Author Topic: starting point (Read 786 times)

williamlayton · « **on:** April 08, 2003, 12:35:13 AM »

started to pm ironknees--but then i thought i'd give eveerbody a shot.
i have never reloaded anything--but i'm thinkin about it--including bp. yall tell me a couple of begenning books i can pick up that will give me enough info to make this decision.
thanx and blessings

.45 COLT · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2003, 02:22:02 AM »

My choices would be Speer #13 and Lyman #47. I haven't seen Lyman #48 yet but Cabela's has it in their catalog, probably as good as or better than #47. #47 has a lot of good information on how-to do it type stuff.

IronKnees · « **Reply #2 on:** April 08, 2003, 03:01:59 AM »

Consider a single stage press to start. You can do EVERYTHING on a single stage, and there are some limitations with turret or progressive ones. As far as manuals, just about any of them will work well for you, but I really like the Hornady, Speer, or Sierra, probably leaning toward Sierra... However, with all the combinations of choices, it's a tough call. Check on the various press "kits" available in the different catalogs too, and don't be afraid of the Lee kits if funds are a factor. Their little 2001 D frame press kit is fine. My first choice though would be one of the RCBS sets, leaning toward the RockChucker... the press by which all others are judged...

savageT · « **Reply #3 on:** April 08, 2003, 03:56:02 AM »

Hey IronKnees,
Do you know why RCBS has dropped the RockCrusher from their kits? I understand they've replaced it with one called the RC Supreme, but darned if I can see what the differences are?

?
Second comment....Why does Lee have a less-than-perfect reputation on their handloader series (factory warranty)? I thought that they offered good quality for less?

Jim

BruceP · « **Reply #4 on:** April 08, 2003, 04:09:06 AM »

I'm not Ironknees but from what I have read the difference in the Rockchucker and the Rockchucker Supreme is that the RS is a little taller for use with the newer Long cartridges that have came out in recent years.
BruceP

savageT · « **Reply #5 on:** April 08, 2003, 04:13:40 AM »

Thanks, BruceP!

I read in the catalogs that the opening is "larger".

My comments on Lee.....They're not trying to compete w/ RCBS, but offer good quality for less.

Jim

williamlayton · « **Reply #6 on:** April 08, 2003, 04:30:48 AM »

what do yall think of nick harvey's pratical reloading manual ?
i'm trying to determine if i want to do this and i need a basic starting place to make the decision.

BruceP · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2003, 04:40:41 AM »

I have not seen Nick Harvey's manual so I can not comment on it. Of the manuals I have I think I would recomend starting with the Speer. Mine is the #11 but the new one is the #13. I also like the Nosler (I have their last three along with the Sierra Rifle and the Lee) but I think the Speer would give more info for starting. I hear the Lyman is also very good but I dont have it either.
BruceP

Holiday · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2003, 01:01:03 PM »

I agree with Savage T, Lee tries to make a good product for less. Most of their stuff is great, although sometimes it seems they cut too many corners, such as with the perfect powder measure. I like thir presses. I have a single stage that I started with and still use, and a turret press that I love! It makes those CAS black powder loads a lot easier to do. William, if I were to start out now, I think one of the "kits" as has been mentioned by Iron Knees would just be the trick! I have seen the Lee kit and offers a lot for the buck.

IronKnees · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2003, 01:14:55 PM »

One other thing too that Lee has that I just love is their little disk powder dispenser... Listen guys, I have just about everything out there, including the expensive infrared electronic dispenser/scale combo, bench mount micrometer Lyman model, etc. etc, etc... The little Lee disk dispenser works like a charm, and I have used it almost exclusively on stuff like .38 special for the better part of 25 years... On flake powders such as Red Dot and the like, it is really accurate. The ONLY powder that I have a bit of trouble with it is 2400... The granules are small enough that sometimes they sort of leak out... It works with the powder through die. You just screw it into the die, and on the upstroke of the ram, a charge is metered... And, on the Lee turret press, it NEVER misses a charge...