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Need some advice from you experienced fellers..... #6843193 08/03/17 01:25 AM
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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. roflmao 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.

Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers..... [Re: skinnerback] #6843215 08/03/17 01:35 AM
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RCBS





Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers..... [Re: skinnerback] #6843234 08/03/17 01:45 AM
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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.


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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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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.


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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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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 .

Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers..... [Re: J.G.] #6843251 08/03/17 01:53 AM
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Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
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.


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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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I wouldn't recommend a progressive for a beginner either. Definitely.


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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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Thank you guys for your input. Back to the drawing board. grin

Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers..... [Re: skinnerback] #6843287 08/03/17 02:29 AM
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+1 on RCBS..Forget the kit & start with what you need.


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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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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.

Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers..... [Re: skinnerback] #6843309 08/03/17 02:48 AM
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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.


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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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Originally Posted By: patriot07
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.

Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers..... [Re: skinnerback] #6843377 08/03/17 03:48 AM
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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

Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers..... [Re: skinnerback] #6843424 08/03/17 05:01 AM
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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.


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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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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. confused2


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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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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.

Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers..... [Re: skinnerback] #6843648 08/03/17 01:35 PM
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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.


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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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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.


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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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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.


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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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Originally Posted By: RiverRider
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.


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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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Thanks again for all the advice guys!

Re: Need some advice from you experienced fellers..... [Re: skinnerback] #6843908 08/03/17 03:32 PM
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You couldn't buy my Co-Ax unless it was for more than I could replace it for wink 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.


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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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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...


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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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Originally Posted By: tth_40
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. grin


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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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I'll never go back to a conventional press, myself.


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