Help me start reloading 500 S&W magnum.

[twoclones]

I am ready to buy the equipment to start reloading 500 S&W Magnum but researching has only caused more confusion. Too many choices!

Redhawk1 and a couple others recommend a single stage press for "the big boys". But which press and what else must I buy before I can make my first reload? Should I work from a list or buy a kit?

Note that I do not want to buy based on what is cheaper. I'd much prefer to buy what is most accurate and trouble free.

 

[Scott23]

Single stage press such as a RCBS Rockchucker is the ticket, unless your planning to pump out hundreds of rounds. As far as dies I would recomend a Redding titainium carbide pistol die set as they need no lubrication and are well made. The set comes with a sizing die, flaring die, and a seater. The seating die doubles as a seater and crimp die in one, but I would recomend doing these two in seperate operations. By doing this, your reloads will be more accurate. You will also need a chamfer tool for the case mouthes, a primer pocket deburring tool, a set of calipiers, a priming tool which I use a Sinclair primming tool. It is a bit expensive but, has the best feel of any of the other tools I've tried and is very smooth. A shell holder of the approperate size, powder scale, case cleaner (tumbler). I'm not sure how much the 500 S&W case will stetch after fireing but, you may want to investin a case trimmer as well. Wilson makes a excellent case trimmer. Check out Sinclair International. They have everything you could ever want or need for reloading. Good luck, I hope this was helpful.

 

[jerkface11]

PM me when you're ready to buy some dies. I've got an RCBS set i'm not using.

 

[dmproske]

I was using a Lee Carbide set of dies for the .500, I was not impressed. The seating die had problems with seating the bullets crooked and damaging the soft point tips. Also had problems getting a good crimp. I just got a new set of RCBS carbide dies for the .500, have not used them yet.

As far as a press, i use the Lee Classic Cast and use the priming arm on the press to prime the cases.