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Reloading - what to look for #7173786
02/08/21 10:43 AM
02/08/21 10:43 AM
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,207
Missouri
H
HayDay Offline OP
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HayDay  Offline OP
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Joined: Mar 2018
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Missouri
Am now custodian of a small collection of big bore rifles, all of which have survived for years on factory loads. But times being what they are, executive decision has been made to start accumulating the tools to do reloads for all. I know, late to the party and all that, and expect this to take a year or so, but in the end, goal is to be able to keep ammo for these into the foreseeable future. All are similar enough they can use the same primer and only one or two powders, so only differ by bullets and dies. Only one is obsolete, but I have plenty of brass, bullets and a set of dies for it. The others are common.....so expect enough of something will turn up over time to cover those too.

What I'll be looking for is a powder measure, press and dies, plus the little stuff to go with it. All are available now on ebay at what I can afford. Question is are there brands or models that are the flagship's of the trade. Not looking for modern or digital. Old school is fine with me. Goal is low volume, high quality, so single stage press is fine.

I'm most familiar with RCBS, but also know Hornady and Redding make similar stuff. But I seem to recall RCBS has gone through several owners......been passed around more than Miley Cyrus. Was there a time or model that stands out as the one to get? Same for all?

Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173802
02/08/21 10:58 AM
02/08/21 10:58 AM
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,207
Missouri
H
HayDay Offline OP
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HayDay  Offline OP
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,207
Missouri
List of big tickets....

Single Stage Press: Rock Chucker, Rebel or ?

Powder Measure: Uniflow or ?

Tumbler: ?

Case Trimmer: ?

Also all weapons are bolt actions.......so what dies to be looking for? Full size or neck only? Way to many choices for me to sort out on my own.

Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173805
02/08/21 11:00 AM
02/08/21 11:00 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
D
danny clifton Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
danny clifton  Offline
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williamsburg ks
RCBS is still quality and affordable. You will need a case trimmer, a caliper, a deburring tool, a powder trickler, a powder funnel (for putting powder in the case. Get one designed for the job they are cheap), along with the powder measure and press you mentioned. You will also need a powder scale to weigh your charges. Lymans new manual is a dandy. Chock full of how to and load data. Lots of internet data also under Hodgdon, Nosler, Barnes, and Speer. There are also powder manufacturer's data online too. I like to use the rcbs lube pad for lubing cases but there are other methods. Just dont forget case lube. Find somebody that will give you some one on one lessons if you can. You will end up buying more stuff but that will get you started.


Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173807
02/08/21 11:01 AM
02/08/21 11:01 AM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,421
Yukon
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yukon254 Offline
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yukon254  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 4,421
Yukon
In my opinion Redding dies are some of the best.That said most of mine are Lee. I like the three die sets that have the factory crimp die. Also Lee dies come with some suggested loads and a Lee powder dipper. Just got a new Lee press and am very happy with it. I never weigh powder anymore, I just use the Lee dippers. Real simple and I get good accuracy. Good luck


do unto others as you would have them do unto you

www.grizzlycreeklodge.com
Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173814
02/08/21 11:04 AM
02/08/21 11:04 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
D
danny clifton Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
danny clifton  Offline
"Grumpy Old Man"
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 29,750
williamsburg ks
I like full length dies for hunting rifles. The small accuracy gain and one two more loadings with neck sizing, is not worth the feeding problems of neck sized ammo for hunting IMO.

One of these rcbs hand primer tools is nice. Makes priming lots easier. There is a learning curve though. https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-90200-Hand-Priming-Tool/dp/B07PQ7P5TN


Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173847
02/08/21 11:31 AM
02/08/21 11:31 AM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 13,059
Ky
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jbyrd63 Offline
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 13,059
Ky
Bad time to be getting started. Good luck finding what you need......

Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173849
02/08/21 11:31 AM
02/08/21 11:31 AM
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 10,787
Asheville, NC
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charles Offline
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Joined: Aug 2010
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Asheville, NC
If you can find a deal, it is nice to have two presses so you can size with one and seat with the other.me the stronger press should be for sizing.

Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173857
02/08/21 11:37 AM
02/08/21 11:37 AM
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 545
Pennsylvania
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Claypool313 Offline
trapper
Claypool313  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 545
Pennsylvania
First off, get a Lyman manual and read. You'll figure out what tools to prioritize. If there is one luxury item to go for, id save for a decent digital scale. $80 range. Something that holds zero well and youll never doubt your charge weights.

Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173858
02/08/21 11:39 AM
02/08/21 11:39 AM
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 545
Pennsylvania
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Claypool313 Offline
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Pennsylvania
While you're accumulating tools, start working on a wide, clean workbench and shelf/bin system.

Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173867
02/08/21 11:50 AM
02/08/21 11:50 AM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19,691
pa
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hippie Offline
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pa
When I got started in reloading moons ago, I bought "reloading kit" from RCBS. To this day I feel its the best way to get most of what ya need.

Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173882
02/08/21 12:06 PM
02/08/21 12:06 PM
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,386
Green County Wisconsin
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GREENCOUNTYPETE Offline
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Joined: Sep 2013
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Green County Wisconsin
I know it isn't a single stage , but it works very well , and you can use it like a single stage , and not have to keep resetting dies.

you leave each caliber set up in a turret and in about 30 seconds you can switch to a different caliber

30-06 is the longest case you can auto index around on , but if you pull the rod which only takes a few seconds then you move the turret by hand you can get finished rounds out to about 3 3/4 inches

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013020843?pid=814175

unfortunately the kit is not available right now


America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173891
02/08/21 12:15 PM
02/08/21 12:15 PM
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 613
Northern Missouri
Northmocats Offline
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Northmocats  Offline
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Northern Missouri
Just get some RCBS dies and Press if you can find it... Rcbs charge master is nice if you want a digital thrower. Love mine. If you want Old school scales Find some Ohaus. Used them for years before my charge master. You can go more expensive on dies like Forester or Wilson, but I've shot Darn good groups with cheaper dies rcbs and lee.
Get a brass trimer and case gauge for whatever cartridge your reloading, Lee works fine.

Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173892
02/08/21 12:15 PM
02/08/21 12:15 PM
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,207
Missouri
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HayDay Offline OP
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HayDay  Offline OP
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Joined: Mar 2018
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Missouri
On that availability issue, there is a lot of that going around lately. Full kits are available on ebay, but about 2X to 3X list price. Not that desperate yet.

So plan to start picking good older used stuff off one at a time.....big ticket stuff anyway.

Was there an identifiable break by model number when this stuff was made in USA vs. China?

On the Lyman manual, on a whim, checked with Midway and lo and behold.......finally something WAS available. So a new one is on the way.

Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173896
02/08/21 12:18 PM
02/08/21 12:18 PM
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,207
Missouri
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HayDay Offline OP
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Missouri
BTW, I hear RCBS is now shut down.......supposedly due to COVID. Not sure if that is a temp thing or if it was mandated by CA making them non-essential? If the latter, I'd have worries about them coming back.

Also think they hail from Oroville, and if so, they need to get out of that place anyway before the dam breaks or State of CA shuts them down. Perhaps Larry Potterfield can find a home for them somewhere in his backyard.

Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173914
02/08/21 12:35 PM
02/08/21 12:35 PM
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 19,691
pa
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hippie Offline
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Joined: Feb 2010
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pa
Hopefully RCBS will relocate away from that crap hole state. I saw where Edelbrock, founded in his home state of Cali., has had enough and is moving away.

Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: Northmocats] #7173919
02/08/21 12:40 PM
02/08/21 12:40 PM
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,943
South Dakota
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Hydropillar Offline
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South Dakota
Originally Posted by Northmocats
Just get some RCBS dies and Press if you can find it... Rcbs charge master is nice if you want a digital thrower. Love mine. If you want Old school scales Find some Ohaus. Used them for years before my charge master. You can go more expensive on dies like Forester or Wilson, but I've shot Darn good groups with cheaper dies rcbs and lee.
Get a brass trimer and case gauge for whatever cartridge your reloading, Lee works fine.

x 2 on the chargemaster...love mine and makes reloading a joy


The only place you find free cheese is in a mousetrap !
Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173924
02/08/21 12:49 PM
02/08/21 12:49 PM
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,207
Missouri
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HayDay Offline OP
trapper
HayDay  Offline OP
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Joined: Mar 2018
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Missouri
Don't know how good it is, but I already have an old Texan balance scale, accuracy to 0.1 grains. Had that for close to 50 years. Last used it to weigh and sort .177 pellets in an effort to eliminate the flyers. Didn't help all that much,. Flyer problem was as much me as the pellets.

I'm thinking for a low volume operation, something like a RCBS Uniflow (or similar), plus scale, plus trickler ought to meet or exceed factory load accuracy.

Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173927
02/08/21 12:59 PM
02/08/21 12:59 PM
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 8,866
Indiana
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Providence Farm Offline
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Indiana
Around 20 years ago I started off with a Lee anniversary kit. It came with everything except powder, bullets, primers and dies. I read the book that came with it and I was off to the races. My first loaded were for a 270 and I got 3/8" groups from them. It was a great way to get started. I loaded on it for years and thousands of rounds even after I got my dillion. The only reason I quit using it was the linkage broke on the ram. At the time the linkage was $25 and their new cast single stage was around $75.

The as y Lee kit was $79 new when I picked it up at bass pro in Nashville in around99/2000

I just got the 550 DDT billion out of the box and started using it instead of fixing the dillion. Heck it's still mounted on my bench.

I picked up a 2nd 550 and it's still in the box. I need to build some new benches.

I bought a Lyman digital scale hated it went back to a beam. My cousin did the same thing.

I would get a kit and read up before using it. Your collection of equipment will grow. I started out mounting that Lee press and powder dumper on a 2x6 I would c clamp on the kitchen table when I wanted to load. All my powder primers dies and bullets were keep in a small cardboard box. It all fit easily out of the way in a corner when not in use. I was only loading 270 and 40 s&w at that time.
Now I have a 2"×7" bench solidly built and bolted to the block and stud walls. No legs and does not move. It has over head shelfs out of 2×12's above also bolted to the walls. They hold power primers ect. Loaded ammo ie in cans under the shelf. I'm out of room. Build it solid and 3xbox bigger than you think you will ever need. It has a way of explaining.

Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7173931
02/08/21 01:06 PM
02/08/21 01:06 PM
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,738
carolina, Alabama
The Possum Man Offline
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The Possum Man  Offline
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Posts: 4,738
carolina, Alabama
Be sure to check your electronic scales. I had one and depending on where you placed the powder pan on the scale the weight would change slightly. well more than .1 grains. That was not good enough for me so i went back to the beam style and hand trickler which I think is more reliable.

I have RCBS presses and they are old and still great. If i were looking for new ones i might consider a redding turret press or just another rock chucker. My old hornady tumbler still gets the job done. Rifle dies for accurate rifles i try to use rcbs, hornady, or redding dies. Pistols get lee dies. Lots of rifles get the lee dies too, they are good dies. I use the hornady case prep trio tool for chamfer and deburring and cleaning primer pockets.,.thats a hand cramp saver there. For trimmers i recommend the WFT worlds finest trimmer by little crow gunworks. Get the WFT-2 and buy the inserts for different calibers. Those trimmers only work on bottleneck cases so if you load a straight wall rifle case then you will need a regular case trimmer. Ive never trimmed pistol brass, never needed to.


"If you're gonna be stupid you better be tough"
Re: Reloading - what to look for [Re: HayDay] #7174047
02/08/21 03:11 PM
02/08/21 03:11 PM
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 16,150
Tennessee
Scuba1 Offline
"color blind Kraut"
Scuba1  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 16,150
Tennessee
Just to mention, RCBS has the best customer service and warranty bar none. Lyman would have to improve a lot to be classed as dismal.


Let's go Brandon

"Shall not comply" with morons who don't understand "shall not infringe."
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