New after 20+ years

[Rset]

Haven't done any reloading for over 20 years and looking to start over.
Used to use an old rock chucker single stage for mostly straight wall pistol cases, some rifle cases, but not precision work by any means. Looking to get started again. This time for precision (f-class) rifle loading (maybe some 9MM, but ammo is cheap now). Need everything, as I sold all my equipment years ago.
Since my budget is not unlimited, was thinking about a Lee turret press (mostly to keep dies from having to be constantly readjusted. (I only plan to reload one caliber at the moment). Seems low cost, but decent quality. Please correct me if there is a better option.
Also need help with everything else. Dies, Scale, etc.
Loading .223 for now, will change in the future.
I know it's a very broad question but any help you can provide with components would be helpful.
What would the best dies be?
Best option for a scale (precision over price here)?
Other mandatory accessories? (I will be annealing cases, so figuring anneal ease as good option) I have calipers and micrometers and little else.
Really appreciate the help. Has been too long since I reloaded and too many changes to rely on my old memories.

 

[rwj]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[riflewoman]

The lee turret is a good press I have a friend that loads all her 45 and 223 on one. For real true precision , tho, you might consider another single stage; but some very accurate ammo can be made on the lee.

 

[One Shot One Thrill]

Forester coxa

 

[Rset]

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks. Happy to be here. Looking forward to the exchanges of information.

 

[R.Morehouse]

I would start by doing different searches on the site such as......reloading press reviews. Or ....Best electronic scale....ect. I personally like a single stage press over a turret for precision. I started out with a Rockchucker Supreme reloading kit that came in a box with a scale and other items. Then i started up grading. I suggest you do to the up graded equipment to start with. Whidden dies are a good option as is 21st Century shooting for other needed items. I use their primer seater and think it is the best out there. A real good scale i believe is important.....do a search on the FX120 here. Imperial case lube is a good one to have.......Welcome aboard.....Ready Your Wallet.......This stuff is a BLAST...

Best Regards
Rick

 

[AJC]

If you want quality i would recommend the L E wilson bullet seaters. I have them but dont run the big dollar arbor presses yet. For the money they are as cheap as a die and produce quality loads with very low run out.

 

[Rset]

The lee turret is a good press I have a friend that loads all her 45 and 223 on one. For real true precision , tho, you might consider another single stage; but some very accurate ammo can be made on the lee.

I don't really have an issue with a single stage. Very familiar with the use, but was thinking a turret press would help eliminate the constant die set up and possibly make it both more repeatable and quicker to make accurate rounds. Is a single stage press really that more accurate? Was figuring I would manually index and do loading one stage at a time anyway so the auto indexing features are not really a consideration for the turret.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

and produce quality loads with very low run out.

Bullet seaters do not create runout or correct it

 

[HTSmith]

Nothing wrong with a Lee press. I wouldn't worry about annealing as you get started. I use a combination of Lee, Forester, and Redding dies, with a Co-ax rest that makes it easy to change. The micrometer tops on the seating dies are really handy for tuning seating depth.

 

[hambone1971]

L E Wilson seater dies. Simple balance beam scale (no warm up, drift, different reading every time with most electronic) and you can get it to 1/2 a tenth grain all day long. I've had several electronic and I keep going back to my Redding balance beam scale. Wilson also makes a precision bushing style full length resizing die.

 

[rwj]

Was just scanning the Bulletin section and found this offer... a Rock Chucker like you’ve used before!

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Rset
Good luck to you. Like you I had a 30 year lapse between loading. All the girls and guys here are the best and will gladly help you with any questions you have. There must be a lot of people like us getting back into reloading. Not to long ago in Sierra Bullets Blog they talked about most calls were from people that had just got back into loading. It was those that had reloaded when they were young with a mentor. Then they had to drop out of it for making a living and raising a family, then after retirement wanted to get back into loading again because of their fond memories or it.
Mark

 

[vahena]

Welcome back, I am not sure where you want to go with this new adventure, if its local clubs or competitive shooting. you mentioned F-class and again some guys do it just for fun and other are very serious. it can be a very addictive and costly sport and if you are a competitive sort remember this.
Buy once cry once...LOL
Rob

 

[Richard Coody]

absolute best setup for precision reloading:

co-ax press now i also have a harrells combo i use at the range. economy dies forster have it honed after you figure out proper diameter. best send 3 pieces of 3 times fired and not resized brass to whidden and have him make you a custom die.

21st century hydro press and wilson dies for bullet seating

Adam's autotrickler powder scale setup fast and precise

AMP Mark II if you can find one

PMA tools trimmer and neck turner with the benchrite case lathe

K&M micrometer and a set of their sizing mandrels to fine tune that neck tension

and a bunch of other stuff i have forgotten

but reality is lots of shooters turn out quality ammo with a rockchucker, factory dies and a balance scale.

whatever you chose just try to shoot often and have fun!

 

[mensajd]

There has been a sea change in terms of precision reloading practice. The old school philosophy for precision reloading was to neck size only. Current mainstream view is to minimally full length resize, i.e., "bump" shoulder back 0.001" for bolt guns and 0.003" for semi-auto. Also, use FL bushing dies or custom honed dies so as not to overwork the neck.

 

[MGYSGT]

For just starting out, Lee kits are a bargin and are just fine. Sure there are better, but you did indicate a budget was included. Don't get the Auto Index Lee. Just too many things to go wrong. If you go up a step or so, Look at RCBS. The cartridge lube pad is a mess. No real need to go higher in quality than that. I am a normal shooter. I can't shoot any better than the ammo either of these make. I compete just to have fun and once in a while on a really good day, frighten the good shooters.

 

[Ggmac]

If you live anywhere near west plan Bch Florida , I'll set you up with a press , or 2 or 3 or....
Send me a pm if your within driving distance

 

[Ned Ludd]

I bought that same Rockchucker kit years ago. Still using the Rockchucker and primer tray, most of that other stuff was just junk IMO. The point being, a Rockchucker press can serve your needs just fine, unless you're dead set on getting something fancier (and more expensive). I've used a Rockchucker and Redding Type S Match dies for some time to make .223 and .308 F-TR loads and have never been short-changed on the reloading end of things.

Make sure you buy a decent set of calipers for measurement, Mitutoyo makes pretty good ones (don't go cheap here). Get the appropriate caliper inserts (Sinclair or Hornady are fine). A good scale/balance of some sort (AVOID any torsion-strain type digital balance) is a must (again, don't go cheap here if you decide on a digital electronic balance; get magnetic force restoration balance, or use something else like a beam scale).

There are quite a few other "little" things that you'll pick up as you go along, for case prep, special considerations, etc. Don't sweat those items right out of the gate as together they can cause you to rack up a pretty sizable bill, especially if you get something you later wished you hadn't. Buy those as needed, and you can better research the best options, and not waste money buying tons of little doodads more than once.

I have an "equipment" list prepared originally by Steve Blair from the forum here, and added to by myself over time. PM me if you'd like to have it.

 

[Rset]

Appreciate the suggestions. I am continuing my research and I will be back with more questions as I gain more information. Going to try to make a plan before just starting to buy stuff this time.
With any luck, after much research and decision making, I will only end up changing out about 70% of what I start with in the first year .
Wish I still had my old RCBS 304 scale. Loved that thing.