Best basic reloading kit.

Keeper · February 4, 2000, 10:26 AM

I am looking to start reloading and need advice on the best basic kit to start with. I am going to start reloading .303 and .17 rem. I know that I might have trouble finding dies for the .17 rem.

Thank you.

**Mal H** · February 4, 2000, 01:38 PM

Thank goodness you said "best basic" instead of cheapest. I think the best basic kit that everything you need except the dies is the Rock Chucker Master Reloading Kit. It is occasionally put on sale by Midway and Natchez.

ol blue · February 4, 2000, 01:58 PM

Natchez has the Rock chucker kit on sale now for $214.95. Pretty hard to beat.

Keeper · February 4, 2000, 02:16 PM

Thanks for the advice. That RCBS kit is what I am looking for. I appreciate the help. I am looking forward to reloading my own. I also found .17 and .303 reloading dies in there group A set. Any other advice for a newcomer to reloading is welcome.

Thanks again.

Art Eatman · February 4, 2000, 11:36 PM

My advice? Read various books, and don't get in a hurry.

Search the archives here and browse.

Any time you're at a gunshow and run across a good used reloading book, if the price is right, buy it.

Don't ever get in a hurry.

Then, when you actually start reloading, write down all loads, and date them. If you try test-loads, 3 to 5 loads with a bit different powder as you work up a load, use a magic marker for color coding (just a swipe across the case-head) and write it down!

Double check yourself from time to time as you go. When you use a powder measure, go to the scale every 100-200 rounds and make sure it's still "on weight".

And don't be in a hurry.

, Art

swifter... · February 5, 2000, 12:30 AM

The best basic I generally reccommend is the RCBS "Partner" kit, not as heavy-duty as the Rockchucker, but a few bucks less, and made of honest metals, not aluminum pot metal.

------------------
The Bill of Rights, and the Golden Rule are enough for civilized behavior. The rest is window dressing. Shoot carefully, swifter...

TheOtherMikey · February 5, 2000, 01:18 PM

I'll add my recommendation for the Rock Chucker as an outstanding single stage press. I started with one and still use it for small runs and for heavy magnum loads. I now use a Dillon 550B progressive for production reloading.

You can't go wrong with a Rock Chucker. Regards, Mikey.

Monkeyleg · February 6, 2000, 06:08 PM

I started out years ago with a Rock Chucker and it's still the one I use today. After thousands and thousands of rounds it still performs. And their customer service people are great. When I've broken parts (my fault every time), they send me replacement parts for free.

Dick

sundog · February 9, 2000, 01:01 PM

happiness is... an rcbs rockchucker. i also have a thirty plus year young rcbs junior that's still goin' strong. grand kids will probably being using them when i'm long gone. these are good products backed up by a good customer relations department! sundog

------------------
safety first

makarov · February 19, 2000, 12:38 AM

I have been debating on either the kit with the Partner Press ($99) or the kit with the Rockchucker ($214-250). To me $100 is still a big difference especially if you are just starting out. I think I would vote for the Partner press kit - he is reloading rifle calibers as well. The Rockchucker *can* be converted to progressive with the Piggyback setup. If he were reloading pistol ammo that might be a consideration for future expansion.

Nestor Rivera · February 21, 2000, 01:52 PM

Just a voice in the wilderness, I have been happy with my Lee aniversary kit. Other wise I would probabply go with Liman and the T-Mag Kit.

killer45auto · February 21, 2000, 08:48 PM

Dont forget the Dillon

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February 4, 2000, 10:26 AM	#1
Keeper Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 1999 Posts: 204	I am looking to start reloading and need advice on the best basic kit to start with. I am going to start reloading .303 and .17 rem. I know that I might have trouble finding dies for the .17 rem. Thank you.

February 4, 2000, 01:38 PM	#2
Mal H Staff Join Date: March 20, 1999 Location: Somewhere in the woods of Northern Virginia Posts: 16,947	Thank goodness you said "best basic" instead of cheapest. I think the best basic kit that everything you need except the dies is the Rock Chucker Master Reloading Kit. It is occasionally put on sale by Midway and Natchez.

February 4, 2000, 01:58 PM	#3
ol blue Member Join Date: January 21, 2000 Location: USA Posts: 62	Natchez has the Rock chucker kit on sale now for $214.95. Pretty hard to beat.

February 4, 2000, 02:16 PM	#4
Keeper Senior Member Join Date: May 14, 1999 Posts: 204	Thanks for the advice. That RCBS kit is what I am looking for. I appreciate the help. I am looking forward to reloading my own. I also found .17 and .303 reloading dies in there group A set. Any other advice for a newcomer to reloading is welcome. Thanks again.

February 4, 2000, 11:36 PM	#5
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	My advice? Read various books, and don't get in a hurry. Search the archives here and browse. Any time you're at a gunshow and run across a good used reloading book, if the price is right, buy it. Don't ever get in a hurry. Then, when you actually start reloading, write down all loads, and date them. If you try test-loads, 3 to 5 loads with a bit different powder as you work up a load, use a magic marker for color coding (just a swipe across the case-head) and write it down! Double check yourself from time to time as you go. When you use a powder measure, go to the scale every 100-200 rounds and make sure it's still "on weight". And don't be in a hurry. , Art

February 5, 2000, 12:30 AM	#6
swifter... Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 1999 Location: So. CA Mountains Posts: 540	The best basic I generally reccommend is the RCBS "Partner" kit, not as heavy-duty as the Rockchucker, but a few bucks less, and made of honest metals, not aluminum pot metal. ------------------ The Bill of Rights, and the Golden Rule are enough for civilized behavior. The rest is window dressing. Shoot carefully, swifter...

February 5, 2000, 01:18 PM	#7
TheOtherMikey Senior Member Join Date: October 16, 1999 Location: Surprise, Arizona, USA Posts: 171	I'll add my recommendation for the Rock Chucker as an outstanding single stage press. I started with one and still use it for small runs and for heavy magnum loads. I now use a Dillon 550B progressive for production reloading. You can't go wrong with a Rock Chucker. Regards, Mikey.

February 6, 2000, 06:08 PM	#8
Monkeyleg Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2000 Posts: 4,625	I started out years ago with a Rock Chucker and it's still the one I use today. After thousands and thousands of rounds it still performs. And their customer service people are great. When I've broken parts (my fault every time), they send me replacement parts for free. Dick

February 9, 2000, 01:01 PM	#9
sundog Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Green Country, OK Posts: 782	happiness is... an rcbs rockchucker. i also have a thirty plus year young rcbs junior that's still goin' strong. grand kids will probably being using them when i'm long gone. these are good products backed up by a good customer relations department! sundog ------------------ safety first

February 19, 2000, 12:38 AM	#10
makarov Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2000 Location: Washington State Posts: 709	I have been debating on either the kit with the Partner Press ($99) or the kit with the Rockchucker ($214-250). To me $100 is still a big difference especially if you are just starting out. I think I would vote for the Partner press kit - he is reloading rifle calibers as well. The Rockchucker can be converted to progressive with the Piggyback setup. If he were reloading pistol ammo that might be a consideration for future expansion.

February 21, 2000, 01:52 PM	#11
Nestor Rivera Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 1998 Location: San Antonio, Texas, USA Posts: 446	Just a voice in the wilderness, I have been happy with my Lee aniversary kit. Other wise I would probabply go with Liman and the T-Mag Kit.

February 21, 2000, 08:48 PM	#12
killer45auto Senior Member Join Date: February 7, 2000 Posts: 173	Dont forget the Dillon