Equipment for a beginner ?

[timeuler]

Hey everyone,

I am an I.T. guy so I definitely value information. But man there is so much information out in the world regarding loading presses from videos, Blogs, White Papers. It is totally CONFUSING. Yes I did read the great post at the beginning of the forum as well. And I did look all over for clarity and didn't find it. So I wanted to post this question to the great user base out on this Reloading Forum.

Here goes......

I am a newbie TOTALLY new to reloading. I have shot my entire young adult and adult life. I am not looking to reload to save money, although that is a great benefit. I am looking to reload because it looks really fun. And frankly, I may be wrong, but I think I can do a better job then SOME manufacturers.

So the question is this. Should I start out with a Single stage machine or a Turret Style machine or a progressive machine. I Followed the advice that I have seen here and have read, read, read before I bought. So now I am ready to buy. I See LEE, RCBS, DILLON, Hornady etc.. Every manufacturer has it's group of loyal followers. Which way should I go?

About Me....

1. Love to shoot
2. Shoot 200 to 500 rounds at a time 2 to 3 times a month
3. Man of Modest means (Not broke but frugal)
4. Don't chase Brand Names
5. Big on Quality
6. Want to hand it down to my kids at some point.
7. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed so it has to be easy to use

I know a question like the one I am asking is difficult to achieve consensus on but PLEASE help me with some advice. I am itching to get started but don't want to make a mistake.

Thanks for your help
Cheers

Tim Euler

 

[George63]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

find someone local to mentor you - buy lunch and the primers for enticement - start out by doing the brass sorting/ prep - see if you still think it is fun - good thing you are not trying to save $$ - you will not

 

[Punisher29073]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

I like RCBS stuff and use a single stage. I load mostly rifle and measure every charge. I by no means shoot 1000 rounds a month on my best month ever. With that volume, You may be better suited to a Dillon progressive. It really depends how much time you want to dedicate to it.

Is that 200-500 high powered precision rifle rounds?

Ryan

 

[ksthomas]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

Hi Tim,

Welcome on board, and you're asking the right questions. I'd suggest doing some reading first, something like the ABC's of Reloading, or any of several different reloading manuals that describe the handloading process in depth as good places to start.

On a personal note, I'd say start with a single stage press. You'll never find yourself in a position that you don't need one, and they avoid many of the potential problems you can run into with progressives. Walk before you try running. I have (and use) several progressives including Dillon 450, 550s, and a 1050, and absolutely love them. But my bench still has a single stage press on it which also sees a tremendous amount of use. No, you won't outgrow them, and you'll always have a need fo9r one. Start there, you won't regret it. If you're going to buy one, get a good one to start. Cry once, and don't worry about having to upgrade later on. Something heavy duty, my own preference being a Bonanza Co-Ax, a Redding or a Rock Chucker.

Dies and other accessories will be determined by what you're loading, and what sort of depth you want to get into here. You'll need a scale of some sort, probably a trimmer, some loading blocks (I like Sinclair's propylene), and you'll find a powder measure will come in handy. Beyond that, you'll find out what you need as you recognize the need once you're actually loading.

I'm sure I'm leaving things out, but as I said, you'll find out what you need when you realize that you're missing it at the bench.

 

[rem700guy]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

I personally use a RCBS rock chucker single stage press and learned off of it, definately find a mentor as said before, that's how I got into relaoding and they will show you what to do and what not to do, it also helps to actually see the process happen instead of reading it in a book, reloading will make you a more accurate shooter and once you find a load your gun likes your gun will also be more accurate, but be warned once you get the accuracy bug you'll never get over it

 

[Smokerroller]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

Another vote for all of the above. I load with a rockchucker and other equipment that my uncle found for me. Then a local ol' timer showed me how to set it all up and get some rounds loaded. Having someone to learn from is far better than just reading.

 

[qkieler]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

im just starting out too having someone show you the ropes is a must. ive found tons of good info on this board and in books yes ive spent so much time on here and reading books ive canceled direct tv. i went with a single stage redding press and a good set of dies for the caliber i shoot the most to start with. im going to get the process down use the buy once cry once method and then buy dies for other calibers what good is 14 different sets of dies if you dont know how to use them

 

[10generation]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

I'm in exactly the same situation. I've read ALL the articles, talked to a lot of people, etc.

I bought the Lyman reloading manual, its great as it breaks down the stages, process.

I've made the decision to start with a single stage and get a good one. What Kevin said above, fits with my thinking to date. I'm going to get a Forster Co-Ax single stage. If I start loading handgun or just more ammo in general, thinking I will got to a lock-n-load or 650 progressive in addition to the single stage.

Feel like the single stage will always be useful and spending a bit more time on each stage of the reloading process is probably a good thing for a beginner.

I'm trying to nail down the (buy once, cry once) other components. Thinking Forster original trimmer kit, still not sure on how I want to handle powder, tumbler or ultrasonic, etc.

Will likely do the Forster or Redding dies that allow me to adjust seating depth. Think that is a pretty important lever for accuracy of both target and hunting bullets (especially barnes).

Thanks for the OP - I'm interested in what others say about best equipment to get.

 

[Sniper Uncle]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

As a one year "veteran" hand-loader, I agree with what Kevin posted above. I personally use a RCBS Rock-chucker Supreme, and I got it in a kit. The kit has most of what you need to start, less the dies and shell holders.
A mentor or a one on one loading class is a very, very smart idea.
I load precision rifle, and hunting rounds, as well as quite a bit of hand-gun ammo. I would like to get a Dillon for the hand-gun stuff, but I am glad I got the Rock-Chucker first.
It is a lot of fun, but I don't think you save much money. You wind up shooting more, and shooting better, so you use the saved money to shoot more.

 

[280nosler]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

I started reloading 26 year ago but had about 6 years off in the middle when college, girls, and cars took priority.

a few questions to the OP -
When do you plan to reload pistol or rifle?
If rifle, what caliber?

What is your goal for reloading - tinkering, accuracy, cost reduction, hunting?

My initial advise is to buy quality gear. Why - lower quality stuff doesn't sell used, but you could post a WTS for a dillon or Redding press, and it will get picked up for 60% of what you paid new, sometimes (like now) even more.

Hornady, Redding & RCBS all have good presses. I like all but RCBS dies, but to each their own.

It sounds like you will be looking for a single stage or turret style press. I know plenty of people that started off wit ha 550 and ended up buying a Redding T-7 by the time all was said and done (one being a friend who was over earlier today). Redding has the Boss and Boss II in kit form with most of the stuff you will need. RCBS has the chucker in a kit with a book, scale, block, and uniflow powder measure. Hornady has a similar kit, which in my opinion has a better powder thrower. The Redding kit has does, but not a powder thrower.

 

[10generation]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

I've had a few people tell me I should "cut to the chase" and go with an RCBS Charge Master for powder. Apparently faster, easier than hand measuring individual loads, worth spending the money up front. Anyone else take this path, have a Charge Master?

 

[qkieler]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

10generation

i saw one in action today and they are very nice. everyone ive talked to says its the best money you can spend its not a must but makes it so much easier

 

[10generation]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

Yea, my one reservation about reloading is that the process seems very long and involved. I like the idea of digging in and spending the time to handload great ammo, but don't want to feel like I'm slogging. Chargemaster seems like it could make a big difference.

Also, as a newbie, getting powder right seems to be the #1 priority!

 

[darkarcher]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

The powder weighing is the fun part, the shitty part is brass prep. Spend your extra money there, but start slow, just the basics, do it, then you will quickly figure out what you need. I'm recently self taught. I bought the progressive press first and it is was jumping the gun. I know a guy who was getting out of reloading and I bought his older Hornady Kit plus some extra stuff. You need to know what your doing to set up a progressive and the single stage will teach you. Besides, from what I have seen of powder metering, I don't think you will be even close to FGMM on rifle rounds if you load them progressively. May work for plinking ammo. Some one with more experience there should chime in there. I am only going to load pistol ammo with the progressive.

 

[timeuler]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

Thanks for the reply...I shoot handgun 9mm, 44 mag, 40SW

 

[timeuler]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

I want to thank you all for your advice....

I shoot an average of 1500 rounds a month of 9mm,40SW, 44 MAG and 10 MM. I shoot for fun only. I have been shooting all of my life and shot on the 1980 US Olympic Team until the boycott. I have always been interested in reloading but just never did it. Now I have time and I want to dive in full bore.

I noticed that none of you mentioned the LEE products? After your thoughts on the board I have decide to go Single Stage at first for a year and then we will see where my interest goes. I have looked at an RCBS Rock Chucker Kit but Lee presses are half the price. I do know the "You get what you pay for" thought process. However are Lee presses to be ignored as a possibility?

I will reload for FUN (Foremost) and target shooting. Sure Accuracy is important and if I can develop loads that area spot on for my autoloaders that would be fine also. As long as I can consistently put all of my guns in the black at 25 yards I am happy.

Several mentioned reading...I have read the ABC's of reloading cover to cover, The Lee Modern Reloading Second edition and the Speer Reloading manual #14 cover to cover minus the reloading recipes. Not to mention the many videos on YouTube and websites out there.

I wish I did have someone to mentor me. I am very new to my area and don't know anyone. I went to the one gun shop within 2 hours and asked if they new someone and they said "Sorry". So I am solo on this endeavor. Do any of you know of a good DVD to watch? maybe that is a route to go.

Any advice you may have as far as manufacture for a press is greatly appreciated. and lastly THANK YOU all.

Tim

 

[milo 2.0]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

Tim,
I think I've scanned enough of this thread to offer something. I can't believe K. Thomas didn't say it, but respect his opinion. If you're just loading pistol, buy a Dillon 550 or 650 and don't look back. Buy seperate tool heads for each caliber, more money but worth it.
Other than tumbling there's no brass prep involved. At 1500rds a month, progressive is the way to go.

As for info, RCBS has some video's on their website. You tube is chalked full of info, just wade through it. Once you buy your stuff, any problems can be solved by posting it right here, someone will walk you through it.
Using the progressive you can still single stage things like sizing, so you can polish die ring off the brass, which will open up a station for a powder cop, or seperate crimp die, whatever. Single stage would do nothing but hamper your progress.
Also, RCBS and Redding make excellent 3 die sets, if you're looking at plated bullets, crimping has to be done seperate from seating. So you'll need a seperate crimp die.

 

[timeuler]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

Thanks will look into the 550 and 650.....

I appreciate the reply

 

[traderpats]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Tim Euler</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks will look into the 550 and 650.....

I appreciate the reply </div></div>

For the amount you're reloading I would second those choices. In my opinion, unless you have tons of "spare time" I'd stay away from a single stage as the sole machine. It would take way too long to load as would a turret press. The 550b represents a good balance of time and money required. The xl650 costs more but you'll load quality ammo quickly...

 

[280nosler]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

For pistol loads, a chargemaster is certainly a waste of time. I have one for large rifle, and only use it to throw loads over 45 grains, or if I am using varget god forbid. Get a 650, and be done with it. For what it s worth, pre prime your 44 mag and take out the decapping pin from he 650, then you don have to do a primer system swap over and can leave the small primer system in place.

 

[Tevis]

Re: Equipment for a beginner ?

First off buy something cast iron. It is solid and not aluminum that can bend when you use it. Many people have given great advice above and probably the most valuable is to ind somebody to shadow. More importantly find someone who is into the reloading you are trying to do. I know it is tempting to buy stuff but go and watch somebody first. Many reloaded have old presses that are perfectly good sitting around that they use as a partner/back up press. See if you can buy stuff off of them, it is how I started and I couldn't have made it any other way even with all the great information on this site.

 

[Sealhunter]

Not to drag up something too old, but maybe some advise from a slightly experienced newbie. I've been using the hornady lock Nolan classic for about 8 months. Mostly .223 and .45. It isn't the fastest route in the world, but ensured that I payed attention to EACH step as I learned the basics. I'm just now comfortable looking for a lock n load ap simply for bulk .223. Some say that the classic is slow and tedious, but I have no issue depriming until I get bored, than priming until I get bored, charging until I get bored, than seating until I get bored. I'm actually more concerned that with the progressive ill get bored just putting a case and a bullet on each pull.

 

[Pinecone]

The Lee stuff is OK. It works. But the cast iron O frame single stage presses are better.

As for progressives, there is a side by side by side comparison somewhere online where someone got the Lee, Hornady, and Dillon 650. He ended up keeping the Hornady, with a slight win over the Dillion.

But my 650 is some 20 year old, still supported by Dillon with free parts, and it has loaded 10s of thousands of rounds.

 

[Tickle]

Here's some good reading material that should get you pointed in the right direction as far as the reloading process and also equipment. I would still recommend finding someone that has some experience reloading and get them to walk you through the process a few times. Get a few reloading manuals to read. They typically have the process outlined in detail. By all means.....be careful, keep everything organized,clean, and properly labeled.

http://www.carifle.com/Articles/Aart_Reloading_jc.htm

http://riflemansjournal.blogspot.com/p/articles-index.html