won't be sorry if you go with the RCBS Rock Chucker reloading kit, I think it's the best there is. As for reloading for the BAR, I have one in 270 Weatherby that I have fired a couple hundred reloads through with absolutly zero problems. As stated above just be sure to always full length resize.

Also, RCBS does make a special small base sizing die in 243 Win, this is designed specifcally for re-sizing cartridges for auto-loaders. No problem.

chuck

For the Auto 243 You may have to buy S.B (small base dies) I have a Browning hoop leaver rifle in 308 and I have to use S.B. dies.

warcrob

The Lee Challenger Kit can be had from Midwayusa for about $75 bucks less the dies. It comes with everything you need to get stsrted. It is an economy kit. Nothing fancy.
As far as the case lub goes, I like to use Imperial sizing die wax.
It comes in a can like shoe polish, it's less messy than the stuff you have to smear on the pad. Just dip your finger in the can and rub the case as you put it in the press. A can will last a really long time.

If you ain't got a sesne of humor you got no business bein here!

Pearyw

I think the RCBS Rock Chucker Kit is a good value. Buy a good quality rig what ever brand you get and it will last you the rest of your life. If you buy a cheap rig and become a serious reloader, you will wear out a cheap one and be looking for a new one in a few years. I purchased a good Pacific press about 30 years ago, and I am still using it. I know I have loaded over 100,000 rounds with it and it is still producing good quality ammo. You can load a lot of pistol ammo on a cheap press, but the stress of loading rifle cartridges will wear one out.

nmyers

I like my Dillon 550 that I bought used. They have a lifetime warranty, and they don't care if you're the original owner or the tenth. If I need a broken part replaced, I just phone them & they mail it right out to me. So, used Dillon equipment sells for more than any other brand.

Neal

Pdog

thanks for replies was looking at a Lee turrent kit sounded like it would be a little faster then going with a single one. but not to sure. and some of the reviews made it sound like it was good for rifles I have a single shot 25-06 HR and heard u need full resize for it but not sure. Will be a little while before I buy but wanted to start research now. And thanks again for replies much appreciated.



Edit

Well I think Dillion is a little out of my price range currently I am a little poor had to have a 15k surgery with no insurance. But want to keep shooting so looking at saving a little cash.

mpolans

If you plan on loading any quantity of ammo and you're not a hardcore benchrest rifle shooter using super-duper click adjustable dies, don't even consider the RCBS Rock Chucker; this would be like going car shopping for a Ford Model T to go Formula 1 racing in.

I wouldn't even consider a Lee or Lyman press; this would be like shopping for a Ford Pinto to go Formula 1 racing in.

There is only ONE company that should even be considered. Dillon Precison. Their stuff works. They stand behind their products (not even close to the same experience I've had as a former Lee customer). They have a "Lifetime No B.S. Warranty". If it breaks for ANY reason, they'll fix or replace it, regardless if it was the previous owner's fault, your fault, or the dog's fault. They go out of their way to be helpful and their stuff works. Check out their website at: www.dillonprecision.com . Buying a Dillon press would be like having Michael Schumacher's Ferrari to go Formula 1 racing in.

robsguns

Pdog,
There is no bad reloading system out there I am aware of, only inexpensive, and more expensive. Lee is the inexpensive one, and the turret press is the one I have used for 15 years, for everything from pistol to rifle, resizing hard cast lead bullets with Lee resizing dies, loading everything in size from .222 Remington, to 45-70. My loads are quite accurate, and there are those on this board that know I shoot a lot, and I am for real, to include my ability to reload. There is nothing the Lee wont do, and do it well, besides make everyone happy, because it doesnt cost enough to make them think its worth buying, plain and simple. Their service is first rate for special orders of dies, etc., and I've never needed to have mine repaired, so I cant say about their replacement part service, although I've never known anyone to have one break, or comment about bad service. I've had them make more than one case trimming pilot for me, always done quickly, and if I needed a die not listed in their catalog, they'd get one out to me fast when called and ordered. Bottom line is this, buy what ever you like, but the smart man who needs a car to get to work, on a budget, doesnt go shopping for a Formula 1 car!

Check out ebay, they have lots of Lee's for sale, varying with what they come with, but all of them a good deal. I'd suggest what others have, just buy the starter kit, it will give you a feel for what reloading is all about, and you can build on it from there. One thing I can guarantee you wont decide is this, that you like changing dies to perform each operation. The turret, in any brand, is the way to go!! Good luck.

PS, Just lose the auto index, thats the one thing I never cared for on the Lee, it did not work very well, and I did not like it turning things on its own when it was working well anyway, its a precision and control thing, 'Did I tell you to move? No, I dont think so'!![;)][:D]


SSgt Ryan E. Roberts, USMC

warcrob

If you ae a beginner I highly recomend that you start out wth the single stage press, Such as the Lee Challenger or the Rcbs Rock Chucker. There is simply to much stuff to watch when working with the progressive presses like the Dillons, or any other progressive press.

learn how to load ammo correctly on a single stage press 1st! If you plan on reloading rifle cartridges it is important to trim to lenght after you resize the case.

If you ain't got a sesne of humor you got no business bein here!

Clair

I use a Lee turret press for the simple fact it is each to change to a different caliber. I could afford a higher priced press, but the Lee does what I need it to do. I have a different turret for each caliber, and can change in a minute. I prefer the one step at a time method because, I'm not in a hurry, and I want to do every shell right. I have a 450 Dillion setting under the bench collecting dust.

To each his own.