HELP! New guys needs advice on a basic setup for unusual calibers.

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Exposure

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I have read all the stickies, searched quite a bit, own, and have read, twice, "Complete Reloading Guide" by John and Robert Traister. I have read my Midway USA catalog to tatters! But I am still left scratching my head. I am hoping someone can give me a basic equipment list for getting started.

There are three rounds I want to reload for, they are all quite different from each other. So if anyone can chime in and help I would really appreciate it!

First-

7.5 Swiss. Pretty easy I know. I could figure this one out myself. Pretty much any press will do this.

Second-

.50 BMG. Again, pretty much standard fare. But there is a caveat here, I want to make up match grade ammunition. There is such a massive, bewildering, array of accessories out there I just don't know what to get and what not to get in my quest to handload the best of the best in regards to this round.

Third-

.45 ACP. Sounds pretty easy right? Here comes the wrench in the works. I want to reload this stuff for my subgun. That means a lot of ammo in a hurry and I know this runs contrary to what I posted about the first two rounds I want to reload for!

So what will be my best bet? A single stage press? A turret? A progressive?

Can anyone give me a basic "starter kit" type of list for what I need? I know this is a really complex question and for that I apologize. It seems that the more research I do the more confused I become. There is just SO much stuff available out there.

Thanks in advance.
 
You really have to have two presses, better three.
A progressive (I use Dillon, Hornady and RCBS are trying, too.) for enough .45s to feed a submachinegun.
A great big single stage to load the .50s. Not my field, I don't know which to get, but buy a good one, not a minimum that you will be dissatisifed with and have to replace.
You could bush the .50 press down to take standard dies to load 7.5s but if you mean to shoot a good deal of both, a regular single stage press would be a big help so you don't have to break down your best of the best .50 setup. That would be a drop in the bucket besides .50 match loading gear.

I suggest you tool up for 7.5 and learn to load that before moving up to .50 and progressive .45s.
 
Here's my advice:

First-

7.5 Swiss. Pretty easy I know. I could figure this one out myself. Pretty much any press will do this.

I'd load this on something like a Lee Classic Cast turret press, so as not to tie up your single stage or your progressive you're going to need for the other two.

Second-

.50 BMG. Again, pretty much standard fare. But there is a caveat here, I want to make up match grade ammunition. There is such a massive, bewildering, array of accessories out there I just don't know what to get and what not to get in my quest to handload the best of the best in regards to this round.

This is an easy one. Buy the Lee Classic Cast single stage already setup to load 50BMG. This will do what you're looking for and the press is rugged enough to handle the resizing of the brass. If you need more accuracy than what this press will provide, you need to go to this link:

http://www.sinclairintl.com/index.html and ask them what equipment you need. Frankly, I doubt you'll need more.


Third-

.45 ACP. Sounds pretty easy right? Here comes the wrench in the works. I want to reload this stuff for my subgun. That means a lot of ammo in a hurry and I know this runs contrary to what I posted about the first two rounds I want to reload for!

You'll need a progressivefor this. Pick your poison. Red, Red, or Blue. I own a Hornady LnL. For what you're talking about, you'll want either a Hornady LnL or a Dillon 650 with a casefeeder and all the trimmings. Look them over and pick the features you like. They'll both do a good job on .45ACP.

So what will be my best bet? A single stage press? A turret? A progressive?

One of each. If you can afford those type guns, you can afford the presses and accessories. Don't bother with any turret other than the Lee Classic Cast turret press, because of the major advances it represents in accuracy, speed, economy, durability, etc. Right now, it's pretty much in a niche of it's own.

Can anyone give me a basic "starter kit" type of list for what I need?

You'd be better off to do a bit more research and pick your own. You'll be happier in the long run. Here's a starter list though:

1. Lee Classic cast single stage set up for 50 BMG
2. Lee Classic Cast turret press with all the trimmings
3. Hornady LnL or Dillon 650 with all the trimmings including casefeeder.

That list, with a set of accessories listed on the sticky and you'll be ready to load most anything you run across.

I know this is a really complex question and for that I apologize. It seems that the more research I do the more confused I become. There is just SO much stuff available out there.

Read the Newbie reloader sticky and start with the list I provided. I think if you do, you'll end up happy.

Regards,

Dave
 
You've been given good advice, the cartridges are dissimilar enough to warrant the seperate presses. If you can afford a subgun, a .50BMG and the ammo and components to feed them, 3 presses is not extravagant. I'd suggest the Dillon XL650 w/ case feeder for the .45, a simple single-stage press for the 7.5, and a biiiiig O-press (Rock Crusher comes to mind) for the .50. IIRC, the the dies for the .50BMG are not usually the standard 7/8 inch diameter, and require a different opening in the press. If I further recall, the RCBS press has a removable bushing to permit the use of the bigger dies.

G'luck, and good shooting.
 
I'll step on this soap box!!!

And agree with Jim, and Dave and Hutch.

But you need to get your feet wet won toe at a time.

For the 50, get with someone that does this already or the link to Sinclairs will do the trick. I knew a guy that used an old beafy Herters press for 50 and just that.

Ditto on needing three presses for what you're looking for. Once you've gone to a Blue or Red progressive for the 45, you could convert it to the Swiss for more volume. But start with the Swiss on a single stage press. I'll say RCBS just cause I like 'em.

-Steve
 
Thanks so much guys! What an awesome forum this is.

You all have helped put my mind at ease. I think starting out with a single stage press for the 7.5 Swiss is a great idea. There is no sense throwing a whole bunch of money into this and purchasing a truckload of equipment only to lose interest due to confusion, or worse yet, having an accident!

I must admit, I am still a bit intimdated just shooting the .50 BMG round, so reloading for it seems extremely daunting. Starting out with 7.5 Swiss is really a great stepping stone into this whole adventure.

So now it's off to the Midway USA catalog to decide what to buy.

One question for you all though. I am going to get a case trimmer. Would I be better off with a small metal lathe to do the trimming? Or should I get a dedicated case trimmer? The lathe seems like the better option as it could be used for other projects as I do have some metal working experience. Not to mention the fact I have been dying to find an excuse to buy a lathe!
 
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