gonna order RCBS kit, what else do i need?

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rob86jeep

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Im gonna start reloading in a few months and i wanted to make sure i get everything im gonna need besides brass, bullets, primers, and powder. Im going to start with just .40 for my pistol for now.

I plan on ordering a RCBS RC Supreme Master reloading kit.
RCBS 3 set dies for .40
RCBS shell holder for .40
RCBS brass tumbler (not sure on what media i need yet)
RCBS powder trickler
Digital Calipers (not sure what brand)
and possibly a digital scale

Is there anything else i will need?
I decided on a RCBS press, but everything else i was gonna get RCBS just so it will match, unless you know of another company that makes a better product for certain things.
As for manuals, i have the ABC's of Reloading. The RCBS kit comes with a Speer i believe, any other books recommended i should get to start with?
 
You'll need a powder measure for sure, and probably a case trimmer by the time your cases have been reloaded a couple of times. I'd would also invest in a tungsten carbide sizing die to avoid having to lube cases (unless that's the only way die sets are shipped nowadays.)
 
I got the Rockchucker kit in 1994. I didn't buy anything else, other than components, until 2001 except a dial caliper and die sets. The RCBS kit has most of everything you will need (note that in 1994 the kit came with a case trimmer and it doesn't now, however, I've never trimmed a piece of straight walled handgun brass in my life).

The kit includes just about everything you will need, except the extras you have listed above. I wouldn't bother with the powder trickler for handgun loading, the Uniflow powder measure is plenty accurate for that, and the charges are small. The tumbler isn't a must have, but once I got one I wished I had bought it much sooner. The RCBS 505 scale is great, a digital is probably a waste of money and neither faster or more accurate until you get into scales costing hundreds of dollars. I wouldn't bother with that.

The Lyman 49th edition manual or 3rd edition pistol and revolver handbook are both great. Either would be fine, if you don't plan to load rifle the P&R handbook is cheaper and has plenty of great info.
 
I don't know where you're looking to get your kit from but I just got a Midsouth sale paper today. They have that kit on the front page for $279.99. I don't even know if that's a good price or not? - just a FYI post in case it is.

ST
 
and possibly a digital scale
Click to expand...
I suggest you start with the supplied 5-0-5 scale first. With .40 S&W you'll merely be spending money and not gaining any added advantage or capability.

I suggest you get the RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure stand, which will raise the powder measure above the work bench and you can locate it anywhere on your bench other than the edge.

You might also find one of the RCBS auto primer feeders to add convenience and increase productivity. It permits you to prime cases during the same step as case mouth belling.

I use crushed walnut shells for tumbling media.

I've never been keen on digital calibers. I prefer the old mechanical dial calipers. No batteries and no chance for electronic "hiccups".

These items in addition to the equipment supplied with the kit will get you into reloading. I suggest you get some experience under your belt first so you can make informed decisions as to any other reloading accessories you might consider buying.

Good luck! Happy reloading.
 
I recently got into reloading and bought the Rockchucker kit. I have added the following and have done a few thousand rounds of .223, .308 and various handgun cals.

I added a $25 Frankford arsenal digital scale from midway. The 5-0-5 is great and I check every tenth powder drop with it(to check the digital), but i weigh EVERY powder drop for the rifle cases on the digital. The digital takes about 15 minutes to warm up, and i bought an RCBS 20 GRAIN calibration weight. When calibrated and warm the digital is dead on with the 5-0-5, but it does drift and needs rezero occasionally.

Also bought the powder trickler. Even though I respect Landrics opinion, I use the trickler frequently trickling directly into the 5-0-5s powder pan on the digital scale. Use it on handgun and rifle frequently to get that 1/10th gr exactly right.

Got the Frankford arsenal NON-DIGITAL calipers and micrometer (about $20 each from Midway) you don't need digital the manual are just as easy to read.

Added the frankford arsenal tumbler and media seperator kit. I think these are an absolute necessity.

Added a L.E. wilson case trimmer that clamps into a bench vise. Can;t say enough about how good this thing is when you get it dialed in to the length you want. Super consistant.

Finally, 2 thinks you MUST get, a kinetic bullet puller (got the frankford arsenal one real cheap $8 i think) and frankford arsenal loading blocks for EACH caliber you intend to reload (also cheap don't remember exactly but I think about $6 each) The RCBS universal block is ok to stack things in during processing, but it is set up to hold 40 cases of a specific caliber at a time. Why they picked 40 I don;t know as I and probably just about everyone reloads in units of 50 to fit in ammo boxes.

Added some ammo boxes and of course components (good luck finding primers) and am really enjoying the kit.

Hope this helps,
madd0c
 
I'm in a similar boat, although with individual Lee products vs an RCBS kit. For a starting scale, would you recommend the 505 or is there another alternative you all like? Is there a price point below which the scales are too inaccurate/difficult to use, or are even the low end products serviceable?
 
I reload for the .40 and recomend the Redding push through resizing die

http://www.redding-reloading.com/pages/grxpushthru.html

Some of the popular handguns (stated that way so not to insult glock owners) leave a bulge in the case from an incompletely supported chamber (which improves reliability). Even full length resizing doesn't throughly remove the bulge and you may have problems chambering your reloads. You still need to resize the brass in the regular die afterwards.
Don't bother getting the bottle (unless you want) I just trimmed the proper sized hole in the lid of a small gatorade bottle and it works just fine.

I have access to thousands of once fired 40 brass at the local police range but nearly every one has the bulge.

Here is an article on the problem http://www.gundigest.com/article/shooting_fixglockbulge/
 
I have a RCBS RC I love it for my rifles. Bought it used and cheap. Would be very time consuming to load for pistol. I use a hornady L N L for pistol ammo.
 
I think we left out the most important part. If your married, your going to need a very understanding wife.

LGB
 
I'm new also and got the rockchucker kit you are looking at. I load .40 and use the lee four die set. The factory crimp die helps for pistols, also with carbide dies you don't need lube to resize. Three dies seem to be fine for revolvers. I check all auto cartriges with a case gauge (Midway USA has Lyman for about $12). Hope this helps. Rick
 
how does this look?

-RCBS RC Supreme Master Kit
-RCBS case tumbler
-5lbs wallnut media
-RCBS polishing compound (to mix with the media)
-RCBS case and media seperator
-RCBS Power pull impact bullet puller
-Frankfort Arsenal 6" Stainless dial calipers (analog)
-RCBS powder measure stand
-Redding powder trickler (looks better made than RCBS, & got better reviews)
-RCBS Shellholder #27 (.40S&W)
-RCBS Carbide 3 die set (.40S&W)
-2 Frankford Arsenal .40 reloading trays (hold 50 rds each)

I think that should cover everything ill need to get started. I know i dont need some of it, like the media seperator (looks like it will save lots of time though) and the powder trickler (plan on reloading rifle rounds once i learn enough).
If any of you have anything to add, or would recommend me getting a different brand of something, feel free to let me know. All input is appreciated.
 
one other question, whats the difference in the RCBS Powder Measure Stand, and the RCBS Advanced Powder Measure Stand? Besides the looks, i cant figure it out.
 
I like RCBS and their customer support, but why spend the same money on an RCBS tumbler when you can get a tumbler, media, polsish, seperator and seperator bucket for $4 more?
I looked at both when I got mine and went with:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=414369

It's on sale now too and is 15 bucks cheaper than when I bought it :p
Oh, and the tumbler is well built (the media seperator is kinda flimsy, but it works fine and is better than using a collander over a bucket IMO)

Also, I read the bad reviews about the motor, but I haven't had any problems yet. May be just a matter of time. So I must say your milage may vary :)
madd0c
 
Looks like you're good to go.

You don't need the polishing compound (to mix with the media). The crushed walnut shells do a pretty good job without additives. (I once bought corn cob media with jeweler's rouge, which works very well, but makes a mess.) If I have some cases that need something more than crushed walnuts I add a couple capfuls of Dillon Rapid Polish 290. See: http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/pid/23664/catid/8/Rapid_Polish_290__8_oz__Bottle_)

I'm not sure what you mean by "RCBS case tumbler". I suggest a "vibratory" case cleaner.

I use a Hornady Cam-Lock Bullet Puller, which installs on your press to pull bullets from "mistakes". It's a little quicker than the RCBS Power pull impact bullet puller. See: http://www.hornady.com/store/Cam-Lock-Bullet-Puller-1-Each/ Use collet number 11 (.41 caliber).
 
If you have a Sportsmans Warehouse nearby they have a Supreme on sale Black Friday only for $269.00 reg $319.00
If I was needing another I would jump on that, your grand kids will be using it some day.
 
Hey Rob,

I don't know anything about RCBS polishing compound but I use Nu-Finish car polish and it works great. I put about a half of a cap full in every other load or so.

St
 
thanks for all the help, im gonna make my order today or tomorrow. The best price for the RCBS kit ive found is $279 from bass pro, but ill probably just get it from midway fo $289 because they have everything else im gonna get as well. I tried sportsmans warehouse but they dont have an online catalog and thats the only way i can get anything right now.
 
If you order it today (before midnight) from MidwayUSA you can get $20 off (coupon code 201127).
 
well i just got done ordering everything. I ordered from midway but didnt check this post untill after, i think i was a day too late for that discount anyways.
I still have a couple months untill i can build a bench and start loading, so i was wondering which reloading manual you guys think i should buy to start reading. I already have the ABC's of Reloading so something else.

Thanks for all the input and ideas from everyone so far.
Rob
 
If you bought the supreme mod. I think it has a man. with it. I like the Sierra and Nosler books but over the yrs. have got pretty much all of them in one edition or the other.
Look at auctions and garage sales and you can build up quite a library of gun and loading ref. books.
Most powder and bullet companies share quite a bit of info online as well, just print off and put in a binder.
 
The kit comes with a Speers manual. It is good along with the online sources for checking loads (Hodgdon has a great website based table if you use their powders IMR, Hodgodon etc.).
I added a Lee manual to supplement it because it has just an enormous amount of loads listed.

madd0c
 
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