I have done one round of loading with a friend last year doing some .338 LM, some .308 and some .223. I have a .338-408 being build and will have to start loading myself and need some suggestions of equipment I should consider. I have the dies on the way but need just about everything else. I will load all the above and would like to be able to do .45, 500 S&W, .50 beowulf being the others. Thanks in advance for any suggestions links to deals (I prefer them from forum supporting vendors) and all help. PG
How to get started shopping list etc
- Thread starter pgg
- Start date
Nodak7mm
Team Lefse
PGG,
Here is a great place to start at a great price: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bargain-Cave/Shooting-Gear/Reloading%7C/pc/105591780/c/105670080/sc/105670980/RCBS-RC-Supreme-Master-Reloading-Kit/728426.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fbargain-cave-shooting-gear-reloading%2F_%2FN-1102687%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105670980
Heck of a deal. A list for a beginner from all of us out there in internet land would be to say the least, all over the map. But I am pretty confident that 99% of us who reload have all whats contained in this package deal, in one color or another..
Rod
Here is a great place to start at a great price: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bargain-Cave/Shooting-Gear/Reloading%7C/pc/105591780/c/105670080/sc/105670980/RCBS-RC-Supreme-Master-Reloading-Kit/728426.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fbargain-cave-shooting-gear-reloading%2F_%2FN-1102687%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105670980
Heck of a deal. A list for a beginner from all of us out there in internet land would be to say the least, all over the map. But I am pretty confident that 99% of us who reload have all whats contained in this package deal, in one color or another..
Rod
Thank Nodak7mm would this not be better? Are there any forum supporters who have things like this?
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=740928&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FparentCategoryId%3D105591780%26categoryId%3D105670080%26subCategoryId%3D105670980%26productId%3D728426%26type%3Dproduct
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=740928&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FparentCategoryId%3D105591780%26categoryId%3D105670080%26subCategoryId%3D105670980%26productId%3D728426%26type%3Dproduct
Both are great deals when you factor in free shipping and the $50 rebate. Granted the rebate is dependant on buying $300 worth of gear but you could easily round that out with the $269 deal.
If you have the money go for the more expensive deal. The powder dispenser and the prep tool are nice to have.
If you have the money go for the more expensive deal. The powder dispenser and the prep tool are nice to have.
Given the large magnums you want to reload,
Press - Redding Ultra Mag Press
Powder Dispenser - Many people are getting an RCBS Chargemaster - dispensing and weighing all in one. Just punch your load and let it spin,,, easy and reasonably quick.
Priming Tool - While you can use the priming arm in the press, get yourself a hand priming tool.
You will need a loading block to holder you cases, required shell holders.
The Hornady (formally stoney point) bullet comparator gauge with a decent caliper is a good way to measure seating depth accurately. You can also get the headspace tool for Hornady as well.
Dies - I use Redding Competition Dies, others have their preferences for Hornady or RCBS,,, which ever brand you feel most comfortable with.
Neck turning - I use the K&M neck turning tools and expanders. Others use the Sinclair Tools. Get a good neck turning tool and expanders.
Press - Redding Ultra Mag Press
Powder Dispenser - Many people are getting an RCBS Chargemaster - dispensing and weighing all in one. Just punch your load and let it spin,,, easy and reasonably quick.
Priming Tool - While you can use the priming arm in the press, get yourself a hand priming tool.
You will need a loading block to holder you cases, required shell holders.
The Hornady (formally stoney point) bullet comparator gauge with a decent caliper is a good way to measure seating depth accurately. You can also get the headspace tool for Hornady as well.
Dies - I use Redding Competition Dies, others have their preferences for Hornady or RCBS,,, which ever brand you feel most comfortable with.
Neck turning - I use the K&M neck turning tools and expanders. Others use the Sinclair Tools. Get a good neck turning tool and expanders.
You may want to consider the Lee Classic Cast press to load a big cartridge like that. The Classic Cast is a very heavy duty press and is designed to load the 50 BMG. Your other need seems to be handgun cartridges, and you will probably want something different for that. I don't load handgun, but I believe those who do, often use the Dillon equipment.
As for a book, you may want to check to find one that has loads for your cartridges in it.
As for a book, you may want to check to find one that has loads for your cartridges in it.
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
pgg,
Sounds like your a man with integrity, wanting to buy from forum supporting vendors
I haven't ever talked to you and like you already. It also sounds like you have the money to buy what you need, I think you could do better than buying a kit from cabelas. I don't have the time right now but I will come back this evening and give you a list of my suggestions, I see while I was writing this RonAKA already gave you one
others will chime in as well I am sure. Later My friend
Wayne.
Sounds like your a man with integrity, wanting to buy from forum supporting vendors
I haven't ever talked to you and like you already. It also sounds like you have the money to buy what you need, I think you could do better than buying a kit from cabelas. I don't have the time right now but I will come back this evening and give you a list of my suggestions, I see while I was writing this RonAKA already gave you one
others will chime in as well I am sure. Later My friendWayne.
Thanks bozo699 nice of you to say. After reading the article on the Forest Co-Ax on the home page that is where I am leaning right now. I have a few dies already one for the .338-408 by Dave Viers and another for my .338LM and my .50 Beowulf. I guess I just need to get them together to make sure one press can do those for starters. I also like the sounds of the RCBS power combo dispenser and scale. I think I will be on the weigh each load team also. I need to figure out powders and projectiles esp for my .338-408. Below is what I bought that is now up a Lawton being built. So I need a starting point for loads that should work well with the Brux barrel 1-10 twist it will have. Thanks PG
New Lawton 8000 repeater action with 408 CheyTac bolt face. Has 40 min. rail and Remington 700 trigger adapter. I WAS BUILDING A 408- 338 CheyTac Improved. New PTG chamber reamer, New BRUX cut rifled barrel. 35" long 10 twist, 1" at at tip 1.450 at chamber end. also 29 new 408 CheyTac brass. everything is new. Again the barrel is a 338 caliber and the reamer is 408 - 338 imp. also have head-space gauge
New Lawton 8000 repeater action with 408 CheyTac bolt face. Has 40 min. rail and Remington 700 trigger adapter. I WAS BUILDING A 408- 338 CheyTac Improved. New PTG chamber reamer, New BRUX cut rifled barrel. 35" long 10 twist, 1" at at tip 1.450 at chamber end. also 29 new 408 CheyTac brass. everything is new. Again the barrel is a 338 caliber and the reamer is 408 - 338 imp. also have head-space gauge
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
TX65,TX65 said:
+1, Absolutely a must for anybody serious about learning anything about precision reloading. A great book in my opinion. Glens sense of humor is hard to follow sometimes but the information he gives is invaluable. And I have been told by members of this forum that know him, that he is down to earth, if you don't understand something in the book, call him he will enlighten you.
Wayne.
Since you will be loading some big brass, look to one of the larger presses such as the Redding UltraMag, RCBS AmmoMaster, or Hornady 50BMG press, I like the Redding press myself because of the way the linkage attaches to the top of the press where the die sits, and also because it's just one beefy chunk of cast iron that appears indestructable. The other presses, such as the Lee Classic Cast and RCBS RockChucker, are plenty strong enough, but lack some of the mechanical advantage you will have in a larger press and will make sizing such large cases difficult and tiring from all the effort you will exert into the press handle.
Now since you also want to load pistol, I would suggest a separate press for that if you can afford it. Something like the Lee Classic Turret will be much faster and more efficient for pistol loading than a big single stage. The Classic Turret is only a little over $100 and is a strong, well built press. It also has an auto advance on the turret so the dies will advance with every pull of the lever, speeding up reloading nearly to the point of a true progressive. It is also large enough to size and load many large rifle cases as well.
I have a Lee Classic Turret and can honestly say it will load great ammo and is one of my favorite presses, especially when I need to load a large quantity of ammo and don't want to use my progressive to do it.
With one of the large presses I mentioned and a Lee Classic Turret you will have a very nice loading station capable of handling any task you could want with ease. The Turret will allow you to load plenty of ammo for most anything you desire, and the larger press will handle the big .338-.408 with ease. I don't think you could do much better than that for a versatile set-up that will load anything you could ever want.
The Zediker book is awesome as well.
Now since you also want to load pistol, I would suggest a separate press for that if you can afford it. Something like the Lee Classic Turret will be much faster and more efficient for pistol loading than a big single stage. The Classic Turret is only a little over $100 and is a strong, well built press. It also has an auto advance on the turret so the dies will advance with every pull of the lever, speeding up reloading nearly to the point of a true progressive. It is also large enough to size and load many large rifle cases as well.
I have a Lee Classic Turret and can honestly say it will load great ammo and is one of my favorite presses, especially when I need to load a large quantity of ammo and don't want to use my progressive to do it.
With one of the large presses I mentioned and a Lee Classic Turret you will have a very nice loading station capable of handling any task you could want with ease. The Turret will allow you to load plenty of ammo for most anything you desire, and the larger press will handle the big .338-.408 with ease. I don't think you could do much better than that for a versatile set-up that will load anything you could ever want.
The Zediker book is awesome as well.
I'm new to reloading but I just bought a Lyman T-Mag II Expert Reloading Kit. You get just about everything you need to start reloading. Other then a primer pocket cleaner.
I've used it for a few months and I really like it. All the tools are high quality. The only difference between my kit and this one is that this kit comes with a digital scale and mine has a balence type scale.
Heres the link for the T-Mag kit. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Reloading/Presses-Dies%7C/pc/104792580/c/104761080/sc/104516280/Lyman-T-Mag-II-Expert-Reloading-Kit/731912.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshooting-reloading-presses-dies%2F_%2FN-1100195%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104516280
My girl friend just bought a Lyman Crusher II Expert Reloading Kit. She hasnt used it yet but its all the same tools. Just a Different Press.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Reloading/Presses-Dies%7C/pc/104792580/c/104761080/sc/104516280/Lyman-Crusher-II-Expert-Reloading-Kit/731911.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshooting-reloading-presses-dies%2F_%2FN-1100195%2FNo-48%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104516280%3FWTz_stype%3DGNP
I've used it for a few months and I really like it. All the tools are high quality. The only difference between my kit and this one is that this kit comes with a digital scale and mine has a balence type scale.
Heres the link for the T-Mag kit. http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Reloading/Presses-Dies%7C/pc/104792580/c/104761080/sc/104516280/Lyman-T-Mag-II-Expert-Reloading-Kit/731912.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshooting-reloading-presses-dies%2F_%2FN-1100195%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104516280
My girl friend just bought a Lyman Crusher II Expert Reloading Kit. She hasnt used it yet but its all the same tools. Just a Different Press.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting/Reloading/Presses-Dies%7C/pc/104792580/c/104761080/sc/104516280/Lyman-Crusher-II-Expert-Reloading-Kit/731911.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fshooting-reloading-presses-dies%2F_%2FN-1100195%2FNo-48%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104516280%3FWTz_stype%3DGNP
do some research on scales before u decide on a package deal, i have a electronic scale that i dont use just because I have to constantly recalibrate it. Im definitely a fan of the balance beam scales. I also dont like the package deal because it kinda a comprimise of stuff. Id ask around some more and identify each piece by name. It will save you money in the long run because you wont have to go out and buy a piece that is better suited for your use and style.
bozo699
Gold $$ Contributor
pgg,
If money is a object than most any of the combo kits will make good ammo,just pick one rcbs, lee,redding,lyman,hornady anyone will do buy it and start loading
If money isn't a problem this is probably what I would buy for your loading needs.
A redding T-7 turret press or a forster co-ax for your smaller stuff. For the larger stuff I have a rcbs 50bmg press,or any of the ones Kenny mentioned would work just fine, and a arbor press for wilson seating dies. The rcbs chargemaster, I don't like being without a balance beam scale I have the rcbs 10-10 and a couple of 505s they work ok. A wilson stainless micrometer trimmer w/stand and platform, NO other trimmer will do IMO and get whatever holders and reamers you need for your wilson. A sinclair NT-4000 premium neck turning kit with case and whatever mandrels and cutters you might need for the calibers your shooting. a Sinclair Concentricity Gage, redding, forster,or wilson compitition dies. Hornady c.o.a.l tool with cases needed, Sinclair bump guages and bullet comparitors, A quality caliper and a 1" outside mic, the rcbs prep station is a plus. For under $20 you can buy Lee hand press I find many uses for mine. A good rechargable screwdriver. There are a lot of other little tools you probably already have if not you will get them like chamfer tools primer pocket unformers flash hole uniformers ect.ect. and other things you will buy on the way but this will get you making quality ammo for precision shooting right now. I probably forgot something, I will add later hope this will give you some idea's for now.
Wayne.
If money is a object than most any of the combo kits will make good ammo,just pick one rcbs, lee,redding,lyman,hornady anyone will do buy it and start loading
If money isn't a problem this is probably what I would buy for your loading needs.
A redding T-7 turret press or a forster co-ax for your smaller stuff. For the larger stuff I have a rcbs 50bmg press,or any of the ones Kenny mentioned would work just fine, and a arbor press for wilson seating dies. The rcbs chargemaster, I don't like being without a balance beam scale I have the rcbs 10-10 and a couple of 505s they work ok. A wilson stainless micrometer trimmer w/stand and platform, NO other trimmer will do IMO and get whatever holders and reamers you need for your wilson. A sinclair NT-4000 premium neck turning kit with case and whatever mandrels and cutters you might need for the calibers your shooting. a Sinclair Concentricity Gage, redding, forster,or wilson compitition dies. Hornady c.o.a.l tool with cases needed, Sinclair bump guages and bullet comparitors, A quality caliper and a 1" outside mic, the rcbs prep station is a plus. For under $20 you can buy Lee hand press I find many uses for mine. A good rechargable screwdriver. There are a lot of other little tools you probably already have if not you will get them like chamfer tools primer pocket unformers flash hole uniformers ect.ect. and other things you will buy on the way but this will get you making quality ammo for precision shooting right now. I probably forgot something, I will add later hope this will give you some idea's for now.
Wayne.
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