Suggestions on a reload kit

#3
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: whitetrashmo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What kit is good for reloading 308 for long range.I want a user friendly quality kit that will produce match grade ammo_Of course with practice on my part.<span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">I want to buy once so quality is key</span></span>.Any help is good thanks. </div></div>

I wasn't going to suggest any kit until I read that line. That's my thought process too. So with that in mind...
...I started with the Hornady LnL kit. Two months later virtually every single piece of that kit got upgraded to a hodge-podge of different parts, tools, and components from every manufacturer. I finally upgraded the press 2 years ago to Forsters CO-AX and couldn't be happier except to say that I should've started there and added quality dies like Lee collets and/or Redding. Now my kit press has been relegated to bullet pulling.
I understand the draw of the kit purchase. One check and off you go, I get it, but you WILL replace and upgrade that kit to better stuff sooner or later (probably sooner). So my unbiased advice is get what you want and can reasonably afford.
Assemble a list of individual pieces for your ideal "dream kit" and start that way. Use one of the kit's 'contents' as a template for the basics. Otherwise buy a kit...(any name brand kit will get the job done) and spend more later upgrading to what you should've bought to begin with if you'd only done more leg work researching it all on the front end.

Last I checked the Forster CO-AX was on sale at Cabela's. I don't know anyone that has one that hates that press...just sayin.

ETA: Midway's cheaper than Cabela's sale price. Watch those shipping fees and taxes though

Good luck.
 
#4
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jeremybj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is your budget? If you are looking to spend about $300, go with the RCBS:

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/646599/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-single-stage-press-master-kit

Pretty much everything you will need. The dies I recommend are the Lee Deluxe:

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/148525/lee-deluxe-3-die-set-308-winchester </div></div>
This.
 
#5
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

Ok.. you want to do it right the first time.. seriously?! Ok, here is a good start. (and I'm staying within reason)

For match quality long range shooting.. stick with a turret or single stage press. Progressives are good for bulk .223 and handgun ammo. But with precision rifle.. single stage is your best bet (or turret if your lazy).

1a. Good clean work area and sturdy platform to mount your press.

1. Press: Any of the big single stanges will work. The Co-Ax does get great reviews, and you pay for it. But you said you want the best.
2. Brass (not reloading equipment but key): Lapua if they make your caliber. If not Winchester, Norma or Nosler. Less prep with Nosler and Norma than Winny.
3. Dies: Redding Competition Set, but Forester and RCBS make good Competition sets also.
4. I still prefer a beam scale and trickler, but you may want an auto powder dispenser (RCBS Chargemaster).
5. Case prep and cleaning tools (assorted)
6. Calipers and mic gauge
7. Comparator gauges for your caliper (measure bullets and COAL)

Got a cold so that's all I got.. others will chime in. All in all there isn't a kit. Build your own. But the RCBS RockChucker kit isn't bad to get started. The key is the dies,components, and tolerances. Keep you tolerances in check and you'll be good to go. You also need to understand the dimenstions of your chamber for COAL calculations and measure fired case necks for blowout/expansion as well for feeding.
 
#6
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

Kits are for noobs who have no idea of what to choose for the basic tools, not long range or "match grade" shooters. Long range and match accuracy is for very experienced hands. Many long range tools are significatly different from what you will find in any kit.

The dies are important for optimum results but virtually any modern press will work fine for use with any threaded dies. And, fact is, the standard dies of any brand are normally capable of producing very good ammo if used correctly. The major factor in precision reloading is the loader's knowledge and skill; that can't be bought in a box of any color. It takes a lot of time and experience before any new loader's skill exceeds what can be done with common tools and dies.

(Purely personal, I see no justification for RCBS to call their very expensive dies "competition" or "gold metal" tools. Forster and Redding are tied for 'best' threaded dies, all others are tied for third place. IMHO.)
 
#7
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

I bought a kit when I first started out, and I do still use most of it, but I have also added quite a bit of other stuff that the kit didn't come with. I also would have probably bought a few different pieces had I known what I know now. I'd recommend piecing together a kit instead of buying one.
 
#8
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

The advice above is all good advice. I wish I had followed it when I first started handloading and bought a Hornady LNL single-stage kit. The press is fine, but that is about it. I have since replaced everything with better equipment from all major manufacturers. This ended up costing a lot more in the end than just buying the higher quality stuff I needed/wanted from the get-go.

Whatever you choose ... DO NOT choose Hornady die sets. They are absolutely worthless -- even with the crappy "free bullet" offer. If you want precision in the long run (after you load a few hundred/thousand and get the hang of it all), stick with Redding. JMHO.
 
#9
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fuzzball</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Kits are for noobs who have no idea of what to choose for the basic tools, not long range or "match grade" shooters. Long range and match accuracy is for very experienced hands. Many long range tools are significatly different from what you will find in any kit.

The dies are important for optimum results but virtually any modern press will work fine for use with any threaded dies. And, fact is, the standard dies of any brand are normally capable of producing very good ammo if used correctly. The major factor in precision reloading is the loader's knowledge and skill; that can't be bought in a box of any color. It takes a lot of time and experience before any new loader's skill exceeds what can be done with common tools and dies.

(Purely personal, I see no justification for RCBS to call their very expensive dies "competition" or "gold metal" tools. Forster and Redding are tied for 'best' threaded dies, all others are tied for third place. IMHO.) </div></div>
What you are saying is match ammo and precision long range cannot be accomplished on entry level components?
confused.gif
 
#10
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

^^ they will but at a slower rate. I stared with a regular charge scale and now got a RCBS CM. Started with regular dies now got comp dies for all my calibers that I shoot. So I would suggest stating your dollar amount your willing to spend before you start buying reloading equipment. The point is to try and buy everything once not twice.



Aron-
 
#11
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

You can just throw powser charges and still get superb results...hence the OCW.

BTW- I only use a trickler for load development the rest just get thrown from a regular old vanilla flavored RCBS uniflow and the bullets are seated with standard RCBS dies.....nuttin' special, no black magic, just pure science and only at the cost of 36 rounds....and that's including the sighters.

I don't have my .308 load target, but the concept is the same as below. The target below is the 3rd posted in my post....see link.

SO..............if what you're saying is you need high end dies and high end scales to achieve a +/- .3g spread, then I don't follow your logic/advice.

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthre...445#Post2830445

img_5692.jpg
 
#12
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

"What you are saying is match ammo and precision long range cannot be accomplished on entry level components? "

Well, first thing I would say is it appears you really didn't read what I did say.

Second, what I did say is reloading precision is more in the dies and methods than the other equipment AND that 'common' tools work much better than most reloaders; I don't know how to say it any simplier. Sooo...whatever.
smile.gif
??
 
#13
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

Anyways.................to the original post,

NO you don't need expensive equipment to load match ammo for long range
NO you don't need experienced hands to load match ammo for long range
NO it doesn't take long to develop a better than factory match ammo
NO you are not a noob for buying a kit.

My 15 year old daughter loads my ammo (she's never fired a gun) and her efforts producet rounds that can hit 1200y steel (18"x24") consecutive.

NO you will not buy once...
smile.gif
but I'm sure you will be happy with what you buy
smile.gif


BTW- This is an excellent start

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jeremybj</div><div class="ubbcode-body">What is your budget? If you are looking to spend about $300, go with the RCBS:

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/646599/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-single-stage-press-master-kit

Pretty much everything you will need. The dies I recommend are the Lee Deluxe:

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/148525/lee-deluxe-3-die-set-308-winchester </div></div>
 
#14
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

The kit will get you going immediately but you will likely want to upgrade everything at some point as every piece tends to be somewhat of a compromise. I've gone full circle in my equipment over the years and if I were starting over using my current knowledge my parts would look like this:

Press: harrell's precision
Powder: Lyman 1200DPSIII
Dies: Hornady or Redding
Trimmer: Wilson
Primer Seating: Sinclair
Case Prep: Lyman Case Prep Express
Cleaning: Hornady Tumbler and Harbor Freight Ultrasonic

The reasons for the choices are as follows. The Harrell's press is very compact and portable yet it has enough leverage and strength to easily full length size. The powder dispenser is what I currently use and have had no issues. The RCBS Chargemaster is a good choice as well. Dies, I have multiple sets of Hornady and Redding and am happy with all of them. I have a collection of RCBS also but only because I was to impatient to wait for the Redding/Hornady. Trimmer, I am currently using the Lyman Universal and it works fine but I believe the Wilson is a better design and will be upgrading when the budget allows. Primer seating, I have a Hornady now and it's pretty aweful, the Sinclair will be replacing it soon. For cleaning I use both the tumbler and the ultrasonic. You don't need both but it is handy to have the option.
 
#15
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

"NO you are not a noob for buying a kit."

NO, buying a kit won't make anyone a noob. Noob simply means a new guy is a new guy and new guys are usually called "noobs." But, maybe it takes an experienced guy to know that??
wink.gif

 
#16
Re: Suggestions on a reload kit

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Linkless</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The kit will get you going immediately but you will likely want to upgrade everything at some point as every piece tends to be somewhat of a compromise. I've gone full circle in my equipment over the years and if I were starting over using my current knowledge my parts would look like this:

Press: harrell's precision
Powder: Lyman 1200DPSIII
Dies: Hornady or Redding
Trimmer: Wilson
Primer Seating: Sinclair
Case Prep: Lyman Case Prep Express
Cleaning: Hornady Tumbler and Harbor Freight Ultrasonic

The reasons for the choices are as follows. The Harrell's press is very compact and portable yet it has enough leverage and strength to easily full length size. The powder dispenser is what I currently use and have had no issues. The RCBS Chargemaster is a good choice as well. Dies, I have multiple sets of Hornady and Redding and am happy with all of them. I have a collection of RCBS also but only because I was to impatient to wait for the Redding/Hornady. Trimmer, I am currently using the Lyman Universal and it works fine but I believe the Wilson is a better design and will be upgrading when the budget allows. Primer seating, I have a Hornady now and it's pretty aweful, the Sinclair will be replacing it soon. For cleaning I use both the tumbler and the ultrasonic. You don't need both but it is handy to have the option. </div></div>

Linkless,

Liked the way you broke everything down, I think that is helpful for new folks starting reloading. If you don't mind I'll emulate your thinking....

Presses: I have two: CH4D #111 (one die) H Style Press for Bullet Seating only and CH4D #444 (4 die) H Style Press for everything else, Universal decapping, FL and Neck sizer dies always mounted, for whatever I'm loading. These two press are older than most posters here on the hide. Good stuff, taken care of, lasts a long time....
Powder scale: Lyman 1500 Electronic, Ohaus 10-10 manual
Powder measure: RCBS Uniflow, and Redding BR3
Trimmer: Forster CT100
Dies: FL RCBS X die
Neck Sizers: Redding NK
Bullet Seaters: Forster Ultra Micrometer
Universal Decapping: Lee
Primer Seating: RCBS hand priming tool, and Lee Autoprime (2), Bonanza Co-AX Primer seater
Case Prep: Hand tools by; Lyman, RCBS, Forster
Case Cleaning: Lyman 1200
Dial Calipers - Craftsman
Inside and Outside Mitutoyo Micrometers
Stoney Point gauges
Hornady Ammunition Concentricity Tool
Bullet pullers: RCBS Collet Bullet Puller, and Quinetics Kinetic

Not alot of labor saving devices on my bench, LOL. But I admit I have not been reloading long, 2012 will only be my 40th year of stuffing brass hulls........
 
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