Bought my first reloading stuff. Think I did alright?

[spookyu]

Hello I'm new here, I've gleaned a TON of info off this site in the past but only finally am joining. So I do a lot of shooting, and have toyed with the idea of reloading for a while. Recently came into a few hundred dollars I wasn't expecting at all so thought I'd put it to use and get started reloading. I did some reading...and some guessing, I'm COMPLETELY new to reloading so the vernacular is all new to me, but I think I've got everything I need right now (probably way more than I need actally). I plan to start by reloading for my latest and most expensive to shoot weapon, my Remington 700 in .308 Win

So here's what I got:

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=728426&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&itemGUID=842c9c3eac1070590d137b7e9bea6c09&destination=/checkout/basket.jsp

RCBS Die Set in .308 Win
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=731753&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&itemGUID=842c9c4aac1070590d137b7e93b02355&destination=/checkout/basket.jsp

RCBS Universal Shell Holder
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=731706&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&itemGUID=842c9c5cac1070590d137b7e9293a694&destination=/checkout/basket.jsp

Cabela's Model 400 Case Tumbler Kit
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=731769&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&itemGUID=842c9bf6ac1070590d137b7eddd404ae&destination=/checkout/basket.jsp

Lee Case Trimmer in .308 Win
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=741082&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&itemGUID=842c9c2bac1070590d137b7ee02af163&destination=/checkout/basket.jsp

Hornady® .30-Caliber, .308" Diameter Rifle Bullets
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=731803&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&itemGUID=842c9c06ac1070590d137b7edaeb7f20&destination=/checkout/basket.jsp

IMR 8208 XBR Powder
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=731900&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&itemGUID=842c9c13ac1070590d137b7eca86e26e&destination=/checkout/basket.jsp

CCI-200 Primers
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=731748&categoryId=0&parentCategoryId=0&subCategoryId=0&indexId=0&itemGUID=842c9c1eac1070590d137b7e5d1bdda8&destination=/checkout/basket.jsp

Is anything out of place? Did I miss anything big? My grandfather was a machinist and gave me a nice digital caliper so I'm good there. I have some federal brass and some fiocchi brass that I want to reload (not much of either, but enough to get started and practice, the fiocchi brass is kinda nice so I want to "practice" more with the federal stuff to start I guess). Anyway....I know I could have gone for some simpler stuff to start but I decided a long time ago I WILL reload and I might as well dive in and get committed. Plus I plan to expand to reloading 5.56, 270 Win, 35 Remington (I REALLY need to reload that, have you seen the prices on 35 caliber!?), and a bunch of handgun calibers.

Just a few quick questions if anyone would indulge me...do you think that bullet/powder combo will turn out alright? Like I said these loads will be shot out of a Remington 700 SPS tactical with a "20 barrel mostly at a range for now. The only thing that scares me is getting the actual load correct and not blowing myself and the rifle up...actually screw that, wounds heal, I'm scared for my rifle! Anyway...I figured that reloading guide included with the package should set me straight on all of that though right?

And my other question is...well I live in a stupid apartment right now, so I need to figure out a bench that my wife won't flip **** over. I have a small storage area to my self but nothing I want to sit in and reload. I'm a decent enough carpenter, is it feasible to build home made folding bench that'll be sturdy enough, or does that sound like a stupid endeavor?

Sorry for the very long first post, I appreciate any and all responses!

 

[Lost Sheep]

Don't apologize for the length of your post until you read some of mine. Yours was densely populated with information and very readable.

Welcome to the forum and to a fine hobby.

Loading for rifle, RCBS RockChucker is one of the best choices you can make. Redding or Lee Classic Cast are good also, but you did very well.

The rest of your choices will reveal themselves as good or not-so-good as time goes on and you discover your own style and tastes. We can only give you our own prejudices. It would be an exercise in folly and rather hit or miss.

A Black & Decker or Stanley folding work bench or something like them would be easy to find and also perform double duty as a carpentry workbench (and even a shooting bench if you are so inclined).

Or you could start out like I did, using my RockChucker mounted to a 30" long 2x6 wedged in the drawer of an end table. My scale was on the coffee table (and a dropcloth spread under all so spills were not a concern).

Good luck and thanks for asking our advice.

Lost Sheep

 

[J_McLeod]

A Black & Decker or Stanley folding work bench or something like them would be easy to find and also perform double duty as a carpentry workbench (and even a shooting bench if you are so inclined).

Or you could start out like I did, using my RockChucker mounted to a 30" long 2x6 wedged in the drawer of an end table. My scale was on the coffee table (and a dropcloth spread under all so spills were not a concern).

Lost Sheep

As Lost Sheep said, there are a lot of good ways to setup a bench. Check out the sticky at the top for ideas. Here's picture of my bench. It's Kobalt tool stand with 1/2" ply wood and 4 1/4" bolts. Loaded almost 3k on it so far.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_25240-16878-61402_?PL=1&productId=3099743

 

[Geckgo]

Bag of walnut LCM and you should be all set

The rockchucker is awesome, you should have no issues on that end. When I shot my first rifle rounds a had a little queasy feeling in my tummy, but don't worry about it too much. Worry about it just enough to make sure that you follow all the steps, examine your bullets thoroughly and plentifly, and follow the reccommended load specs.

One thing I did notice was that you don't have a seperate reloading manual on that list. I believe your rock chucker came with a speer book, yes? I reccomend getting a "second opinion" and always have at least one more book. Also get whatever specs from IMR that you can on that powder/calibre and compare with the books. It'll give you a warm fuzzy if nothing else.

Have fun, start slow, and collect all the brass you can, you will find a use for it

 

[spookyu]

@Mcleod - That bench is almost exactly what I had in mind, thanks! I might go for a smaller piece of wood just to make it easier to store. Or I could drill through the wood and use some heavy bolts and wing nuts then disassemble it when I have to store it.

@ Lost Sheep - Thank you! I'm glad I made a good choice on the big ticket item, the press, and I can see what you're saying about the other equipment...only time will tell I suppose. Hah, as for the 2x6 and scale on the coffee table...pretty sure my better half would use my own rounds to murder me. I do like the folding work bench idea...might have to check home depot for exactly that.

So no glaringly obvious mistakes with the equipment though right? Oh and I was googling a little and found this website http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp, seems useful, are sites like this frequently used references or is that bad form? I punched in the 168grain bullets I bought and the IMR 8208 XBR Powder and it gave me some numbers for starter loads and max loads...sorry, I know I shouldn't get ahead of myself.

 

[spookyu]

Thanks Geckgo. Yes it does come with the speer book, and I was wondering exactly that, you read my mind. One of the reviews said that most of the speer book only went off of the proprietary Speer reloading accouterments so it wasn't very useful in other cases. Any recommendations on manuals? This is high on amazon's list http://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Reloading-Definitive-Novice-Expert/dp/1440213968/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1329366726&sr=8-1

 

[Hondo 60]

Welcome to the High Road

Nice press!

Your powder & primer prices are not bad.
If you can't find them on sale in the future try Powder Valley.
A LOT of us here shop there.

http://www.powdervalleyinc.com/

If you need a reloading manual for more than Speer bullets, Lyman's 49th Reloading Manual is a great choice.
I think they have the widest bullet array of data, lead & jacketed.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1

 

[J_McLeod]

+1 for the Lyman manual.

One advantage to Lost Sheep's starting setup is that it can set up and take down in minutes. I started that way before moving to what I have now. Best to use a small piece of wood for better leverage, and some washers on the wood.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Welcome to the forum and reloading...

As for your powder choice. While not the powder most reloaders would think of when loading the .308 it will work just fine. That powder is the current incarnation of a surplus target powder that was highly sough after by benchrest shooters until it ran out.

Anyway....I know I could have gone for some simpler stuff to start but I decided a long time ago I WILL reload and I might as well dive in and get committed.

You might have said you could have gone for something less expensive but not simpler. A single stage press is just about as simple as it gets and you bought a very good one. That press will last a lifetime and more and produce extremely accurate ammo if you do your part...

I think you did very well picking quality tools to use for reloading, well done!

 

[levsmith]

Welcome to the forum!

I would also recommend a 2nd load book. I like Modern Reloading 2nd Edition. My friend actually gave that too me before I even started reloading and I bought the speer book with my big purchase and I rarely use the speer book. Like others have said, it uses speer bullets so I haven't found much use out of it.

As for the bench, I also live in an apartment and needed something small. The only difference, I dont have a significant other to complain about how it looks But I bought a garage bench section from one of the big box tool stores and it works nice. Has plenty of storage inside for all my components. Might not be what you are looking for though, as it isn't small enough to store out of sight. I can get a picture if you are interested though

Have fun with the new hobby, its a blast!

 

[NTP19]

Im pretty new to reloading myself, but one thing I would add is that if you plan to shoot alot of hornady bullets, pick up their reloading manual. It has every bullet they make along with which powders they tested with.

 

[Lost Sheep]

@Mcleod - That bench is almost exactly what I had in mind, thanks! I might go for a smaller piece of wood just to make it easier to store. Or I could drill through the wood and use some heavy bolts and wing nuts then disassemble it when I have to store it.

@ Lost Sheep - Thank you! I'm glad I made a good choice on the big ticket item, the press, and I can see what you're saying about the other equipment...only time will tell I suppose. Hah, as for the 2x6 and scale on the coffee table...pretty sure my better half would use my own rounds to murder me. I do like the folding work bench idea...might have to check home depot for exactly that.

So no glaringly obvious mistakes with the equipment though right? Oh and I was googling a little and found this website http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp, seems useful, are sites like this frequently used references or is that bad form? I punched in the 168grain bullets I bought and the IMR 8208 XBR Powder and it gave me some numbers for starter loads and max loads...sorry, I know I shouldn't get ahead of myself.

I know (not personally, though, but second hand) of one web site from a manufacturer of reloading components that had a typographical error. That could have been very dangerous. It was fixed REAL FAST! but it goes to show that checking with more than one source to find comparable loading data using the same bullet and powder is prudent. If they don't agree (within reason - each testing laboratory will get slightly different results) find out why, and which one is right (usually by finding another source).

It is wisely said that the man with one watch is always SURE of what time it is. The man with two, is never quite sure. To which I add, the man with three has some basis for belief.

Personally, I like Lyman's manual and Lee's Modern Reloading. The "One Caliber, One Book" series (at $10 each) is loaded with recipes, but not much instruction. Most manuals have both, "how-to" instruction in their early chapters, load data later and ballistic data often in the last chapters. "The ABC's of Reloading" has no load data, but lots of instruction. Those books would form the core of my library if I was replacing it today.

I always check the manufacturers' web sites. It is only prudent, seeing as how they are free and likely to have the most up-to-date safety notices that you would not want to miss. However, important changes to load data are very rare. The data published in the manuals is VERY reliable and thoroughly vetted.

The scale could go onto a serving tray if it would make your wife happier. The dropcloth to catch any lost primers or powder spills show good faith on your part and my end table never suffered any damage at all (though I did pad the top with enough newspaper to ensure no scratches when I belted the 2x6 to the top before I figured out the drawer thing). Just make sure you have countersunk the mounting bolts sufficiently.

Lost Sheep