Help me to start reloading

[brentwal]

I need to start reloading and would like some input from those that do.

RCBS Rockchucker Supreme master kit. Yea or Nay. $259 at Walmart.

I have a good set of calipers. And a good place to reload.

Calibers that I could be reloading in the foreseeable future.

.223 Remington - for match AR
.243 Winchester
6.5x55mm Swede
.270 Winchester
.30-30 Winchester
.308 Winchester
.30-06 Springfield
7.62x39mm
.303 British
8mm Mauser
.357 S&W Mag
9 mm Luger
.40 S&W
.44 Rem Mag
.30 Carbine
7.5x55 Swiss
6.5 x50 Arisaka
.380 Auto
.45 ACP
7.62X25mm Tokarev
7.62x54MM Russian

So how about a little help.

And is a tumbler a good investment.

Brent

 

[lee n. field]

Walmart has reloading stuff?

Midway is showing that kit for $229.

And is a tumbler a good investment.

Yes.

 

[JDGray]

Wow!! youll need a loan for just the dies! I recieved a Lee aniversary kit for Christmas 16 yrs. ago. Every thing you'll need,except dies & a few manuals, is there. You can get one for $80 or so. I load any where from 100 to 200 rounds a week, with no problems. Reloading can save you alot on ammo , or you'll just shoot more like I do. It's a fun hobby to get into, get a couple reloading manuals, and start haven fun! JDGray

 

[longtooth]

Yes

Tumbler is a good investment. Yes on the RCBS Rockchucker SM Kit. Go on the Web for your purchase though. Just got a Natchez Shooters Cat. On the Web it is www.natchezss.com. Kit is $229.95. Freight cannot be much. Also check www.midwayusa.com & www.grafs.com. These 3 I use all the time. Mostly Graf & Sons. Others will tell you their 1st choice is Midway USA. They are all good. Now the Loader. Some will try to say you need a Dillon. The $ will be 4 times as much. Learning is not as simple. If you are going to shoot 1,000 rds a month you may need one. I shoot 3,000 a yr. Mom & wife 1,000, then load a couple thous. for son & son in law. That is pistol. I will load & shoot 500 + hunting rds a yr. 1,000 more .308 practice. I do it on the kit you are talking about. I admit that I do not waste time in fromt of a TV. I do spend a good deal of time in the loading room. I like it & do not have over $300.00. in my room. That does not include components. I did trade for some of it. The only thing you will need that you did not mention is a case trimmer. That will not be necessary for a while. Your rifle brass will "grow" as you shoot it. Have fun & be safe. Be sure to read the manuals. Never trust your memory. Check the manual, check your powder charge. Don't trust your memory. It is fun, but be careful. Good start. This is an edit. The two guys above got theirs in while I was typing. We all agree so get the webs & get started. Lots of fun. (good verse lee n field.)

 

[1911user]

It's probably not a bad start although I'd look used for a single stage reloading press at that quality-level. Unless abused, they don't really wear out and there are some good deals on high-end single stage presses. The first question is: are you really sure you want to reload and will continue to do so into the future? If you're going to be doing it for awhile, then the higher quality (and cost) equipment makes sense. If you're just sticking your toe in the water as a test, then the Lee Anniversery kit makes more sense at $75. You can always resell it for $45-$50 if you decide reloading isn't for you.

The other big question is how much are you really going to be shooting? A single stage press works for lower volume shooting (or medium/high volume if you do nothing but reload in your spare time and are single). Higher volume shooting (especially pistol) justifies a good progressive reloading press (if you want other hobbies besides reloading, like spending time with family).

How much spare time do you have and what is it worth to you?

I have a nice Dillon 550 setup (an evil progressive press that the previous poster warned you about ) and I have more than $300 invested into it. I get to load (quality) rounds faster at the expense of money tied up in the equipment. Others go the minimal investment approach and keep paying for it so long as they reload (hint, the recurring cost is extra time required per round). We could probably each stop reloading, get a second job, and buy factory ammo but that's no fun (and out of scope for this thread).

 

[The Bushmaster]

1911user...Are you trying to get us turret people mad again... I tell ya...Anything to rile people up...

Wally World doesn't even sell .22 ammunition here in california. Let alone reloading equipment. If you get that RCBS kit you won't go wrong. Even if you decide that you need a faster press you still will be glad you have that single stage as you will still use it. It will have a prominent place on your loading bench...Believe me...

Progresive press!!! I don't need no progresive press...

 

[R.W.Dale]

The rockchucker would be the way to go whatever you do DO NOT BUY THE LEE KIT!!!! I bought one and within a month I had replaced everything but the hand priming tool. Lee makes great dies and trimmers but the rest of thier equipment is just junk.

 

[SASS#23149]

shipping presses is not cheap

I entered data at the natchez site to check the shipping,it's 35.00 to Portland,Or.I'd just pick the one up at Walmart.
Yes,some wm's have relaoding presses,powder,trimmers,brass,.
you'll also need a case trimmmer.rifle brass tends to grow when fired and oal is very important on those cases.pistol brass is almost optional on trimming.
almost.
You will NOT regret buying rcbs equpment.ever.

 

[lee n. field]

You will NOT regret buying rcbs equpment.ever.

ditto.

If I had it to do over again, I would probably try to buy that kit.

 

[1911user]

1911user...Are you trying to get us turret people mad again... I tell ya...Anything to rile people up...

Progresive press!!! I don't need no progresive press...

I don't intentionally stir things up, but sometimes my twisted (evil?) logic causes a few reactions.

I need a progressive press. When I go the range, each handgun has several hundred rounds fired through it and rifles are typically 100+ rounds each. I wasn't able to shoot that much before buying the Dillon press, but I feel so liberated that I must joyfully express my happiness on every range trip.