First crack at gathering equipment for reloading

[Skeeter_Westgate]

Can anyone review this list for me of what I think I need to get started reloading? Recommend changes or let me know if I'm wasting my money here? Thanks a bunch.

1. Hornady Lock 'n Load classic single stage press deluxe kit.
2. Redding S-type bushing full length sizing die. (6.5 Creedmoor)
3. Redding competition seating die. (6.5 Creedmoor)
4. Hornady Lock 'n Load bullet comparator (body, anvil/base, .264 insert)
5. Digital calipers
6. LE Wilson chamfer deburring tool.
7. ????....

Is this enough to get me started? Much thanks!

 

[Alex Wheeler]

1. ok
2. ok
3. save money get a forster ultra mic seater die. Just as good
4. ok
5. ok, I prefer a dial caliper,
6. ok
7. Shoulder bump comparator
8. tumbler
9 imperial die wax

 

[DOGCAPPER]

Beam scale
Harrel powder measure
Loading manual

 

[Martin52]

I would include a powder trickler.
Once the cases have been fired a few times you will probably need to trim back so consider a Wilson case neck trimmer, these are very accurate and easy to use. If you want to save money initially, Lee make a version.

I have a Harrels powder thrower - beautifully made and a pleasure to use, but if you want to save money initially and perhaps get this later, consider a Lee perfect powder and trickle up to your desired weight in the pan.

Martin

 

[NateHaler]

I think you should start with a Rockchucker Master Reloading kit, dies, and then various parts as you figure out what you want to do re: case prep, and other subtleties.

Basically, you need a press, dies, priming tool (priming on the press is too slow and poor feel), powder meter, scale, and reloading components. Do NOT fall into the trap of buying too much too soon. You can get all sorts of good deals on gently used stuff. Start with the basics, and then learn what you do and don't like about the gear and/or process, and then make incremental improvements.

I also like a vibratory tumbler for case cleaning.

 

[clatarar]

Nice and simple list for me was
-decapping base/ punch (out of a lee loader that was available locally cheap)
-lee classic cast breech lock press (with breech locks for all dies)
-gempro 250
-lee scoops (no "cutting" powder)
-rcbs trickler (scoop close trickle up)
-forster trimmer
-forster dies
-rcbs hand primer

only thing i added was a cheap eagle arbor press and have dies coming for my "precision" rifles. I am working on a tumbler for stainless media using a piece of 10 inch pvc pipe and dryer motor.

 

[jonbearman]

neck lube brushes,neck cleaning brushes,a tumbler is great but you need tuffnut from lyman to do the magic.Primer pocket cleaner and uniformer.The powder measure from hornady is good enough to start with.Get at least 2 other reloading manuals to cross reference your load choices.Stuck case remover for the time you forget to lube a case and you try to size and it is in there tighter than a drum. Get carbide expander ball update kit if you use an expander.Take your time,read the manuals and for God's sake ask questions no matter how silly you think they are,get safety glasses to protect your eyes.Do not put a electronic scale under fluorescent lights or radio's if you use them.

 

[BoydAllen]

1. Hornady Lock 'n Load classic single stage press deluxe kit.

I have owned that press and prefer a Rockchucker with a Lock-n-Load conversion bushing, or you could skip the conversion, and do it later if you think that you need to after getting some experience. Also, the scale does not have the potential to be tuned as one with agate bearings. I would rather have a clean, used, pre Mexican production RCBS than a new Hornady scale. (Ebay....RCBS has a lifetime warranty.)

2. Redding S-type bushing full length sizing die. (6.5 Creedmoor)
OK as long as it is a reasonable match for your chamber.

3. Redding competition seating die. (6.5 Creedmoor)
I have a friend who has both, and he gets better ogive to head consistency with the Forster Ultra Seater.

4. Hornady Lock 'n Load bullet comparator (body, anvil/base, .264 insert)
I wold also get the headspace inserts for accurately setting shoulder bump, as well as the seating depth tool and case. If you want to refine your measurements with the latter, measure (using the correct headspace insert) a fired case, and the modified case, and add the difference to your measurements.

5. Digital calipers
I prefer dial calipers, and they don't have the problem of dead batteries. I would also add a 1" mic that reads to .0001 Remember, no matter how much you pay for your calipers, they are not to be used as a substitute for a micrometer in critical situations.

6. LE Wilson chamfer deburring tool.
OK to start with. You will also need a case trimmer, and I recommend the Wilson with the appropriate case holder.

There are a lot of other things that you will need but why spoil the fun of shopping?

 

[Skeeter_Westgate]

Thank you all. This is great stuff for me to consider. After researching based on this post, it looks like I can get the RCBS kit plus all the other stuff that the Hornady kit comes with for about a $50 less, and that has a 505 balance scale vs the hornady digital scale, which I hear isn't that great.

So here's what I'm thinking now.

1. RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master Single Stage Kit $319 at Midway
2. Redding S-type bushing full length sizing die for 6.5 Creedmoor $83 at Midway. (Backordered)
3. Redding Competition Seater die. $152 at Midway.
4. LE Wilson case trimmer kit. $95 at Midway. (Backordered)
5. LE Wilson case holder $11 at Midway.
6. RCBS dial caliper, stainless steel $46 at Midway. (Backordered)
7. Hornady overall length gague, $32 at Midway.
8. LE Wilson headspace gague, 6.5 Creedmoor, $26 at Midway. (Backordered)
9. Hornady lock 'n load press and die conversion bushing kit, $18 at Midway. (Backordered)
10. RCBS shell holder, $8 at Midway.
11. Comparator insert, $5
12. Comparator body, $17
13. Comparator anvil, $15
14. Hornady primer pocket uniforming tool, small, $12
15. RCBS flash hole deburring tool, $12

Total: ~$850

So far I've only looked at Midway because they make it easy by having a "wish list" that I can add everything to and look over. Makes it nice to have all components gathered on one page to look at. I think this is a good start.

Then I'll grab a case tumbler and a Chargemaster!

Thanks again!

I'll shop around though.

 

[mac86951]

Thank you all. This is great stuff for me to consider. After researching based on this post, it looks like I can get the RCBS kit plus all the other stuff that the Hornady kit comes with for about a $50 less, and that has a 505 balance scale vs the hornady digital scale, which I hear isn't that great.

So here's what I'm thinking now.

1. RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master Single Stage Kit $319 at Midway
2. Redding S-type bushing full length sizing die for 6.5 Creedmoor $83 at Midway. (Backordered)
3. Redding Competition Seater die. $152 at Midway.
4. LE Wilson case trimmer kit. $95 at Midway. (Backordered)
5. LE Wilson case holder $11 at Midway.
6. RCBS dial caliper, stainless steel $46 at Midway. (Backordered)
7. Hornady overall length gague, $32 at Midway.
8. LE Wilson headspace gague, 6.5 Creedmoor, $26 at Midway. (Backordered)
9. Hornady lock 'n load press and die conversion bushing kit, $18 at Midway. (Backordered)
10. RCBS shell holder, $8 at Midway.
11. Comparator insert, $5
12. Comparator body, $17
13. Comparator anvil, $15
14. Hornady primer pocket uniforming tool, small, $12
15. RCBS flash hole deburring tool, $12

Total: ~$850

So far I've only looked at Midway because they make it easy by having a "wish list" that I can add everything to and look over. Makes it nice to have all components gathered on one page to look at. I think this is a good start.

Then I'll grab a case tumbler and a Chargemaster!

Thanks again!

I'll shop around though.

Blasphemy I know, but skip the tumbler, get an UltraSonic and read the article on this site. I love my $60 ultrasonic which cleans cases very well!

My RCBS had one weak point which I figured out after a while. I don't know how to describe it well, but once you get yours please read this again. Assuming the handle and ball are the hand and forearm, with the main ram being the upper arm, I found the bolt securing the elbow (or the hinge for the ram and handle?) to be loose and needed tightening. I did this by feel. Once I've lubed up the ram, I felt for lateral movement while moving the handle laterally. By snugging down the "Elbow bolt and nut" I was able to eliminate the lateral movement by feel. Your Mileage May Vary...

-Mac

 

[Skeeter_Westgate]

Although I'm afraid to even get into all this since I can't find powder (H4350, Varget, HV100 or N160) or primers (210M) anywhere!

 

[BoydAllen]

Scott Parker is the one and only king of balance scale tuning ( It's a good thing that he does an outstanding job, since he is the only one that I know of that provides this service.), and I have read that he has said that the newest versions of the RCBS scales that are made in Mexico, are beyond help, or words to that effect. I wasn't kidding about preferring a good used (and always under warranty) RCBS scale, that is pre Mexican production, to any of the new balance scales. I know that the natural tendency is to think that a factory new scale is better, but when they are tuned, they are a lot better than new. If you do a search for his contact information, and give him a call, I think that you will end up with the best of all possible reloading scales.