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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,008
Campfire Savant
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Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 151,008 |
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit. My vote too
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,280
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,280 |
I started with a Rock Chucker kit 26 years ago and have never found a reason to regret it. As I got deeper into reloading for more cartridges I have added things like Lee Collet dies and Forster seating dies. But no regrets for the way I started.
Al
Spend your life wisely.
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Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 86
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 86 |
I was in the same situation as you 15 years ago, but with the 35 Whelen and 358 Winchester. Factory ammo was hard to find and expensive for those at the time. A friend with long experience reloading suggested the Forster Co-Ax single stage press. I bought it and have never looked back. I'm now reloading two dozen cartridges, mostly with RCBS dies but some Redding and Hornady too, and have nothing bad to say about any of it. Be advised that it can become an addiction once you get going.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,621
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 11,910
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 11,910 |
Rockchucker kit for me as well.
It has all one needs to make some good ammo.
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 3,511
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 3,511 |
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit. That's exactly where I'd start.^^^ Also, I have to say this: Guys suggesting all the comparators and chidt need to learn how to find the lands without all the costly gadgets. Most load manuals will teach you this. Soot the bullet or use a sharpie, no need for extra expense. You can also use your rifles chamber to set your dies with. These same guys are probably the ones that say they don't save any money reloading their own ammo... They may not at the rate they are going. Expensive as hell die sets, when they would have been just fine with RCBS you can buy at Walmart. The list goes on.......The op is looking to keep costs down, but getting misinformation regarding some extra non needed expenses. I figured the guy wanted to load precision ammo for his hunting rifle....not to make cheaper reloaded ammo to save a dollar or two. I suspect I was sooting bullets before you were chitting yellow...... I listed it in my post as a tool that comes later....there are several other techniques for finding the bullet barrel rifling land relationship....just none as precise and fast as with a Stoney Point tool. Ps... Never saw RCBS dies at any Walmart I've been in.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,614
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,614 |
I figured the guy wanted to load precision ammo for his hunting rifle....not to make cheaper reloaded ammo to save a dollar or two.
I suspect I was sooting bullets before you were chitting yellow......
I listed it in my post as a tool that comes later....there are several other techniques for finding the bullet barrel rifling land relationship....just none as precise and fast as with a Stoney Point tool.
Ps...
Never saw RCBS dies any Walmart I've been in.
LMAO, never say never. Never thought I would see reloading equipment, Barrett 50 cal rifles and 50 cal ammo at a Walmart either, but I sure did in Idaho. Although the rifle was in the back, too damn big for the display case.
Swifty
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,317
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,317 |
Walmart's out west have (had) reloading supplies. The ones back on this side of the country don't usually carry anything that I know of
I may not be smart but I can lift heavy objects
I have a shotgun so I have no need for a 30-06.....
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 30
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 30 |
There are a number of good recommendations listed above . RCBS, Redding, MEC, Forrester ,Lyman , Hornaday , and Lee all make quality presses. Most if not all sell kits as mentioned above . I would recommend you buy an Iron or steel press rather than Aluminum press because an iron press will out live you . I got my RCBS Jr in 1980 and still use it every week. I grew up buying RCBS because that is what was available locally and every thing I got that has RCBS on it has been good quality . I have been loading since 1975 ( used granddad's RCBS A-2 to start with) and I currently have 4 reloading presses: RCBS Jr , RCBS Rock Chucker, Redding T-7 Turret, and a Redding "The Boss" ( which is their smallest press).
My goto on equipment is RCBS and Redding . My goto on dies is RCBS and Lee.
Lee makes a number of inexpensive tools that work well for a minimum investment . Their " Perfect Powder Measure " works as well as any and is 25% the price of others and their case trimming tools are an inexpensive place to start if your not sure what case trimmer your interested in ( note these are caliber specific)
Just my thoughts
Last edited by jambuster; 01/18/22.
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Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 756
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 756 |
Hello hello,
I have decided I would like to start reloading, and would like some opinions on the gear/equipment I should get.
I prefer to use factory ammo, but I just bought a 280 ackley and would like to have more options with it, and use the bullets I want to use.
So having said that, the .280ai is the only cartridge I plan on loading for. This will be my first foray into reloading, and I have absolutely zero experience with it.
What do you guys reccomend for getting started with all of the equipment I will need? The only thing I have decided is I would like it all to be fairly simple, small single stage press, easy to use scale, etc.
Should I start off with a press kit to get most of it in one package? Which one is a good one to get? Where should I go for dies?
Also what else is not included in the kit that I will need to purchase?
What is a good or a couple good reloading manuals to have on hand?
I would like to keep the price point in the lower to middle of the road options.
Currently the only thing i have is a solid work bench. Other than that I am empty handed.
Jack The first thing, a manual lyman, speer, hornady . Read it and then shop.
They will vote our way into socialism, We will have to shoot our way out.
Every major horror in the world was perpetrated in the name of altruism.
Just how big is Aroostook County you ask?
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,997
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,997 |
I am continually astounded at how quickly people make up their minds on little evidence or none at all.
Jack O'Connor
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,913
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,913 |
Started on this, a Lee Classic turret press is heavy duty and can be used as single stage if you like. The turret disks make things so convenient and neck sizing has meant I never buy more brass. I have bought some other dies and like them well enough but by and large....don't see why one would spend more. Especially now that components are so expensive. Lee has great 30 second videos on setting things up so you don'at have to scour Youtube and watch a 20 minute video of some guy explaining what his uncle uses.
Last edited by kenjs1; 01/18/22.
When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are something to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honors are something to be ashamed of
. Confucius
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,832
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,832 |
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,317
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 11,317 |
I also started with the RCBS kit, it's a good place to start.
The press is about the only thing I still use out of the kit.
I did load and use most everything in the kit for the first few years.
Last edited by pullit; 01/18/22.
I may not be smart but I can lift heavy objects
I have a shotgun so I have no need for a 30-06.....
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 3,511
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 3,511 |
Thing about the kits....i think it's fair to say that most items in the Kits with the exception of the loading press are budget items.
The scale is just okay....you'll likely upgrade it.
No case trimmer in the kits ?
Not crazy about RCBS powder measures.
Most expense is the loading press and a high quality scale.
A fellow can get by without a powder measure/dropper I know I did for several years...you can pick up a used Lyman 55 for about $50 bucks.
I feel like you can get in with better quality tools for about the same money as a kit.
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,679
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,679 |
Midsouthshootersupply.com has Lee 280 AI 3 die set in stock for $37
Good bullets properly placed always work, but not everyone knows what good bullets are, or can reliably place them in the field
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506 |
I think it’s funny when a guy worries about how another guy spends his money. Many would think a bunch of overlapping guns to shoot holes in paper is a waste of money. RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit. That's exactly where I'd start.^^^ Also, I have to say this: Guys suggesting all the comparators and chidt need to learn how to find the lands without all the costly gadgets. Most load manuals will teach you this. Soot the bullet or use a sharpie, no need for extra expense. You can also use your rifles chamber to set your dies with. These same guys are probably the ones that say they don't save any money reloading their own ammo... They may not at the rate they are going. Expensive as hell die sets, when they would have been just fine with RCBS you can buy at Walmart. The list goes on.......The op is looking to keep costs down, but getting misinformation regarding some extra non needed expenses. I was at a cross road yesterday about buying another rifle chambered in 223. A sweet little Kimber of Oregon rifle was begging me to buy it. I have four already - did I really need another one ~ does it really even matter? I held firm and didn’t do the deed. Instead I dropped almost as much coin on reloading supplies. For a brief moment, I felt like a grown up. Lol 🦫
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog
“Molon Labe”
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Joined: May 2021
Posts: 3,511
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 3,511 |
Handloading tools are just like other tools.
If Harbor Freight trips your trigger then why waste money buying Snap On.
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