Best $500 spent on reloading?

[Sirshredalot]

I sold some old gear and am looking to invest it back into my reloading.
$500ish to spend total...dont mind buying used.

I am considering:
-New scale...maybe a chargemaster.
-Neck turning outfit(21st century)
-powder/primers/bullets
-save up for new barrel.

Where is my best money spent?

Im leaning toward the neck turning lathe because i dont have one

Please and thank you
Shred

 

[lightman]

I have several tools/machines that have really saved me time or effort.

ChargeMaster
Giraud case trimmer
Giraud annealing machine
Dillon Progressive press

Unless you have a tight neck chamber that requires neck turning I would move the neck turning lathe further down the list.

 

[Lilja Riflebarrels]

If your thinking scale, in my opinion the only one to consider is the FX120.

 

[Sirshredalot]

I am set up to anneal and have a rl550

 

[ditter]

Best thing for my groups was a Bartlein barrel. Ha
Best thing I got for speeding up reloading was a chargemaster lite. Wish I had two.

 

[ShtrRdy]

If you don't have a stash of components, you might want to stock up before the election.

 

[straightshooter1]

I sold some old gear and am looking to invest it back into my reloading.
$500ish to spend total...dont mind buying used.

I am considering:
-New scale...maybe a chargemaster.
-Neck turning outfit(21st century)
-powder/primers/bullets
-save up for new barrel.

Where is my best money spent?

Im leaning toward the neck turning lathe because i dont have one

Please and thank you
Shred

Not knowing anything about whether or not your after "precision" shooting or how many guns you'll be reloading for or how much reloading you'll be doing . . .

I'd say, go with the ChargeMaster first.

Then, if you're really into "precision" shooting, the neck turning tools is nice, but otherwise not necessary.

 

[Powder_Burns]

Powder and primers, all day.

 

[47guy]

what are you shooting and how many rounds through the barrel? if low rounds id do what @ShtrRdy said if high count id probably buy a barrel...skip the neck turning its not needed.

 

[Sirshredalot]

280 ai, 600ish rounds...having trouble with load pressure/velocity variance. I didnt order a tight neck chamber...but i might have one....or my hornady brass has very inconsistent neck thickness.

Im fairly ok on components...ive got enough for another 6-800 rounds....unless i switch powders.

I have two scales but am questioning everything.

The only thing i havent done is neck turn or replace the barrel.

As far as scope of work goes...im primarily concerned with precision loading for just this rifle.
I can bulk produce on the 550 for the blasting toys.

I have two single stages also.

Shred

 

[TxWelder35]

Dual charge master 1500s

or a charge master and an annealez

 

[Powder_Burns]

Or put a deposit on that autotrickler v3.

 

[Lilja Riflebarrels]

If you are that new to reloading, and not sure what to buy, I would spend all of your extra money on components. Shoot a couple thousand rounds through a couple barrels and then figure out what works and what doesn't. Most people don't need an annealer, a fancy auto trickler etc. Get by with what you have until you find out for yourself what you need and don't need. Save yourself a lot of money and headaches in the long run.

 

[ShtrRdy]

To figure out approximately what your neck diameter is, measure the neck diameter on several loaded cartridges. Then take those same cartridges and fire them. Then measure the neck diameter on the fired cases.