Reloading equipment question

[pgolling]

Greetings to all. I have been away from reloading a long time and want to start loading cases for my new CZ in 221 fireball. I plan to eventually move on to a 6br case and try competitive shooting in another action. My question is, what press, powder dispenser, and priming system would you recommend for getting started?

Great forum, I have been reading stuff here about two years. Thanks for any advise.

 

[chuckw2]

Paul,
Welcome to the forum. I have several CZ's, they are all super guns. The CZ looks like a rifle should look.

Reloading is a great hobby that I know you will really enjoy.
If I were starting out today here is what I would buy.
1. Sierra reloading manual
2. RCBS 5-0-5 scale
3. RCBS Rockchucker press
4. Lee perfect powder measure
5. RCBS Hand Primer Tool
6. Midway Digital Calipers

You will get many opinions to your questions. Reloading is like any other hobby, there is always new stuff being brought to the market place to try.

Good Luck

Chuck

 

[slappomatt]

Hey chuck, do you own the lee pwerder scale? I have one of their cheeper ones and it throws totally all over the place. I'm planning on getting a chargemaster here in the near future.

 

[chuckw2]

Slapp,
I have several powder measures. None of them throw long stick,IMR) rifle powder very well. I always throw half a grain or so under the desired charge weight, then trickle up.

My Lee is about a accurate as my Harrell's and is much more accurate than my RCBS. I also use a Redding from time to time.

They will all cut powder and you will have variations in the amount of powder thrown.

I bought a MXX-123 several months ago, best dollars I have ever spent on a tool. I just use the thrower to get close.

Chuck

 

[pgolling]

Chuck, thanks for the advise. The first thing I bought was the Sierra manual followed by the Redding boss press and 221 RCBS dies. The Rockchucker Supreme and the Redding Boss seemed like a toss-up. I went with the Redding because it looked like a cleaner design.

I found my 13 year old redding br-30 measure and hope it will still throw a consistent charge. There was some rust on the rotor and the measure part was stuck. I used to shoot pistol silhouette and metered alot of win 748 for my 7br xp-100 with it.

I bought 50 gr blitz king bullets and h4198 and will use remington cases. I want to try lil' gun or reloader 7 also. I will also get an rcbs hand priming tool. My scale is still missing so I may have to replace it too. Thanks to everyone, really great to have this forum.

 

[chuckw2]

Paul,

The Redding is a fine thrower as you know. Good luck with your Fireball, what a cool cartridge. I did not know CZ made a .221.


Let me know how it shoots...


Chuck

 

[StephenPerry]

Getting Started In Reloading
Seems somebody else had a similar question.
Before you buy any hardware buy a reloading book. I particular like the Sierra Reloading maunual also the Hodgdon is good. Both have a section on getting started in handloading. If you see Nosler Manual buy it too. I just bought a Nosler 5th. Good relaoding basics there too. If your just curious about loading go to your local library there are probably earlier shooting books that include loading. Same stuff.
I have loaded since I was 13 which now makes 42 years. The reloading operation is still the same somewhat simple. What changes is the availability of powder and bullets. Most of todays powders are not in manuals 10 years ago. Most manuals today include a ballistics section useful to companies producing the bullets.
What you hear today are the info from the BMW guys or technocrats as I call them. Need a chronograph, need a computer program, need ballistics tables, need a mentor. Folks you don't need any of that stuff to start loading. Editor is a technocrat and a nice guy but when he comes to my place to shoot none of that will be available. God gave you a brain learn to use it. Even a girl can learn to reload.
Assuming you still want to learn to reload get some money ready.
For a first time reloader I would suggest a RCBS Partner kit. All the pieces are first class and will last longer than you. The press is the one that many on the benchrest circut use I still use mine and I have a Hood press. An O frame press will load any case no problem. Buy a RCBS powder measure the uni-flow is nice. Dies I have most all and still buy RCBS.
Lyman, Lee, Bonanza, make fine equipment also.
Priming tools here I divert. I have Lee, RCBS, K&M, and a few custom. K&M is the most reliable and never have to be replaced.
Bench primers are used by some but I think they are not as sensitive. Some prefer a slight crush I prefer to seat to the bottom of the cup by feel.
If you feel the need to upgrade later delegate your Partner press to range use and buy a Rock Chucker press. Or have 2 presses set up at home. Same dies everything works for both. Several choices here. Redding makes a nice BOSS press also as well as what Lyman makes.
I won't continue with this as most new to reloading people have been influenced by someone else. But I can say all the reloading products out there are good or they wouldn't stay in business.
Stephen Perry