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Santa and Reloading

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BDS05

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With Christmas and a bday coming soon, I'm about to pursue reloading. Problem is, everything I've read seems to change from site to site on what I've read. I'm essentially looking to buy once and not break the bank. We're going for middle of the line here. I'm strongly assuming this will become a hobby. Buy once, cry once.
Aside from read, read, read and read another book I'm confused with which press and brand to go with. I'm looking for a TnDeer personal recommendation on a quality setup.. start to finish. I will be reloading 40, 45, -06, 308 and hopefully soon 9 and 223. I don't run 1000 pistol rounds a month and I am slowly in the process of building a precision 308.
I know this is essentially a beaten horse but I feel I'm running circles searching different sites.
Thank you
 
As far as presses go, a lot of presses will serve you well. I don't know if your wanting a single stage or not. I've got a Lee Challenger that I've had since '87 and it still does the job. My dies are all RCBS except one set. Most companies make good stuff that will last a long time. You can find kits, where most everything is there. Let us know what you come up with. You might look in to something like that.
 
There are some really good deals out there. Hornady is on sale at midway I believe. Lee makes a good press but I hate the scale that comes in the bundle. My next press will probably be rcbs or hornady. All dies are fine but you'll find that you like certain features more than others. At this point I'm liking hornady dies more than the rcbs and lee dies I have.


Big or small, kill em all
 
Jcalder":38h82c23 said:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/749997/hornady-lock-n-load-classic-single-stage-press-kit


Big or small, kill em all
Click to expand...
Via the ads from snail mail, this kit also comes with 500 free bullets.
I don't have a clue what kind of press I want, that's why I'm asking yall. Sadly, I've no more than laid eyes on powder jugs in the store. That's the extent of my knowledge. I'm willing to read and study however. With whatever I gain from TnDeer, I will research the different options and go from there. In over my head, maybe.
 
I have no idea where you are located but if you are close to Cookeville I have no issue with you coming over and showing what I know. Hornady generally gives away bullets when you buy their products. But you pay shipping. At this point with you not knowing what you want or need I would stay away from a progressive press


Big or small, kill em all
 
A single stage Press can and will load all you mentoned. Lee, Lyman, RCBS are your choices. Notice I did not mention Hornady

Learn on a single stage. If you get to the point where you want a progressive you will still use the heck out of your single stage.

For dies you can buy and try but really boils down to RCBS or Lee.

The digital Nosler latest reloading manual is on sale for less than 15 bucks at
http://www.shootersproshop.com/

Okay I am pretty fixed in my ways. I do not like Hornady. I really like Nosler. I have no problem with Lee. RCBS is very good but pricey, I like their dies.

Look around for bargains and sales. Grafs, Cabelas, Bass Pro, MidwayUSA, Midsouth, to name a few.
 
I switched from a single stage to a Lee turret press. I still load single stage, but my dies are all mounted in the turrets and stay that way. When I change caliber I just pop in the appropriate turret and everything is set. Get a beam type powder scale because the digital ones tend to drift. I measure every load though since I shoot small quantities. If you're just setting up the powder measure it may not matter. I like the One Shot spray lube for simplicity. A lot of items for case prep. etc. can be bought as you go. You'll need a way to trim and clean cases, insert primers, etc. Sounds like a lot but it really isn't. The press is probably the most expensive item and the one you'll keep the longest. LoadDATA.com is your friend.
 
DaveB":1nx6kbzq said:
The digital Nosler latest reloading manual is on sale for less than 15 bucks at
http://www.shootersproshop.com/
Click to expand...
It's free online http://www.nosler.com/load-data/

If you're looking to buy a kit, the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme kit is hard to beat. For dies, RCBS, Redding, Forster, Hornady and Lee all make good dies. Shop around and find the best deals on them before you buy. Several black Friday deals are coming up that'll save you a little $$
 
I been reloading for 50 years and about 12 years ago switched from a RCBS rock chucker to a Forster Co-Ax. For the cartridges you want to reload the Forster would be perfect. I still use a RCBS Ammo Master for the longer stuff but the Co-Ax is the press you want..
An added plus is you will never have to buy shell holders for the Co-Ax.
 
Snowwolfe":iw4gabwc said:
I been reloading for 50 years and about 12 years ago switched from a RCBS rock chucker to a Forster Co-Ax. For the cartridges you want to reload the Forster would be perfect. I still use a RCBS Ammo Master for the longer stuff but the Co-Ax is the press you want..
An added plus is you will never have to buy shell holders for the Co-Ax.
Click to expand...


What I recently got was the Co-ax. It's awesome!
 
I have the Lyman turret press. I bought it in the kit and it works great. It came with the digital scales which some do not like. I have a beam scale....somewhere and would have so much dust on it I would have to throw it in my tumbler for a couple hours before I could use it. All my dies are lee. I have used other brands but can't tell any difference.
 
I've been reloading for 30+ years, and I did most of my work on a RCBS Rockchucker. Great press. I also have a Lee Turret press, and like was said above it makes changing from one caliber to another extremely easy. HOWEVER, if you are loading different bullets in one caliber you still have to change the seating depth. If that is the case, I'd recommend that you buy a micrometer seating die to make life easier for that caliber. I have used every brand of die available and Redding is the best for the money. RCBS is great, but I simply prefer Redding. Forget the digital scales. They are so finicky that you almost have to use them in a vacuum to get them to read accurately. Unless being off .5 grains on a load suits you, that is. Buy carbide dies for your pistol loading. They do not require lubing the cases and are much easier to use.

I'd also (and this may not be popular here) recommend that you visit and join a few other sites that cater more to the reloading crowd. Accurate Shooter is great, as is Predator Masters. Hunters in general aren't as concerned with itty-bitty groups as are reloaders who also shoot for precision. And you don't have to shoot competition to realize the satisfaction of getting that gun to shoot cloverleafs with your hand loads.

Never, EVER load a recipe that you read on the internet without verifying it with a proven reloading manual or a manufacturers website. It might be safe ..... and it might NOT be safe. Use care. These are the only set of eyes, fingers, and ears that you have at your disposal.

Depending on the degree of precision you are after, you may want to acquire a Hornady headspace gauge set, as well as their bullet seating depth tool. The headspace gauge will not only let you set up your dies to make the brass better fit your gun's chamber, but you will "work" your brass much less and prolong the life immensely.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/479704 ... comparator

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/231904 ... -6-inserts

Learn the signs of excess pressure. Your brass will tell you lots about the load if you learn how to read what it is telling you.

I never advise anyone to be timid when reloading, but I always advise them to be careful and avoid distractions. I don't have a TV, telephone, or radio in my reloading room. You shouldn't either.

After a while you will be able to devise a "system" that works for you. This is important. It avoids double charges and other errors that will not only destroy your firearm but may do serious damage to your body.

HAVE FUN and be CAREFUL. Never get complacent or take anything for granted. You'll be fine if you go slowly and methodically.
 
Not sure why most are steering you away from Hornady presses, I've had my single stage for a couple years and loaded for several calibers, and am super happy with it. I got the classic kit, and added a beam scale and the OAL Guage and Comparator. My only limiting factor at first was that powder was difficult to come by a couple of years ago. That hasn't been an issue this year, and accuracy and repeatability of my setups has been great.
 
J_W":3g8s2b1u said:
Not sure why most are steering you away from Hornady presses, I've had my single stage for a couple years and loaded for several calibers, and am super happy with it. I got the classic kit, and added a beam scale and the OAL Guage and Comparator. My only limiting factor at first was that powder was difficult to come by a couple of years ago. That hasn't been an issue this year, and accuracy and repeatability of my setups has been great.
Click to expand...

Its not that some are trying to steer away from Hornady but rather some of us have experiences with many different brands and types of presses and arrive at the opinions we offer due to that experience. Some people swear by brand A while others swear by brand B. But unfortunately most of these people have only owned brand A or B.
 

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