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Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
#6843193
08/03/17 01:25 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,031
skinnerback
OP
THF Celebrity Chef
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OP
THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,031 |
I'm finally pulling the trigger on getting into reloading. I've had a lot of conversations with folks both young and old and have listened to everything I've heard. I have watched dozens of hours of You Tube videos on reloading. My question is....if you weren't on a tight budget what kit would be your first and why? I know ya'll have probly been asked this question plenty in the past and I'm sorry if you just took a long breath after reading this, again. I'm liking Lee, and I'm liking a turret press. I will start off with reloading for 223, 300 BLK, 243 Win, 22-250, 30-30, 25-06, 6.5 CM, & 300 WM for rifles. I'm thinking I may want to reload hand gun ammo too...380, 40, 45, 38, & 357 mag. I want to spend my money right the first time. Help LOL.
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843215
08/03/17 01:35 AM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306
DLALLDER
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,306 |
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843234
08/03/17 01:45 AM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
Not on a budget, don't buy a kit.
Forster Co-Ax press is THE WAY! Especially for loading a large variety of cartridges such as yourself.
Order Hornady lock rings for every die. You can swap dies without losing a thousandth of setting. I know of no other press that allows that.
For speed of loading an RCBS Chargemaster. It does make very good ammo. For ultimate charge weight precision and still on a budget, a quality beam scale.
Dies: Hornady, RCBS, Redding. FL bushing dies, and a seater die for each cartridge.
Forster hand trimmer on a budget, with the full pilot kit. Not on a budget, Giraud case trimmer. It'll trim, chamfer, debur 50 cases in 5 minutes.
Read reviews of hand held chamfer/ debur tool if going with a manual case trimmer.
RCBS hand priming tool.
MTM Case Guard ammo boxes, with the real hinges, not the strip of plastic. For each 50 pieces of brass, but another box. They do not go bad, and are dirt cheap.
Read reviews on flash hole debur tools, get one.
Primer pocket brushes, get a small rifle and a large rifle.
Spend as much as you can on a good caliper.
Hornady headspace gauge kit.
Hornady bullet comparator for all your calibers.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843238
08/03/17 01:48 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,523
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,523 |
RCBS is always a good choice. I'd look at Redding also. Actually, though, I wouldn't be inclined to buy a kit because kits always come with stuff I wouldn't use.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843240
08/03/17 01:49 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367
BIGDOG1956
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 367 |
I would recommend a Dillon 550, I just bought one for my rifle and some hand gun. The Dillon 650 is better for high usage pistol cases or 223. I don't have any problems with lee a pro 1000 that has served me well. The main difference is that the caliber conversion cost less for the 550. Look at the cost of the 550 compared to the 650 s. The Dillon no quibble warentee is far superior .
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: J.G.]
#6843251
08/03/17 01:53 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,523
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,523 |
Not on a budget, don't buy a kit.
Forster Co-Ax press is THE WAY! Especially for loading a large variety of cartridges such as yourself.
Order Hornady lock rings for every die. You can swap dies without losing a thousandth of setting. I know of no other press that allows that.
For speed of loading an RCBS Chargemaster. It does make very good ammo. For ultimate charge weight precision and still on a budget, a quality beam scale.
Dies: Hornady, RCBS, Redding. FL bushing dies, and a seater die for each cartridge.
Forster hand trimmer on a budget, with the full pilot kit. Not on a budget, Giraud case trimmer. It'll trim, chamfer, debur 50 cases in 5 minutes.
Read reviews of hand held chamfer/ debur tool if going with a manual case trimmer.
RCBS hand priming tool.
MTM Case Guard ammo boxes, with the real hinges, not the strip of plastic. For each 50 pieces of brass, but another box. They do not go bad, and are dirt cheap.
Read reviews on flash hole debur tools, get one.
Primer pocket brushes, get a small rifle and a large rifle.
Spend as much as you can on a good caliper.
Hornady headspace gauge kit.
Hornady bullet comparator for all your calibers. I'm not sure I'd suggest a Co-Ax for a beginner, but much worse mistakes have been made. And nix those Hornady lock rings---Forster makes lock rings made to be compatible with the Co-Ax press. I think they are probably better on any kind of press, though. The bullet comparator is just about a 'must," but you can get by just fine without the headpsace gauges.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843254
08/03/17 01:55 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,523
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,523 |
I wouldn't recommend a progressive for a beginner either. Definitely.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843268
08/03/17 02:08 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,031
skinnerback
OP
THF Celebrity Chef
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OP
THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,031 |
Thank you guys for your input. Back to the drawing board.
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843287
08/03/17 02:29 AM
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,025
pertnear
"Demolition Man"
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"Demolition Man"
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 3,025 |
+1 on RCBS..Forget the kit & start with what you need.
The North has double last names. The South has double first names.
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843296
08/03/17 02:35 AM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,564
patriot07
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,564 |
It would be hard to go too far wrong with the RCBS Rock Chucker Kit for $249 at Natchez. You're not going to set any land speed records for fastest reloading with a single stage, but it's a solid press that works well and can do nearly any cartridge you want.
If you're more interested in speed than precision, a Dillon 450 might not be a terrible option.
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843309
08/03/17 02:48 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179
Tactical Cowboy
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,179 |
I've loaded thousands of rounds on a lee turret press. They are an excellent choice for a wide variety of calibers such as those you listed.
The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: patriot07]
#6843318
08/03/17 02:55 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,031
skinnerback
OP
THF Celebrity Chef
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OP
THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,031 |
It would be hard to go too far wrong with the RCBS Rock Chucker Kit for $249 at Natchez. You're not going to set any land speed records for fastest reloading with a single stage, but it's a solid press that works well and can do nearly any cartridge you want.
If you're more interested in speed than precision, a Dillon 450 might not be a terrible option. I don't care about speed, I want precision & accuracy. I'm anal. I'm one of those guys that measure at least twice before I cut LOL.
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843377
08/03/17 03:48 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 974
rjd
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 974 |
If accuracy is more important than speed, definitely get a single stage press. Much stiffer than a turret, so sizing and seating will be more exact. JMHO
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843424
08/03/17 05:01 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14,199
tth_40
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14,199 |
For years I've handloaded for .22 Hornet, .222, .223, .22-250, .243, .257 Roberts, .270 Win., .270 WSM, 7MM-08, 7MM Rem. Mag., .30-30, .300 Savage, .308 Win., .30-06, .303 Brit, 7.62x54r, 8mmx57 JS Mauser, .45/70 and probably a few I've forgotten using 2 single stage presses. I started out with an old RCBS my dad gave me years ago (that now resides on my oldest son's loading bench) and ended up getting a Lee Classic Cast. I do all my pistol loads (and bulk .223) on a Lee Turret.
My point is, keep an open mind and research. You'll hear a lot of folks cheerlead for a certain maker as being the best. My loading equipment is a mixture of just about all of them out there, collected over 30 + years. I like Lee, but I use a lot of Hornady, RCBS, Redding, etc. ad nauseum. I use what works for me. You will do the same.
JG's list is a good one. If it were me, I'd start with a single stage and go from there. Buy a good reloading manual. I like Sierra and also have Hornady, Nosler, Barnes, etc. READ THEM ALL.
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: RiverRider]
#6843501
08/03/17 12:21 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
I don't know what's so difficult about a Co-Ax. And I don't know what's so poor quality with Hornady lock rings. Both have done excellent work for me. And the Co-Ax was purchased from a friend, so no owners manual. But looking at the press, it was self explanatory.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843592
08/03/17 01:12 PM
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Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 610
JTPinTX
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 610 |
JG's list is a good one, pretty spot on. On the Forester COAX press, I've never used one so wouldn't know one way or the other. Personally I am an RCBS Rockchucker kind of guy because that is what I have always used, and it is super solid. I do agree with either Hornady or Forester lock rings, either makes life much easier. Personally I really like Forester dies too. Or Redding, or RCBS. Not very crazy about Lee or Hornady dies except on pistol. And for sure get the Hornady comparator tool. That thing is at the top of the list for getting dies set up fast and easy.
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843648
08/03/17 01:35 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39,549 |
I have an RCBS rock chucker it will make better ammo than I can. I don't care for high speed or volume of ammos so single stage even for pistol ammo is ok with me. If your going to want to crank out and shoot a bunch of pistol ammo you will want to do that on a progressive unless you have a lot of time to spend.
I will also say if you plan to load for all of those calibers your are looking at a pretty big time dedication to do it.
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843762
08/03/17 02:30 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,523
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,523 |
The only drawback for a beginner usin a Co-Ax is that getting online help could be a little more difficult. Plus, there are accessories that just won't work with that press so making purchases of accessories can lead to complications and frustration. Otherwise, I'd recommend it for sure. It's the best available IMO.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843769
08/03/17 02:35 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
Just to be clear. I agree the RCBS Rock Chucker is an outstanding press, and always has been. A man could buy one when he was 18 years old, and he would have to put it in his will when he was an old man, because it would still be turning out excellent ammo.
When I was using a single stage press, and then an RCBS turret press, I had timing marks on die body, lock ring, and on the press. Screwing dies in and out, that's what I had to do to ensure the die landed exactly where it was supposed to.
With the Co-Ax, and the Hornady lock rings, there are no timing marks. Slide the die and lock ring into the slot, and go to work. Now that I'm loading for 9 rifle cartridges which equals 18 dies, and two pistol cartridges, which equal 12 more dies, for a total of 30 dies, the ability to change dies quickly and not lose a setting is paramount.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: RiverRider]
#6843775
08/03/17 02:38 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
The only drawback for a beginner usin a Co-Ax is that getting online help could be a little more difficult. Plus, there are accessories that just won't work with that press so making purchases of accessories can lead to complications and frustration. Otherwise, I'd recommend it for sure. It's the best available IMO. To support your statement, there is one thing the Co-Ax will not do for me. It will not allow me to use a Grip-N-Pull bullet puller. Therefore I've got an old Pacific single stage press, with no die in it, bolted to the bench next to the Co-Ax. That's pretty much all that Pacific press does.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843905
08/03/17 03:28 PM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,031
skinnerback
OP
THF Celebrity Chef
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OP
THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,031 |
Thanks again for all the advice guys!
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843908
08/03/17 03:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,258
Judd
#1 Creedmoor Fan
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#1 Creedmoor Fan
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,258 |
You couldn't buy my Co-Ax unless it was for more than I could replace it for I did buy a Hornady Cam lock bullet puller for it and it works fine and beats a kinetic hammer I used to use. Having said that....if I was loading high volume (ie .223 or pistol) stuff I'd buy a Dillon progressive press. I've actually thought about buying a Dillon and modifying it to do highly precision loads. As JG said...nothing wrong with an RCBS press either....but the Co-Ax is the cat's meow.
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6843959
08/03/17 03:55 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14,199
tth_40
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 14,199 |
Yup, 2 tools I can't get along without are the Hornady Bullet Comparator and the Cam Lock Bullet Puller.
Now y'all got me sniffin' at that Forster Co-Ax...
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: tth_40]
#6843982
08/03/17 04:04 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173
J.G.
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 41,173 |
Yup, 2 tools I can't get along without are the Hornady Bullet Comparator and the Cam Lock Bullet Puller.
Now y'all got me sniffin' at that Forster Co-Ax... Just buy it. You will thank us later, I promise.
800 Yard Steel Range Precision Rifle Instruction Memberships and Classes Available
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Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers.....
[Re: skinnerback]
#6844040
08/03/17 04:42 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,523
RiverRider
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9,523 |
I'll never go back to a conventional press, myself.
"Arguing with you always makes me thirsty." -Augustus McRae
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