meanoldman2
Member
I think its time I started to reloading. I would like to know the best starter kits or basic equipment I'll need for .223 and .308 loads.Your help will be greatly appreciated!
I was going to wait until you posted an answer to MachIVshooter's question, but got impatient. So, you get the read my entire boilerplate answer, "To Kit or Not to Kit?"I think its time I started to reloading. I would like to know the best starter kits or basic equipment I'll need for .223 and .308 loads.Your help will be greatly appreciated!
A kit will get you started with ALMOST everything you need. They always lack something.
A Kit will also have things you don't need
I've been seriously contemplating the Rock Chucker Supreme kit, myself; but have also been contemplating posting my own thread. Instead, I'll answer these questions here.The depends on a few things.
1) How much ammo do you plan to load in a given time frame?
2) Is this about saving money, or making match grade ammo?
3) What's your budget?
4) Are you concerned with longevity of the equipment?
Personally, I think the RCBS Rockchucker supreme kit is the way to go for getting started
This is the answer. It is more money, but it is the only kit out there that makes no compromise. Lee is attractive, but only at the initial purchase time. After that you will need to remedy the compromises that were made to sell it to you cheaper. Look around the forums. There are a lot of rockchuckers in use to this day by experienced loaders that have graduated to faster presses for bulk loading.The depends on a few things.
How much ammo do you plan to load in a given time frame?
Is this about saving money, or making match grade ammo?
What's your budget?
Are you concerned with longevity of the equipment?
Personally, I think the RCBS Rockchucker supreme kit is the way to go for getting started, but it's about 3 times the price of the Lee Anniversary kit.
The only thing you need to add immediately are the die sets and a set of calipers for measuring OAL.
This is the answer. It is more money, but it is the only kit out there that makes no compromise.
I was speaking generally in both statements. You got lucky (or shopped wisely) that you have no "left over" parts, paid for but unused.Fact.A kit will get you started with ALMOST everything you need. They always lack something.
Like what? There's not one thing that came in my original rockchucker kit that I don't use, and regularly.A Kit will also have things you don't need
Lee has been the price leader for quite a while, and yes, some of their gear is, shall we be kind and say, "lightweight"? But their Classic Cast single stage is developing a reputation for strength and reliability. Their Classic Turret is the best autoindexing turret in the world. And their Deluxe Turret is the second best. (Of course, it helps that they are the only two autoindexing turrets in the world.)Bobson said:I've read that Lee products are great for beginners, but lack the long-term build quality of other presses.
THE answer? There is rarely ONE answer to anything, especially something as varied as reloading. For my purposes, I would never compromise the speed and convenience of turret loading for the types of cartridges I am loading.
Yes, THE answer to the question the original poster asked.