Another Newbie, but knows what he wants!

[JackTheRipper]

I have a 30-06 and I'm wanting to carry on a family tradition of reloading our own ammo. My grandfather passed away before he could teach me, and my uncle sorta got thrown in the slammer haha...

I think I would like to buy this kit here, the Hornady Lock N Load Classic...

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...0200312_175003000_175000000_175003000_175-3-0

any opinions on this kit?

also, I'll be hunting mostly deer, so I dunno if I should go with a Hornady SST, Nosler ballistic tip, or Nosler accubond... any opinions?

My birthday is also this month, so I'm allowed to ask for nice things that I normally wouldn't buy myself haha, I was thinking about asking for Lapua brass, what do you guys think?

I've been watching youtube videos and reading a lot on the forums, I think it would be a nice hobby! And after last years ammo scare, I want to be prepared if anything like that crap happens again! By the way, I love the thread with the pictures of peoples reloading benches, very nice stuff!

thanks!

Jack

PS I am a little clueless about what powder to use...

 

[SSN Vet]

The first and most important thing you should buy....

If you have to teach yourself (like many of the rest of us) this is the place to start

 

[Caliber]

A single stage press is a great start but first get a good reloading book like the lyman
49th or ABC's and start reading. That will get you started and explain everything you will need. As for Lapua brass, in your case its like a new driver asking for a lamborgini. Lapua is the best out there but I would save half of the cost of Lapua and put it toward other equipment. Especially starting off , I would not recommend getting the most expensive stuff out there. And welcome to the wonderful world of reloading..

 

[JackTheRipper]

thanks guys, the only reason I was asking for the nice brass was because it is going to be my birthday and if I don't ask for something I want, I will get crappy gifts that I don't want haha...

is it necessary to buy that reloading book even though a book comes with the Hornady kit?

and thanks for the recommendations, I'm gonna go check out my barnes and noble...

Jack

 

[rcmodel]

Lapua = $85.23 p/100.
Rem = $39.20 p/100.

You can get about twice as much Win or Rem 30-06 brass for the same birtday gift cash outlay.

For hunting, you are going to lose a lot of it in the weeds anyway.

rc

 

[griff383]

+1 on the manuals, before I started to reload I watched every video and read every bit of information I could find. I bought 3 books before I started, if you wait for sales or coupons you can save a few bucks and have more than one resource when looking for tips, safety precautions, load data, ect.... I opted for a turret press because I knew I would reload more for pistol than anything else. I got some good advice from an experienced relaoder, start with something simlpe to get the feel of it. I also read that starting with a straight case is best. I started with 38 spl and went up from there, I now load for 9 cartridges and am very confident that I can take on any common caliber if I decide to. When I started to load for rifle I did buy a single stage though as it is a little more precise which is what I wanted.

Congrats on the entry to a great hobby and good luck. The people here have been a tremendous resource and extremly helpful so dont be afraid to ask for help or advice.

 

[LiveLife]

Is the birthday budget fixed or can you stretch it a bit?

I recommend you provide 3 reloading kit bids. One reloading kit you really want (single stage kit), another reloading kit you "might want" (single stage and progressive press kit), and one more reloading kit that's "pie in the sky" (single stage and higher-end progressive kit). Then print these out and show them to your generous person.

Who knows, you may just get the middle reloading kit bid! (stranger things have happened in my life)

Happy birthday!!!

 

[billybob44]

"but knows what he wants"

When I load high capacity cases-.308-.30-06-8 MM etc. I prefer a large single stage press. I have a RCBS RockChucker and it does well.
I use my Dillon RL550 for most of my pistol loading and my RockChucker for everything else.
You will find that everyone has their own opinion on reloading equipment and that is just mine..Bill..

 

[JackTheRipper]

should I ask for this instead of the lock n load?

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=679228
???

 

[WNTFW]

JTR,
On rifle brass you need to trim after resizing. The advantage of progessive goes out the window a bit. You can load a lot of ammo on a single stage so don't worry.
My suggestion is to buy the manual. Then after reading list out the steps of your workflow and see if you have the necessary items to complete each step. It will help prevent forgetting items like case lube or trimming tools. Shell holders may be a separate purchase from a die set.
Save some money where you can, you will be able to spend it wisely on another item. You may want a tumbler or trimmer. Spend the money on good bullets.
After you have reloaded some you will find some things are not as good as you thought it would be. In my case a universal decapper is not something I needed that much. Then you will find some items more necessary. In my case I really like case gauges.
I have a list of my needs and wants on computer that keep me on track when prioritizing what to spend money on.

 

[WNTFW]

JTR,
Don't get too wrapped up on quick change bushings. They are nice, but add a lil bit of cost. I you use good lock rings they are almost the same.
Also I am among the guys that had no luck with Hornady One-Shot lube. If you get some try it, but have an alternative ready.

 

[Martyk]

I use my Dillon RL550 for most of my pistol loading and my RockChucker for everything else.

Same here...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

That Hornady single stage kit you posted first is a great place to start. While there's nothing wrong with Hornady products I like RCBS products more and the company service is the best. The RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit is an outstanding value at only $299 and also comes with all the equipment you will need to start reloading.

Either will serve you well, I just like RCBS's customer service because it is the best and their equipment is also top grade. I do use Lee Carbide dies because they work well and they are a lot less money than RCBS dies. Lee dies can be bought for ~$25, RCBS dies are ~$45 and Hornady dies are ~$50. Also, Lee dies come with the shell holder but you will have to buy a shell holder separately with other die sets.

 

[JackTheRipper]

hmmmm how about hornady vs this kit here: http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/s...425000000_999045517?cmCat=CROSSSELL_THUMBNAIL

Lyman vs Hornady vs RCBS... which one guys???

 

[LiveLife]

Jack, I think many here would gladly endorse the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme kit for $289 now on sale (and $50 mail-in rebate too). I have the RCBS RS5 press and I love it (smooth with good use of leverage and spent primer ejection system).

Kit comes with:
Rock Chucker Supreme Press (industrial strength press)
5-0-5 Powder Scale (very good scale)
Uniflow™ Powder Measure
Speer No. 14 Reloading Manual
Hand Priming Tool (very good priming tool)
Hex Key Set
Case Loading Block
Case Lube Kit
Powder Funnel and Deburring Tool.

 

[BrokenWheel]

Get the Hornady LnL. I had never reloaded in my life and thats the press I started with. I have NO idea why people cling to this old-wives-tales that a person just starting off must start with a single stage press.

The beauty about the LnL is indeed the fact that you can change the dies out quickly. Simple put, if you would like to use it as a single stage - just put one die in, want more speed, put more in! Its all about choices!

As for reading material, I bought the ABC's of reloading and found it mildly adequate- at best. I learned the most from watching videos, something that cant be replicated in just words and a couple of B&W pictures.

Good Luck!

 

[mboylan]

thanks guys, the only reason I was asking for the nice brass was because it is going to be my birthday and if I don't ask for something I want, I will get crappy gifts that I don't want haha...

is it necessary to buy that reloading book even though a book comes with the Hornady kit?

and thanks for the recommendations, I'm gonna go check out my barnes and noble...

Jack

Yes, you need at least 2 sources of data. You also need to understand all of the factors that cause pressure to go up. You are loading for .30-06 which is more complex than pistol. You need to understand headspace, brass flow, neck stretching after resize. You need to understand something about powder burn rates.

You will need case prep tools that don't come with your kit and accurate calipers.

Fast pistol powder in a .30-06, like something left on the bench and inadvertently used to refill the hopper will blow you and your gun up.

Read, read and read some more.

 

[lwknight]

The RCBS Supreme kit for $289.00 is a deal.
The Rockchucker press and scales are better than the Lee.
The RCBS powder measure is great. I know nothing about Lees' powder measure.

 

[JackTheRipper]

can someone please tell me if I should get the Hornady LnL progressive or classic?

I bought the ABCs of reloading... it's ok...

My birthday is on the 19th, so I guess I'll get the reloading kit then... I need the dies and powder with the LnL classic right? what else do I need?

is there any reputable and knowledgable place I can order from online? and they will help me in choosing things?

I went to my local basspro shop, and they didn't have hardly anything (seriously) for reloading...

thanks!

Jack

PS I don't mind ordering from someone online...

 

[dmazur]

can someone please tell me if I should get the Hornady LnL progressive or classic?

Looks like post #13 says the Hornady single stage kit is a great place to start, and post #16 says to get the LnL progressive, that it isn't necessary to start with a single stage.

As you can probably figure out, there are two sides to this. You can find strong opinions supporting starting with a single stage and equally strong opinions saying anyone can figure out a progressive.

There are many, many reloaders who have started with single stage presses and stayed with them long after they became experienced. Some had "volume needs" that made them get a progressive press, eventually.

There are also many, many reloaders who have started with progressive presses. They followed the instructions, read the manuals, and worked into it slowly, not allowing the complexity of the press to overwhelm them.

You are probably going to have to read more about both types of presses, in reloading manuals as well as reading on-line comments from users of each type, and then make the decision yourself...

 

[GW Staar]

Sorry this is long....hope it helps!

can someone please tell me if I should get the Hornady LnL progressive or classic?

I bought the ABCs of reloading... it's ok...

My birthday is on the 19th, so I guess I'll get the reloading kit then... I need the dies and powder with the LnL classic right? what else do I need?

is there any reputable and knowledgable place I can order from online? and they will help me in choosing things?

I went to my local basspro shop, and they didn't have hardly anything (seriously) for reloading...

thanks!

Jack

PS I don't mind ordering from someone online...

Ok, Jack, here's the important thing. Eventually you will probably want both a progressive and a single stage press, and here's why:

For fast loading of pistol rounds a progressive is all you need, because generally there is no case prep. If you bought the progressive, you would learn how to use it quickly, if you have half a brain. The only catch is you would need to slow the process down while you learn, so you don't load a bunch of trash...maybe even dangerous trash. Its easy to get carried away on a progressive before you understand all the steps to safe and exceptional self-loaded ammo. That's why more than a few people recommend a single station press first. If you have patience and self-control go ahead with the progressive....but first consider the following, if you want to load RIFLE.

Loading rifle ammo is a whole difference animal, because case prep is almost always necessary. You can do it all on a progressive...but you have to do it in separate steps...not all at once as you would load pistol.

Step 1 (assuming you have good clean brass) is lubing, removing old primers, and sizing the brass. You can do that on your progressive, but you have to remove the other stations such as priming, charging, seating...because case prep needs to happen BEFORE you get to the next station.

Many of us who load rifle, using progressives, still do step 1 on a single station press, like the LnL Classic, Lee Classic Cast, or RCBS Rock Chucker. Why? Because we want to prep the brass before we start the progressive operation, because we don't want to set up the progressive twice! (There are people with big bank accounts that buy two progressives and set up a Dillon trimmer on the first one and cut things down to two steps....but they are a privileged few...unless you are one of them, no need to get in to that.)

So then for my purpose, Step 2 is done OFF press, where we trim, chamfer, deburr, (at least) and maybe even uniform primer pockets, swage or ream them (if the brass is military and has crimped primer pockets), remove flash hole burrs if we want, and even tumble the lubed brass so its clean again after the lubing and case prep it got.

NOW is the time for the final Step 3 and where a progressive makes magic. The shiny prepped brass needs new primer, powder, and bullets.... and with every pull of the handle all that happens and perfect, finished ammo drops into the bin.

So you see, the point of this narrative is to show you why it might be worthwhile to get that single station press, green or red, and learn the process, and then keep it primed and ready to do rifle step 1...forever....even after you talk your sweetie into a progressive...next birthday!!!

The other advantage...you got a whole year to find out which progressive, Dillon, Hornady, or RCBS will fit what you want to accomplish...the best.

Having started on the RCBS Rock Chucker 38 years ago, my upgrade to a progressive, only two years ago, was a year long methodical analysis of my needs, and how the several great presses available, met them. I ended up with RCBS's progressive, not because it was best, but because it was best for my needs. Your needs and choice may be different...but make sure you have time to figure out what they are....and so I vote...get a single stage first and find out if you really love to reload. Next Christmas....Birthday...whatever, will come plenty soon.

 

[JackTheRipper]

thanks guys, and thanks gw staar...

I guess I'll stick with the lnl classic and can always upgrade like you said...

I just can't wait to start safely loading!

thanks!

 

[Mr. Dark]

jack I have both the LNL classic and progressive and I love them both. I did start off on the classic kit and think it is great for beginners. I also have three close friends with the rockchucker kits, and I think they are both great kits.

Benifits to both is a $50 mail in rebate to rcbs when you spend over $300 on their products. Hornady will give you 500 free bullets with the purchase of one of there press'.

Extras I think you should get for your kit is a set of dial calipers, a case trimmer, and an rcbs case lube pad. The hornady one shot lube is ok if you blast all your cases and resize them while their still wet, but I've had a couple stuck cases using it. I have had zero problems with the case lube pad.

Also check out ultimatereloader.com for more tips.

 

[rfwobbly]

Some thoughts....

Really, the RCBS Rock Chucker kit is the equivalent of the Hornady LNL Classic kit in almost every aspect. Both are very strong O-frame presses with books, scales, powder measure, etc included. Neither is a "complete kit" because they both lack calipers and a case trimmer (required for rifle).

1) If you leaned toward the Hornady LNL AP for a progressive at some future date, then buying the Classic now would let you re-use your investment in LNL bushings on into the future. However, if the LNL bush truly meant something to you, the Rock Chucker can use them too.

2) All the Hornady presses come with their bullet give away program, which might make someone happy.

Both presses are excellent values with very high quality. You'd be blessed to have either. All I can say is that I'm glad it's not my decision.

 

[GW Staar]

jack I have both the LNL classic and progressive and I love them both. I did start off on the classic kit and think it is great for beginners. I also have three close friends with the rockchucker kits, and I think they are both great kits.

Benifits to both is a $50 mail in rebate to rcbs when you spend over $300 on their products. Hornady will give you 500 free bullets with the purchase of one of there press'.

Extras I think you should get for your kit is a set of dial calipers, a case trimmer, and an rcbs case lube pad. The hornady one shot lube is ok if you blast all your cases and resize them while their still wet, but I've had a couple stuck cases using it. I have had zero problems with the case lube pad.

Also check out ultimatereloader.com for more tips.

I agree with Mr. Dark's suggested extras...and with his warning on Hornady One Shot. There are happy users of One Shot...but there are many users experienced with stuck cases and that is not a pretty thing. Funny, I thought the trick with that product was to make sure it dried?? Many think Dillon's spray product is better, but no spray lube is fail safe for beginners, IMO. I strongly recommend either RCBS's lube pad with its water soluable lube, or Imperial Wax, until you get your loading legs under you. I'm 40 years used to the lube pad, but if I was starting out, Imperial might be my choice...try them both. There's a good thread (first post) on how to use Imperial HERE.

Almost forgot the OP's question on good places to buy on the web. The two places I prefer is Graf and Sons and Midway USA. Graf's claim to fame is their good prices and one-fee shipping $4.95 I think. That means if you have an expensive order, you can save serious bucks just in shipping. Midway has decent prices and their claim to fame is inventory. I check Grafs for price and in-stock...add their shipping fee, then check at Midway if Grafs is out. Grafs lists stock right their with their product listing so that's really convenient...even if they have only 1. Wideners also has decent prices, but they have less choices of products. At grafs you can buy Dillon to Lee and everything in between. Only heads up is to read the listings carefully so you don't buy a similar product listed first. Done that...twice...but they have been good to me...and exchanges were painless....good company, as is Midway and Wideners. There are others out there as well.

Guess I'm bored this morning...I checked on Hornady Classic Kit prices on Grafs ($331 incl shipping) at Midway ($344 with shipping to my zip code) That's just for the kits. If you add other products to your order, Midways shipping will continue to increase....Graf's stays at $4.98. So...on a big order, you save more at Grafs....small orders...take your pick.