Reloading Questin

[BassChamp]

I have just got a 7x30 and am thinking about learning to reload.  Where should I start?  Who makes the best reloading kits?

[kiddekop]

I have just got a 7x30 and am thinking about learning to reload.  Where should I start?  Who makes the best reloading kits?

I started with an RCBS Jr it was well made &  was adequate since I was only loading for 38 spec and 30-06.I bought a powder scale , then added an OHAUS Mod 7200 DUO Powder measure. Although no longer made used ones are available on e-bay.

[Dezynco]

In my honest opinion, it would be VERY hard to beat the Lee Classic kit.  It will cost you about $120.00 and will have everything you need except your dies, powder, primers, bullets, and brass.  You'll need to supply that stuff for each caliber anyway.  For about $200.00 or so, you can be set up to load your own 7x30's for about .25 each.

Don't worry about learning to reload, Lee provides a nice manual (make sure you get the manual with the kit) that tells you everything you need to know.  Follow the instructions carefully and you'll never look back.  There are lots of people that will be glad to help you if you have a question.

Later, after you've gotten the hang of it, you can add some handier tools, even get yourself a fancier press.  You'll always be able to use your Lee Classic press for something though, I keep mine set up to size .30 caliber bullets.

[David D.]

If you have a buddy who reloads ask for a demo. Buy or borrow a good reloading manual to read thru. Rolling your own is a fun part of shooting. Opens up a lot of new options for the shooter. If reloading is something you still want to learn after reading and asking questions buy the best equipment you can afford. Like the old saying gos you get what you pay for, better to pay a little more from the start than spending extra upgrading later. RCBS and others make some excellent starter packages. Main things, DO TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN TO RELOAD, do not take short cuts, follow instructions, be safe. After all its you that will be dropping the hammer on the load in the chamber.

[Grumulkin]

I bought an RCBS reloading kit many years ago and still the scale and powder measure from it.  I use the single stage press that came with it for many years and loaded thousands of rounds with it from 44 Rem. Mag. on the short side and 458 Lott on the long side.  I still use that press at times but now use a Redding T-7 turret press for most things.  RCBS has a lifetime warranty while Lee's warranty is only 2 years.  I guess you can see I'm a bit biased toward RCBS & Redding.

[BassChamp]

Thanks for all the input....

[blacknwhite]

Get the Lee kit. When it comes time to buy dies, get the Lee collet die set. You will think its easy after doing it for 2 weeks. Good luck.

[MnMike]

The Lee aniversary set has worked fine for me.

I would love to buy the Lee collet die for 7-30, but they don't make one (last I checked, they would make a custom one for about $60).

I use their collet die in several other calibers with great results.

I tried a Hornady neck sizing die for 7-30. It was junk-the bullets fall into the case.

I now just adjust my Lee full length die to size about 2/3 of the neck. Works OK and I can use just a bit of mica for a lube.

mike

[Hopalong7]

Here's another fan of the Lee collet die....in what ever caliber...if you shoot much...it's well worth the $60.00....best thing ever happened to the .22hornet.  IMO  GOOD SHOOTIN',  Walt 

[mdi]

I would start with the Lee Kit now, but I started with the Lee Loader and  hammer some 30 years ago. The kits come with a single stage press and you reload one step at a time, learning the "theory" of each step as you go. I still prefer a single stage press. Another good suggestion is to go down to the "Ammo/Hand Loading Forums" and click on "Hand Loading for Rifles and Handguns". The stickies available here have more questions and answers that I can think of.

Reloading is a great, fun, rewarding way to add to your shooting pleasure!

[yooper77]

If I were to buy new reloading setup today, I would buy Hornady and cash in on all the free bullets.

Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Single Stage Press Kit
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=749997
http://www.midwayusa.com/static.exe/getstaticpage?page=Rebates/hornady_lock_n_load_classic.htm
http://www.hornady.com/get_loaded.php

Depending on what 500 free bullets you select the value could be anywhere from $100 to $125, plus Hornady offers 100 free bullets for their reloading dies as well.

yooper77

[SHOOTALL]

Get a good reloading manual , Hornady , Speer , Nosler , etc. they all have good how to sections . Read it first . Then pick your tools . RCBS , Hornady , Redding etc. all have Quality tools .

[SD Handgunner]

Get a good reloading manual , Hornady , Speer , Nosler , etc. they all have good how to sections . Read it first . Then pick your tools . RCBS , Hornady , Redding etc. all have Quality tools .

EXCELLENT ADVISE !

I started with a Lee Loader and the Hammer as mentioned above. I even made a bench mounted press to use in place of the hammer so I didn't wake up my baby daughter at the time. As I progressed I purchased Reloading Equipment I bought used either from friends or pawn shops.

Then when my oldest daughter got married I bought one of the LEE Anniversary Kits for my Son in Law. After getting it all set up we decided better and I ended up giving the LEE Anniversary Kit away to a young fella that wanted to get into reloading. In my opinion the Powder Measure and Scale with the KIT were unuseable and total junk.

Others opinions may vary, but I would much rather scrounge around for used GOOD equipment than buy the Lee Kit. It is their Powder Measure and Scale I have a major problem with, not the press or the dies.

Larry

[hunterspistol]

 When buying reloading equipment, consider your commitment to it. If you buy the best, it may outlast you-or at least your enthusiasm. If you plan to do it for many years, then spend the money for the good stuff.


Found this thought in a reloading book.

[Dezynco]

I still think the Lee kit is a good value.  If you really like reloading, you're gonna end up with a TON of other stuff later (ie. at least one more press, 2 or 3 powder measures, 2 or 3 or 4 manuals, etc. etc. etc)   You'll always be able to use the press for something, even if you don't like the measure and scale.

If you get started reloading, and decide you don't want to fool with it after all, your only out the $120.00, and you could always sell it and get most of your money back.

I've been reloading for most of my life.  If any of my friends ask what to purchase to get into reloading, that's the advice that I always offer.  Start with the Lee kit.

[yooper77]

When I started reloading over 18 years ago, I bought the RCBS Rock Chucker II kit.
-Back then this came with the powder scale, trimmer and many extras, that are now not offered in the kit.

I am sure glad I didn't start out with cheap equipment, since I am and will more then ever continue to reload.

My list of rifle cartridges:
223 Remington, 22-250 Remington, 243 Winchester, 25-35 Winchester, 257 Weatherby Magnum, 270 Winchester, 7x57 Ackley Improved, 7mm-08 Remington, 30-30 Winchester, 308 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield Ackley Improved, 30-06 Springfield and 303 British.

My list of pistol cartridges:
38 Special, 357 Magnum, 44 Special, 44 Magnum, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 454 Casull.

Plus I still use my father's old heavy cast iron Herters "O" press and dies.  Also found and used some Heters brass and bullets.

yooper77

[hunterspistol]

   I just started about 5 years ago. I skipped the kit and took my time picking my equipment. I asked for a used Rock Chucker and got one. The advantage is that it's all cast iron but, that's heavy too. I picked my scale, powder measure and trimmer.  Matched up RCBS except my powder measure, I liked the Redding Model 3 with BOTH micrometers better. I also wanted a powder trickler to pattern everything after benchrest style. That worked because, I got consistent loads from the start.

But honestly, that all took a year to put together. Not everyone will shoot while someone reloads for them and wait to budget all of that. I just figured it was my money and I could take care of my own mistakes. Along the way, I found I like Redding as a die maker (they have some special dies). Mostly, it's really up to you.