Start-up coasts to Reload 6.5+55

[Buckfever]

What do I need and what would it cost to re-load my 6.5+55?  Its a new Tikka.  I would copy some one elses load.  I am not interested in cranking the last ounce of energy out of it. I just want my choice of bullet selection, probably Nosler Partition 140gr. and take it up to safe pressures for a new gun.  I have never reloaded rifles therefore I am at risk of a bone head idea here.  I would assume I would have to get a book with some formulas.  Still considering the idea of re-loading. My wife is worried the mad scientist in me may blow the shop off the garage :-D .  Thanks  Buckfever

[ricciardelli]

If you shop well:

RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit -- $245
RCBS Reloading Accessory Kit -- $74
RCBS 6.5x55 Full-Length Die Set -- $23
RCBS 6.5x55 Neck-Sizing Die -- $24
RCBS #2 Shell Holder -- $5

Then you need to pick your bullets, primers, powder and cases.

[dakotashooter2]

You might want to start out with a loading manual or two. Read from cover to cover (twice  :grin:  :grin: ) and heed all warnings. It should help you pick out the basic equipment you want. The basic equipment you need a press (probably single stage to start with), a good scale, dies of your choice, and some type of powder measure. You can get by with the scoop type measure as long as you have a scale but a dropper type will be much quicker. From there it is pretty much what conveniences you want to ad. Primer tool, camfering tool, loading block, etc. you get the picture. Most manufacturers offer a starter kit generally around the $100 mark. I've tried most brands and have been the least happy with Lee BUT it did get the job done.

[Questor]

I agree with Ricciardelli. Buy quality if you can afford it. Good stuff lasts a long time and gives few troubles during its service life.  I'm not familiar with those particular RCBS kits, but yours needs to include a caliper, preferably digital. A good one goes for maybe $55. The plastic ones are no good.  It's not cheap to start up, but once you're set up the ongoing costs for equipment are minimal.  I started with the RCBS master reloading kit and I am glad I did, it's good stuff.

[ricciardelli]

The RCBS Rockchucker kit includes:
Rockchucker Supreme Press
5-0-5 Scale
Uniflow Powder Measure
Speer Reloading Manual
Hand Priming Tool
Hex Key Set
Case Loading Block
Case Lube Kit
Powder Funnel
Deburring Tool

The RCBS Accessory kit includes:
Powder Measure Stand
Powder Trickler
Primer Pocket Brush Combo
Another Case Loading Block
Stainless Steel Caliper
Small and Large Case Neck Brushes

[MnMike]

Good advice- if you can aford it, buy the best, but if you are just starting to reload (and you are not sure it will be a lifetime hobby) you may just want to buy a cheap setup to try this out. I would look at the Lee Aniversary set for $77 (with the Lee book)from Midway as a starting point. You will also need a die set (any brand, the Lee is $20). A caliper ($25). And a few other things which I can't think of off the top of my head.

good luck
mike

[The Shrink]

BuckFever

If you puruse these pages you will find several indepth discussions of the relative merits of buying quality vs price.  There are those who swear by Lee products and there are those who swear at them.  I've not met many if any who swear at RCBS, Lyman, Hornaday, Forester, or Redding products.  

That fact alone says "buy quality" to me.  If you are a shooter, and your handle suggests you are, then reloading will become a useful adjunct hobby at the very least.  You won't quit doing it.  I'm still using a 25 year old RCBS Jr3 press that was the first I ever bought.  Yeah, I've dreamed about others, but I've never needed one of them.  The Jr3 does all I've needed it to do.  

Two specific pieces of advise.  Definitely get at least one and preferably two reloading manuals and read them through before you do anything else.  Second, ask around at your local gun shops, you will find one or several reloaders who will be glad to introduce you to the process and do so safely.  They will probably let you begin by using their equipment, so all you have to buy are dies and components.  Once you are familier with the process, have gained some confidence by shooting your own reloads, and have looked at several of the available products, then you can make your major purchase with confidence.  

I don't think Steve Ricardelli and I have disagreed on any substantive issue since I've been aware of his posts.  I agree with him here, RCBS is close to the ideal for a new reloader.  However, there are better products, and one of them may fit you better once you know what you will be doing.  That's why I strongly advise you to get tight with other reloaders and learn from them.  

Wayne the Shrink

[Questor]

I agree with the Rockchucker kit, I'd skip the accessory kit and just by a RCBS digital caliper. I'd add a Lee Autoprime tool and shell holder (the Lee Autoprime is a must-have tool.)  I'd buy a couple of Hornady loading blocks and throw the RCBS loading block away.  Eventually I'd get a Micrometer attachment for the powder measure, it's very nice to have.

One other key thing is a notebook for logging your load data, your brass lots and how often they've been reloaded, and the number of rounds you've reloaded.

[Questor]

By the way, if this is starting to sound like a $500 proposition, you're right. By the time you've bought brass, bullets, powder, dies, shell holders, and primers, you're there.  Figure about $200 if you start with a Lee kit with just the basics instead.

[Mikey]

BuckFever - start up costs are one thing but unless I've missed it in one of the posts, you amatorize the start up costs over your lifetime of shooting and it amounts to pennies per year.  In addition, you mentioned only one caliber - when you begin reloading for additional calibers, your costs only involve the dies, and of course caliber specific bullets/powder/primers, etc.  But still, this is an activity you will most likely continue until they pry your cold dead hand from the reloading press handle, so even though the initial start up costs may appear 'pricey', spreading those costs over your remaining lifetime of shooting and reloading makes it much more acceptable.  This is just my 2 cents worth but I think most of the reloaders here will agree with me.  HTH.  Mikey.

[ricciardelli]

BuckFever - start up costs are one thing but unless I've missed it in one of the posts, you amatorize the start up costs over your lifetime of shooting and it amounts to pennies per year.  In addition, you mentioned only one caliber - when you begin reloading for additional calibers, your costs only involve the dies, and of course caliber specific bullets/powder/primers, etc.  But still, this is an activity you will most likely continue until they pry your cold dead hand from the reloading press handle, so even though the initial start up costs may appear 'pricey', spreading those costs over your remaining lifetime of shooting and reloading makes it much more acceptable.  This is just my 2 cents worth but I think most of the reloaders here will agree with me.  HTH.  Mikey.

You just got me thinking...how much I have spent on reloading hardware over the past 40-some years...

Not counting manuals and expendable supplies, it comes to around $2500.  Or $59.53 per year.  I spend 4 times than amount per month on cigarettes!

[Mikey]

Steve:  you said 'You just got me thinking...how much I have spent on reloading hardware over the past 40-some years...

Not counting manuals and expendable supplies, it comes to around $2500. Or $59.53 per year. I spend 4 times than amount per month on cigarettes'....

Steve, you are really the exception.  With all the effort you put into all the data you publish I would have thought the costs to be a lot more than that.  You have really created an incredible amount of data that reloaders and shooters can benefit from and I consider myself priviledged to be able to benefit from that effort, and I thank you very much.

Now, about those dang smokes - you and me both Buddy and at this point I don't think I would really care about the extra weight I would put on just to be able to quit.  But, as one of the posters opined: beer, cigarettes and boolets must go together or else the government wouldn't have a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (LOL).  Mikey.

[Jack Crevalle]

If you shop well:

RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit -- $245

Still on sale at Cabelas for $219!

[Questor]

I may be a more normal case. I bought my reloading stuff, first the Rockchucker kit, and a few accessories, then a second press, and a caliper. I haven't bought anything new in almost three years except for a couple of sets of dies and a decent caliper to replace my original plastic caliper.

[ricciardelli]

Mikey...

You gotta remember, a lot of the stuff I bought a long ... LONG ... time ago, when prices were about 1/10th what they are today.

One of the reasons I recommend the products I do is because they last forever!  

Again, the "investment" I have does not count reloading manuals or consumable supplies (cases, powders, bullets, primers, tumbling media, shot, wads, etc.)

It also does not include "range equipment" such as Chronys, tripods, rests, bags, targets, spotting scopes, etc.

It also does not include cleaning equipment or supplies.

It does not include all the little $1 to $5 items that you always "have to have" when you walk into your favorite gun/reloading shop.  Special hollow ground screwdrivers, jeweler's screwdrivers, all kinds of punches and drift pins, meatloaf pans, paintbrush racks, eyes of newts, wings of bats, or blood of frogs.

[Buckfever]

Boys you are starting to scare me now! I am a bass fisherman and I look into my garage and see alot of $250 filled tackle boxes I just had to have. I can't seem to just do enough to get by.  Its almost like the search for the perfect solution.  I might have to think about this before I let the Genie out of the bottle.   Buckfever

[ricciardelli]

Boys you are starting to scare me now! I am a bass fisherman and I look into my garage and see alot of $250 filled tackle boxes I just had to have. I can't seem to just do enough to get by.  Its almost like the search for the perfect solution.  I might have to think about this before I let the Genie out of the bottle.   Buckfever

Sell all that fishing junk...then buy reloading gear.

[warf73]

Buckfever

If you are going to reload and want the good stuff, but not in a great big rush to get everything at once try Ebay.

I got all of this on Ebay: All prices are with shipping

NIB Tumbler kit $38.00
NIB RCBS powder dropper and stand $32.00
Pact digital scale $55.00
NIB Dies not Lee under $25.00
NIB RCBS Hand priming tool $21.00
Shell holders $2.00 or less
RCBS Case Trim Kit $60.00
Kinetic bullet puller $8.00

My press is a Pacific Press that an older gentleman had and never used and my first scale was Lyman balance beam scale.
Both of these items were given to me.
My calipers were well over $100 at the time. I'm a machinist by trait so I had to have them for the job. I also use a 0-1" Mic and 0-1" Tri anvile Mic.

I have to say since I started reloading rifle I went to pistol it is very addictive hobby. I started reloading shotgun shells when I was a kid (helped dad out) and it’s been a growing hobby.

The money saving is large for me. I do allot of reloading for my 300WBY and 460WBY. I save well over $40 per box of 20 when I reload for the 460. I showed my wife this and after only 2 years of  crying to my wife I need a Progressive Press(for my pistols and 30 carbine) I got a Dillon 550 for Christmas this past year.

If you look around you can find good deals but if you buy please buy the good stuff.

If you buy cheap junk you may loose the interest in reloading as it will become work. NO ONE like work. Reloading should be fun and something to look forward to, not dread.

I blame reloading for me buying more firearms :shock:
Once you get one firearm shooting like a champ with the loads you have tested over and over again to get the best accuracy and velocity.
Well then its time for another firearm

Sorry about this post being so long I just can't say enough about reloading it my favorite hobby.

[The Shrink]

Gentlemen

Let me add another advantage to this addiction.  I now have two rifles that are handloading only, an 8mm-06 and my 40-70 Sharps.  My .405 Win. may become that in ten or so years.  There are a lot of rifles out there of which we reloaders are the only ones who can make use.  Now I'm talking about case forming and old data, but I'm still doing it with only my RCBS Jr3 press, not even a RockChucker, that's 20+ years old.  

I'd say that's a good investment.  It has allowed me to carry on a tradition, to enjoy new aspects of this wonderful sport of shooting, and has provided immense pleasure over the years.  

BuckFeaver, if you only want to reload to support your hunting it's still worth it to find the best accuracy and to choose the best bullet for your purposes.  You won't have to continually add to your equipment, since once you accomplish this goal you simply keep doing the same thing over and over.  A way to measure and trim your brass would be the only equipment beyond basic that you need.  If you want it pretty, a tumbler is nice, but it functions just as well pretty or not!

Think it through and decide the level to which you want to carry this.  Then invest in the best quality you can afford and enjoy!

Wayne the Shrink

[Mikey]

Steve - your gunshop sells meatloaf pans???   :-D ,  :-D ,   .  Mikey

[ricciardelli]

Steve - your gunshop sells meatloaf pans???   :-D ,  :-D ,   .  Mikey

They are great for soaking small parts and brass that has just come out of the tumblers.

Fill them half full with MEK or TCE shake 'em up a little, and then remove whatever you put in them and place the stuff on the paintbrush racks.

But do it all outdoors...

I used to use lasagna pans but they are too big and sloppy.

As for the paintbrush racks, they are the ones with the diamond pattern in the top and two legs are shorter than the other two.  You can place brass in them, neck down.

[JBMauser]

Buckfever, I will answer your question from a different angle.  I gather you are looking to work up a custom hunting load for this rifle.  If I am correct I would tell you to spend $20.  for a lee loader in 6.5X55.  I would buy a good manual Lee, Lyman or even a load book on just Swede.  I would buy a modest scale and spend time asking for powder recomendations based on the bullet weight you are looking for.  You can take the entire mess to the range.  use your own factory once fired brass and work up loads 5 at a time and shoot.  You could fine tune your loads to the range you are looking for with the Nosler bullet.  I am not trying to talk you out of all of the stuff the others offered.  God knows I have it "ALL".  But If your goal is to work up a superior round with a proven bullet for hunting you can do it without taking up a new Hobby.  If you want a new hobby follow the good advice sited previously.  best of luck. JB