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Request suggestions for newbies reloading equiptment

Douglas725

Hi everyone!
The loving wife bought me a RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme for my birthday. I have been out of reloading for 30 plus years. but am looking forward to it again.
I am not up to date with the best gear to buy, pleasse give me your opinions. Below is what I am currently looking at purchasing.

  • Dies: I dont have a clue yet, loading for .308 AR10 primarily, eventually for Creedmore, .223 AR15, 32 Win Special and 300 Win Mag.

  • RCBS Scales Chargemaster Lite ​

  • Lyman Products Brass Smith Pro Powder Funnel System ​

  • Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Wet/Dry Media Separator with Perforated Sifter and Mesh Media Strainer for Reloading​

  • Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Rotary Tumbler​

  • Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Case Trim and Prep System with Hardened High Speed Steel Chamfer Debur Tool and Primer Pocket Scrapers with Trimmer​


I appreciate everyone's time assisting me, hope to see you all on the range!​


Doug
 
Kracken McGraw said:
Welcome to the forum! Looks like a good list.
I would skip on all the tumbling products until you think there is really a need. A good set of digital calipers and Hornady’s headspace and bullet comparators would come first for me.
Click to expand...
Thanks Kracken, I will check out the headspace and comparators.
 
Annealing after every firing makes your neck tension more uniform and makes your brass last a long time. Much more expensive options available, but an Annie induction annealer can do what you need for around $500.
 
6ShotsOr5? said:
Annealing after every firing makes your neck tension more uniform and makes your brass last a long time. Much more expensive options available, but an Annie induction annealer can do what you need for around $500.
Click to expand...
Every time? I have just begun my studying on everything reloading and did not think it would be neccessary every time. I definitely will check out the induction annealer.
 
Mititoyo calipers are my favorite piece of equipment. I have two.

Headspace and bullet comparator kit are must have.

I like forster full length sizing dies, or redding type s bushing dies if you want to mess with bushings.

Seating dies i prefer redding, have had bad luck with forster seating dies.

Rest of the stuff looks good.

Annealing is fine but not necessary. Keep your brass lots together and on same firing and you'll be fine.
 
nwmnbowhunter said:
Mititoyo calipers are my favorite piece of equipment. I have two.

Headspace and bullet comparator kit are must have.

I like forster full length sizing dies, or redding type s bushing dies if you want to mess with bushings.

Seating dies i prefer redding, have had bad luck with forster seating dies.

Rest of the stuff looks good.
Click to expand...
Thank you Sir.
 
You don't mention priming system.

You can do this on your press.

If you are going to load less than 50 or so per month the k and m with dial indicator will give you must accurate results on seating primers but is goofy to use and is not great on your hands.

A bench mounted primer is preferable when doing larger quantities. I have a CPS which is a lot of money but it's real nice when loading hundreds at a time.
 
nwmnbowhunter said:
You don't mention priming system.

You can do this on your press.

If you are going to load less than 50 or so per month the k and m with dial indicator will give you must accurate results on seating primers but is goofy to use and is not great on your hands.

A bench mounted primer is preferable when doing larger quantities. I have a CPS which is a lot of money but it's real nice when loading hundreds at a time.
Click to expand...
I watched a video on that earlier today, it is real expensive but if what I am hearing is really true on primer pressure and crush, it might be worth it. Could I get by with a RCBS Bench Mounted Primer Pocket Swager or does that not give enough repeatable accuracy?
 
nwmnbowhunter said:
Mititoyo calipers are my favorite piece of equipment. I have two.

Headspace and bullet comparator kit are must have.

I like forster full length sizing dies, or redding type s bushing dies if you want to mess with bushings.

Seating dies i prefer redding, have had bad luck with forster seating dies.

Rest of the stuff looks good.

Annealing is fine but not necessary. Keep your brass lots together and on same firing and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...
I have some dial calipers, cant stand the electronic ones, battery always seems to be dead when I need it. I am leaning towards the full length sizing dies, rather not deal with bushings, but what do I know? Thanks for your insight.
 
Douglas725 said:
I have some dial calipers, cant stand the electronic ones, battery always seems to be dead when I need it. I am leaning towards the full length sizing dies, rather not deal with bushings, but what do I know? Thanks for your insight.
Click to expand...
Full length sizing dies are great.

Forster is my favorite, redding is good as well.
 
I would suggest you keep it simple as you get back into it. while much of the suggestions are good, your needs will be clearer once you start loading. Get just the minimum to get started and then some more specific needs will evolve as you go. Good luck and have fun!
 
In a rush so if I repeat anyone I’m sorry.

skip the tumbler, or if you must just use dry media. Wet tumbling is not a benign process.

Seat with an arbor press. Something in the $100 range is good

Forster or Redding FL sizing dies.
LE Wilson micrometer in-line seaters.

get some good calipers and the Sinclair or Hornady bullet and headspace gauges. If you can’t seat or size accurately, it’ll be a long road.

LE Wilson case trimmer with holders for fired cases.

any decent priming tool, I’m still using the RCBS I got 15 years ago.

make your own sizing lube with alcohol and lanolin. Thank me later!

good luck!
 
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