reloading ammo?

[Snopro]

Anyone got any suggestions on what start up kit to buy? Cabelas is offering a couple on sale.

[darkeyez]

Believe it or not, that's not an easy question, I personally would not buy a kit.
The powder measure isn't that great for coarse rifle powder (it bridges), but is OK for fine grain. The loading manual that comes with them is usually brand specific in most cases. The lube and pad that comes with RCBS kits will work, but there is way better product out there such as Imperial sizing lube. What I'm getting at is you are paying for stuff that you may not use or need.
I like the RCBS Rock Chucker (single stage) and have loaded many rounds using one. If I wanted to load thousands of rounds I might go progressive. > Just a thought on that: I know a few bench rest shooters that shoot thousands of rounds per yr., and have never seen one of them use a progressive loader.
You will also find out that you will need other things that don't come with the kit.
One bit of advice: DO NOT run an unlubed case through the sizing die! Actually, you might be able to run 1 through it if using the Imperial lube, but 0 with the RCBS lube. Sure, a stuck case can be removed using a special stuck case removing tool, but believe me you don't want to have to use that tool!
Another preference of mine is RCBS or Redding dies. I have other brands that work just fine, but I prefer those two over the others.
Might add this also: MUST READ THE INSTRUCTIONS when setting up the dies-CRITICAL! Also, from Hornady, to Sierra, to Nozler, etc. the same grain bullet may need a different seating depth, so you may have to readjust the die for each different manufacturer. 
See what others have to say, but IMO I would not recommend going the kit route.

 

[Raptortrapper]

Depends on what you are reloading also.  If you plan on doing straight wall cartridges, like pistol cartridges, you can run carbide dies, and not have to lube your cases.  If you plan on doing bottleneck cases, then yeah, I use lube on those even with carbide dies.  I use a progressive press so that I can set my dies up ONE TIME, and then they are locked in place and ready to go without having to be adjusted every time.  All I have to do is change out a plate that holds all the dies at once, and I'm ready to go for another caliber.  Once the dies are set, they never come out of the plate.  Makes it EXTREMELY repeatable.  I use a Dillon 550B press, but don't use the full progressive ability of it.  I took the powder dump off because I weigh every single charge of powder I put in the case.  I use revolvers to hunt with, and I am anal about accuracy, so I want everything to be as close to exactly the same as I possibly can.  I have a buddy that shoots 45 ACP competitions for time, and he just mass loads a bunch on his Dillon, and doesn't check his powder charge except once every 25 loads or so to make sure it is still within acceptable ranges.  He tries to hit a 12" square plate whereas I try to hit a quarter.

I wouldn't recommend a kit either as there are a lot of components in a kit that are crap.  Look on craigslist, and you can find some smokin deals a lot of times on reloaders.  Guys get them and think they are going to save a bunch of money, and shoot a lot more, and then they never do follow through.  I picked up my Dillon for a song and a dance, and I don't sing or dance very well at all!!  I gave just over $100 for it, and the guy gave me some 45 Colt dies from Redding (my favorite dies), some extra die plate holders, and some powder.  Pretty much stole it. 

I have helped a couple other guys get started in reloading, and I told them to get the best stuff they can afford.  It will pay huge dividends later on.  In my opinion, nothing beats a dillon press.  Nothing wrong with hornady, RCBS, or any of the others.  They will get the job done for sure.  But if you are after precision, nothing beats a Dillon 550.  It doesn't have to be used as a progressive, although it can be.  I load one round at a time on mine, and pay attention to the detail of every load.  My buddy cranks out several hundred in a couple hours with his.  Works great no matter which way you go.

Oh, and I also agree with darkeyez about the reloading manuals.  I always cross reference my loads.  I use the Hodgdon website for load data, and a hornady manual.  Bullet makers and powder makers don't always list the same minimum / maximum loads, so I cross reference this, and ALWAYS start at least 10% below maximum loads.  Don't EVER assume your gun can handle a maximum listed load.  Accuracy very rarely comes at the upper end of a load anyway.  There are a few powders with an exception to this, but not many.

Man, now ya got me going!!  Been doing it for years, and absolutely love the hobby.  Reloading will turn an average gun into an outstanding gun, and an outstanding gun into an unbelievably accurate gun.  PM me if ya want to--  I could talk about this reloading stuff all day.

[WarBonnett]

 check out E-bay, I like my lee 4hole turret for 223, 243, 357, 38spl. & 9mm ! Bought extra die blocks for each set, once set just change the block. E-bay has set for $120 if this helps.

[TheCrittaC]

I got the Hornady Lock N Load progressive from Cabela's a couple years ago. I love it, and can crank out rounds pretty fast with it, at least 200 rounds an hour, and I don't have any of the upgrades for it, like the case feeder or bullet feeder.

http://www.amazon.com/Hornady-Lock-Auto-Progressive-Reloading-Press/dp/B000PD01NS

There are also a couple videos on YouTube that have directions for making your own case feeder and bullet feeder for a lot less than they sell the official one for, but I haven't gotten around to that yet.

[Whopper Stopper]

Addicting, no matter where you live.




                      WS

[DIXIEDOG12]

I like the kits myself you get most of the things you need to get started and if you stick with a good brand you'll use the stuff for years.  I bought the RCBS kit a long time ago that included a Rock Chuck er Supreme press...I've got a progressive now  but still use everything that came in the kit still.   

If I was buying today I would probably opt for the Hornady kit just to get the free bullets,  I would stick with either Hornady, Lyman or RCBS....they make a good kit and they are much better quality than the cheap kits available (smart loader and LEE)

Get a Lyman manual as well, they typically have loads for a much wider variety of components and the manual is fairly priced (about $25)

[ff318]

starter kits from cabala's are good  and cheaper then peace mailing something together new. midway USA is another good spot to look. craigs list,uncle henry and Facebook selling sights are the best spot. many people bought the kits and more then bullets were almost impossible to find. and found they are scared of reloading, dont have the time or interest. AVOID  natchezss My last order was wrong. then they told me to F off.

Amazon is a great place to buy new dies.

RCBS is what I mostly buy middle of the road (my opinion) but readily available.

Decide early what you want out of reloading. speed and ease or precision.
all reloading press brands are good if you use them right. Lee presses are the cheapest I have a acquaintance that has three single stage on a large bench.
RCBS single stage you just cant kill one.

Turret and progressive are great but you loss some feel of what is going on with that many things going on. you will damage more cases and primers....But if you happen to find a Dillon press cheap I wouldn't pass it up. 

as for scales. to me this is were I would spend your money if you can. when you are just getting started. I have a auto dispensing scale from RCBS. works great and takes alot of fears of reloading out in my mind. and I  can be inpatient. trickling grains of powder on a scale would have ended my enjoyment of reloading before I got into it

[Chris338378]

I would get the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Single Stage Press Kit because it gives you most of the basic tools you need to get started, it's reasonably priced, and quality equipment.  I've been loading since the mid 80s and this is the kit I started out with and still use to this day.  Over the years I've easily loaded well over 50,000 rounds without any problems and it works as well as it did on day one.  A great thing about RCBS's equipment is they come with a lifetime guarantee and they honor it without you having to jump through any hoops.  I don't know what Cabela's is asking for this kit but you can get it at www.MidwayUSA.com for $289.99, here's the link http://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit.  If you spend over $300 on RCBS products you get a $50 rebate, which a set of dies will put you over $300 when you buy the kit.  Here's the link for the rebate which you can use no matter where you buy the RCBS stuff from http://www.midwayusa.com/general/rebate/receive-up-to-50-rebate-on-rcbs-products.  I buy most of my reloading equipment and supplies there because most of the time they're cheaper than other places, have the stuff in stock, and are great to deal with. 

When it comes to starting to reload there's a few pieces of advice I always give.  Read the books, they will give you step by step instructions on how to do this safely, and DO NOT, no matter what anyone says, EXCEED the maximum loads.  Sure maybe nothing bad happened when Tom, Dick, and Joe did it but there's no guarantee your gun won't blow up in your face.  Start out with a single stage press because with a progressive press there's too many things happening at the same time to keep track of when you're starting out.  Sure a single stage press is slower than the progressive press but quality loaded ammunition is far more important than a quantity of haphazardly loaded ammunition.  Pick a spot where you can set up your bench where you have room to work and you're not going to be bothered, you need to give this your full attention all the time.