Looking for some reloading info

bigfoot_4

Hi all,
I have been away from reloading for many years, and am getting ready to dive back into it. I am the type that does not mind spending the extra money on good equipment. So this being said I am looking for input on today's reloading equipment. I know this is going to be a frenzy of who likes what better. I know that most people that are happy with what they are using will stay with it. So what I am trying to get input on is with the knowledge you have now and if your not all that concerned about the cost. What reloading equipment would you buy today? I will primarily be loading rifle ammunition. But may down road get into handgun loading again. But for right now it will be for 338-06 cal & 7mm Dakota & 300WSM.

Shoot Straight
Bigfoot

MIKE WISKEY

for a single stage press go green (RCBS), dies too (RCBS & REDDING), if you want a progresive go blue (DILLON).

dcs shooters

Agree with MW all the way [;)]

Mtnlover

Agree completely with the RCBS (Rockchucker) press and Redding dies. The next investment you should consider is a good chronograph, like Pact. Throw in digital calipers (now on sale) and neck turning dies from Sinclair and you're well on your way.

CapnMidnight

Agree with what everyone has said. The biggest inovation to come to reloading in the last few years is the electric powder scales, RCBS and Lyman both make good products. I have the RCBS and love it, speeds reloading while maintaining precise measurement.
Enjoy.
W.D.

jonk

The Lee classic cast- not to be confused with their decent but not-nearly-as-robust O frame challenger- is as beefy as the Rockchucker and about 1/2 the cost, plus offers a few options that the Rockchucker lacks.

I'm a Rockchucker owner, so that's pretty high praise.

Lyman's O frame presses are also quite good.

I'd go lee if I were going to do it again.

That said, my Lee O frame that I started with has only 1 weak point, and that is the toggle link. I've busted 1 in about 10,000 rounds of loading and Lee sent me a new one for free. The press ITSELF i.e. the frame, is fine even for magnum cartridges, just that one weak spot in the linkage.

Scales and dispensers- PACT (not the BBK 2 though)as RCBS contracts with them and it is a lot cheaper to buy direct.

Drum type dispensers- RCBS uniflow for ball powders, lee perfect powder measure for stick. It LOOKS chinsy and leaks ball horribly but is top of the line for stick powder, that the RCBS unit grinds and binds on.

bigfoot_4

Thanks for your reply's.
OK, I guess I am about to step in it but it looks like a choice between a Redding Model T-7 Turret Press Or the RCBS Rock Chucker. The Redding looks very well built and I sort of like the idea of have the dies all set up. I plan on loading at this time 22-250 & 7mm Dakota and 338-06 so I am sort of leaning to the Redding. Is the Rock Chucker the better press? I had another post and I pretty much got go green, well there both green???
Any input will help.

Mtnlover

I think the choice of a turret press depends on whether you will be more oriented to volume/variety or precision. I confess that the moving turret parts make me nervous about dimensions that I expect to stay within .001 and I say that as a Redding fan. In addition, I am skeptical of the primer disposal tube system. Primers and the tumbling media that gets stuck in them tend to come apart when decapping and may not roll through the tube to the trash. Also, I wouldn't want a trash can right in front of my reloading stool. My personal choice would be the Rockchucker or the Redding Big Boss, but if the convenience of the turret grabs you, the Redding is a good bet.

skyfish

I like single stage for rifle for the accuracy. I use a RCBS that's about 30 years old, I'm only 36. Still looks new. I do think Press wise RCBS, Redding, Lyman, and even Hornady all make a very good press, never used a Lee. The digital scales and dispencers are better than great. I have a RCBS one and love it. I use Hornady dies now, still use a few RCBS. I do NOT shoot competition, I may use Redding or something else than if I did.

bigfoot_4

Thanks to everyone who helped me make my choice. I have decided on the Redding Big Boss. I am getting back into this to keep me occupied, save some greenbacks and to get my Coopers and my Dakota shooting the way I know they can. So why should I be in a hurry to get a bunch of ammo loaded. This is supposed to be fun right? Now if I can only find something cheaper for my DuraMax to drink besides Diesel I would really be a happy camper.[;)]

Shoot Straight,
Bigfoot [8D]

GoldenRoyBoy

Hello Everyone,
I'm new here but have been reloading for quite some time. After lurking for a few weeks, I can tell you a lot of folks here know a lot about reloading and shooting!

I personally like Hornady's LnL progressive for pistol; owning two. The LnLs do a good job on most rifle calibers but I prefer single stage for those. I own a Redding Boss single stage press also. Combined with RCBS's ChargeMaster system, and a good assortment of dies I do alright on my rifle reloads; some of which include 357 Maximum, 45-70, 32-40, 38-55, 308, and so on. I never shoot a single reload without testing them through my CE ProChrono; it's a gun saver! And, I never make up more than 5 rounds of anything before testing. I love my Encore and assortment of test barrels for doing just that. Nothing goes into my Sharps, or Trapdoors before being shot through my Encores first.

One more bit of advice. Buy a good bullet puller and don't be afraid to use it! I own 2! One is Franklin Arsenal's. The other, RCBS. Both are the less expensive inertia types and do the job just fine.

Hope something I've written helps!
GRB