---Note, this post refers to the quote below. I originally wrote this for another thread but per the authors request, I am keeping it separate of his thread. ---
I just got my reloading stuff 4 days ago. To all those out there worried about the complexities of reloading, try to understand who is giving this information. At first, I was completely surprised when people told me I needed this tool or that tool. Take a step back and find out who is giving you this information. Why are they going to such great lengths to make their rounds. Perfectionist? Competition? Required to make sure you are safe?
I started to take everything everyone was saying with a grain of salt. It helped. I bought a Lee Anniversary kit, Lee Reloading Book, Calipers(cheap digitals) and Lee Dies. I'm at 350 rounds (.308) reloaded using factory brass fired from my rifle.
So you really don't need everything on the list in the first post. But try to understand why he made that list. Under different circumstances, as in if I bought my brass instead of using factory loaded, I too would have to buy quite a few more tools.
...that was my best attempt to bring wisdom to the table.
P.S. Rockchucker supreme would have been my first choice but I didn't want to wait for my gun store to get it in stock so I went with the Lee kit.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1ZNUF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After talking with some Hide members who want to get into reloading, I'd like to start a thread on reloading equipment and how to use it. As usual, this is how I do it, and it's not the only way. My method has evolved to take the best from benchrest loading and streamline it to produce quality field reloads with minimum bench time. These methods take basic reloading techniques and add simple twists to achieve important goals of reloading: brass sized to fit your rifle, consistent primer pockets and flash holes, consistent powder weights to +/- .05 grains, consistent bullet pull and seating depth. To start, here's the list of materials I recommend for the basic starting setup including stock numbers and prices from Midway to get started with the 300 Win Mag:
1)RCBS Rock Chucker Master Kit 646-599 286.99
this kit includes an RCBS hand priming tool, a balance scale, a lube pad, and other basic necessities. You'll never break it or wear it out and it will handle anything short of 50 BMG.
2)Lyman Flash Hole Unifomring Tool 729-748 11.99
3)RCBS Primer Pocket Brush 401-865 13.49
4)Lyman Primer Pocket Uniformer 388-732 16.49
5)Lee Cutter and Lock Stud 476-992 4.99
6)Lee Case Length Gauge/shellholder 695-045 4.99
7)Hornady standard Dial Caliper 822-768 30.49
8)RCBS Precision Mic 302-361 44.99
9)Forster Case Trimmer 614-276 74.99
10)Forster 0.3065" Inside Neck Reamer, custom order from Forster, about $22
11)Imperial Sizing Wax 519-525 7.49
12)Imperial Dry Neck Lube 319-390 5.99
13)Redding Competition Full Length Die set with Micrometer Seating Die. Accept no substitute.
14)Redding Universal Decapping Die 193-108 16.49
15)Lee Powder Measure Kit 943-305 8.29
Optional:
1) Upgrade to electronic powder measures
Lyman 1200 Digital powder scale and dispenser 279-731 280.49
or, electronic scale only:
PACT electronic digital scale, can add electronic dispenser later 707-006 119.99
So there's the equipment you need to get started and load the way I load. Over the next week or so I'll post step by step pics of how I reload. Understand, this is my way; there are other ways. This will get you started with a reasonable compromise between very basic reloading and extremely involved benchrest loading techniques.
Next: starting the process with new brass. </div></div>
I just got my reloading stuff 4 days ago. To all those out there worried about the complexities of reloading, try to understand who is giving this information. At first, I was completely surprised when people told me I needed this tool or that tool. Take a step back and find out who is giving you this information. Why are they going to such great lengths to make their rounds. Perfectionist? Competition? Required to make sure you are safe?
I started to take everything everyone was saying with a grain of salt. It helped. I bought a Lee Anniversary kit, Lee Reloading Book, Calipers(cheap digitals) and Lee Dies. I'm at 350 rounds (.308) reloaded using factory brass fired from my rifle.
So you really don't need everything on the list in the first post. But try to understand why he made that list. Under different circumstances, as in if I bought my brass instead of using factory loaded, I too would have to buy quite a few more tools.
...that was my best attempt to bring wisdom to the table.
P.S. Rockchucker supreme would have been my first choice but I didn't want to wait for my gun store to get it in stock so I went with the Lee kit.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1ZNUF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">After talking with some Hide members who want to get into reloading, I'd like to start a thread on reloading equipment and how to use it. As usual, this is how I do it, and it's not the only way. My method has evolved to take the best from benchrest loading and streamline it to produce quality field reloads with minimum bench time. These methods take basic reloading techniques and add simple twists to achieve important goals of reloading: brass sized to fit your rifle, consistent primer pockets and flash holes, consistent powder weights to +/- .05 grains, consistent bullet pull and seating depth. To start, here's the list of materials I recommend for the basic starting setup including stock numbers and prices from Midway to get started with the 300 Win Mag:
1)RCBS Rock Chucker Master Kit 646-599 286.99
this kit includes an RCBS hand priming tool, a balance scale, a lube pad, and other basic necessities. You'll never break it or wear it out and it will handle anything short of 50 BMG.
2)Lyman Flash Hole Unifomring Tool 729-748 11.99
3)RCBS Primer Pocket Brush 401-865 13.49
4)Lyman Primer Pocket Uniformer 388-732 16.49
5)Lee Cutter and Lock Stud 476-992 4.99
6)Lee Case Length Gauge/shellholder 695-045 4.99
7)Hornady standard Dial Caliper 822-768 30.49
8)RCBS Precision Mic 302-361 44.99
9)Forster Case Trimmer 614-276 74.99
10)Forster 0.3065" Inside Neck Reamer, custom order from Forster, about $22
11)Imperial Sizing Wax 519-525 7.49
12)Imperial Dry Neck Lube 319-390 5.99
13)Redding Competition Full Length Die set with Micrometer Seating Die. Accept no substitute.
14)Redding Universal Decapping Die 193-108 16.49
15)Lee Powder Measure Kit 943-305 8.29
Optional:
1) Upgrade to electronic powder measures
Lyman 1200 Digital powder scale and dispenser 279-731 280.49
or, electronic scale only:
PACT electronic digital scale, can add electronic dispenser later 707-006 119.99
So there's the equipment you need to get started and load the way I load. Over the next week or so I'll post step by step pics of how I reload. Understand, this is my way; there are other ways. This will get you started with a reasonable compromise between very basic reloading and extremely involved benchrest loading techniques.
Next: starting the process with new brass. </div></div>
