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New Guy, Wants to buy new setup
surveillancemike
Member Posts: 33 ✭✭
I am looking around, and really dont know what i am getting into w/ reloading. I have read a ton of info, and i cant seem to find a "kit" that i want to walk away with. Maybe i just dont have some common sense help. Is there a kit that will start me out to reload out the door, minus bullets, brass, and primers? I went to a local gun store, and they wanted me to spend almost 700 buck just to get me started, and that seem a little high. All i shoot is .308, .243, .223, .357, and 9mm. I want to start on the military rounds, because i have a ton of LakeCity brass that i shoot/save. I have been told the rifles i use need "short" dies because they are semi-autos, so..... any help for this Newbie on a package, and some dies would be GREAT! thanks to everyone for reading my NOVEL!
Comments
These are great presses I have two of them and am very happy with them.
With the LC brass make sure you lower your charge a grain or two from the manual. Military brass has a smaller volume which raises pressure faster.
Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions. There are lots of people on the forum that really know what they are doing and love to share their wisdom. [:D]
If I were buying one new press to start it would be the Lee classic cast. Just as beefy and half the price of the RCBS unit.
Still, to start a Lee anniversery kit would serve you well.
I can't say which is stronger between Lee and RCBS. But I can tell you that the Rockchucker is a very strong press. There are a number of times I have needed that strength. Full length sizing of big cases fired through generous sized chambers. I recommend that even if you don't go with the RCBS Rockchucker, go with the biggest strongest standard reloading press from the manufacturer you buy from.
-good luck
quote:Originally posted by sandwarrior
surveillancemike,
I can't say which is stronger between Lee and RCBS. But I can tell you that the Rockchucker is a very strong press. There are a number of times I have needed that strength. Full length sizing of big cases fired through generous sized chambers. I recommend that even if you don't go with the RCBS Rockchucker, go with the biggest strongest standard reloading press from the manufacturer you buy from.
-good luck
Combat Vet VN
D.A.V Life Member
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690030
Bought one once and returned it before I got it completely out of the box...very poor quality compared to RCBS.
I've used Lee presses and haven't ever had any proplems. Midsouth has this kit on sale right now. Can't beat the price. Dave
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690030
Is this everything? I mean it is low price! what else would i need?
quote:Originally posted by greystone
I've used Lee presses and haven't ever had any proplems. Midsouth has this kit on sale right now. Can't beat the price. Dave
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690030
Is this everything? I mean it is low price! what else would i need?
It is a very good deal for a good solid starting point; You will need brass, powder, bullets and a willingness to learn. Read all you can on the forums and ask any question that needs asked. We will help you!
quote:Originally posted by greystone
I've used Lee presses and haven't ever had any proplems. Midsouth has this kit on sale right now. Can't beat the price. Dave
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690030
Is this everything? I mean it is low price! what else would i need?
Besides the components, you'll need a loading manual, dies, a pair of calipers to measure overall length, as well as any other measurments, and if you get that kit lee's case trimmer-the cutter is in the kit.
The lee kit is a good deal when just starting. I've just started reloading-got my stuff for Christmas- and I decided to go with the Lee kit. I read the reviews on midway's site and decided for the price it couldn't be beat and happy with it so far. And if you decide you don't want to stick with it you're not out nearly as much as if you get the RCBS kit. As a side note, asking about brands is like asking ford vs chevy vs dodge. Everyone will tell you one brand is good and the other's are crap.
Ok, so i am going to buy that kit, what kinda of dies do i need? Sorry to ask again, just want to get it right before i order. The first round i want to work on is the .308. Right now i shoot is the M118LR(i know, hard round to start with) that i shoot out of my M14. What powder? Thanks
Hi Mike, your interest in reloading is refreshing to hear, but before you start dumping powder in a case, and I can't stress this enough, you have got to get at least one good reloading manual, I prefer the Lyman 48th Edition Reloading Handbook......there are several other good books and others will let you know that here...I think the Lyman Handbook is as good as any...I started with a Lyman manual over 20 years ago....Its a great foundation for your introduction to reloading.......oh yeah The Lee kit is a good starter kit.......and if you feel the need for a little heavier duty press later on you can use the lee for your handgun stuff and step up to a RCBS rock chucker for the bottleneck stuff.(I've had the same Rockchucker press since I started) THANKS FOR READING MY NOVEL[;)] and happy reloading.
Now the Lee Classic cast press would make you a fine press for any and all of your reloading chores
But it MAY not be srong enough for large cartriges such as 308,30/06 or other larger rifle rounds
A guy I work with bought one and it broke after about 80 cases of 308. These presses would probably be fine for pistol cases they are built very cheaply and break the toggle links when used for heavy resizing such as large rifles
The Classic cast is only arond $70 so you would still be under $200 for the whole set up
And dont forget to order dies and make sure your kit has shell holders if not be sure to order them[;)]
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690496 or this
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690932
what is the differance really? All i see is 4 holes in one
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602007-cat20849&id=0031351215763a&navCount=2&podId=0031351&parentId=cat20849&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat20849&hasJS=true
I'd like to jump in now, if I may, as I too am looking for a proper set up. I "think" I've found it - but if I now say anything wrong or misguided, I will appreciate your setting me straight.
I will be loading .308 to begin with (for a Remington 700 "heavy barrel",) and maybe .44 mag and 9mm once I have more experience (but I do mostly rifle shooting now.) I reloaded .44 Mag and .38 about 30 years ago, but nothing since.
I think I'll go with the "classic" Lee turret press, as - except for a few "nit-picky" reviews - it gets 5-star ratings almost exclusively, and a couple of the reviews said it was fine for .308.
I was considering the Lee 1000 progressive press, but all the reviews say it's a turkey - so I'll stick with the turret, since it's 5-star, and the other progressives and turrets are all pretty expensive!
One of the reviews of the Lee turret press said it had some "slop" in it - so that it wasn't as accurate at resizing cases as the other presses - and therefore couldn't make super accurate rounds because of that (though it is fine for target ammo.)
So what I thought I might do is use my 30 year-old (but only moderately used) single stage RCBS press (the smaller one than the Chucker) just to resize my .308 cases (I'd get a Lee resizing die, as I assume Lee dies work on RCBS presses?) and then use the turret press for everything else.
That ought to allow me to load accurate loads with the Lee - especially since their $30 powder measure http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=348753 seems to be one of the most accurate made (at least according to the Midway reviews.)
I already have an old, but still fully functional RCBS lever scale(for check measuring loads,) and will buy the press, .308 dies, auto-primer, powder measure and other recommended items for the press from Midway in order to get started - along with a good manual, of course.
If any of you see any possible problems for me in my choices, I'd appreciate your input.
I intend to start off very slowly and carefully with the turret press, and triple check all my steps; but I want the turret so that once I know fully what I'm doing, I'll then have the ability to load faster as my knowledge and ability increases.
So thanks a lot for any comments.
It will resize brass
But it MAY not be srong enough for large cartriges such as 308,30/06 or other larger rifle rounds
A guy I work with bought one and it broke after about 80 cases of 308. These presses would probably be fine for pistol cases they are built very cheaply and break the toggle links when used for heavy resizing such as large rifles
The challenger will re-size big calibers such as 25/06 and .270. I have had one for about 2 years now an have re-loaded sevral hundred rounds of both. I am getting ready to start loading .308 as well. I haven't had any trouble at all.
For my money it will always be an RCBS or a Redding.
Good luck with whatever you decide[;)]
I have been loading rifle pistol and shotgun since 1963 and at one time or another I think I have not only used but still have in working order most of the presses mentioned here and then some. In fact it ususally works out to a sepcific press for specific ammo when all is said and done.
I have an old CH press that I bought in 1989 and still use it once in a while but my Redding, Lee and RCBS have all been shelved in favor of the Dillon presses.
I have the 550 for rifle ammo especially for loading my varmit ammo which I want the best accuracy that I can get with a multiple stage press. It has been my go to press for a long time and doesn't matter whether I am loading my 22s or 257 or 30 cals. It always throws rounds accurate enough to cover 3 shot groups with dime to quarter size holes over and over. Most of the growing groups has to do with my advancing age than poor performance with a press.
I also use the 650 and 1050 for pistol rounds but it is only because I already had the presses and just have them all set up so I don't have to make many changes.
I use a MEC 9,000 for all of my SG loading.
But the point is that with the warranty that Dillon has on all his presses along with their durability and accuracy I find it hard to beat even the going prices as mentioned in one of the other repllies.
I am currently helping a couple of younger guys get their first set up and it is the Dillon 550B and they are going in together for all the pieces and parts and will both be loading 308 to begin with.
My personal recommendation would be to check out all the benefits of the Dillons before you put any money into any other press.
A good example for me is that I had used the 550 for about 6 years and then decided to have them check it out and replace anything that was worn etc. I got it back about 5 days later with nearly every part new and they never charged me a dime. It is true I load a lot of ammo on mine so they do have a chance to wear more than usual but Dillon after rebuilding all of my presses has never charged me for checkup. In addition if you ever have a problem, they have someone to guide you or help you immediatly.
Just another little bit of food for thought. Why not buy the best and know that for as long as you own it and regardless of how you use it, they will and do stand behind their products.
Kenny
If you go to Midway and read all of those bad reviews most of those guys are complaining about spent primers missing the catcher and getting on the floor and the catcher being a little awkward to get off of the press. The easy way to keep from spilling the primer catcher when removing it is not to let it fill up to overflowing before you emty it.
For my money it will always be an RCBS or a Redding.
Good luck with whatever you decide[;)]
+1