First reloading bench setup, what’s missing?

[Tesoro]

It appears that you dont have budget issues. My reccomend would be to buy a light recoiling rifle, ie a 6br or similar, to reload for and shoot ALOT. That way you get to re-load ALOT. That 7prc isnt the kind of round you shoot 50 times in a session, so you wont get to reload enough. Reloading all sounds straight forward, but advanced reloading for accuracy takes practice.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Imperial case lube.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

There are a couple things that made a big difference for me that took years to figure out:

Primer pocket uniformer: There are plenty on the market but the only one that made a difference to me was Sinclair. They're non-adjustable carbide that will last forever. I used them in a $20 cordless screwdriver when the brass was new and after every firing to clean the pockets. They even have one specifically for Lapua PPC/BR small rifle that is unique to the best of my knowledge.

Primer seater: It's no longer manufactured but the RCBS APS Press Mounted priming tool made a major difference for me. I had one permanently mounted on a Lee Classic single stage press with the handle at maximum length. I could feel the primer cup hit the bottom of the pocket and could flatten the primer as much or as little as desired. Made a dramatic difference in extreme spread for me. The tool itself shows up on Ebay from time to time. Everything else like APS strip loader and extra strips (which you only need a few of) are still available from RCBS. I probably have all this stuff around here somewhere if I didn't give it to Jake.

K&M also makes a good one.

 

[nmkid]

Loading blocks, and small bins to contain loose brass. jd

100% on this. There will always be loose parts of all kinds!

 

[BHP9]

I watched F Class John's video on the Hornady One Shot case lube, purchased some.

It's a game changer for me.

I tried the RCBS case lube with the pad and found it too messy. I tried others and settled on the Lee Case Lube for about 45 years, until this year when I started using the One Shot Lube.

 

[BKA]

Case neck annealing machine such as those from AMP, ARC, Benchsource, Annealeez, Annie, etc.

 

[GetReal]

Id recommend STARTING WITH the LE Wilson bullet seater dies in order to be able to seriously dial in COAL.... and even more than that , be able to control runout / bullet concentricity.

Cheapie RCBS case sizer dies are good enough.

 

[timeout]

Wilson arbor press and seating die, VLD seating stem if needed. Harrell's FL die sized to fit your chamber.

 

[Xerothermic]

You have most of what you need. Learn your way into this hole, not spend your way in.

Like a couple guys said, find a mentor.

That's Critical .

Later

Dave

 

[HuntClub]

You will want to get a Hornady cam-lock bullet puller and the tool need for "stuck" case removal from a die.

 

[Xerothermic]

I started out with a brother's RCBS RCII and accompanying kit. I've added a lab electronic scale, a Hornady comparator set, a RCBS RCIV and various Redding and Lyman dies over the years. Start out with a kit and learn. Don't discount the manuals and the folks here and other forums. They were my mentors and I've reloaded many different calibers and cartridges, including pistol. Still have all my fingers, eyes and face.

As an aside, my smaller RCBS II is a tank compared to the RCBS IV. IMO.

 

[gpoldblue]

Friend of a friend and couple others have offered to teach me how to reload but I don’t want to ask them for assistance building my bench because I care about quality and precision, hence why I want to reload, while they are “ok” with enough to get by.

This is my current “have purchased” list and wondering what else I need to get in order to start reloading for 7PRC.

Matchmaster die
RCBS Rock Chucker press
Mitutoyo 6” calipers
Autotrickler V4 with A&D fx scale
Area 419 funnels
Henderson neck trimmer
Powder
Casings
Bullets
Primers
Spray lube
Frankford Tumbler and media
Frankford media separator
Garmin Xero
Kestrel 5700X Elite

Any thoughts and options as well as “upgrades” are appreciated. I’ve seen some upgrade stuff from A419 and UM but unsure what they do so haven’t pulled the trigger yet. TYIA

I don't see any wind flags/wind indicators listed. For whatever shooting discipline you're interested in,you "REALLY NEED" some kind of wind indicators. You can't even properly tune or even properly zero the rifle without them if you're wanting precision especially group shooting. A good set(4-5) is about the same price as some of the other items you've listed and are invaluable. If you don't use them,you'll have errant shots that you won't have a clue what caused it........it ain't always the load. Good luck and stay safe.

 

[209jones]

Pretty good list, you aren't scared to buy some good stuff; some options you may want to look at also;

Matchmaster die----Hornady or Lee quik change bushings, unless you buy a Co-Ax press
RCBS Rock Chucker press-------------could also look at MEC or Forster Co-Ax, better primer handling on either one than on RC. Just as tough.
Mitutoyo 6” calipers
Autotrickler V4 with A&D fx scale
Area 419 funnels---- may want to look at RCBS kit---See F-Class John vids
Henderson neck trimmer
Powder
Casings
Bullets
Primers
Spray lube------ --------------add a Forster or Lyman dry lube neck brush kit
Frankford Tumbler and media
Frankford media separator
Garmin Xero
Kestrel 5700X Elite

I'd add;

Derraco/Ugly Reloading PCPS (takes Lee shellholders), or Lyman Accuprime Auto priming tool ( takes regular shellholders like RCBS)---see Ultimate Reloader vids on either, or F Class John on the PCPS

Derraco comparator sets---Amazon or Ugly Reloading
Primer pocket uniformer---Sinclair or K&M
Frankford Arsenal reloading trays for magnum ctges (ie 300Win Mag)
MTM ammo boxes ( suitable for 300Win Mag size)
A beam scale for backup and verifying any electronic scale Burstfire annealer, has a prep ctr built in as a bonus. Also has an induction annealer, it's too new to have a proven track record yet though.
RCBS bullet puller and collets, are better collets than the Hornady one.
Shellholder, unless you buy a Forster press

Maybe Stuff;
---if you are an accuracy nut, K&M arbor press and Wilson seater die.
May also want a decap die---Lee works fine in any press, get some extra pins. Mighty Armory and FW Arms are the top of the line ---one of them is too short for Co-Ax press though
Expander mandrels, wait til you get brass to determine which ones you need.
Inline Fabrication press mount system, is worth the money

 

[Nvcnvc]

It appears that you dont have budget issues. My reccomend would be to buy a light recoiling rifle, ie a 6br or similar, to reload for and shoot ALOT. That way you get to re-load ALOT. That 7prc isnt the kind of round you shoot 50 times in a session, so you wont get to reload enough. Reloading all sounds straight forward, but advanced reloading for accuracy takes practice.

Sound advice here. Unless you shoot for competition you will never have a need for some expensive stuff you have on your list. Such as AT 4 and FX scale, Henderson trimmer, 419 funnels, etc.
as far as presses go, I’d choose the coax to start.
More importantly, talk to people at the range and find someone to mentor you. You will save money and time in the long run.
Good luck.

 

[Tesoro]

Sound advice here. Unless you shoot for competition you will never have a need for some expensive stuff you have on your list. Such as AT 4 and FX scale, Henderson trimmer, 419 funnels, etc.
as far as presses go, I’d choose the coax to start.
More importantly, talk to people at the range and find someone to mentor you. You will save money and time in the long run.
Good luck.

Choose the coax to start and keep until you die!

 

[fx77]

Area 419 ZERO Spring-Loaded Decapping Die

NOTE: Not for use with cartridges 20 cal or smaller. Primer drawback sucks. It’s frustrating, and can cause all sorts of process inconveniences. So, let’s get them the heck out of the way. The Area 419 ZERO Universal Decapper (Universal because it’ll work with any common press, or any common...

www.area419.com

 

[Liven The Dream]

One or Two good Fire Extinguishers .
Loading Manual.
As stated with that scale ! You need to make you room Electric Friendly .
LED lights , Line Regulator, no cell phone etc.
Good sound system ! I per-fur Blues and old Rock .

Only load when things are slow and peaceful .

 

[Steve Donlon]

You need a bunch of cartridge specific stuff also. I'm getting ready to start reloading a Cartridge I never thought I would own so I had to get FL sizing die, Redding Body Die, Redding Neck Die, Redding Competition Seating Die, RCBS Precision Mic to measure shoulder setback, Bore guide, Wilson case gage and shell holders. Hornady Comparator and threaded brass case for Hornady OAL gauge. And jags and brushes and bullets, brass just for that cartridge.

 

[Fast14riot]

Aside from the actual loading equipment. I like to have the best measurement tools I can afford and be able to measure everything. You can absolutely use lower tier stuff if you can measure and qualify it.

Also, find a good system for keeping notes that you will actually use. For me it's digital and kept on my phone where I can add target pictures, tuner test pictures, dis/assembly pics as well.

 

[WyleWD]

Aside from the actual loading equipment. I like to have the best measurement tools I can afford and be able to measure everything. You can absolutely use lower tier stuff if you can measure and qualify it.

Also, find a good system for keeping notes that you will actually use. For me it's digital and kept on my phone where I can add target pictures, tuner test pictures, dis/assembly pics as well.

+1^^^^ A set of test weights for your scales and balances. A big notebook/diary to keep notes in everytime you load or prep brass. And a good, safe environment to store powder & primers and organize them. Lastly, NEVER any other containers of powder on the bench than the one you're using. JME. WD