Reloading set-up

[cotntop]

I have had several young people that are interested in reloading their own ammunition. They all are on the same level with no experience. What I would like is some opinions on a good solid press, trimmer, scale etc. My advice to them is to keep it simple, strong and reliable. I have been reloading my entire life and do not keep up with a lot new inventions. They will be loading for 556 to 300WM so I suggested starting with a single-stage press. Actually two of these shooters happen to be women, which are the first I have ever saw interested in this sport. Already presented them with some of my reloading manuals. THANKS

 

[TheOtherZilla]

RCBS kit. Just about has it all and is solid.

 

[kneedtospeed]

How strong is their commitment?
If they're, committed, buy the best they can afford.
I'm not a fan of LEE products, or their CS, but you can get an entire loading setup, for around $125.
If they decided to stay in the game, they could replace one item at a time, as better equipment can be afforded.
They could easily spend triple that for just a press, and upwards of a grand, for a scale later.

Edit:
I was by no means suggesting LEE was a choice for Quality equipment.
Almost any others are Much better.
If someone wants to get their feet wet, and try it Affordably, nothing all inclusive, is less expensive.
Quality Equipment is typically a bigger investment than a newbie cares to make, just to "try it out".

 

[Big Mc]

I have had several young people that are interested in reloading their own ammunition. They all are on the same level with no experience. What I would like is some opinions on a good solid press, trimmer, scale etc. My advice to them is to keep it simple, strong and reliable. I have been reloading my entire life and do not keep up with a lot new inventions. They will be loading for 556 to 300WM so I suggested starting with a single-stage press. Actually two of these shooters happen to be women, which are the first I have ever saw interested in this sport. Already presented them with some of my reloading manuals. THANKS

RCBS Kit. And don,t look back. Just my two cents. Tommy Mc

 

[K22]

Before considering equipment purchases, I would first encourage them to read the Lyman Reloading Handbook which will give the a good idea of what is involved in reloading. This is a nominal investment and will enable them to make more informed decisions on reloading.

As far as equipment, I would recommend RCBS because the quality of the equipment is good and the customer service is outstanding. Having a seasoned reloader guide them through the process of selecting equipment will be most helpful.

I'm definitely in favor of a single stage press and I like the idea of keeping it as simple as possible with a heavy focus on safety and reliability.

We need more new shooters and reloaders, especially women so any time you spend helping them would be a service to all gun owners / reloaders.

Most of the reloading process is straight forward however the one area that requires special attention is how to properly resize bottle neck rifle cartridges to assure that they are not oversized creating a safety concern yet sized enough to eliminate functionality problems.

 

[BoydAllen]

RCBS cast iron press, new or used (check Ebay), American made RCBS balance scale which at this point would have to be used (check Ebay), any powder measure if you are on a budget, stand if needed, any trimmer. If I had to have only one, it would be a Wilson trimmer.

 

[Kurz]

Before considering equipment purchases, I would first encourage them to read the Lyman Reloading Handbook which will give the a good idea of what is involved in reloading. This is a nominal investment and will enable them to make more informed decisions on reloading.

This bears more merit than any consideration regarding equipment decisions. Being familiar with all the basic steps and cautions about reloading is paramount in their training. Read first then watch a couple of videos later AFTER you have pre-screened them. Then sit down with them to have a frank and honest discussion about their budgets and the limitations of certain types of equipment. Plan out your path to their education, don't just make knee jerk equipment decisions.

 

[Bill K]

First and foremost, a couple really good reloading manual/books and have them sit down and read them, more than once. Then a good reloading kit i.e. the one's put out by RCBS or a few other major name companies. These will last a lifetime and do the job intended very well.

 

[joshb]

I did this last fall for three new reloaders. I looked for lightly used equipment. I asked on this board and received pleasant responses from helpful members, some donating items to the cause. Good luck!

 

[284winner]

I have an RCBS Rock Chucker kit purchased decades ago. Only using the press from the kit today as I've upgraded everything else. Redding has a kit also that's equally as good. Can't go wrong with either.

 

[Texas10]

If their ambition towards learning handloading is based upon the idea they'll save money, tell them to put their hard earned money and spare time elsewhere. Handloading is neither fast nor economical, especially when accounting for time and equipment invested, except those few who shoot for volume without regard for accuracy. If they go out and burn through 2000 rounds of 9mm handgun ammo every weekend, get a progressive press and yes, you'll save over the cost of factory ammo.

However, if they are the naturally curious type, handloading is all about producing ammo that is the most accurate possible for your particular firearm. To that end, a sizable investment in quality equipment and time spent, plus the desire and ability to read and learn the steps necessary in order to achieve results that surpass what can be bought off the shelf, will be the reward that awaits them.

Speaking for myself, the challenge is to produce ammo for my firearm that will exceed in accuracy and consistency any that I can buy, while understanding what it takes to succeed in that endeavor. It is also a relief from the boredom of forced retirement, and a way to help keep the "gray matter" from dissolving completely into useless mush. Unless of course, that has already happened and I'm just not aware.

 

[mensajd]

I like the redding versa pak pro kit. It is a little on the pricier side but the included tools are notably better than those in most starter kits. They used to sell the kit with or without a press, in the event you wanted a non-redding press, e.g., rcbs.

 

[ebb]

My mentor told me he reloaded ammo on a Lee loader that was match grade, and could not improve on it with a press, only much faster.

 

[Straightshooter1]

My mentor told me he reloaded ammo on a Lee loader that was match grade, and could not improve on it with a press, only much faster.

I started out with a Lee Classic and work and worked at achieving tuned cartridges that would give me good consistent groups. Some reloaders would provide various tips, which I tried and didn't find much improvement if any (e.g. like, using a rubber 0-ring between the die and the press). I finally decided to go against my budget and get a good press and picked up a new Forster Co-Ax. Right off the bat with no other changes in my loading procedures, I got a significant improvement in my consistency. Not only did I see good improvement in shooting results, but changing the dies in and out was such a pleasure. Now, I suppose their might have been something particularly wrong with my Lee press as I haven't tested other Lee Classic's to see if it was a unique issue with my press or not. But I'm convinced after a lot of reading over the years at places like this web site, that quality presses do make a significant difference over cheap presses that are built with minimal quality control.

 

[cotntop]

They are reading the post on this thread and enjoy every word. I think that their main focus is perfection and the fact that they believe factory ammo will be restricted in the future. If you gonna shoot in the future you gonna have to roll your own.

 

[Ccrider]

I started out with a Lee Classic and work and worked at achieving tuned cartridges that would give me good consistent groups. Some reloaders would provide various tips, which I tried and didn't find much improvement if any (e.g. like, using a rubber 0-ring between the die and the press). I finally decided to go against my budget and get a good press and picked up a new Forster Co-Ax. Right off the bat with no other changes in my loading procedures, I got a significant improvement in my consistency. Not only did I see good improvement in shooting results, but changing the dies in and out was such a pleasure. Now, I suppose their might have been something particularly wrong with my Lee press as I haven't tested other Lee Classic's to see if it was a unique issue with my press or not. But I'm convinced after a lot of reading over the years at places like this web site, that quality presses do make a significant difference over cheap presses that are built with minimal quality control.

I have a Coax and a Lee Classic Press. I get consistent ammo from both. Nothing at all wrong with the Lee Classic, just a little slower. Good dies matter.

 

[Hammer]

if I may offer a different thought...

Show them the Dillon Precision made video introducing the 550 (five minutes or less). Then show them one of the videos of a 750 in operation and another video of an automated 1050 machine put to music with no educational intent (again, five minutes or less)

Then have them buy a 550 with all the trimmings.

The retained rate is much higher than handing a young person a book (on any topic) and their need for immediate gratification and results is full-filled.

 

[C.E.Smith043]

RCBS kit. Just about has it all and is solid.

Spot on

 

[ebb]

I am not talking about a lee press, the old lee hockey puck and a mallet.

 

[hoz53]

They are reading the post on this thread and enjoy every word. I think that their main focus is perfection and the fact that they believe factory ammo will be restricted in the future. If you gonna shoot in the future you gonna have to roll your own.

If the reason they want to hand load is because they believe factory ammo will be restricted in the future tell them to stock up on factory loads and forget about loading. If factory ammo really gets restricted I imagine powder and bullets will to.