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MileHighShooter
Posts: 4,997 Senior Member
Back into reloading....step one
MileHighShooter
Posts: 4,997 Senior Member
1. get a bench!
Step one, completed! Office across the parking lot from us bailed on the their rent. So last week guys were there to clean it out, we pilfered! I picked up a nice commercial style computer desk thats pretty dang sturdy. Its not quite as sturdy on my carpet now, but it'll do until I move and have somewhere with a solid floor to put it on. I can sit on it and kinda bounce, it moves forward, but I don't think it'll collapse. And putting my full weight is more pressure then it'll get from even hard to form cases or a stuck case (I hope lol)
It has a 1" thick table top. Frankly, its more sturdy then my last branch that still currently resides at my brothers. That one had some skimpy legs and was maybe 1/2" thick.
Its 6ft wide, so I've got some good room to work with for various crap. I'm a bit worried about things tipping over if I have to REALLY put pressure on it...guess I'll just have to prepare for that some how.
Step 2....I think is going to be more focused on getting a hold of some of the various tools and such, before I get a press. Tumbler, scale, all the little knick knacks like primer pocket tools, primer loader, shell holders...all that crap.
Dies, of course, as I find good deals on them. I always see some killer deals on various for sale forums on my other shooting board. Brass, well, we'll see. At least for the 300, I'll hold onto the factory stuff I shoot because there really isn't much better brass then the Norma/Weatherby stuff that is available. I know Nosler has some, but at the same time factory Weatherby brass is held in VERY high regards for quality.
Powders, bullets, primers....again, all stuff to buy up here and there, piece by piece. I already know I need to put a large stock of RL22 on the bench, *hopefully* that'll feed most of what I'll end up shooting. As well, probably RL17 for my non-mags. Been looking over manuals, web sites, forums and such, and it always seems Reliant stuff is in the upper end of velocity and accuracy.
This also re-opens projects I had worried about with costs, like the 240 Wby or 257 Wby, 9.3x62, 416 Ruger, 458 Win Mag or 458 Accurate Reloading ( the AR mags are based on shortened, blown out RUM brass....several years before the damn near identical Ruger's came about). The 458 AR either gives 458 CLAIMED velocity with lower pressure, or 458 Lott at normal pressure in a shorter action. Of course, I'll be working up from the bottom with that one! Might just do 458 Win first, because the chamber can always be re-reamed later. 45/70 loads from a bolt action call to me!
Most importantly...I can start using Barnes again without taking out a small loan LOL
Step one, completed! Office across the parking lot from us bailed on the their rent. So last week guys were there to clean it out, we pilfered! I picked up a nice commercial style computer desk thats pretty dang sturdy. Its not quite as sturdy on my carpet now, but it'll do until I move and have somewhere with a solid floor to put it on. I can sit on it and kinda bounce, it moves forward, but I don't think it'll collapse. And putting my full weight is more pressure then it'll get from even hard to form cases or a stuck case (I hope lol)
It has a 1" thick table top. Frankly, its more sturdy then my last branch that still currently resides at my brothers. That one had some skimpy legs and was maybe 1/2" thick.
Its 6ft wide, so I've got some good room to work with for various crap. I'm a bit worried about things tipping over if I have to REALLY put pressure on it...guess I'll just have to prepare for that some how.
Step 2....I think is going to be more focused on getting a hold of some of the various tools and such, before I get a press. Tumbler, scale, all the little knick knacks like primer pocket tools, primer loader, shell holders...all that crap.
Dies, of course, as I find good deals on them. I always see some killer deals on various for sale forums on my other shooting board. Brass, well, we'll see. At least for the 300, I'll hold onto the factory stuff I shoot because there really isn't much better brass then the Norma/Weatherby stuff that is available. I know Nosler has some, but at the same time factory Weatherby brass is held in VERY high regards for quality.
Powders, bullets, primers....again, all stuff to buy up here and there, piece by piece. I already know I need to put a large stock of RL22 on the bench, *hopefully* that'll feed most of what I'll end up shooting. As well, probably RL17 for my non-mags. Been looking over manuals, web sites, forums and such, and it always seems Reliant stuff is in the upper end of velocity and accuracy.
This also re-opens projects I had worried about with costs, like the 240 Wby or 257 Wby, 9.3x62, 416 Ruger, 458 Win Mag or 458 Accurate Reloading ( the AR mags are based on shortened, blown out RUM brass....several years before the damn near identical Ruger's came about). The 458 AR either gives 458 CLAIMED velocity with lower pressure, or 458 Lott at normal pressure in a shorter action. Of course, I'll be working up from the bottom with that one! Might just do 458 Win first, because the chamber can always be re-reamed later. 45/70 loads from a bolt action call to me!
Most importantly...I can start using Barnes again without taking out a small loan LOL
Replies
I would tell you to get the press before the other stuff, though. A Lee Classic Cast press is just too dang cheap and easy to come by. It will put you much closer to being able to actually build loads than most of the small knick-kacks. You're really only a scale, dies and some components away from at least being able to make loads.
Although a balance beam scale is more than adequate...I've grown to love my PACT digital powder dispenser and scale...(I keep the balance beam for when the power goes out)...
I'm going to look into things a lot more this time around. Last time it all came as a "package" buying someone else's entire bench, dies, powder, bullets, brass....there was tons of stuff there.
Luis,
Only reason I'm waiting for the press last, is 1, I'd really like a nice press, and 2....well, not going to have a chance to load and use anything anytime soon so....
Cut a hole in a box...
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
:spittingcoffee:
FWIW, I loaded for over 30 years before getting a tumbler. They're nice to have, but not a necessity in my book.
Get a good notebook of some sort and take meticulous notes. I could no more tell you the loads I use from memory than I can fly. I know where and how to look it up, though, and how those loads perform from my rifles.
A good chronograph, if you don't already have one, is nice to have. I'd rather have a chrony than a tumbler, if I had to make a choice.
When I started reloading, a good loading manual was very important to have. With the web access we have today to good load data, though, it's not nearly as important. Still, most reloading manuals have a 'how to' section, and that's always a good thing to have handy.
A case trimmer is another piece of equipment that might come in handy.
Good luck, and don't blow your head off.
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
I know most of what I need, and what is NICE to have and such. Of course its a bit dusty even just after a few years away from it because it was totally gone from my thoughts. I've got some books already, and I have A set of dies....with no rifle lol. Never could sell my 25 wssm dies. 300 Wby dies sold in about 30 minutes after posting!
I think this time around I'm going to seriously consider stepping up to Forster stuff. I always wanted some, but it wasn't a necessity back then since I had gear. Now that I'm starting from scratch.....
A chrony is on my list for sure. I didn't buy the last one, so I'll have to look into the various models and of course ask here for suggestions.
If you do not already have one I would get a reloading manual.
Keeping in mind I do a tremendous amount of case prep. Much more than most think necessary.
I get the manuals produced by the bullet manufactures (Hornady, Speer, Nosler, Barnes…) and read the first part of the manual several times.
I would hold off on all of the extras (Neck Uniformers, Primer Pocket Uniformers, Flash hole deburing tools) until I get the basics down.
I would get a good electronic scale/dispenser (RCBS), A good electronic case trimmer, case mouth deburring tool, 2 good sets of calipers and some bullet comparators, and a Hand or bench mounted primer press and of course Dies, Press and case holders.
Once you get the basics down you can start on the Case uniforming.
Good luck and have fun.
I am with the others urging you to get a press right away, but I will caution you to stay away from the Lee junk. RCBS is a great place to start without spending a great deal of money. You need to have a foundation upon which you will build your reloading environment.
Ah, Peg. I see that you're back to your old tactful ways.
I'm guessing that you Temmi are old friends, and you just like to bust each other's chops.
Gun control laws make about as much sense as taking ex-lax to cure a cough.
I gotta contest you boys on the Lee point, but only in one instance. In every other case, I wouldn't touch a Lee press with a 10 foot pole, but the Lee Classic Cast Press is one press they made absolutely right. Prior to that, every press I saw from Lee was utter junk that I would never want to own. I took the plunge and requested one from my wife for Christmas. That was 6 years ago and it's been rocking along wonderfully ever since. The primer system (both capping and decapping) is excellent and it's the one piece of hardware that Lee actually overbuilt. It will even make .50 BMG ammo with a retrofit kit if you feel so inclined. I've produced thousands and thousands of excellent, low-runout rounds with mine and would buy another one without batting an eye. Any other Lee press, steer clear, but the Classic Cast press is the real deal, and at only $89 at some online retailers, an absolute steal.
I have never met Temni. The recommendations he made are WAY out of line for somebody who just wants to get back into reloading.
Remember, perfect is the enemy of good enough.
What temna recommended is stuff that has to do with post graduate courses in handloading when the OP doesn't even own a press. And I am sorry to say that Lee is a very poor choice of equipment on which to build a good reloading setup. I am sure there is worse reloading equipment than Lee, but off-hand I can't think of any.
^This. Ebay is your friend. Lots of killer deals on reloading equipment there. Don't forget to watch Gunlistings.org and Armslist.com
We've talked about it a bunch lately, I really like Hornady basic die sets. Don't get me wrong, I have Redding TypeS, both neck, and full size bushing, also Forster bushing bump dies, etc. FWIW, I also think the the Forster Original Trimmer kit, for ~$85 is the best deal going in that area, esp because you can also turn it into a neck reamer, and an outside neck turner. Good stuff.
I used to have a bunch of Lee stuff. Note the used to part. Only thing I have left, or like of theirs is a .223 factory crimp die. That thing is the bomb for making mixed brass, non trimmed, crimped loads for an AR.
Just to clarify, I used to reload. I have reloaded for the 300 Wby, 300 Win Mag, 30-06, 358 Win, 223, and 2 243's. I used to use some of the (deemed here) "advanced" tools like flash hole deburring tools, pocket/neck uniforming tools, etc. And, I'll use them again. I have worked with about 6 powders, several weights/brands of bullets in each cartridge. I anally sort my brass and bullets by tenths and sometimes hundreds. I triple check my seating depths and was getting to the point of experimenting with those depths.....I am not exactly a green horn fellas.
And I'm sticking to my plan, I have no need for a press anytime soon. And if I get a press, I'm not going to have the rest of the tools I want, and it'll push me to buy them when they are not in the financial plan. I'm going for quality equipment this time. I may look at Lee, I may look at Hornady or RCBS, but just the same I'm going to look at Forster and such too.
For those that have shot and/or hunted with me, or remember my posting from a few years ago when I did reload, I am one helluva stickler. Lately yes, my standards may have dropped a bit, but I'm also using factory ammo and just don't care that much lol. Once my set up is all done, I'll be back to pre-sorting by tenths of a gram, hand trickling powder, finishing powder charges down to the hundredth if possible one grain at a time. When I start rollin again, I aint gonna be happy until the holes are touching and the spread is as low as possible. Hell last group I ever shot from my own ammo I had 3 go identical speed and 1 was only off by about 10fps.
I do appreciate the help though, not trying to stick my nose up at anyone, just sayin.... I got a sense of whats going on
I have responded to more than one post before I fully read it, so not to be argumentative, which part of:
“I would get a good electronic scale/dispenser (RCBS), A good electronic case trimmer, case mouth deburring tool, 2 good sets of calipers and some bullet comparators, and a Hand or bench mounted primer press”
Is not required for “non-match or non-premium reloads”?
You need a scale, you might as well get a good one out of the gate
For rifle reloading you must trim cases and if you do you need a deburring tool
Gotta have calipers
“some bullet comparators”, ya got me but they are cheap and nice to have but defiantly not a must have
Hand or bench mounted primer press, you must prime cases, the tool that comes with the press is hard to use, come on you would really not recommend a Hand primer press for standard reloading?
The Chargemaster really, really helps in this area. I'm just about as exacting as you, and it saves hours of trickling time. Load development is a snap, just punch in what you what, hit dispense. Well, well worth the 300 clams.
....maybe.
-Mikhail Kalashnikov
For rifle reloading you DO NOT need to trim cases, certainly not every time. I shoot my rifle ammo at a greater rate than most people. For example, my .308 match ammo consists of 500 Lapua cases, which I cycle through regularly. I trim the cases after 5 firings and it's not because they are too long, it's to keep them consistent in a very tight match chamber. Linefinder and others have shown many times that cases would need to be VERY long before they present a problem. So, unless the OP has only 20 cases that he reloads over an over again, trimming cases is not a priority.
The dispenser (I use a Chargemaster,) is a wonderful but somewhat pricey device. If you're going to get one, the only worthwhile one is the Chargemaster for around $300. If you must load a lot of match ammo, it's the way to go. If you load only for hunting, plinking or target loads and not in semi-industrial quatities, a powder measure and a beam scale is very cost effective. I still use my powder measure for pistol ammo and it works just fine.
A deburring tool is definitely worth it, but these gadgets are usually part of a press starter kit. Bullet comparators are not required as you agreed. And you do not need fancy calipers; the plastic RCBS or equivalent, also usually found in press starter kits are the way to go.
At any rate, I reread the thread and I must confess that I do not understand its goal. The OP reminds us he's not a green horn when it comes to reloading, but he does not plan to buy a press, he just wants to know what else to get. He does allude to having ulterior motives, but I don't read between the (electronic) lines very well. So, I have no clue what this thread really is about. So this is my final post on this thread. (:uhm:
Son that's somebody with nothing to do with his time but keep me in trouble with mom.
The thread was just me saying I'm finally getting back into it
I'll check that out. Sounds like something I'd like to have on my bench
You really should have posted an "I'm just kidding" emoticon with this...some people , new to reloading might take you seriously. Of course we all know that using a vacuum cleaner in your reloading area is a hugely BAD idea...
I LOVE my Chargemaster!!!!!!
I also LOVE my Forster Co-AX Press.
The two best pieces of kit this newbie has on my bench.
I'm back home and I'm better now.
If you are looking to rebuild your reloading, or as I like to call it, your handloading workshop, there are two items that you need to select carefully and spend the appropriate money on; the press and the scale.
Reading the recents experiences from BPS with his new loading setup, I can't help but be mighty pleased that he took my recomendation for the Chargemaster. I have had mine now for close to 5 years and I still think it's the greatest loading tool ever. It just allows me to load my match ammo with the greatest of precision and in large amounts. I pumped out 800 rounds of match ammo in the weeks before Lodi. I loaded 500 rounds of .308 over one weekend, and then a few days before leaving, I loaded 300 rounds of .223 match ammo for my back up rifle and that just took three hours to accomplish. Dropping and trickling would simply not have worked for me, not for those quantities of ammo and the consistent precision required.
Last year, I finally upgraded my RCBS Rockchucker press of 27 years to a Redding T-7 Turret press. I do not know why I waited so long to do so, it is a fabulous tool. I have my two sets of Redding match dies constantly ready, nothing to screw in or out, just change the shell holder and go. The caming power of the press is tremendous and makes the whole case preparation thing effortless. Once I have set my dies, I simply do not change them around and I like that.
Over the years of competition, I have formed opinions on what works and what makes a difference in the precision you can produce in your ammo and confer long life on your cases. I buy top quality virgin brass and I do not want to have to throw it away after just a few loads. But that's just me.
I will inject a caveat here, I only load for two rifle calibers and I have one recipe for both cartridges. I keep meticulous track of the cases and know exactly how many firings each has had and when it was trimmed and so on. My methodology may not be applicable to those who load for various rifles using different recipes and bullets at different times. So if you change all the time and are not into extreme precision, the T-7 may not be applicable because at that point, there is no need to maintain consistency in die setup for thousands of rounds at a time. You can use any single stage press (as long as it's not a Lee.)