Recommendations for starter kit...

gedenke · March 6, 2008, 11:06 PM

I recently plunged headlong into handloading and bought the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master Reloading kit and so far, I'm very happy with it. But that's not the point of this thread.

Question is, my father just picked up a new rifle and I suggested that he handload for it. (it's a 270 WSM) He's on a bit of a budget and I was wondering what would be a good starter kit for him. I'm thinking of something not to exspensive, yet good quality and easy to use. Most likely a single stage would work for him. Preferrably it would include everything he needs to get started except dies. Any suggestions?

I did find this one @ midway, is it any good?
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...744&t=11082005

I would just buy some dies and let him use my stuff, but he lives 10 hrs away.

sks · March 6, 2008, 11:18 PM

That would be a good starter. My dad has that one as well. Lee is one of the most economical presses on the market. I've used one for several years with no problems. Right now I use the classic 4 turret and love it.

freakshow10mm · March 6, 2008, 11:23 PM

That's a good start.

Graf's has it for $100.79 plus $4.95 handling fee (includes shipping). It's out of stock there too but the price will be cheaper than Midway with shipping.

Shop around. Check out Midsouth Shooters as well.

nickl405 · March 6, 2008, 11:34 PM

I just purchased one from cheaperthandirt.com for $98.73 and I believe they still have them in stock.

ForneyRider · March 6, 2008, 11:37 PM

Lee Breech Lock is great for 100$. Has everything but dies, components, caliper, and case tumbler.

You can make a lot of nice ammo with it. I've made several 100 in the few months I've had it.

Also recommend the rockcrusher kit offered by Mid South Shooter's supply. I think it is aroudn 200$. RCBS scale is nice.

RCBS universal shell holder is great for 8$. RCBS tricker is about 8$, but I think the Redding one may work better.

270 WSM looks like an awesome cartridge. Too close to my 7mm Mag in performance to buy one. But I wouldn't mind a 325 WSM in Winchester Super X rifle if they ever made one.

gedenke · March 7, 2008, 12:12 PM

Thanks for the comments, guys, I'll pass this info on to him and let him decide if he wants to do it. Oh, while we're on the subject of noobie pointers, what is a good reloading manual for someone like him (and me)? I'm thinking maybe the Lyman 48th edition. I have the Speer 14th book that came with my Rockchucker.

CrustyFN · March 7, 2008, 04:56 PM

That would be a very good starter kit. Kempf has it for $99, http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products...its/90030.html. You will need to add dies, case trimmer, chamfer/debur tool and calipers would be nice.
Rusty

scsov509 · March 7, 2008, 08:56 PM

That Lee Kit has gotten a lot of people started in reloading, and is an excellent way to get into reloading if you're not going to load a really high quantity of ammunition. I personally think the Lee 4-Hole Turret is a better deal, and it provides the option of operating either single-stage or in a progressive style. Midway has the 4-Hole kit for the same price, and either will provide everything you need minus dies and calipers. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...290&t=11082005

hodaka · March 7, 2008, 09:02 PM

I got started with one of those. Well, not really, I started with one of the $10 Lee load kits that used a hammer, but the Challenger was next. I still use it 30 years later although I have other presses and a Dillon. In my opinion, a good place to start.

March 6, 2008, 11:06 PM	#1
gedenke Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2007 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 381	Recommendations for starter kit... I recently plunged headlong into handloading and bought the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master Reloading kit and so far, I'm very happy with it. But that's not the point of this thread. Question is, my father just picked up a new rifle and I suggested that he handload for it. (it's a 270 WSM) He's on a bit of a budget and I was wondering what would be a good starter kit for him. I'm thinking of something not to exspensive, yet good quality and easy to use. Most likely a single stage would work for him. Preferrably it would include everything he needs to get started except dies. Any suggestions? I did find this one @ midway, is it any good? http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...744&t=11082005 I would just buy some dies and let him use my stuff, but he lives 10 hrs away. __________________ There's an art...to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss!

March 6, 2008, 11:18 PM	#2
sks Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2000 Location: Williamsburg, MO Posts: 944	That would be a good starter. My dad has that one as well. Lee is one of the most economical presses on the market. I've used one for several years with no problems. Right now I use the classic 4 turret and love it. __________________ Guns don't kill people; bullets kill people!

March 6, 2008, 11:37 PM	#5
ForneyRider Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2007 Location: Forney, TX Posts: 725	Lee Breech Lock is great for 100$. Has everything but dies, components, caliper, and case tumbler. You can make a lot of nice ammo with it. I've made several 100 in the few months I've had it. Also recommend the rockcrusher kit offered by Mid South Shooter's supply. I think it is aroudn 200$. RCBS scale is nice. RCBS universal shell holder is great for 8$. RCBS tricker is about 8$, but I think the Redding one may work better. 270 WSM looks like an awesome cartridge. Too close to my 7mm Mag in performance to buy one. But I wouldn't mind a 325 WSM in Winchester Super X rifle if they ever made one. __________________ When all is said and done, there is a lot more said than done.

March 7, 2008, 12:12 PM	#6
gedenke Senior Member Join Date: August 8, 2007 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 381	Thanks for the comments, guys, I'll pass this info on to him and let him decide if he wants to do it. Oh, while we're on the subject of noobie pointers, what is a good reloading manual for someone like him (and me)? I'm thinking maybe the Lyman 48th edition. I have the Speer 14th book that came with my Rockchucker. __________________ There's an art...to flying. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss!

March 7, 2008, 04:56 PM	#7
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	That would be a very good starter kit. Kempf has it for $99, http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products...its/90030.html. You will need to add dies, case trimmer, chamfer/debur tool and calipers would be nice. Rusty __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

March 6, 2008, 11:23 PM	#3
freakshow10mm Junior member Join Date: January 23, 2008 Location: MI Posts: 1,398	That's a good start. Graf's has it for $100.79 plus $4.95 handling fee (includes shipping). It's out of stock there too but the price will be cheaper than Midway with shipping. Shop around. Check out Midsouth Shooters as well.

March 6, 2008, 11:34 PM	#4
nickl405 Member Join Date: March 6, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 21	I just purchased one from cheaperthandirt.com for $98.73 and I believe they still have them in stock.

March 7, 2008, 08:56 PM	#8
scsov509 Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 2006 Posts: 819	That Lee Kit has gotten a lot of people started in reloading, and is an excellent way to get into reloading if you're not going to load a really high quantity of ammunition. I personally think the Lee 4-Hole Turret is a better deal, and it provides the option of operating either single-stage or in a progressive style. Midway has the 4-Hole kit for the same price, and either will provide everything you need minus dies and calipers. http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...290&t=11082005

March 7, 2008, 09:02 PM	#9
hodaka Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2006 Location: South Texas Posts: 2,010	I got started with one of those. Well, not really, I started with one of the $10 Lee load kits that used a hammer, but the Challenger was next. I still use it 30 years later although I have other presses and a Dillon. In my opinion, a good place to start.