will probably never load over 75-100 a year in three calibers only 270, 7mag, and 300 mag, I need suggestions on what to buy far as reloading equipment, thanks
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reloading suggestions
- Thread starter knightrider
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280longshot
Well-Known Member
RCBS is always a good start but dont expect to save money unless you shoot a lot.
On the other hand if you're into it as a hobby all the better..
Expect to spend more than you think.
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On the other hand if you're into it as a hobby all the better..
Expect to spend more than you think.
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When I first started I just wanted a kit. I quickly realized that some pieces aren't great. Having used both a lee breechlock and 2 different rcbs presses either will work and do fine. For rifle loads about any powder measure will work but my hornday doesn't leak like my old lee did with flake powder. If you just do maybe a box here and there you probably don't even need one, but it will make life easier. Without going to the expensive precision dies, any of them will work and will serve you well. Here's where I'll differ from several others. I like a beam scale. I've used a Lyman 1000 pro and an rcbs 505. Both are fine but I prefer the readout on the rcbs. The Lyman had a fairly big gap that I didn't care for. Some prefer a digital. It's not for me. But I may venture down the chargemaster road in the future
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DaveB
Well-Known Member
Get a RCBS beam scale. My 10-10 was purchased in 1985 and except for an errant piece of airborne dust has never given me any trouble.
For your volume of loading you could use any press. But with 7 and 300 Mag you are going to benefit from an RCBS. I have used Lee with pretty good results.
You need to get standard RCBS die sets. And with your magnums understand head spacing and what that stinking belt means. You will want to read your instructions several times for the magnums because of a ring that can form just ahead of the belt due to improper adjustment.
I hate the handheld primer tools because as I age the cramps in my hands get pretty bad. There are some bench mounted ones or you can use your press which will save you some coin.
You need a manual. I have used all of them and the only ones still on my shelf are spelled NOSLER.
For case lube get the Imperial sizing wax. One can and you will hand it down. I use spray on my 223 only.
I have an RCBS trickler. Really old.
You need a dial caliper. I have several. Sometimes I double check measurements with different calipers. I find it hard to believe a 30 year old plastic Lyman is still working.
You will need to learn how to trim a case and get the equipment to do so. For now, consider all brass you have as once fired and go from there. Always trim no more than 010 under SAAMI numbers. I have enough brass for each caliber so that I never do case prep on any portion of my stash until I have no bullets left to shoot. Then I do all of that caliber. This way i keep an easy track of how many times I have loaded and trimmed my brass.
You can find a lot of reload equipment at yard and estate sales.
If you need places to go for components just yell I have a big list.
For your volume of loading you could use any press. But with 7 and 300 Mag you are going to benefit from an RCBS. I have used Lee with pretty good results.
You need to get standard RCBS die sets. And with your magnums understand head spacing and what that stinking belt means. You will want to read your instructions several times for the magnums because of a ring that can form just ahead of the belt due to improper adjustment.
I hate the handheld primer tools because as I age the cramps in my hands get pretty bad. There are some bench mounted ones or you can use your press which will save you some coin.
You need a manual. I have used all of them and the only ones still on my shelf are spelled NOSLER.
For case lube get the Imperial sizing wax. One can and you will hand it down. I use spray on my 223 only.
I have an RCBS trickler. Really old.
You need a dial caliper. I have several. Sometimes I double check measurements with different calipers. I find it hard to believe a 30 year old plastic Lyman is still working.
You will need to learn how to trim a case and get the equipment to do so. For now, consider all brass you have as once fired and go from there. Always trim no more than 010 under SAAMI numbers. I have enough brass for each caliber so that I never do case prep on any portion of my stash until I have no bullets left to shoot. Then I do all of that caliber. This way i keep an easy track of how many times I have loaded and trimmed my brass.
You can find a lot of reload equipment at yard and estate sales.
If you need places to go for components just yell I have a big list.
fairchaser
Well-Known Member
Find a buddy who hand loads, buy some dies if needed and go learn from him. If you like it, decide how far down the rabbit hole you want to go. If you are doing it to save money only don't bother. There are places online to buy ammo cheap and even the good stuff that probably will be better than most people can hand load. If you are loading for accuracy you will want to invest in the best stuff you can afford including the precision dies and tools. I use RCBS but they all sell the good stuff. When it comes to having small SD's in speed there are many factors beyond the basic hand loading tools can deal with.
wish i had seen all these suggestions when i started 
I load not to save money as much as for the enjoyment and preciseness .. I do end up saving when loading for my 270 and 300 wsm though. I gave up loading 40 & 9mm, its much cheaper to buy after I factor in my time.
I got the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme kit. Came with just about everything i needed, or so i thought .. I kept thinking of stuff i needed to go with it, like calipers, trimmer, bullet puller, extra case holder, etc..
I load not to save money as much as for the enjoyment and preciseness .. I do end up saving when loading for my 270 and 300 wsm though. I gave up loading 40 & 9mm, its much cheaper to buy after I factor in my time.
I got the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme kit. Came with just about everything i needed, or so i thought .. I kept thinking of stuff i needed to go with it, like calipers, trimmer, bullet puller, extra case holder, etc..
fairchaser
Well-Known Member
gtk":2zcxo772 said:wish i had seen all these suggestions when i started
I load not to save money as much as for the enjoyment and preciseness .. I do end up saving when loading for my 270 and 300 wsm though. I gave up loading 40 & 9mm, its much cheaper to buy after I factor in my time.
I got the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme kit. Came with just about everything i needed, or so i thought .. I kept thinking of stuff i needed to go with it, like calipers, trimmer, bullet puller, extra case holder, etc..
I did the same thing and have added other stuff over the years and really I need to get more tools to take it all up a notch to the next level. It never ends. That's why I say it's a rabbit hole. But it's enjoyable trying to get perfection.
DaveB
Well-Known Member
I load for myself and my two sons.....we go through a lot of ammo........
I load because I do not want the least expensive piece of a hunt to fail at the most critical moment.
And because I like it. Its a very rewarding hobby. When my Son blew 5 223 through a single hole at 100 yards it was a very good feeling.
I load because I do not want the least expensive piece of a hunt to fail at the most critical moment.
And because I like it. Its a very rewarding hobby. When my Son blew 5 223 through a single hole at 100 yards it was a very good feeling.
Rubberduck270
Well-Known Member
This x100. It's not for everyone. Keep an eye out on Craigslist and local classifieds for pretty good deals on equipment that someone's bought thinking they want to handload and then decide they'd rather just buy a few boxes a year.fairchaser":1q5et50u said:
knightrider":2wol3tco said:
I'm a necessity handloader, I load as much as I need, which may be 50 rounds a year, or 250. I do it all, so far, with a Lee SS press. I load bottleneck cases tho, and haven't took the dive into handgun loading, yet. I do, however, have a Lee 4 stage press for when I finally do start, and I do plan to start. I still hand trickle each load for my bolt guns, and feel it's just part of the allure of the practice. I don't do it for speed, or for economical reasons, it's because I like being precise, both loading my ammo for consistency, and making my best precision shots that I can with each rifle. Whatever you choose, take your time, read your manuals, and enjoy the habit.
It's not as addicting as tying flies so go ALL OUT on your reloading stuff!!
