getting started

FunkMonster · September 27, 2002, 07:46 AM

Hello All,

I'd like to start reloading. Mainly handgun calibers (.357 magnum and .45). I was over at cheaper than dirt looking at the reloading kits and they have several "starter kits," but I don't know enough about it to tell what's good (or even what's different

) about them.

I'm not interested at speed at this point and I'd like to get in as cheaply as possible. So, if someone could recomind a good starting kit that can get me putting some cartridges together I would appriciate it. Also if there's anything you think I might need that doesn't come with those kits I'd like to know about that too. Thanks in advance.

JoeHatley · September 27, 2002, 09:43 AM

www.midwayusa.com also has some nice starter sets. The Lee products are generally the least costly and will turn out ammo the works just fine. RCBS beginner kits are a little more expensive, but will last a lifetime.

Good Luck...

Joe

braindead0 · September 27, 2002, 10:04 AM

I try to avoid cheaper than dirt, every time I cross check a price there it's 4 times higher than elsewhere (midwayusa, natchez..etc). In fact, they're bragging about 286.60 for the RCBS master reloading kit, it's 229.95 at Midway. Somehow I think they think their name is enough.

How much ammo do you intend to load? The reason being, the RCBS rockchucker can be upgraded to a pretty darned good (I think) progressive press.. which will quadruple (easily) your output. So that's another thing to think about.

sricciardelli · September 27, 2002, 10:08 AM

RCBS Rock Chucker Master Reloading Kit and RCBS Accessory Kit.

No sense in going "cheap" and then having to invest more when you decide to get into "serious" reloading! It will only be monies spent twice...

Skullboy · September 28, 2002, 04:38 PM

Funkmonster,I also would go with the RCBS Rockchucker Master reloading kit.RCBS stuff will last a lifetime.If something does break or you lose a little part, they will send you a replacement at no charge(they have done that for me and my shooting partner in the past).I use mostly RCBS equipment and have been extremely happy with it.HTH. Skullboy.

PALongbow · September 28, 2002, 05:10 PM

I got back into reloading last year and bought the RCBS Master Reloading Kit......can't go wrong with this kit. The only real thing that I wanted to add was a powder measure stand to hold the powder measure and the RCBS hand priming tool.

Ron

Dogjaw · September 28, 2002, 06:02 PM

FunkMonster,

Check out Dillon presses at http://dillonprecision.com
I copied and pasted the basic specs.
Automatic Indexing
Auto Powder / Priming Systems
Available in 14 Handgun calibers
Loading Rate: 400-500 Rounds per Hour
Comes Complete With Loading Dies
Factory Adjusted, Ready-to-Use
Lifetime "No-B.S." Warranty
$252.95

You can buy a conversion kit for another caliber.

This is a cheaper alternative for loading pistol rounds. It will not reload rifle rounds. Buy a RL500B if your going to reload rifle along with pistol. I own a 550B and haven't had a minutes worth of trouble with it.

Swamp Yankee · September 28, 2002, 06:30 PM

I'll throw in with the RCBS Rockchucker kit recommendation. RCBS builds good stuff and stands behind it.
That said, if you find a good deal on a Lyman Orange Crusher or T-Mag Kit jump on it, as Lyman makes very good equipment as well.
Take Care

Guy B. Meredith · September 29, 2002, 01:07 AM

Check Lock, Stock and Barrel at /www.lockstock.com/. Good prices, quick service.

sundog · September 30, 2002, 11:50 AM

Before buying, research a little to discover all those items YOU need for the type of loading YOU will do. And don't forget safety glasses.

http://www.reload-nrma.com/

If you want inexpensive, that works reasonably well for pistol calibers, there's nothing wrong with a Lee turret press, especially when using powder through dies.

sundog

labgrade · September 30, 2002, 03:17 PM

All-in-all, I'd think I'd go single stage press to start off - you want to get all the basics down pat before going towards progressive.

Just my own thoughts on the subject.

Very tough to go wrong with the RCBS-stuff. A press - & gizmos that'll last a lifetime.

I reloaded pistol (& raifle) calibers for close to 40 years with a single-stage - you can too. It merely takes just a bit more time and it provides for a bit of a safety margin ....

Turned on to a Dillon progressive just in the last year or so - wonderful!, but I do still have some questions about double-loads with low-capacity powders - you might as well.

Nothing like shining the flashlight in every hole to absolutely! prove that you've not double-charged ....

Worst problem to date I've had is no stuffing a primer in ....

Double-charging has been non-existent.

YMMV

September 27, 2002, 07:46 AM	#1
FunkMonster Junior Member Join Date: August 28, 2002 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 14	getting started Hello All, I'd like to start reloading. Mainly handgun calibers (.357 magnum and .45). I was over at cheaper than dirt looking at the reloading kits and they have several "starter kits," but I don't know enough about it to tell what's good (or even what's different ) about them. I'm not interested at speed at this point and I'd like to get in as cheaply as possible. So, if someone could recomind a good starting kit that can get me putting some cartridges together I would appriciate it. Also if there's anything you think I might need that doesn't come with those kits I'd like to know about that too. Thanks in advance.

September 27, 2002, 09:43 AM	#2
JoeHatley Senior Member Join Date: July 1, 1999 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,135	www.midwayusa.com also has some nice starter sets. The Lee products are generally the least costly and will turn out ammo the works just fine. RCBS beginner kits are a little more expensive, but will last a lifetime. Good Luck... Joe __________________ Go NRA

September 27, 2002, 10:04 AM	#3
braindead0 Senior Member Join Date: February 28, 2002 Location: Canton, Oh Posts: 896	I try to avoid cheaper than dirt, every time I cross check a price there it's 4 times higher than elsewhere (midwayusa, natchez..etc). In fact, they're bragging about 286.60 for the RCBS master reloading kit, it's 229.95 at Midway. Somehow I think they think their name is enough. How much ammo do you intend to load? The reason being, the RCBS rockchucker can be upgraded to a pretty darned good (I think) progressive press.. which will quadruple (easily) your output. So that's another thing to think about. __________________ DoD# 2223 Meum scapha volitare plenum anguillae

September 27, 2002, 10:08 AM	#4
sricciardelli Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2001 Location: Montana Posts: 489	RCBS Rock Chucker Master Reloading Kit and RCBS Accessory Kit. No sense in going "cheap" and then having to invest more when you decide to get into "serious" reloading! It will only be monies spent twice... __________________ http://stevespages.com/page8.htm

September 28, 2002, 04:38 PM	#5
Skullboy Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2002 Location: Haney, B.C. Canada Posts: 104	Funkmonster,I also would go with the RCBS Rockchucker Master reloading kit.RCBS stuff will last a lifetime.If something does break or you lose a little part, they will send you a replacement at no charge(they have done that for me and my shooting partner in the past).I use mostly RCBS equipment and have been extremely happy with it.HTH. Skullboy. __________________ DAMAGE INC. CUSTOM CAMO. If They Call It Tourist Season, Why Can't We Shoot Them?

September 28, 2002, 05:10 PM	#6
PALongbow Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2001 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 103	I got back into reloading last year and bought the RCBS Master Reloading Kit......can't go wrong with this kit. The only real thing that I wanted to add was a powder measure stand to hold the powder measure and the RCBS hand priming tool. Ron

September 28, 2002, 06:02 PM	#7
Dogjaw Senior Member Join Date: October 6, 2001 Location: S.W. Michigan Posts: 560	FunkMonster, Check out Dillon presses at http://dillonprecision.com I copied and pasted the basic specs. Automatic Indexing Auto Powder / Priming Systems Available in 14 Handgun calibers Loading Rate: 400-500 Rounds per Hour Comes Complete With Loading Dies Factory Adjusted, Ready-to-Use Lifetime "No-B.S." Warranty $252.95 You can buy a conversion kit for another caliber. This is a cheaper alternative for loading pistol rounds. It will not reload rifle rounds. Buy a RL500B if your going to reload rifle along with pistol. I own a 550B and haven't had a minutes worth of trouble with it. __________________ There are three kinds of men: 1) The ones that learn by reading. 2) The few who learn by observation. 3) The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves..........

September 28, 2002, 06:30 PM	#8
Swamp Yankee Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2000 Location: Northeastern Ct. Posts: 1,019	I'll throw in with the RCBS Rockchucker kit recommendation. RCBS builds good stuff and stands behind it. That said, if you find a good deal on a Lyman Orange Crusher or T-Mag Kit jump on it, as Lyman makes very good equipment as well. Take Care

September 29, 2002, 01:07 AM	#9
Guy B. Meredith Senior Member Join Date: August 29, 1999 Location: Salem, Oregon Posts: 1,581	Check Lock, Stock and Barrel at /www.lockstock.com/. Good prices, quick service.

September 30, 2002, 11:50 AM	#10
sundog Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Green Country, OK Posts: 782	Before buying, research a little to discover all those items YOU need for the type of loading YOU will do. And don't forget safety glasses. http://www.reload-nrma.com/ If you want inexpensive, that works reasonably well for pistol calibers, there's nothing wrong with a Lee turret press, especially when using powder through dies. sundog __________________ safety first

September 30, 2002, 03:17 PM	#11
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	All-in-all, I'd think I'd go single stage press to start off - you want to get all the basics down pat before going towards progressive. Just my own thoughts on the subject. Very tough to go wrong with the RCBS-stuff. A press - & gizmos that'll last a lifetime. I reloaded pistol (& raifle) calibers for close to 40 years with a single-stage - you can too. It merely takes just a bit more time and it provides for a bit of a safety margin .... Turned on to a Dillon progressive just in the last year or so - wonderful!, but I do still have some questions about double-loads with low-capacity powders - you might as well. Nothing like shining the flashlight in every hole to absolutely! prove that you've not double-charged .... Worst problem to date I've had is no stuffing a primer in .... Double-charging has been non-existent. YMMV