gonna start reloading

[muledeerarea33?]

This is an old post. I know have two presses and all the other goodies that go along with it and reload almost every caliber that I have. I took a peice of laminated butcher block about 1 3/4 thick and used 4x4's for the legs. I trimmed it out with 1x6 birch and made some top shelves out of the same birch. It was the second bench that I made since the first one out of plywood and 2x6's wasn't really sturdy. This new table is rock solid even when I am sizing shortmag brass (whoever has one knows about camming over to shorten the kneck).

[ghost hunter]

33,

 

I started out reloading many moons ago. I would buy a kit to get started with. RCBS seems to be the company who has been around the longest. My first press was a Herter's. I haven't seen anything from them for a long time. So I got an RCBS just so I could get dies and shell holders.

 

Just follow the safety rules, read the manuals BEFORE you reload something and you'll do well. It is time consuming, but it is satisfying when you use one of your re-loads to down that big bull.

 

Ghost Hunter

[Red Rabbit]

The RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme kit is a good kit to start with. You will also want to get a case trimmer, powder trickler, dies, shell holders, caliper, and a chronograph.

I do not know about saving money, since trying diff bullets and powders gets into your blood. Be sure you have the time to commit to trying the different handloads at the range.

I have been handloading for 20 years, and still enjoy it. Hope you do also.

 

Doug~RR

[matthewp45]

RCBS is what I use and it hasn't failed me yet. I would go with a kit as well. I would definetly recomend a digital scale to go along with the kit. Follow all of the recipes correctly and do one thing at a time. Before you know it you will be a reloading fool.

[muledeerarea33?]

thanks for the tips. I have a chronograph and a dig scale that I use for archery stuff I do. I think they will work for bullets aswell? I have been looking at the RCBS kits and they look like the best I have seen.

[Kevin]

Watch ebay for reloading stuff. I bought a used RCBS Rockchucker kit plus all kinds of extras (tumbler, loading blocks, brass, dies, etc) for half of the new price of the kit alone. It was well worth the price. I don't think you can go wrong with RCBS. Keep in mind that if you ever plan on loading magnum brass, get the Rockchucker or equivalent. The Jr press is a little weak for full length sizing of the big cases!

 

Good luck,

Kevin

[Benbrown]

Most of my stuff (except dies) is RCBS, the exception being a Forster straight-line press that you will want to buy eventually. I have dies from RCBS, Forster and Lee, but for the last several years I have bought nothing but Redding dies. They are the best, short of the specialized bench-rest dies. Redding's pistol powder measure is the best of the non-electronics, you simply buy a larger powder reservoir to add to it for reloading rifle cartridges (or you can just refill it every 30 rounds or so).

 

The Redding kits are the best way to get started, as you will have everything that you need to produce quality ammo. You will want at least one good reloading manual, not only for suggested loads, but also for the information and tips on producing safe, accurate handloads. I like Nosler's the best, but Hornady and Barnes are good ones, too, and probably Sierra.

 

Good shooting!

[firstcoueswas80]

i just got into reloading this summer. i bought a RCBS rock chucker supreme kit and it has been going well. it does take a lot of time to get a load tuned but it is also amazing to see how .5 of a grain can send a group from 1 inch to under a half an inch and so on. good luck!

[muledeerarea33?]

well I bought my kit (RCBS rock chucker) now I just have to build a table to mount the thing so it dont end up in my lap on the first load. gotta love the sportsman wharehouse they got it all

[Red Rabbit]

A SOLID CORE door makes a sturdy reloading bench top. A used building materials place may have one on the cheap.

 

RR

[billrquimby]

A SOLID CORE door makes a sturdy reloading bench top.  A used building materials place may have one on the cheap.

 

RR

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I built my reloading bench top out of 8-foot-long 4x6 lumber years ago (when lumber still was cheap) and assembled it by drilling holes to accept four 1/2-inch threaded rods. I then bolted this heavy top to a 2x4 frame that I lag-screwed to the studs in my wall. I don't ever want to move the darned thing, but it certainly is solid. Using two RCBS C-type presses set up side-by-side make loading rifle cases easier and faster, and so does a separate tool for installing primers. I also have separate presses for loading 38 special/357 mag pistol and 12, 20, and 28 gauge shotgun shells, as well as a tumbler, digital scale, etc. etc. All this stuff was collected over many years ... much of it from yard sales.

 

I've loaded all my ammunition since about 1958 (I started with a Lyman tong tool) and have used my ammo on six continents for more than 60 types of game animals. I don't think my rifles would know what to do with factory fodder.

 

You'll find you'll shoot more when you reload, and this will make you a better shot. Enjoy.

 

Bill

[Red Rabbit]

Here are some plans from NRMA for a reloading bench.

http://www.somerssportsmen.com/bench.pdf

 

( I realize this is an old thread, but someone may like to build a new bench.)

[More D]

I just saw this post as well.

 

I picked up a Priming tool (Lee) and a Dillon case tumbler/cleaner for $20 bucks at a yard sale up in Phx. Now I just need the rest of the stuff......

 

 

Does any one have Dillon stuff? I thought they might be in the Phx area.

 

 

 

[Red Rabbit]

Dillon is out by the Scottsdale Air Park.

I do not have any of their stuff.

[TAM]

Just to add my .02 cents, getting into hand loading to save money on ammo is kind of like getting into hunting to save money on meat.

 

It's true, but don't let it stop you!