Author Topic: What to get for chistmas (Read 887 times)

himgirl88 · « **on:** October 29, 2008, 04:11:06 PM »

My boyfriend wants to start reloading and i want to help him start i just don't know where to start and what to get him. I have looked at RCBS, Lee, Hornady, and Dillion, it all looks the same to me and i dont know who and what the best quality is. So if you guys could help me out that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Nicki

Kurt L · « **Reply #1 on:** October 29, 2008, 04:25:54 PM »

Hi.
You can never have too many load manuals. that would be a good start.
also depends on funds you would like to spend.
the Lee kits are a good starter kits and Rcbs would have better tools in it as some other would.
the Lee scale and powder measure work but are cheap plastic.

let us know your budget?
what would he reload rifle and caliber,pitol and caliber?

Don Fischer · « **Reply #2 on:** October 29, 2008, 05:38:15 PM »

Be a good idea to know how much you can spend.

himgirl88 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 29, 2008, 06:13:26 PM »

well i think i will have one to two hundred maybe three. He wants to reload 308win, 325 wsm, 44 mag, 45 acp, 358 win. Those are the top 5.

daddywpb · « **Reply #4 on:** October 29, 2008, 10:32:55 PM »

I would suggest a good single stage press to start out, like the RCBS Rockchucker. I believe they have complete kits available with everything he will need to start out. The only thing probably not included in the kit would be dies for his favorite caliber. He can always upgrade later to a progressive press if he finds that he enjoys reloading.

I also have to say he's a very lucky man, and I hope he appreciates you. Ya got a sister?

himgirl88 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 30, 2008, 10:08:50 AM »

If i get him a single stage press what kind of dies do i get and do they have to be the same brand? Should i spend a little more and get him a digital scale or just keep the one that comes in the kits?

Thanks
Nicki

daddywpb · « **Reply #6 on:** October 30, 2008, 11:08:06 AM »

RCBS makes a good set of dies, I have many of them. You do not have to have the same brand, so you can also look at Lyman and Forester, Forester being a bit more pricey. Personally, I don't like Lee die sets because I've had trouble with them not holding adjustments, but I know of people who swear by them, and they are cheaper. Lee die sets are the only ones that come with a shellholder, so if you get one of the others, you'll have to order the proper shell holder also, a couple bucks extra. Midway has all you need at good prices, and they have charts online for the shellholders. They will also help you if you call the 800 number.

A digital scale is a nice extra if you have the money for one. I never thought I needed one until my wife bought me one a few years ago. Now I don't know how I got along all these years without one. The price has come down a bit in the last couple years. Dillon and PACT are both good brands.

yooper77 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 30, 2008, 11:54:55 AM »

himgirl88,

Let me be the first to say, Welcome to Graybeard Outdoors.

If you buy him the set up, like the ones below, then let him buy the rest. If you want to start him out with one set of dies that's fine, but he will still need brass, bullets, powder, primers and shell holder and a trimmer. Along with some other hand tools for case prepping.

Don't feel you need to buy all he needs at one time, it would be overwhelming for anyone to attempt.

The 308 Winchester, 358 Winchester and 45 ACP all take the same shell holder.
The 325 Winchester Short Magnum and 44 Magnum shell holders are both different.

Keep in mind all reloading dies manufactures are threaded the same and interchangeable in all presses for the cartridges you mentioned.

I love all my RCBS equipment, but I would buy Hornady if I started reloading today, they offer free bullets with purchases.
http://www.hornady.com/get_loaded.php

Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Single Stage Press Kit.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=151386&t=11082005

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Single Stage Press Master Kit.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=646599&t=11082005

yooper77

daddywpb · « **Reply #8 on:** October 30, 2008, 11:56:32 AM »

All good suggestions!

buck460XVR · « **Reply #9 on:** October 30, 2008, 12:46:06 PM »

Quote from: himgirl88 on October 30, 2008, 10:08:50 AM

Should i spend a little more and get him a digital scale or just keep the one that comes in the kits?

Thanks
Nicki

the scale that comes with the Rockchucker kit is as good as he'll ever need.

himgirl88 · « **Reply #10 on:** October 30, 2008, 04:23:58 PM »

Wow thanks for all that information. It is very overwhelming looking at all this stuff because i have no clue what to get him. I have an idea on what he wants, but i don't. What is the best starting reloading manual should i get him? Thanks for the welcome. So overall is Hornady the best way to go?

yooper77 · « **Reply #11 on:** October 30, 2008, 04:55:58 PM »

I like them all, just Hornady is offering free bullets which is a great offer.
-500 bullets would be somewhere from $100 to $125 if bought separately.

RCBS is also a great company and I have the RCBS Rock Chucker kit myself.

Either kit would be perfect and a great gift.

yooper77

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 30, 2008, 05:03:04 PM »

Nicki

Has he ever loaded before ?

If not the best way to start would be with a single stage press kit and a set of 44 Mag Carbide dies . The 44 is a strait walled case and one of the easiest to learn to load . Any of the kits will work to get started , with Lee being the cheapest at around $125 or even less , add a set of Lee dies for another $35 and he will only have to buy powder , primers and bullets .

As for a manual , the Lyman or Lee will give him the best overall service to start , the reason I say that is because they don't sell powder or bullets and they will cover the greatest spectrum of data .

By the way , you are both more than welcome to stop by here anytime , a wealth of info is to be had here and its FREE .

stimpy

himgirl88 · « **Reply #13 on:** November 02, 2008, 03:41:22 PM »

No he has never reloaded before this is for a beginner.

charles p · « **Reply #14 on:** November 04, 2008, 04:56:26 AM »

Three serious mistakes I made as a beginner.

1. Setting the scale at the wrong weight
2. Assuming max loads are the best
3. Changing powder or data without realizing

For the first problem the solution is to check, recheck, and continually check to make certain the scale is set correctly.
The third problem might best be avoided by using only two powders - a ball powder and a stick powder.

Sooner or later, he will need a bullet puller. I like the collet style sold by RCBS.
It's not a sin to discard a bad reload.

tuck2 · « **Reply #15 on:** November 04, 2008, 05:33:54 AM »

I started reloading in 1952. Over the years I have tryed out various brands. I like RCBS tools and Redding dies. They both have great service. Hornady and Lymon are some of the better reloading books. With tools , dies, and reloading books cost will run about $ 400. for the better quality equipment...Call RCBS and Redding and get their cataloge...

blhof · « **Reply #16 on:** November 04, 2008, 01:19:54 PM »

Both RCBS and Hornady sometimes have sets that also include a set of dies to start, Lee has done this for years and it's caught on with others, check their online stores and inquire as to special deals for a set. The Lee manual is easy reading and covers many of the 1st timer mistakes that can happen as well as helpful hints to make loading easier. I currently have a library of manuals and still download data from the powder company sites to update and stay current.

Kurt L · « **Reply #17 on:** November 04, 2008, 04:57:16 PM »

Just a thought for you.

The reloading video's by Sierra bullet company that walk you through from
start to finish would be a GREAT hands on look at how to reload by a pro.G.David Tubb
I think his name is.

PigBoy Crabshaw · « **Reply #18 on:** November 04, 2008, 08:45:55 PM »

With the outcome of the election, I would stock up now on shells, powder, and bullets soon! -g

NE Hunter · « **Reply #19 on:** November 05, 2008, 04:49:22 AM »

I would get him the Lyman Manual and the Lee Anniversary Kit and an RCBS scale in addition to the scale that comes in the Lee kit I don't like the LEE scale ...it might work OK but it just "looks cheap" and therefore I don't trust it. Add set of .44 Mag dies and he can get started from there. I started with the Lee Challenger press 24 years ago and works fine. By doing the above suggestion he will have 2 manuals to startout with and a good scale and everything else he will need to start out ....WARNING .... there will be wants and needs to follow.