So let me ask you experienced reloaders...

[theoldarcher]

...a question or two.

After reading many of the reloading equipment posts, I am drawing the conclusion that many of you might not purchase one of the many 'kits' on the market, but would opt to purchase individual components to make up your reloading equipment list.  Is that a right conclusion?  If not, which of the kits would you recommend and why?  NOTE: I will take an average, deduct 10%, start from there, and work my way up.  :-)

I used to reload our varmit loads when I was a kid using an old Lee hand loading kit.  However, that was back when dirt was still cooling, so there is much, much for me to learn.

I will reload .220 Swift, .308 Win., .300 Win. Mag, .45-70, and .45 Long Colt ammo.  And others as whatever gun finds its way into my home.

I want to build a room in my pole barn out back of the house.  Any thing any of you would do to set up a room from scratch for reloading?  It will also be used to as a place to move my archery stuff out of the family room.  My vision is to have it climate controlled, locked and alarmed (which the pole barn is already), and user friendly.  So any thoughts before construction will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to all for your input.  

God bless, Arch

[mountainview]

I like the kits to get started since I did not have a baseline, other than a moderate budget, to get going. The kit, while not perfect, allowed me to learn the ropes at a reasonable budget and determine what non-kit items I wanted to make this or that task easier, more productive, etc.

I have a bench in the garage I load from. Your pole barn sounds like a nice place to work out of. I think a nice solid, leveled bench with ample space would be needed along with good lighting in the loading area. Shelving would be handy for storing stuff as well. I also like to have a quiet area where there are few distractions. You'll likely continue customizing your setup and workspace along the way but the above, along with reloading equipment of your choice, should get ya going.

[PA-Joe]

There are several very important components: Powder scale, Powder measure, caliper and Stonypoint Gauges. You want to get the best you can. Next how much will you be reloading and can you get away with a single stage press? If you can afford it go for a Dillon press.

[savageT]

archer,
First off, if you don't have someone close by that you can depend on to coach you, I wouldn't consider the non-kit approach.  After all is said and done, if you are depending on a bunch of guys on graybeard or where ever to steer you and they just can't give you hands-on help like someone watching and guiding you.
These kits, especially the RCBS kits I'm familiar with, have quality parts and you won't need to upgrade them unless you become proficient enough to move beyond a single stage press.  Now if you are going into pistol reloading, that might be a different story, but all that you listed with the exception of the 45 long Colt are rifle cartridges.  The basics are covered in every kit:
single stage press, powder dispenser, beam scale, trimmer, shell holder and funnel, primer loading tubes (2), lube pad w/ lubricant and brushes, reamer/deburring tool and a great reloading manual.
Will you need more?  Yes, besides bullets, powders and shells, you need caliber specific dies, shell holders, a good dial caliper, a bullet puller, a good vibratory cleaner/polisher, at least a couple more loading manuals and a trusted teacher to answer those questions that are bound to come up.
In my humble opinion, the kit is a great way to get started.
Jim

[Questor]

It sounds like you're planning to reload quite a lot. You will need quality equipment.

I happened to start with a RCBS Rockchucker kit because it contained the stuff I would be using and because it is of high quality for what you pay. Given the spectrum of cartridges you're planning to load, it probably would be a good choice for you.

I have had nothing but bad luck (i.e., massivley irritating and sometimes expensive failures) with Lee products, so I avoid them.  Many others have fared better.

If you want to do this for less money, your best bet is to find good used equipment on ebay and build up that way.

The best investment at the outset is good information. You can probably find a recent but used Hornady or Speer manual for sale so you can read up on the issues before sinking any money into this.  You can easily spend $600 getting set up to load all those calibers if you  include components.

[ricciardelli]

Generally I recommend two RCBS kits to new loaders.

The RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit and the RCBS Accessory Kit.

These two can be purchased new for under $300 if you shop around, and will give you everything you need to get started except dies and shell holders.

After you get all the basics (in those two kits), if you need anything else, I suggest the following:

RCBS Trim Mate Case Prep Center;

Lyman 2200 Turbo-Flo Tumbler (better off with 2, one with Lyman treated corncob and the other with Lyman treated walnut);

Forster Case Trimmer;

As for dies, I generally recommend RCBS Carbide dies where available, and I also recommend a full-length die set AND a neck-sizing die for all calibers, where available;

after the above you can buy all the little goodies you feel you want or need...

As an afterthought I figure I should list what is contained in those two kits:

2 case loading blocks
5-0-5 scale
Case lube kit
Deburring tool
Hand priming tool
Hex key set
Medium case neck brush
Powder funnel
Powder measure piggyback stand
Powder trickler
Primer pocket brush combo
Rock Chucker Supreme Press
Small case neck brush
Speer reloading manual
Stainless steel dial caliper
Uniflow powder measure

[Lawdog]

Nothing wrong with buying a kit and then adding to it.  A good way to save a few bucks and still get you started.  One thing I would add to your reloading room is a good metal fire box to store your powder/primers in.  Your insurance company will appreciate this detail.  Lawdog
 

[longwinters]

Sorry for double post, too much lag.
Long

[longwinters]

I started out with the RCBS Turret Kit.  After using it, I would never go to a regular single press.  It is so much easier and faster to just turn the turret instead of continually screwing in and unscrewing the dies you are using.  It is certainly not essential and the guys that use the regular presses probably would not trade them  either.  But for the few $$$ more it was worth it to me.   A long with it I later added an extra turret, case trimmer, vib cleaner, digital caliper, stoney point OAL guage, Hornady cam lok bullet puller and a Lee hand primer.  And of course several reloading guides.  And remember, if you go cheap chances are you will be upgrading that piece of equipment later so save yourself some money and just buy it once.

Long

[Swamp Fox]

What ricciardelli said.

I started with a Rock Chucker kit.added a trickler, tumbler, case trimmer and some reloading blocks.
A good micrometer and caliper is a necessity.
Don't get in a hurry and don't reload when there are distractions.

[theoldarcher]

Thanks, fellows, for all your valuable input.  I will look into a kit for starters and augment it with some of the accessories mentioned.  This is something I've wanted to do for a long time, and starting on the room in the pole barn just brings it all closer.

I am getting covered up in brass.  I've not reloaded any since I had some of the guns mentioned, so I have boxes and boxes of brass.

After looking at many, many of the posts here, I may need to pick some of your brains again once I get started.  

Thanks again for all your help.

Arch

[cattleskinner]

Theold archer,

I realize that I'm probably in the minority here, but I use the Lee Loader kit for my .223, and have used them for .41 and .44 mag.  After using that for awhile, I realized that I needed a press for the pistol cartridges, mainly because I like the carbide dies...I hate putting lube on and off of the cases when sizing.  I use a Lee auto-prime for priming, which makes it ALOT easier compared to pounding them in...more consistant too.  I guess that I have alot  less experience than some here when it comes to a press since I just use it for pistol rounds, and to FL resize brass used in other rifles so that I can neck size with the Lee loader.  I find it easier to keep it simple where ever I can...less chance of fumbling it up that way!!

~~~Amos

[Dand]

Archer,  I agree with others that a basic press kit is a good way to go.  At this point, since you don't have a bench yet, I'd suggest you pick up some load manuals now and start reading them.  I have nearly every one available - but for beginners I really like  the Speer, Lyman, and Hornady.  You can get ready to load doing the reading.  

You say you are loaded down with brass.  I'd suggest getting a case tumbler soon and start getting that brass cleaned up and ready to load.  For years I did not tumble but I think clean brass is much easier on your dies, and is easier to load.  Also looks better.  I have the smallest Midway tumbler and it has worked well for years.

For the pistol loading definitely get the carbide dies - saves a ton of time and hassle.

Have fun.  Be careful.  I just heard about a new loader who double charged his 40 SW loads.  He ended up with a blackened hand and turned his $600 SW into pieces.  No injuries though!

[Mainer]

Arch:

I just got restarted in reloading.  As far is your room set up is concerned, you will want:

A sturdy bench w/enough overhang to accomodate a variety of presses

Good lighting

Several electrical outlets

Plenty of storage (for both small parts and heavy items)


Tools you might want/need that are not included in many kits are

Dies/shelholders

Calipers

Tumbler

Digital scale

Powder trickler

Hand primer

Plastic cartridge boxes

Everyone probably has their own additions/deletions from the above.

Good luck,

Mainer

[BigJakeJ1s]

...One thing I would add to your reloading room is a good metal fire box to store your powder/primers in.  Your insurance company will appreciate this detail.  Lawdog
 

Whoa, now...  If burning powder is not constrained, it is not much more flammable than good kindling.  But enclose it in a heavy metal firebox (especially one that is reasonably tightly sealed, as most fireboxes are), and look out!  It's one of those cases where if the firebox can keep it from burning in the first place, great, but most small fireboxes don't buy that much time before the contents will burn anyway. And when that powder does burn, there'll be a whole lot of shrapnel to add to the mix.  

Unless you've got a LOT of powder around, you're better off leaving it on an open shelf, in the container it came in. They are designed to rupture before the pressure builds enough to accellerate the combustion.

Andy

[Ron T.]

O.A...

Since the .45/70 is a straight case, I'd get carbide lined dies for it and the .45 Colt... you don't have to outside lubricate the cases used in carbide-lined dies which saves a lot of hassle in lubing, then cleaning the lub off of the cases, but you can't use carbide lined dies on bottle-neck cases, so use carbide lined dies for any "straight-walled" case... rifle or pistol.

A recently well-washed and dried finger and thumb make a great "powder trickler"... and it doesn't cost anything.

Check out the local pawn shop's tools for the gauges and digital or dial-calipers.  You should be able to pick up an excellent steel dial-caliper for less than $35 that is far superior to those fiberglas or plastic dial-calipers offered by some reloading suppliers.

I weigh-out EVERY powder charge I "throw"... and have used (in the past) the Ohaus 505 Powder Scale and am currently using a RCBS 1010 powder scale.  When I called Ohaus to get a replacement part for my 505, they told me they now don't retail scales or service them, but rather make and furnish powder scales for R.C.B.S.

The old Ohaus 505 powder scale is, in fact, the very SAME powder scale as the RCBS 505.  If I had my "druthers", I'd druther have the 505... it's a little easier to use, but both the 505 and the 1010 are excellent powder scales.

I like the Lyman#55 powder thrower with it's dial adjustments.  But I've never seen or used a RCBS powder thrower... it might also be an extremely fine piece of equipment.

Some of those "kit" deals are pretty good.  I've always been partial to RCBS equipment... and they guarantee the product for the rest of your life.  I've got at least a half dozen RCBS reloading die-sets.


Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

[ZZTOP]

Hey archer,
To add to what Mainer said.
My bench is 96" wide by 24" deep and is 1 1/2 inches thick and the top of the bench is 27 inches off of the floor. It has a 6 inch overhang, that leads to drawers below the bench. Above the bench is a shelving unit 96" wide by 48" high.

On the left side of bench is a shelving unit then 82" wide by 48" high.
Then with me sitting at the bench behind me is another shelf that is 85 inches wide by 23 inches deep.

The reloading bench is screwed to the wall and the shelves are screwed to the wall and the ceiling.

I started out with a single stage press, now I have a Lee Pro 1000 for all the pistol reloading and a Dillon 55B for all the rifle reloading.
If I had it to do over again a would have gotten the Hornady Lock N Load AP, but that's just me

With all the bench and shelf space I still don't have enough space :roll:

I hope this helps

Happy shooting
ZZTOP

[dave375hh]

Make the room twice the size you are now thinking, and twice the bench space you think you need. Put drawer units or shelving under the benches, and line the walls with sturdy shelving. This way you won't run out of space as soon, but you will!  Most of us have.

[Slamfire]

I prefer my bench to be triangulated instead of with legs, keeps me from stubbin' my toes, while I'm concentratin' on what I'm doin'. That might make for a long one in a pole barn, but think of the enormous amount of shelf space you'll have.  

[williamlayton]

Archer-
If you are still reading this and seeking advice.
I went thru this bone pile at least 4 times, reading almost every post and determined that a kit was not for me. I tried to take all advice and bought The things I know I will need, figuring I could always order something else if needed.
Got it all this PM.
Blessings