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Posted: 7/12/2013 2:02:37 PM EDT
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I am now in the process of research, equipment and tools needed plus books and stuff. Going through the stickies now and stuff. For someone beginning would you recommend a Kit like LEE or RCBS or rather buying each thing individually and maybe spend a little more but acquire at the end better parts?
I am looking at loading what i carry now which is 30.06, 300 AAC BLK, 223/556, 9mm. |
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IMHO, I would start with something like the RCBS Master Crafter set. Start out using a single stage press and get thoroughly familiar with all of the techniques etc. I still have my 38 year old RCBS Rockchucker and use it all the time for small precision accuracy batches and hunting ammo. I bought Dillon and Hornady progressives later on. I have never had a press that did not work. Some are easier to use/set up, and make very accurate ammo, some are not so much. Use the Loading forums and the state forums to see if there is a fellow reloader who will tutor ya on the subject. Just be sure to take some swag along to grease the deal. You know, primers, powder. Some will take you up on it, some of us won't. Hope this helps. 44
p.s. feel free to email/IM me if you have any questions. |
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Quoted:
IMHO, I would start with something like the RCBS Master Crafter set. Start out using a single stage press and get thoroughly familiar with all of the techniques etc. I still have my 38 year old RCBS Rockchucker and use it all the time for small precision accuracy batches and hunting ammo. I bought Dillon and Hornady progressives later on. I have never had a press that did not work. Some are easier to use/set up, and make very accurate ammo, some are not so much. Use the Loading forums and the state forums to see if there is a fellow reloader who will tutor ya on the subject. Just be sure to take some swag along to grease the deal. You know, primers, powder. Some will take you up on it, some of us won't. Hope this helps. 44 p.s. feel free to email/IM me if you have any questions. Thanks!! I was looking at an RCBS kit that looks like it brings almost everything, single stage for sure. I want to start that way and eventually when i get real serious than go for more advance stuff but for now baby steps. |
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what about a Lee classic turret press? you can take out the index rod and it becomes a single stage. Once you get the hang of it, put the index rod back in and you've got yourself a turret press. No need to get two different presses later. I don't recall exactly which one but one of the lee turret press is aluminum and another is steel, get the steel one.
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with everything I spent getting a RCBS Rock Chucker system going for 9mm, I could have bought a Dillon Square Deal B.
I don't regret buying the RCBS as it is a quality piece of equipment and will be useful for many years to come. Weigh your options and spend your money wisely. |
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It's a matter of budget. If the RCBS kit is in your budget, that's what I would recommend. Remember no "kit" is complete, you will need a few more items. If all you can afford is the Lee, then there you go. If you are not in a hurry, picking up used tools is the cheapest way to get quality tools. Welcome to our hobby.
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| +1 with DryFlash. Depending on your budget and goals for reloading you should consider finding individual items that you would like to have. I was given a nice birthday gift of a Redding T-7 press, I purchased a used Redding BR-3 powder measure and picked up a used RCBS 505 scale that I use. I purchased primers trays, primer pocket brushes, shell holders for dirt cheap off of Craigslist. I opted for a Wilson case trimmer, reamer path and bought those new. In my opinion a fully supported case with the Wilson case trimmer was something I wanted instead of trimming brass placed in a shell holder. Another thing to consider is that if you find nice used stuff then you can resell those items because most reloading equipment retains good value. |
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Quoted: Where would you go to get USED tools? I'm in the market for a case trimmer and a couple other things. I don't know if I would trust buying a used scale, as Im looking for one of those too.  Funshow last April.  Funshow June 2012, notice my bench mounted Rockchucker to the right.  The Oct 2012 funshow I hit the motherlode of Dillon primer tubes for $1 each. Shared with a friend who had just bought a used 550 or I would have had double what's in the pic.  March 2012, powder measures Too. This is the 5th or 6th Redding PM I have bought for $30. Also craigs list, adds in local paper. Don't forget the EE. (Equipment Exchange, red button top of page) I have had people at work want to know if I want to buy...... If buying a used scale, make sure it zero's before buying. Stuff is out there, you just have to find it. |
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I started with the RCBS Rock Chucker Kit ..... I think $329 ....as mentioned you will still need to buy a few extra things
I loaded mainly hunting rifle and pistol rounds for awhile and then started shooting ipsc/idpa pistol matches and began loading 45 in quanity. It was then I knew I needed a progressive. Like others have said get what you can afford now .... get started and start loading Consider how many calibers your going to load and how many rounds per month you load/actually shoot I have a Dillon XL650 now set up for 45acp and 223Rem ..... still have the rock chucker when I need to load 44 / 22-250 / 25-06 / 308 |
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Quoted:
I started with the RCBS Rock Chucker Kit ..... I think $329 ....as mentioned you will still need to buy a few extra things I loaded mainly hunting rifle and pistol rounds for awhile and then started shooting ipsc/idpa pistol matches and began loading 45 in quanity. It was then I knew I needed a progressive. Like others have said get what you can afford now .... get started and start loading Consider how many calibers your going to load and how many rounds per month you load/actually shoot I have a Dillon XL650 now set up for 45acp and 223Rem ..... still have the rock chucker when I need to load 44 / 22-250 / 25-06 / 308 I think i might go this route as well. Might take it a bit longer to get all the parts together but im not in a hurry to start this process in a month. I am looking at the 650 as well and go from there, start at the top even if it takes me a bit longer rather than spending money upgrading. I currently own several calibers so i would eventually do all of them. 9mm, 30.06, 300 BLK, 223, future .308, 6.8 and perhaps a 50. |
Op here is a good review of the Lee Classic Cast Turrent Press HERE. I started out with this press 5 1/2 year ago. You can use it as a single stage by taking the index rod out. If you get extra turrents caliber changes are a snap. I have loaded thousands of 9mm, .38 , 40, .45 and .223 on it. Not too expensive. I am able to knock out about 100 to 150 rounds an hour taking my time, weighing at least every 10th. Measuring OAL also. Sometimes I take the index rod and use it as a single stage. YMMV. Just my .02.
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| Looks like I gotta start heading up to WA for the fun shows. Here in Central Oregon, the shows have been kinda lame. Prices are too high and the lines are a mile long. You definately scored there though! I'm going to start keeping an eye out on CL and EE for the last couple things I need. |
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