Beginner setup

[TheBigCountry]

I’ve pretty much decided that my next purchase(s) once everything calms down is going to be a reloading setup. I’ve looked into getting a “starter kit” before, like the RCBS Rockchucker kit, but wanted to know if it’s easier to piece a kit together? And if so what are the basics I need to get to begin?

(Going to reload 9, 556/223, 30-06, 6.5, etc).

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

It's all going to depend on how much money you want to spend.

What's your budget?

 

[Rocketmandb]

The Rock Chucker kit is a great way to start. Why?

- The Rock Chucker is a solid single-stage press. I have one that I was using to hydro form.
- I did not buy the kit, but I have separately bought some of the components and still use them (funnel, powder throw), and I used the flash hole deburrer for a while before upgrading.

You will easily get your value out of the kit, even as you upgrade many of the components if you continue on with reloading.

 

[TheBigCountry]

It's all going to depend on how much money you want to spend.

What's your budget?

Pondering if this is one of those situations where you can buy once cry once, or piece meal it together. Maybe $500 for everything eventually?

 

[spife7980]

500 for everything eventually?
Tumbler plus separator is 100
rcbs press and forster dies is 250
trimmer and chamfer deburr is 100
calipers and comparators is 100 (not really but lest round up)
scale I would go chargemaster for 250.

Thats 800 but you wont hate yourself after a loading session if you go with the chargemaster scale and a drill mounted 3way cutter trimmer.

 

[Alabusa]

This kit has everything you need to get started....

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[lightman]

Kits are an easy way to get into reloading. But many of the things that come with a kit are entry level and eventually get replaced. Like the scale. If I bought a kit it would be the RCBS. Mostly because of their legendary customer service.

If you piece meal your set-up with high end equipment you will spend much more than $500. Its up to you how deep you want to get into it. I can load ammo on my RockChucker with a standard 2 die set that is more accurate than the best factory ammo. To knock 1/8 off of those groups cost $$$.

 

[Steel head]

500 for everything eventually?
Tumbler plus separator is 100
rcbs press and forster dies is 250
trimmer and chamfer deburr is 100
calipers and comparators is 100 (not really but lest round up)
scale I would go chargemaster for 250.

Thats 800 but you wont hate yourself after a loading session if you go with the chargemaster scale and a drill mounted 3way cutter trimmer.

I’d definitely consider something like the charge master.
You’ll thank yourself later!

 

[PinesAndProjectiles]

Another vote for the Charge master. I've got two and won't be parting with them anytime soon.

Frankford Arsenal now has an automatic powder dispenser on the market and it's cheaper than the RCBS. I don't know shit about it, but I've heard good things so it's worth looking at.

 

[Ryridesmotox]

I would just get the kit. You'll have pretty much everything needed to reload. Then you can upgrade shit and you go. Some stuff you'll keep and use forever, but others you will replace.

Another vote for the Charge master. I've got two and won't be parting with them anytime soon.

Frankford Arsenal now has an automatic powder dispenser on the market and it's cheaper than the RCBS. I don't know shit about it, but I've heard good things so it's worth looking at.

I have the FA intellidropper. Worth every penny

 

[TheBigCountry]

I appreciate all’s responses so far, and will up my budget accordingly. I have been meaning to ask; what are the differences in types of presses. I think I’ve read there are progressive, turret, and single stage? I want to reload both pistol and rifle rounds if that helps.

 

[spife7980]

Progressive has multiple die positions and when you pull the handle they all do work at the same time.
Turret has multiple die positions but only one works at a time.
Single stage only has one die location and works one at a time.

SO for less critical stuff like a pistol etc I would never go single or turret, get a progressive so you can spit that bulk ammo out fast. I shoot a mag of pistol in the time it takes me to shoot one rifle round, that means it would take me 12x as long to make all my pistol ammo than it does my rifle. Screw that.

For precision it could go either way, its entirely possible on a progressive (and many here do!) but it takes a bit more from you to set it up properly for great results and improperly could result in poor results in mass before you catch the mistake. It has potential for higher variance, not a guarantee.
A single stage is simpler and less to keep your mind on and mess up but you can still get shit results from it if youre not paying attention, you just dont have to be careful with multiple operations going on at once. It forces you to slow down.

 

[TheBigCountry]

Progressive has multiple die positions and when you pull the handle they all do work at the same time.
Turret has multiple die positions but only one works at a time.
Single stage only has one die location and works one at a time.

SO for less critical stuff like a pistol etc I would never go single or turret, get a progressive so you can spit that bulk ammo out fast. I shoot a mag of pistol in the time it takes me to shoot one rifle round, that means it would take me 12x as long to make all my pistol ammo than it does my rifle. Screw that.

For precision it could go either way, its entirely possible on a progressive (and many here do!) but it takes a bit more from you to set it up properly for great results and improperly could result in poor results in mass before you catch the mistake. It has potential for higher variance, not a guarantee.
A single stage is simpler and less to keep your mind on and mess up but you can still get shit results from it if youre not paying attention, you just dont have to be careful with multiple operations going on at once. It forces you to slow down.

Much appreciated and that makes sense. Is there any best of both worlds? I see the benefit when reloading 9mm and maybe some linking ammo for the 556 with a progressive. Would it be wise to eventually have two? One progressive and one mainly for precision? (And please correct me
If I’m fudging this up).

 

[MarkTheNewf]

.

 

[ScottPriestley]

As a Newb myself I piece-mealed and definitely paid more than a kit would have been. As for single stage, turret or progressive - Im starting with a single stage but will most likely end up with a turret or progressive down the line but I dont regret getting a single stage - it will still be useful for decapping, neck sizing, etc. Good luck!