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Author Topic: Reloader Recommendation  (Read 857 times)

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Offline bubbared

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Reloader Recommendation
« on: January 23, 2006, 08:16:47 PM »
Reloader Recommendation for new hobby!!!  Old shotshell reloader.  Never reloaded rifle ammo.  I will be reloading 45-70 and 30-06 on a small personnal basis.   Your recommendation for a reloading kit will be appreciated.

bubbared
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Offline Questor

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Reloader Recommendation
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2006, 10:26:32 PM »
Avoid Lee products.
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Safety first

Offline Rum River

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Reloader Recommendation
« Reply #2 on: January 24, 2006, 02:35:25 AM »
For what you'll be loading, a single stage press will fit the bill, no need to go progressive.

A progressive press performs multiple tasks simultaneously, and generally speaking is used for large volume.

A single stage press performs each task separately, and is the best way to learn the reloading procedure.

A good way to get familiar with the equipment and the process would be to get the Lyman reloading manual first. Read the sections on "how to", and then go to a store that has equipment on display. Look it over and ask questions.

The basics needed are the press, a good quality powder scale, the dies for whatever caliber, and a good manual, which the Lyman is. You will end up buying all kinds of equipment as time goes on, but these are the absolute essentials.
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Rum River

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Offline Grumulkin

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Reloading Outfit
« Reply #3 on: January 24, 2006, 02:41:54 AM »
I bought a simple RCBS reloading press, scale, dies and powder measure in kit form over 20 years ago and have loaded thousands of rounds with the kit.  I've loaded cartridges from 44 Magnum to 458 Lott with it and never a problem and I have no plans to go to a more bulky, complex and expensive turret press or the like.  I damaged a decapping pin once depriming military cases and RCBS sent me several more at no charge.  RCBS has a lifetime warranty which I like.

I use many Lee dies which I like but they don't have a lifetime warranty.  I've never use their press but it's probably fine.  Lee does sell various factory seconds or refurbished reloading equipment if you want a bargain.
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Offline mountainview

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Reloader Recommendation
« Reply #4 on: January 24, 2006, 04:02:39 AM »
bubba, look at some of the Lee kits if you are on a budget. These are good value for the money. If the coin is really tight, consider the Lee Classic Loader which is what I used for small quantity loading til arthritis began to limit my activities. The Classic comes in both 45-70 and 30-06 though I never tried this kit on any straight wall cartridges.

If money is not an object, there are other nice kits from other companies that would also be good to get started and I am sure others can opine on these.

Even though you are an experienced shotshell loader, get 2 books on metallic reloading (if you have not already done so) and read them thoroughly before loading your first shell.
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Offline stimpylu32

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Reloader Recommendation
« Reply #5 on: January 24, 2006, 11:02:58 AM »
I happen to like Lee presses , some don't . For what you are going to load any single stage press will do a nice job .

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1138139798.4113=/html/catalog/classic.html

http://www.rcbs.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=4&s2=2

http://www.tjgeneralstore.com/lyman_reloading_presses.htm

Here are a few choices
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Online Lloyd Smale

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Reloader Recommendation
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2006, 11:43:59 AM »
to me the lees are a good deal for a beginner as long as you stay away from there progressives. THERE JUNK! At least with a lee if you decide you dont want to reload your not out much.
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Offline Zcarp2

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Piecemeal it
« Reply #7 on: January 25, 2006, 05:16:12 AM »
If you aren't in a hurry and you already have some of the basics from the shotshell stuff, cruise the gunshows and piecemeal a kit together.  

The Lyman book is a good one to start with especially for cast bullets in the 45-70.  Get your list together.

Know the new price of the equipment and be picky about condition.

All prices are negotiable - to an extent.

Some of the old equipment doesn't interchange, most does.  And have fun what ever you do!
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Zcarp2

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Offline jack19512

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Reloader Recommendation
« Reply #8 on: January 25, 2006, 11:37:38 PM »
I am in no way an expert on reloading equipment, but I am a firm believer that you don't need to buy the best or most expensive to reload good ammo.

As of right now until my Lee Classic Turret press arrives I reload using the Lee Anniversary Kit and my Lee Classic press. I think so far I have reloaded some very good ammo.

My setup works for me because I don't reload huge amounts of ammo at any one time but strive for accuracy vs. quantity. My reload equipment should I think last me a lifetime.

Here is a pic of my 8mm reloads I shot just recently with my mil-surplus K98 Mauser. 3 shot group from 100 yards. The dime will cover all 3 shots. Decide for yourself if my equipment is doing what it is suppose to do.


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Offline schutzen

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RCBS
« Reply #9 on: January 27, 2006, 02:35:46 AM »
I bought my 2nd press this year, a Dillion 650.  The 1st press I bought was an RCBS Rock Chucker in 1974.  It still works fine and I have had no maintenance other than cleaning and lubrication.  I've reloaded everything from 45-70 to .25 ACP and have swaged bullets with the press.  I don't think you could go wrong with the Rock Chucker.

PS: RCBS customer service is World Class.  Everyone raves on Dillon's customer service.  It is very good, but RCBS's is just as good.
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Offline mikedb

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I strongly disagree
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2006, 05:03:51 AM »
Quote from: Questor
Avoid Lee products.


I started reloading last year with Lee equipment and love it.  The equipment fits my personal reloading needs very well.  I have a turret press for handguns and a single stage for rifle.  Rifle is mainly 30.30, 45/70, 375 H&H and 7.5 Swiss.  Check out Midway, they have a costumer satisfaction review after most products.  The Lee single stage has gotten all 5 star ratings when I checked before buying mine and I have to agree.
There are many very happy Lee users out there.  Besides I am not a snob and tend to be frugal.
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Offline Slamfire

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Reloader Recommendation
« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2006, 04:27:11 PM »
I like turret type presses, you don't have to stop and change dies. The Lee works fine with the auto index removed, that way I can do a single operation on all my cases, rotate the press and do the next operation, etc., etc., etc.. :wink:
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Offline williamlayton

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Reloader Recommendation
« Reply #12 on: February 09, 2006, 09:43:38 PM »
I bought the Hornady LNL for many of the same reasons, but a different approach, as Slamfire. You can get it with a turret also.
I studied this situation and the decisions I came to with the criterias applied were Hornady.
Last week a friend "gave" me an RCBS single stage and now I can have two calibers set up all the time, using the LNL bushings.
Blessings
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Offline NE Hunter

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Reloader Recommendation
« Reply #13 on: February 10, 2006, 04:12:27 AM »
Got to agree if your money is tight the Lee Aniversery Kit ( replace that scale with an RCBS or Lyman ) will fit your needs.  

I started out with the Lee Chalanger press ( included in the Aniversery Kit) and it's still going strong ( over 20 years later )
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Offline lilabner

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Reloader Recommendation
« Reply #14 on: February 10, 2006, 06:22:50 AM »
If by the Lee Classic you mean the little setup where you use a mallet to hammer the case into the dies, I used them in several calibers for years. I began to actually enjoy reloading when I went to a single stage reloading press and retired the mallet. But the Classic works OK if you are loading just a few rounds and don't want to spend money on a press. You can set up a press temporarily anywhere if you get one of the portable stands Midway sells. That's what I use. A bench is nice but not necessary. As for dies, the Lee dies work fine. I have Lee and RCBS dies and they work equally well.
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Offline Rum River

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Reloader Recommendation
« Reply #15 on: February 10, 2006, 07:09:36 AM »
Just an FYI, the Lee Classic is actually a 4 station turret press.
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Rum River

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Offline DirtyHarry

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Reloader Recommendation
« Reply #16 on: February 10, 2006, 07:45:12 PM »
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press Master Kit. You get what you pay for.. nuff said... :D

 
If you go with LEE be sure to read the "warranty"
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Offline rickyp

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Reloader Recommendation
« Reply #17 on: February 11, 2006, 05:21:05 AM »
I have a RCBS R.C. Press for the past 15 years or so and it is a very good press, I have a brand new in box Lee reloader press this is a  "C" style press while the quality is not close to  the RCBS but it is still good enough for the light reloader.
In the past I have had a lee hand press, the quality is about the same as the reloader press not great but good enough. As for dies I have RCBD Hornady, Lee and Reading, I love the RCBS but the Lee are a close second. The biggest thing the others have over lee is the warranty, to keep the prices down Lee makes the person pay for th parts that they damage. while RCBS will just send you out the parts for free.

I have been using lee dies for about 20 years or so and have only had 1 thing go wrong. I had to beat out a 7 TCU case and damaged the decaping rod, I paid like $10 and they sent me 2. in the past I have had lots of troubles with my RCBS I had a set of 17 Remington dies that I would snap the decaping rod every time I would load some cases, I have snapped lots of decaping pins and even bent a few decaping rods some Brandon primed case that got in my batch of brass.

Hornady I have a set of 375 JDJ that got a scratch in the siding die and scratched my nice new 444 marlin cases, I sent it back to them and they fixed it for free. IF Lee made 375 jdj dies it would have been cheaper to just buy a new lee sizing die then to send back the hornady by the time I paid shipping and insurance.

Get the Lee press and dies to get started and learn, you cna always buy an RCBS set up latter and sell or give away the lee stuff that is IF you want to :grin:
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