Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles What all is needed and what brand do you use????

Any input is greatly appreciated. I've never reloaded nor know anything about reloading. I've always just shot factory ammo. However, I picked up a Tikka CTR 260 and would like to start reloading for it.

What brand does everyone use? Lyman? RCBS? Hornady? Lee?

What all does one have to buy? All inclusive aside from the obvious, brass, bullets, powder and primers.

Thanks,
Jarod

Everyone's list will vary as much as the guns they shoot.
I would start at the start. Go out and buy a Nosler, Hornady, and Barnes reloading manuals. Read them and then read them again. By then you will know what you need and what can be put off for later.
And buy a chronograph.

Get a reloading handbook or two and read the how-to section. I think the Lyman book has the best one but they've all got plenty of information.

My equipment is a mix of Lyman, RCBS and some Hornady. I have a bit of Lee but don't really like it. Some folks do.

Press, dies, powder scales (non electric for me), case trimmer, caliper, case block, case lube, and handbook are what I would consider the minimum.

Some items you can adapt from things you have already. For example, instead of a powder trickler, I used a plastic spoon and a small plastic container. 37 years later, I still use them for small batches or load development.

Dale

I like my RCBS press, but I figure most of them work the same. I do second the chronograph.

Some stuff I like and recommend:
RCBS Chargemaster powder measure/dispenser
Grip-n-Pull bullet puller
Lee Collet dies

I will also add to buy a stuck case remover right out of the gate and you will most likely never need it. If you don't have one collecting dust you will be staring at your new rifle that your dying to shoot and holding a sizing die with a stuck case.

I'd start by buying a kit like the RCBS Rock chucker supreme master reloading kit. They can be found for $269.00 at Ebay with free shipping. These new kits also come with a Nosler reloading manual. You'll be hard pressed to find a better deal than this. You'll then want to add:

1. Powder trickler
2. Dial calipers
3. A few reloading manuals (depending on which bullets you load)
4. Powered chamfering tool of some sort.
5. Case trimmer.
6. Tumbler

Some other things that may not be as necessary:

1. Bullet puller
2. Stuck case remover
3. Chronograph. Sorry guys, I loaded for YEARS without one.

I started on the RCBS supreme master reloading kit 20 years ago and it's till going strong:

plenty of good info, none bad..

I'd also recommend picking up a couple of different die sets for the ONE caliber you might be reloading... die sets are cheap in the scope of things, costing about as much as a box of ammo or of premium bullets... then they last forever...

I like having an extra or two around, in case their is a problem with one, you're not dead in the water...

Some have a feature or two that I like at certain times over another.. such as a set of Lees with the collet die... yet I size the body with the body die when the shoulder needs bumping back.

I can't live without a universal deprimer or two...

These are things I learned after being self taught.. if it can screw up, I've managed to learn that early, about everything one can think of.

another thing I recently found out about is a stuck case problem, and a solution... even tho I have a stuck case remover set up, like Les suggests, I hated using the darn thing...I don't find it very user friendly..

so what I recently discovered, is getting a stuck case, I just left it in the shell holder, and took a crescent wrench and just slowly unscrewed the die with it, while holding the base of the shellholder...

worked like a charm and it was the simplest way I've experienced taking care of a stuck case...don't know why I didn't figure that one out a long time ago...

I've had a Lee Challenger Press, a Lyman Crusher press, and now have a RCBS Rock chucker 4. It's no contest, get the Rock Chucker! The press is the heart of reloading. I inherited my son's reloading gear. His RCBS case trimmer is far easier to use than my Redding case trimmer. I like my Redding BR3 powder measure and Redding scale. My dies are a mix of brands. For standard rifle dies if loading for the best accuracy I'd buy RCBS or Lyman All American dies (if they are like the older ones). I can't say much about bench rest dies. I do have one Forster bench rest seating die I like really well. I recommend a VLD type chamfering tool. They make seating bullets easier and especially flat base bullets. The Lyman reloading manual is my recommended first manual.

Jarod

Opinions are like belly buttons...

Most important for beginners is/are Reloading Manuals - at least 2.

The RCBS reloading kit is hard to beat.

I have 1 (ONE) set of Lee dies and DONT like them as well as RCBS, Lyman, C - H,

A case trimming set up will be needed long before a case tumbler.

A clear, organized bench or heavy desk in an area where you can concentrate w/o much distraction.

Good luck, I started like you in 1975 or so, just use common sense.

Jerry

The first and most valuable thing to find is a local mentor.

I have reloading tools from about all of the major manufacturers, and use them all. Most of t is good stuff. A lot of stuff is available from companies long out of business like Herters. That's perfectly good stuff and about indestructible.

Get a chronograph immediately! It's your best indcaton of pressure. NEVER WORK UP LOADS WITHOUT IT!

Don't scrimp on your calipers. Find a machinist to teach you how to use them well.

Everyone should own a balance beam scale, They are the gold standard for making sure.

You can save money on things like stuck case removers by using a 1/4-20 tap, a 1/4-20 body drill a 2" 1/4-20 bolt a fender washer and a 9/16 socket.

I consider hand priming tool like the RCBS or Lee indispensible.

A good cabinet like a tool box with a lot of drawers is really nice. Really, Really nice.

From the get-go set up your loading room without carpet. Static and loading do not go together and vacuum cleaners and dropped primers do not get along well.

Miles -

IMO that is overstressing the importance of a chronograph. The vast majority of reloaders started w/o a graph.

Jarod - A chronograph is a very useful tool and can be a joy or heartbreak.

W/O a graph you can compare charges from manuals and online and you will be safe just DON'T start with max charges.

When you decide you need a graph buy the best one you can afford.

Jerry

Lots of good info for you here so far, but the 3 items above are far and above the best.

Hard to go wrong w/ the Lee Anniversary kit which has everything you need to get started except dies.

Once you read the manual (included in the kit) and have been going a while you can tweak your set up according to your tastes/needs.

That's what I did anyway and it worked out beautifuly. Lee, IMHO, is one of the few companies that makes inexpensive but not cheap products.

Same here. Lee kit

Jarod,

I started out with the RCBS kit that many here are recommending. My thoughts are its a great kit and you can't go wrong. With that said (would I go that route again?)

My answer is no! IMO the Lee kit is less money and I've found many aspects of Lee equipment to be better. Ive used both extensively.

Dies, I've used them all. Forster Benchrest 2 die set are the best bang for you buck IMO. I also use a Lee neck size die so I can most of the time (Neck size only) when I reload rather than (full length size) every time. Works the brass much less and so brass lasts much longer.

Other items you'll need

Digital Calipers
Neck Trimmer
Bullet puller Hammer




Shod

Guys I try not to be a RCBS snob. I have Lyman & C-H dies and have no complaints.

I ONLY have 1 set of Lee dies and IME they don't lock up AS positively when you're thru setting them up, as the other brands.

Also there is 'something' that rattles in the seating die. I haven't examined it to find out what it is, but I notice it.

For those 2 reasons I'm apprehensive about Lee dies. I also have an assortment of Lee hand tools, cutter, case gauges, chamfer tool, etc.


Jerry

I always thought RCBS was cheap/inexpensive, so that's all I ever bought. I guess if that makes me a "RCBS snob", I'll confess its true. I also always thought the high end chit was way overrated when you can set up your regular ol run of the mill RCBS fl dies to perform just as good as the more expensive chit. I'm getting less than .004" TIR with my RCBS dies. Perfectly good enough for the kind of hunting and shooting I do..

A good example of this is with the loads I worked up for a buddies rifle yesterday. He's been wanting to shoot his new 22-250, so I threw some loads together and we went out even though it was a little windy and rainy. His el-cheapo Savage XP Trophy hunter seems to be pretty un-finicky. Everything I shot with it was sub moa. No Chronograph was used. I'm pretty sure ES and SD's are pretty minimal. Pressures are just fine as well :

BSA -

My comment per RCBS snob was NOT aimed at anyone! !

In the 70s I began with all RCBS equipment. I don't recall RCBS being cheaper. During all these years I've not had any problems with RCBS and many report that their C S is superb. I wouldn't know, never had any need.


I have a friend who uses the Orange Crush and WE like it. I admit to preferring RCBS but as I said, I have Lyman and C-H dies and 1 set of Lee.

I feel like my mind is open enuff to accept other brands, however I do have 2 objections to the Lee dies I have.

Just so there's no misunderstanding.


Jerry

Jwall,


The only Lee dies I have are the collet neck size die. I have one for each caliber. The other Lee dies I have no use for but the Lee collets are in my opinion my most useful die.

That's only because I like to neck size only for around 4 loadings before I full length size and bump the shoulder back. I anneal my brass right before I full length size.

Has anyone ever told you your an RCBS whore?





Shod

Go to a pawn shop and get a used RCBS Rockchucker or equivalent single stage press. Get the right shell holder and any available set of dies, a cheap balance scale and some One Shot case lube. Then forget most of what has been said about making this harder than it needs to be, ask a friend that has loaded before to help and start reloading.

It isn't rocket science, but it does need to be done right. When you have gotten some experience under your belt, then you can progress into some of the other advice, but for now just keep it simple...