What to buy for a newbie reloader?

[muleman69]

Friend wants to get her husband a reload set up for Xmas. He will be doing more hunting type reloading than bench so he really only needs middle of the road stuff. She only wants to spend around $1500. Any good ideas? Will need everything but the dies for now

 

[big john 5394]

rcbs charge master & rcbs rock chucker press & they sell it as a kit and it will handle any reloading needs.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master reloading kit. Then give him a gift card for the rest of the money to purchase dies, shell holders, bullets powder primers.

Honestly this isn't a good time to start reloading from scratch .. So get him the kit and wait till he can find components.

 

[divingin]

Primers, but that may be out of the price range...

Any of the basic single stage kits and a set of dies should do it.

 

[K22]

This is a difficult time to began reloading, at least in my area since components are difficult to find. I'd focus on components first to see what is available because having all that nice new equipment and no components is like getting a new truck but there's no gas to run it.

The very first item I'd purchase is the Lyman Reloading Handbook. This is a must for a new reloader. In fact I'd purchase this even if you decide not to proceed with equipment purchases right now due to component shortages. This will give the him time to digest the reloading process and give him a better idea of which equipment he will need.

If you want to proceed with the equipment purchase now then the various starter kits is a good place to begin. I personally like RCBC but Lyman also makes good equipment. I'd focus on kits with a single stage press, case trimmer, and a beam balance to keep costs down. These are more than adequate to reload high quality hunting ammo - been using them for 50 years.

There are things that are not in most kits which he will need. You can purchase serviceable dial calipers on Amazon for very reasonable prices. I have two "Anytime Tool" calipers that are under $50 each. They hold zero and are accurate to .001". To size his cases properly he will need a bump gauge. Hornady sells a kit that will accommodate most calipers. If he's loading for only one caliper the Whidden gauges are caliper specific, well made and inexpensive.

 

[mensajd]

Given the budget stated in the OP, I would recommend something like the Redding Big Boss Pro-Pak Deluxe Reloading Kit. The ancillary tooling is much better than most mid-tier kits and won't need to be replaced any time soon. And it still leaves a substantial portion of the budget for dies, shell holders, etc.

Agree with the other posters about component lack of availability though. Supply chain probably won't normalize for quite some time.

 

[Rustytigwire]

Any particular caliber?

 

[slobhunter2]

Can't go wrong with a RCBS rockchucker press kit to start out on.

 

[Bill Norris]

RCBS Kit would be hard to beat no doubt. What better way to start down the "eternal rabbit hole."

 

[mac86951]

Hmm, is it too late to say a division of Remington?

Components are great to buy; a reload "kit" and time in this site should do it. I'd recommend a good starting book as well. Lyman 50th is good.

Last I'd recommend a reloading mentor. This site again can do great. First question is what is your goal for reloading; and keep it to that level. At this point I'm shooting to support my reloading hobby.

-Mac

 

[HTSmith]

I guess I'll show my age and thriftiness, but I started reloading with a $10 Lee Loader and a $35 balance scale. Cut my group size in half and killed several deer. You can do the same thing today for about double the price. So I am not in the "Buy once, cry once" or "Go big or go home" camp. Buy a basic kit and upgrade as you gain skill, knowledge, AND components become available. A mentor would be huge. Just MHO and oh boy she sounds like good one!

 

[gravelyctry]

Shot shell, rifle, or pistol?

A MEC sitemaster with bushings, charge bars in the right gauge would be a good direction for shotgun.

Pistol only I’d lean towards a square deal B.

Rifle and pistol I’d get one of the single stage kits for starting out. I started out with Horandy, but I don’t think you can go wrong with a Redding or RCBS.

Neil

 

[Shooting while seated]

Take a picture of the loading kit and put the money in the bank.

I tried to buy the

LEE PRECISION II Shotshell Reloading Press 12 GA Load All​

On the 7th put in an amazon order for $80, got an email on the 8th saying it was out of stock and the order was cancelled. The company then relisted the loader for $160.

I complained to amazon and got it for $6

company pulling this crap was Birra-Gamme Online Store3

 

[muleman69]

Hope she will be able to find a good reloading kit. Seems like everything reloading related is out of stock. I was looking for a simple press to use as a secondary like a Lyman Ideal press and it's out of stock everywhere.

The out of stock is getting really old, can't even get a box of rubbers or a frigging mouse trap? Sorry just me venting....LOL

 

[Dave Marshall]

Make sure he gets a good reloading manual or two.

 

[nr123]

I would recommend going to plan "B" for a Christmas present. Reloading components are almost non existent in my area, and almost every site I've visited.

 

[Twicepop]

Reloading manuals for rifle/handgun and shotgun. Equipment is iffy for availability, shipping is a nightmare, start them with books.

 

[22DASHER]

$1500 will get a case of primers on Gunbroker. That’d be where I would start..

 

[BondJamesBond]

I've heard components (primers/powders) may not be abundant until june-july of 2021 due to the bat virus shortage. Xmas 2021 maybe better?
On subject for rifle/hunting, ....RCBS rockchucker supreme kit and don't over think it. He can add to the bench as his interest grows and never "have" to feel the equipment is inadequate. Look for xmas rebates.
Spend a little more and get good dies as mentioned above.
Maybe a cheap digital scale for "rough" weighing only for bullets etc. Gempro specifically (also good for cross checking beam scale)
Most starter kits come with some flavor of manual included to "get started".
Larry

 

[Bc'z]

Friend wants to get her husband a reload set up for Xmas. He will be doing more hunting type reloading than bench so he really only needs middle of the road stuff. She only wants to spend around $1500. Any good ideas? Will need everything but the dies for now

Gary, given the scarcity of components, he might be better off fishing. Lol

What cartridge is he shootin?
The answer to this will let me know how I can help you shove him down the rabbits hole.