Author Topic: help.. i want to start reloading...  (Read 550 times)

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Offline JEFF WARD2

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« on: February 28, 2006, 03:07:33 AM »
ive been wanting to get into it for sometime now and im about ready to buy my first kit.
if i buy the rcbs partner kit what else will i need to reload for 45-70, 300 win, and 308.

i know i need dies but got confused when i saw all the different ones like crimping dies etc., etc.

also what kind of powder do i need ?

any and all help would be appreciated.....thanks jeff
one good shot is worth the wait !!!

Offline ricciardelli

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2006, 03:28:14 AM »
If you are getting the Partner press kit, also get hte Accessory Kit.

As for dies, for straight-walled cases, get carbide full-length sets, and for the bottle-necked cases get the full-length die set and then get a neck-size only die.

Don't forget the shell holders.

Which powder totally depends on the caliber and the choice of bullet.

Offline Idaho_Hick

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« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2006, 05:24:00 AM »
I bought and have been using that exact same kit.  With all due respect to Steve, you don't necessarily need quite that much stuff to get started.  The accessory kit would be nice, but you can get by with a powder trickler which means you measure each charge instead of throwing it through a powder measure, and you will soon need a case trimmer.  I managed to reload my cases 1-3 times before I knuckled down and bought a case trimmer. As for dies, you can reload perfectly satisfactory ammunition with standard FL die sets, and it is possible to set them up to necksize only if you choose to do so.  And like Steve said, don't forget the shell holders like I always do.  Unfortunately, the cartridges you plan on loading for are different enough that you will need a different shell holder for each.  Another little accesory that I find almost necessary are the little plastic shell boxes from MTM.  They are cheap and help organization immensely.  Don't forget to record your data!
As for powders, that is often the most difficult choice.  Once again, your cartridges are different enough that no single powder will work well in all of them.  I must say, however, that I really like the IMR series of powders.  They are the most available and best priced in my area, they seem to be very consistent, and there seems to be more published data on them than any other powder.  Almost every loading manual lists IMR powders, and adds other brands as budget and space allows.

Offline stimpylu32

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2006, 11:39:29 AM »
Jeff

By looking at your questions , the first thing you should get is a good reloading manual , They will answser most of your questions as far as dies , powder , bullets and diffrent loading data .

Lee , RCBS both have very good manuals . as well , most of the bullet and powder companys have load data that you can get of the net .
Deceased June 17, 2015


:D If i can,t stop it with 6 it can,t be stopped

Offline mjbgalt

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2006, 12:24:31 PM »
once you actually put the stuff together and look at it and tinker a bit it wil make more sense. don't do what i did and buy it and leave it in the box and keep saying "i am going to start reloading soon" for months. lol

it will help if you go visit someone who does reload and watch them, it's one of those things that takes 3 seconds to learn and a lifetime to master.

-Matt
I have it on good authority that the telepromter is writing a stern letter.

Offline JEFF WARD2

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« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2006, 05:14:06 PM »
thanks for all your help. i know i need a manual and it will help answer my questions, is the speer manual that comes with the kit a good one ?
 i am also sure that once i get it and get it out  and give it a hands on i wont be as confused as i am now..

also i was looking at the rockchucker supreme kit would this be a better route for me to take is the price difference worth it...partner kit 143.04
rockchucker supreme kit 219.99..

im not really interested in putting out alot of rounds really fast just want to work up different loads, and increase my love of shooting..

i looked at the lee aniversary kit a month or so ago and almost bought it but had to put it off for awhile now saveing up again fund this hobby..

thanks for all your help....jeff
one good shot is worth the wait !!!

Offline mjbgalt

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2006, 05:22:32 PM »
if i were you i would buy a couple different manuals. my personal suggestion is the LEE book and maybe the Hornady one too. i haven't bought the hornady one but am thinking about it.

or you could go to ricciardelli's site like i have and learn a ton of great stuff in just a few minutes.

-Matt
I have it on good authority that the telepromter is writing a stern letter.

Offline mjbgalt

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2006, 05:23:35 PM »
btw the lee anniversary kit is great, it's what my cousin just bought for the exact purposes you stated and it works great.

-Matt
I have it on good authority that the telepromter is writing a stern letter.

Offline JEFF WARD2

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2006, 05:46:19 PM »
thanks again for the help, i will go to the site and check it out..
and look at the lee kit again..

i wish that i knew someone that reloaded so i could see how it is done in person.. im the kind of person that needs to do it before it really sinks in..

i look forward to start this and not just for myself but my son is wanting to get into it also, we both love to shoot but in different areas im a hunter, and he is in law inforcement and loves his takticel shooting.. but when we are at the range wich is in our yard we have the same love of the sport, and now with us getting into reloading it will give us more quality time with our love of shooting..
thanks again...jeff
one good shot is worth the wait !!!

Offline williamlayton

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« Reply #9 on: March 01, 2006, 12:37:10 AM »
JEFF
There are more questions than you know you need to know.
Take the time too go back to the beginning of this forum and begin reading.
Read first those that will seem to have to do with the questions you have, they will lead to other questions but in a period of time you will get the feeling of understanding what it is you do not understand.
This is what I did and when I came to a question these folks had the answer.
Blessings
TEXAS, by GOD

Offline koli

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« Reply #10 on: March 01, 2006, 01:34:43 AM »

Offline jgalar

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« Reply #11 on: March 01, 2006, 02:09:57 AM »
I have quite a few reloading manuals, but I think for someone just starting out the Lee would be best. The Lee manual can read like an ad for Lee products, but covers just about everything you would have questions on to start. The other manuals are written by professional technical writers and can come across that way. The Lee book is written by Lee himself so is like getting advice from a cranky old coot who has been reloading for years.
I think Lee must be a fairly honest guy. For example in his book he states that you do not need to trim handgun brass and that he himself does not, but his customers kept asking for trim tools for handgun brass so he makes and sells them. I don't think to many other companies are going to tell you that you don't need to buy something.

Offline jack19512

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« Reply #12 on: March 01, 2006, 04:05:40 AM »
JEFF WARD2

Are you close to Hazard Ky?

Offline jack19512

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« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2006, 04:11:26 AM »
I started with the Lee Anniversary Kit, but I now have a Lee Classic and Lee Classic Turret.  Knowing what I know now I would have started with the turret press.

I don't regret buying the other presses as I use them with my bullet puller and other uses.

Offline The Sodbuster

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« Reply #14 on: March 01, 2006, 12:20:13 PM »
I got started reloading a couple years ago with the RCBS Rock Chucker kit.  In addition to what came with the kit, I find the following accessories very useful:

  Case Trimmer            Calipers
  Powder trickler           Additional manuals
  Reloading trays          Ammo boxes
  Case cleaner

Additional reloading manuals are a must have.  I also like the "Load All" books for different calibers.  They include load data from from a variety of manuals for a given caliber and are cheaper than most manuals.

Offline The Sodbuster

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« Reply #15 on: March 01, 2006, 12:22:58 PM »
I got started reloading a couple years ago with the RCBS Rock Chucker kit.  In addition to what came with the kit, I find the following accessories very useful (in no particular order):

1. Case Trimmer
2. Calipers
3. Powder trickler;
4. Additional manuals
5. Reloading trays
6. Ammo boxes
7. Case cleaner

Additional reloading manuals are a must have.  I also like the "Load All" books for different calibers.  They include load data from from a variety of manuals for a given caliber and are cheaper than most manuals.

Offline JEFF WARD2

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« Reply #16 on: March 01, 2006, 06:21:20 PM »
thanks again for more valuble info..

jack19512 i live in carter co. olive hill..
one good shot is worth the wait !!!

Offline Idaho_Hick

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help.. i want to start reloading...
« Reply #17 on: March 02, 2006, 04:23:10 AM »
CALIPERS

good catch sodbuster, you can get by without a lot of the odds and ends but calipers are an absolute must have and do not come with the kit.  That always struck me as odd, as you can't do anything without them.