Getting Started

[K.K]

Hello Everyone, After years of shooting a lot of expensive factory ammo in a lot of expensive calibers, my wife has relented and actually requested that I start handloading.  I have a very basic knowledge on equiptment, but I was wondering what you guys suggest.  I plan on reloading both centerfire hunting and varmint ammo, as well as hadngun ammo in 9mm, 40, 45 LC and 45 ACP. I was thinking about RCBS single satge press for the rifle ammo, and maybe a more inexpensive Lee progressive press for the handguns.  Does this sound like a good idea, or should I get a RCBS or similar press that can be upgraeded to turret or progressive whenI need to churn out the ammo for my handguns?

I was thinking about one of the kits from Cabela's that include the poweder scale and dispenser, deburring tool, etc.  I am interested in your comments. 

PS- I will be purchasing reloading manuals from several companies as well.

Thanks for your help!

K.K

[bigjeepman]

I started with the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Reloading Kit from Cabela's myself. I reload .357 mag, .45 colt, .223, .243, .308, and .300 wsm all on the Rockchucker. I have both RCBS dies and Lee's Deluxe Die Sets and like them both. Other items I have found invaluable are the Micrometer Insert for the Uniflow Powder measure, the RCBS baseplate ( http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/64540-8327-1750.html ), a trimmer for brass, and several manuals like Lyman's. I also use Lee's Powder Measure Kit (dippers) when I am not using the Uniflow. A good logbook (I got mine from Sinclair) that can be something as simple as a spiral notebook and a good caliper.

Others will have more ideas ... they are all good ... just sort through the all the suggestions and choose what meets your needs best.

Good luck ...

[Catfish]

Your on the right track with the RCBS, BUT, FORGET THE Lee press, they are junk. If your going progresive Dillon is the only way to go. I would recomand that you start with the RCBS and load everything on it for a while befor you go to a progressive press. I started loading my own in 1965 on a single stage press but hace had a 550 Dillon now for over 20 years and load everything on it. I stay away from everything Lee. I have had trouble with everything I`ve had that they made. Their dies are alittle short and will give you problems if you ever get a Dillon press.

[Lead pot]

Your on the right track with a single station press. and once you start to feel comfortable loading you will find that the single station is not much slower then a turret press by the time you fumble with the primer feed and trying to back up to have a case charged with powder or have a case double charged because the primer feeder did not feed 
I started with a single station Pacific press 50 + some years ago and I still use a rockchucker and a corbin swage press for reloading. I have a Hornady progressive and a Lee progressive under the bench not getting used and another Lee in the Aluminum scrap barrel.
Get the kit because you will need a scale and manual and step by step you will get set up and you will enjoy shooting what you made.

Kurt

[flitz]

K.K

i also just started and got alot of help from here.buy the best you can afford.
this gets to addicting real quick.ask alot of questions and have fun doing it

good luck flitz

[Badnews Bob]

Give thr Lee classic cast single stage a close look, It is every bit as well made and as stout as the rockchucker, Personally I think its better, Cheaper too. Also for what its worth I've loaded thousands of very accurate rounds on my cheap peice of junk Lee turrent press that everyone else says won't work. I also own a Dillion square deal B I bought it to load .45acp It works great to but its just faster, It dosn't make any better ammo.

[tc scout]

I agree with Badnews Bob, The classic cast press is a very well made press that will do any thing that is needed to load quality ammo.Bought mine @ Cabelas for $65 bucks, and I couldn't be happier with the ammo this "cheap piece of junk" turns out.

[Ahab]

I agree with Badnews Bob, The classic cast press is a very well made press that will do any thing that is needed to load quality ammo.Bought mine @ Cabelas for $65 bucks, and I couldn't be happier with the ammo this "cheap piece of junk" turns out.

Yup, me too!

[Val]

I started with the RCBS turret press and I'm glad I did, The turret press allows you to go back and rectify your errors without having to remove your die and then have to readjust it. I also have a single stage press that was given to me, that I use primarily for bullet removal with my collet bullet removal die. You can't remove bullets on the turret press with other dies installed. Buy a reloading kit such as the RCBS turret reloading kit and there are only a few more items you will need (calipers, case trimmer, powder trickler). By the way, other manufacturers make good stuff also, but the RCBS customer support and basically a life time warranty is legendary.

[Jim n Iowa]

I started to many years ago with the RCBS Rock Chucker, as that was what I could spend. They have great dies, and IMHO the best customer service. There is good merit to the suggestion of the RCBS turret press if with in your budget, if so buy extra turrets. I tried the Hornady  Lock-N-Load for RCBS and its not reliable on inter change of dies. My wife bought me a Redding T-7 turret press (she bought it cheap) and it is a "tank". The RCBS turret would have worked fine. I do not find myself recommending Lee products for accurate and long term use. I use a Lee 4 hole turret press for pistols only, and it works fine for this. I also endorse their factory crimp dies for most calibers. I now use the RC to decap only, works for me and the girls I go with.
Jim

[fastbike]

I disagree about Lee. The new Classic Turret is well made and works w/o problems. The Pro Auto Disk Powder measure is very consistent. The Lee dies work well and give more value at less money with the same quality as my RCBS dies. I think the "Lee is junk" Internet urban myth is getting old.

Your on the right track with the RCBS, BUT, FORGET THE Lee press, they are junk. If your going progresive Dillon is the only way to go. I would recomand that you start with the RCBS and load everything on it for a while befor you go to a progressive press. I started loading my own in 1965 on a single stage press but hace had a 550 Dillon now for over 20 years and load everything on it. I stay away from everything Lee. I have had trouble with everything I`ve had that they made. Their dies are alittle short and will give you problems if you ever get a Dillon press.

[AiredaleTerrier]

If I wouldn't have found a rockchucker at a gun show for less than half the price of new, I was buying a Lee.  I have no doubts the Lee would have served me well had I went that route. 

[K.K]

I want to thank all of you for your input and advice. Keep it coming!  I can't believe that it's taken me almost 20 years of shooting to get into this game.  I don't do anything half-way, and I'm sure I'll be diving into this reloading thing all the way.

Please keep the thread going. I appreciate all of your experience and advice

Best

K.K

[Castaway]

For pistol reloading if you don't go progressive, I endorse Lee dies.  Couple them with Lee's disk kit and you can save steps in your reloading process.  They allow you to bell and charge the case simultaneoulsy.  Without them, you have to bell in one step then flip your powder dispenser in another.  They have proven plenty accurate enough for me, but for rifle I use RCBS or Lyman dies.