New to Reloading, Chapter 2: Gathering the Goods

[Nirbhao]

A month ago, I posted a thread, asking for your advice in what to acquire in order to begin reloading a few calibers: http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/long-time-shooter-never-reloaded-first-post.3905524/ You were extremely helpful, and I turn to you once more.

So far, I've accumulated the following materials:

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press
RCBS Rock Chucker Primer Catcher
Inline Case Ejector System for Rock Chucker
Inline Ultramount for Rock Chucker
RCBS Combo Chargemaster
RCBS M500 Manual Scale
RCBS Trim Mate
RCBS Trim Mate Primer Pocket Uniformer, Small
RCBS Trim Mate Military Crimp Remover, Small
RCBS Trim Mate Primer Pocket Uniformer, Large Rifle
RCBS Stuck Case Remover
RCBS Hand Priming Tool
RCBS #3 Shellholder
RCBS Universal 50 round Reloading Tray
Wilson Micrometer Case Trimmer
Wilson 7.92x57 Case Holder
Wilson .308 Case Holder New Brass
Wilson .308 Case Holder Fired Brass
Satern 30 Cal Powder Funnel
Satern .323 Powder Funnel
Forster Micrometer Seating Die .308
Forster FL Sizing Die .308
Forster Micrometer Seating Die 7.92x57
Forster FL Sizing Die 7.92x57
Die Storage Boxes, Forster/Lee
Lee Universal Depriming Decapping Die w/ extra pins
MTM Peel and Stick Labels
MTM Flip-top 50 Round Rifle Ammo Box (7.92x57)
MTM Flip-top 100 Round Rifle Ammo Box (.308)
Hornady Manual 9th Edition
Nosler Reloading Guide 8
Starrett 1202 Dial Caliper
Hornady LNL OAL Gauge
Hornady 14-insert Comparator Set
Hornady Comparator Anvil (2)
Hornady One Shot Case Lube
Sinclair 8mm Comparator insert
Redding Imperial Sizing Wax
500 Prvi 8mm FMJBT 198gr Projectiles
500 Hornady Match .308 FMJHPBT 168gr Projectiles
354 .308 Sierra MatchKing JHPBT 168gr Projectiles
3 lbs. Hodgdon Varget
3 lbs. IMR 4895
1 lb. IMR 4198
1 can Reliant Reloder 7
1 can Accurate 5744
2000 Wolf SRM Primers
1000 Winchester LR Primers
500 Federal #210 LR Primers
1100 CCI #200 LR Primers
200 CCI #250 LR Primers
400 pcs. once-fired .308 brass

I know that I'm missing something, aside from a pile of weight in the wallet. Some of it came right from online vendors, some of it from forum deals, some from a gun show. I haven't done anything about pistol or .223 dies, in fact, I haven't given pistol too much thought yet, although I'd probably like to reload .45 Colt. I still need a bench to get set up on, but a friend forwarded me Elfster's DIY reloading bench video.

My questions are three, other than your insight on any gaps in what I've accumulated so far. One, what's typically the best place to set up in? Two, thoughts on concentricity gauges? And three, thoughts on neck turners.

Again, thanks for all the help.

 

[ebb]

I may have missed it but I didn't see anything to trim cases. If you are loading new cases you wont need it right away, but will on fired brass. Set up somewhere quiet, K&M neck turner or pumpkin

 

[Nirbhao]

I may have missed it but I didn't see anything to trim cases. If you are loading new cases you wont need it right away, but will on fired brass. Set up somewhere quiet, K&M neck turner or pumpkin

There's a Wilson Micrometer trimmer in the list up there, with case holders. Which K&M do you like?

 

[joshb]

+2 on a neck turning set up. The only other materials are a few or 5 thousand bullets and a few more pounds of powder, say 50 or so. Oh and lots more primers Sort of kidding. Nice list! Fairly complete to start. When I find a "good load" , I try to buy a large lot of powder, primers and bullets to reproduce that load for as many rounds as I think I'm going to shoot. This is why you hear about guys buying multiple 8 pounders and mixing them for consistency. Prolly a little up the road for you. Good luck!

 

[ebb]

I didn't know there was more than one, Ive had mine for years. Dumb ass reply " the blue one. " Mines blue if that's any help? Ive got a really old Marquette neck trimmer and it looks just as capable as the K&M. Almost the same mechanism. Ive also got a Wilson trimmer and case holders but never used it. I like the Lee set up that's so simple nobody will use it cause it not cool. Get a stuck case remover, I had a rough time learning how much one shot case lube to use.

 

[Nirbhao]

+2 on a neck turning set up. The only other materials are a few or 5 thousand bullets and a few more pounds of powder, say 50 or so. Oh and lots more primers Sort of kidding. Nice list! Fairly complete to start. When I find a "good load" , I try to buy a large lot of powder, primers and bullets to reproduce that load for as many rounds as I think I'm going to shoot. This is why you hear about guys buying multiple 8 pounders and mixing them for consistency. Prolly a little up the road for you. Good luck!

Yeah, I've been skunked so far on getting eight-pounders in what I wanted. The bunch that I came across in a private transaction were all small jugs but the price was too good to pass up.

 

[hogpatrol]

Divorce lawyer, apartment app, second job, psychiatric help and possibly medication.

 

[Cujo]

Set up your reloading bench in a place that's comfortable. My last setup was in the garage where it would be 110 degrees in the summer. I'd be throwing powder on the kitchen island and other case prep there. It wasn't ideal. Now I have everything setup in the house and it works great. Since it's cool and comfortable, I don't mind spending time in there.

I wouldn't worry too much about concentricity gauges for now. I use the Accuracy One and like it but it doesn't get used all of the time.

My second favorite piece of reloading equipment is the 21st Century neck turning lathe. It makes turning necks fast, easy and repeatable. It gets expensive though once you add everything up.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

You really need to alpha-betize that list.. Know this: the list is never complete.. I keep buying just one more thing that I need or is handy..

 

[Nirbhao]

You really need to alpha-betize that list.. Know this: the list is never complete.. I keep buying just one more thing that I need or is handy..

Nah, I don't want to make it too easy for her lawyers.

 

[CTK]

You did the right thing by asking for advice here. I have bought every tool/accessory at least twice until found the right one. Really my favorite second purchase was the Satern powder funnels. Amazing how $12.00 items can make you happy. I have multiple 50 rd. plastic case loading holders. I am now thinking of buying some of the wood ones from Sinclair. If I were you, I would buy another set of calipers. Would get an inexpensive electronic one to use with your various comparators.

 

[Sniper338]

You jumped the gun imo. If you arent loading yet and dont know what powders your rifles want no reason to buy everything.. same with primers.. slow down and buy as you need it.. many things there you will buy something different eventually thats better IF you get deep into it..

 

[joshb]

Sniper has a point. You should work on small lots, first but for shooting the 308 there are a few powders that work great 99% of the time 4064, 4895, Varget. You can buy an 8 lb. jug with confidence. I foresee another hiccup in the supply chain coming.

 

[nvbroncrider]

As far as reading material and explanations hard to beat the Norma manual. It's a good one looks like your pretty well set up. Way better than I was when I started this adventure.

 

[yotehater]

You certainly have a good start. I'd recommend extra shellholders for the cartridges you plan to use frequently. One in the hand priming tool, one in the decapping press, one in the rock chucker. It sure helps avoid the switching the shell holder game. Maybe I didn't notice which dies. Neck bushings, inline seater. Oh your wallet ain't seen nothing yet.
Have fun.

edit, got to have carbide pistol dies.

 

[Sniper338]

You certainly have a good start. I'd recommend extra shellholders for the cartridges you plan to use frequently. One in the hand priming tool, one in the decapping press, one in the rock chucker. It sure helps avoid the switching the shell holder game. Maybe I didn't notice which dies. Neck bushings, inline seater. Oh your wallet ain't seen nothing yet.
Have fun.

edit, got to have carbide pistol dies.

 

[Nirbhao]

You jumped the gun imo. If you arent loading yet and dont know what powders your rifles want no reason to buy everything.. same with primers.. slow down and buy as you need it.. many things there you will buy something different eventually thats better IF you get deep into it..

Like I said before, I got a deal that I couldn't pass up. I calculated the conservative retail, hazmat, and shipping on what this guy was selling as about $550, and he wanted $250 just to get it done and avoid tire kickers.

 

[joshb]

With that, I'd say you're shopping smart!

 

[Webster]

A month ago, I posted a thread, asking for your advice in what to acquire in order to begin reloading a few calibers: http://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/long-time-shooter-never-reloaded-first-post.3905524/ You were extremely helpful, and I turn to you once more.

So far, I've accumulated the following materials:

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press
RCBS Rock Chucker Primer Catcher
Inline Case Ejector System for Rock Chucker
Inline Ultramount for Rock Chucker
RCBS Combo Chargemaster
RCBS M500 Manual Scale
RCBS Trim Mate
RCBS Trim Mate Primer Pocket Uniformer, Small
RCBS Trim Mate Military Crimp Remover, Small
RCBS Trim Mate Primer Pocket Uniformer, Large Rifle
RCBS Stuck Case Remover
RCBS Hand Priming Tool
RCBS #3 Shellholder
RCBS Universal 50 round Reloading Tray
Wilson Micrometer Case Trimmer
Wilson 7.92x57 Case Holder
Wilson .308 Case Holder New Brass
Wilson .308 Case Holder Fired Brass
Satern 30 Cal Powder Funnel
Satern .323 Powder Funnel
Forster Micrometer Seating Die .308
Forster FL Sizing Die .308
Forster Micrometer Seating Die 7.92x57
Forster FL Sizing Die 7.92x57
Die Storage Boxes, Forster/Lee
Lee Universal Depriming Decapping Die w/ extra pins
MTM Peel and Stick Labels
MTM Flip-top 50 Round Rifle Ammo Box (7.92x57)
MTM Flip-top 100 Round Rifle Ammo Box (.308)
Hornady Manual 9th Edition
Nosler Reloading Guide 8
Starrett 1202 Dial Caliper
Hornady LNL OAL Gauge
Hornady 14-insert Comparator Set
Hornady Comparator Anvil (2)
Hornady One Shot Case Lube
Sinclair 8mm Comparator insert
Redding Imperial Sizing Wax
500 Prvi 8mm FMJBT 198gr Projectiles
500 Hornady Match .308 FMJHPBT 168gr Projectiles
354 .308 Sierra MatchKing JHPBT 168gr Projectiles
3 lbs. Hodgdon Varget
3 lbs. IMR 4895
1 lb. IMR 4198
1 can Reliant Reloder 7
1 can Accurate 5744
2000 Wolf SRM Primers
1000 Winchester LR Primers
500 Federal #210 LR Primers
1100 CCI #200 LR Primers
200 CCI #250 LR Primers
400 pcs. once-fired .308 brass

I know that I'm missing something, aside from a pile of weight in the wallet. Some of it came right from online vendors, some of it from forum deals, some from a gun show. I haven't done anything about pistol or .223 dies, in fact, I haven't given pistol too much thought yet, although I'd probably like to reload .45 Colt. I still need a bench to get set up on, but a friend forwarded me Elfster's DIY reloading bench video.

My questions are three, other than your insight on any gaps in what I've accumulated so far. One, what's typically the best place to set up in? Two, thoughts on concentricity gauges? And three, thoughts on neck turners.

Again, thanks for all the help.

I have been reloading for 45 years and you have more equipment than I have. My 6BR shoots small groups. You didn't describe your rifles or what you are using them for. You cannot turn a factory deer rifle into a competition quality rifle by buying gauges and micrometers.

 

[Nirbhao]

I have been reloading for 45 years and you have more equipment than I have. My 6BR shoots small groups. You didn't describe your rifles or what you are using them for. You cannot turn a factory deer rifle into a competition quality rifle by buying gauges and micrometers.

I agree about your turd-polishing observation. I'm also of the opinion that we're soon going to be told that what we have is what we get to keep ... maybe. With that in mind, I've overbought, a bit. Most of the shooting that I did beforehand was position-oriented. I've gravitated towards the bench, in increasingly poor health. I hit paper and steel, and buy my meat at the grocery store. Nothing against DIY, just not my thing.

Rifle #1 is a six-digit R700 LA, trued by LRI, in 8mm Mauser, with a threaded 26" Douglas XX barrel, capped with a YHM Phantom .338 QD FH, iin an approximately Remington Varmint contour, sitting in a Manners T5. The trigger is original to the action and set at about 2.5 lbs.

Rifle #2 is a more recent vintage R700 SA, with the dreaded J-bolt, the action and 26" barrel ripped out of its Varmint Synthetic stock and bedded in a McMillan A5. The trigger is original and should be replaced, along with the barrel, but it keeps shooting sub-MOA groups.

Rifle #3 is a v5 ORF M76, absolutely stock.

Rifle #4 is a DMRish AR in 5.45x39, with a 12" VLTOR VIS-3 polylithic upper/handrail, and a 20" HBAR SS barrel.

Rifle #5 will be in 7.5x55. The stock (XLR Carbon chassis) and action (RR SN R700 LA) are taken care of. The bolt is coming from PTG, and the 'smith and I have ironed out most of the details.

So, do I pass muster?