Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Your First Reloading Setup

Lee kit for 12ga in 1959
then in1960 Dad got a c-h press and some dies
with it 6.5x257-6.5 x55- 303 Brit and 30-06.
When I came back to the world in 1968 I
got a RCBS, some dies and kept adding rifles
and trying to learn something- still trying.
Oldcuss

Like many here, I started with a Lee Loader, .264 Magnum, about 1978. Advanced to a Rock Chucker. When the time came to get a progressive I learned of a new brand called "Dillon". I ordered one (Model 200?) and the owner's manual was hand written.

I'll never forget Dillon's philosophy, the last line in the owner's manual said something like: "If you have problems, call us at 800-xxx-xxxx. We can probably do more in a 5 minute phone call than a month of letter writing".

I wish I still had that owner's manual. Anyone else remember the hand written manual?

1978 with the above plus an RCBS trickler, Lee Chamfer too.

Still use the press and the Ohaus I use for checking my Chargemaster

I started in 1956 using a neighbor's reloading setup for the 220 Swift (Lyman turret press). I bought my own setup (RCBS A2 press) in 1966 and loaded for the 38 Special, 45 ACP, 30-06 and 44 Magnum. Mow I have a RCBS Super Rockchucker and load for 18 cartridges.

I bought an RCBS reloaders kit in the PX at Ft. Richardson Alaska in the fall of 1975. It included some 38 special dies and an RCBS JR3 press. I also bought a powder measure, an RCBS 510 scale and some 7x57 dies along with various other small things. I stuffed them in a corner of my wall locker until I was to ETS home in June of 1976. I had the Army ship them home for me along with some other items. I got on the airplane at Anchorage International with 8 or 9 guns stuck in my duffel bag. The stuff I had shipped home got to me about a month later in the middle of July. The first thing I tried loading was the 7x57. I managed not to blow the gun up. I had a few lessons from one of the guys I was stationed with and the rest was up to me. I don't think I had $150 dollars in the whole kit. I still use the RCBS JR3 almost daily. I have since picked up 3 more presses and a whole pile of goodies.

kwg

Started in 1962 with a C press, powder measure, scale and 7x57 dies from Minnesota Shooters Supply - very inexpensive by comparison to other brands at the time (cost less than Herters) and I think they made those for Herters as well). Added a few small accessories from MSS as time went by, and all of their stuff worked just fine - and still use some of them at times, The threaded setup on the end of the ram is a bit different than what normally is seen. Loved it all - got me off to a very good start.

Been loading since 1996... Started out with the Rock Chucker Kit package from RCBS...

25 years later that is exactly what I am using.. although I added another press...

and I have a lot more sets of dies... first caliber I started loading was my 30/06....trying to turn it into a 300 Weatherby....
( like an idiot... don't do that any more...) nowadays I take a 300 Win Mag and try to turn it into a 30/30....

Lee hand press, you can reload anywhere.

1969. Lee Loader for 20ga.
Next was a Lee Loader for 270 WCF 1974
Then an RCBS Jr press, RCBS 505 scale and dies for 6.5x55 1975
Then in 1979 my sisters boyfriend's dad sold me a Lyman turret press, Pacific dies, Redding powder measure, 429244 Lyman mold, casting pot and lube sizer for 44 mag.

It hasn't stopped.

Started about 1967 with a Lyman Spartan press, Lyman .243 dies, and a used Lyman scale. Soon added Herters .38 spl. dies and started casting bullets with a single cavity Lyman 358477 mold. I still have and use all my original equipment. The Spartan for pistol reloading, neck sizing, and seating bullets in rifle rounds. Many years ago I added a Rockchucker bought used from a friend for FL resizing rifle cases.

15 years old

1985

saved my money from slinging square-bailed hay all summer. I got the Lyman 6 turret T-mag set with scales and trimmer and all the stuff it came with. All I had to get was dies and components.

Also bought Craftsman 200 and something piece ratchet/socket set.


Became a grown ass man all in one day.

Mid 80's Lee load all for a 20 gauge. Still have the reloader but have not used it in years.

Back in the early '60's, I started with a big ole cast iron Herter's press, Herter's scale and Herter's dies. The "best in the world", as they were advertised. That set up did pretty good. I later sold the Herter stuff, replaced it with RCBS Jr. press, RCBS scale and RCBS dies.

First rounds loaded for were .222 and .38 Spec.

DF

Same set up I use today:

Lee classic cast, RCBS 505, RCBS Uniflow and trickler, Hornady or RCBS dies.

I load for:

.17 Fireball
.204 Ruger
.223
22-250
.243
.260
30 Carbine
45-70
7MM-08
357 MAG/.38
.380 ACP
9mm
.44 Mag
.45 ACP

I have a few calibers I do not load for, for various reasons.

I first reloaded for my .300 Savage around 1961. A local store (Foster Sporting Goods) would let you use their gear if you bought your components from them. They were great at helping kids like me out.

A 100 gr half jacket and some BallC2 makes a great plinking load in a .300 Savage.

Started with a Lee Anniversary Kit in '97, have added Lee hand press (mostly to deprime), small Lee press dedicated for priming with Lee Ram Prime priming tool, Redding Boss press, Lyman 450 lube sizer and various dies, 3 Lyman 55 powder measures, RCBS 10-10 scale, digital scale, and a bunch of dies of various mfrs from .204 Ruger ro 45-90. Also Lee lead pots and Lyman and Lee molds for a variety of bullets and round balls.

Forgot a Pacific 12 ga setup I picked up for $50 about 20 years ago.

Not sure exactly when I bought my first press. RCBS jr. I think around 1966. But I had been in a partnership reloading since 1964. 308, 243 and 357. Hasbeen

Ideal tong tool 1958
45-70 trapdoor
Homemade black powder. I think it runs in my veins !
I am so batshidt crazy i even have a setup for reloading 22 rimfire.

Dad got me a VersaMec '82 12 gauge press for Christmas, had to have been 1982 since I was 14. Also got all the goodies to go with it. Next day I asked for help doing it, he told me the instructions were in the box, read and follow(he didnt know anything about reloading). I figured it out, still have both eyes and all digits, and no guns blown up.


1995, Rockchucker kit and a set of 44 Mag Carbide dies. Same thing, opened the Speer manual that was in the box, and started reading.

Have added a schitt ton of stuff since, but still have the original equipment I started with. Still both eyes, all digits and no mishaps.

Denton: I have mentioned this "first reloading" of mine many times before on this forum and others.
"I" taught myself to reload at the age of 12 (1959) for my family's only Rifle - it was a sporterized military Winchester Model of 1917 in 30/06 caliber.
I got "free" brass that I picked up at the local range and surplus powder back then was 99 cents a pound!
I also began with a "Lee Loader" and then moved to a "Herters" press some time later, and shortly thereafter an R.C.B.S. press.
I still use "reloading" as the best way to obtain the most accurate/reliable/repeatable ammunition and as a great form of relaxation/therapy.
Reloading is still one of my most favored hobbies and pastimes.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy