Newbie questions

[Turftech1]

Hi all,

I have never reloaded. I really enjoy shooting, and my favorite guns to shoot seem to be C & R rifles.

I am looking at the RCBS kit at Cabela's HERE
and have a few questions. I would be most appreciative of any answers from those of you who reload.

1. Can I use non RCBS dies in a RCBS press? My father has some Lee FL dies in 30-06, does brand matter, or are presses & dies standardized?

2. In addition to the kit linked, what else would I really want/need?

3. Has anyone who has loaded the following figured the cost/round for reloading?
7.92 x 57mm (8mm Mauser)
30-06
30-30
6.5 x 55

Thanks for any info.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

1. Can I use non RCBS dies in a RCBS press? My father has some Lee FL dies in 30-06, does brand matter, or are presses & dies standardized?

The VAST majority of the time, yes they are standardized. Any of the common brands (Hornady, Lee, Lyman etc.) will fit the RCBS presses.

2. In addition to the kit linked, what else would I really want/need?

You will need tools to measure, trim and chamfer/deburr when loading for rifle rounds.
You will need at least one good manual, but that kit comes with a Speer manual which is a very good one.

As far as cost per round for reloading here is a quick rundown for what I do for .30-06.

Bullet: 165 grain Sierra GK BTHP - 100/$32 = 0.32 per round
Powder: RL15 - $26.50 per lb = 0.19 per round
Primers: 100/$3 = 0.03 per round

That is 0.54 per round or $10.80 per box of 20.
Federal sells factory loaded SGK ammo (soft point, not hollow point) for $30 per box so you're getting them for nearly 1/3 price.

Note that I am not figuring in the price for brass. I have been resourceful and it is rare that I have actually had to pay for brass. I've traded for a lot and picked up quite a few at the range.

 

[oneounceload]

And once you find which powder works best for you, buying it in 8# jugs will get that $/lb price down a lot

 

[Arkansas Paul]

And once you find which powder works best for you, buying it in 8# jugs will get that $/lb price down a lot

For sure. Most of the time I've seen the 8 pound jugs it is basically like getting 1 pound for free.

Also, places run specials on primers sometimes too. Right now Cabelas has Sellier and Bellot primers for $19.99 per 1k. That is a heck of a deal these days.

 

[clearcut]

You may not save any $ but you will shoot a lot more! The lee case trimmer works well as does the chamfer tool too.I load high power loads but I also down load mouse fart or gallery loads that are lots of fun to shoot and low cost when I cast my own bullets.Get a loading book and read it!Welcome to the club ......My name is______ and I've been reloading for __ years.

CC

 

[Turftech1]

The VAST majority of the time, yes they are standardized. Any of the common brands (Hornady, Lee, Lyman etc.) will fit the RCBS presses.



You will need tools to measure, trim and chamfer/deburr when loading for rifle rounds.
You will need at least one good manual, but that kit comes with a Speer manual which is a very good one.

As far as cost per round for reloading here is a quick rundown for what I do for .30-06.

Bullet: 165 grain Sierra GK BTHP - 100/$32 = 0.32 per round
Powder: RL15 - $26.50 per lb = 0.19 per round
Primers: 100/$3 = 0.03 per round

That is 0.54 per round or $10.80 per box of 20.
Federal sells factory loaded SGK ammo (soft point, not hollow point) for $30 per box so you're getting them for nearly 1/3 price.

Note that I am not figuring in the price for brass. I have been resourceful and it is rare that I have actually had to pay for brass. I've traded for a lot and picked up quite a few at the range.

I LOVE the 165 grain Sierra GameKing bullet. The Federal round with that exact bullet is what I have taken my last two deer with. It is amazing what that load placed in the right spot will do. The deer go down like someone dropped a piano from the sky. That's good for me, I don't want anything to suffer, and it's has a very consistent trajectory too.

I pay considerably more than $0.54/round....well over twice that, and that takes cutting coupons.

 

[rsnell]

1. Yes. I am not sure about Dillon.
2. Calipers, Lyman #49 Reloading manual, case trimmer ( if only loading for several calibers, Lee will work.) It has very good information.
3. 7,000 grains per pound. You can do the math.

 

[Turftech1]

1. Yes. I am not sure about Dillon.
2. Calipers, Lyman #49 Reloading manual, case trimmer ( if only loading for several calibers, Lee will work.) It has very good information.
3. 7,000 grains per pound. You can do the math.

Thanks!

 

[X-Ring]

That is a good price on a good kit, jump on it. When it arrives, get a straw, like the size Burger King and McDonalds use, that fits inside the ram and cut it so it doesn’t interfere with the shell holder. That will make most of the spent primers go where they belong instead of on the floor.
Lee dies will work just fine and they are not to much $
Get a set of calipers.

 

[Mauser69]

You Need to Read

Your questions indicate you are WAY ahead of yourself! Before you spend any money on equipment, and CERTAINLY before you actually try to reload something, you need to have a much better understanding of how this all works. You really need to buy either the Lyman or Lee reloading manuals and start reading every word from the beginning up to the load data. Either of those manuals will not only answer all the questions you posted, but will give you way more information than you can even imagine you need to know. And you DO need to know. Not only to keep yourself safe, but also those around you.

 

[Morrey]

The cost savings considering I bought some once fired brass in .308 Win and .30-06 are about 60-65% savings over factory ammo. I factored in the initial cost of the brass over several reloading sessions with each brass. HOWEVER, the loads you can create and work up are far better suited to your particular gun than off the shelf loads. PLUS, the hobby value is very rewarding and satisfying to see your custom loads shoot tight groups and you'll know you made this happen thru your own devices.

 

[Reefinmike]

Lubing cases individually on that little lube pad wound drive me bonkers. Get a $3 tube of lee case lube and shake it up really really well with 16 ounces 91% isopropyl or denatured alcohol. Squirt a little in a large ziploc and shake brass around to evenly coat it.

 

[kcofohio]

For reloading 8mm Mauser. Using 45 gr. of Varget with a 200 gr. HPBT Sierra Matchking bullet. It cost just at $.58 per round.

As Mauser69 said, read, read, and ask!

There are many helpful members here. And we all want you to have a good grasp on what you're about to join in on. And being safe and happy reloader.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Lubing cases individually on that little lube pad wound drive me bonkers. Get a $3 tube of lee case lube and shake it up really really well with 16 ounces 91% isopropyl or denatured alcohol. Squirt a little in a large ziploc and shake brass around to evenly coat it.

This method is strictly personal preference.

I agree with you regarding lube pads. They are messy and I always seemed to get dirt and grit on the pad.
However, I have stuck a case badly with spray on lube and will not use that again (except for pistol stuff. I fill a zip bag about 1/3 of the way full and give it a spray to make things go easier).

For rifle I much prefer Imperial sizing wax over any other method.

Experiment with it and see what works for you. There's no right or wrong, as long as you're getting the job done.

 

[cwall64]

Funny 30 or so years back all we had was the RCBS pad and tube lube (that I can remember) and i hated it! Messy as it was it worked... Lately I have been using the Imperial wax or the RCBS Case Slick Spray Lube 4 oz Pump and both seem to work well. The Dillon spray works well also, but seems I have a hard time finding it local.

 

[joem1945]

I have quite a few reloading books. I prefer Lyman books. Read the book instructions at least three times before any attempt to reload. I use Dillon case Lub and now make my own. Look for a rotary tumbler and some crushed walnut shells. I like the Thumbler Brand ones. Quiet running but take longer that vib type. Make a log book of your reloads and notes on accuracy for future reference. GO Slow until your sure of the process and get a bullet puller for mistakes which you will make. Good Luck!!

 

[destroyer85golf]

Don't get into this hobby thinking about saving money. Because like stated above, you wont really save any money. All it allows you to do is shoot more for the same amount. I love to shoot and honestly reloading has turned into something that I love to do just as much as shooting. Once you start down this road it nickel and dimes you at every turn!!!! " Oh that's a good price on primers , better pick up 5k of them " or wow powder for 21$ a pound !! better pick up 3 or 4 pounds! but the satisfaction of knowing that you created your ammo and if you accumulate enough components a shortage of ammo will not effect you. It also opens up the world of wildcat rounds which is where I'm at right now. Take the plunge and join the rest of us broke but happy reloaders !!

 

[refuse2bafool]

Suggested Equipment

Put this together for a friend that is getting into reloading at minimal cost but to avoid frustration. You can go with a kit too, but I generally find something about them I don't like.

LEE Classic Turret Press $120 - Read the reviews on Midway. Overwhelmingly positive. For rifle only a good single stage is probably a good choice as well.

RCBS Hand Primer $35 – I own one. I don’t use it a lot anymore because of my other presses, but it’s a good piece of gear. The LEE one seems to have mixed reviews. You can also prime on most presses.

Digital Scale $25 – I bought a budget Frankford Arsenal model that I check with Charge Weights every time I load. Some say cheap digitals aren’t accurate enough. I think mine is.

Check Weights $30 – Optional, but if I did not have these I would only use lower range loads no matter what scale I use.

LEE Dippers and Funnel $15 – You can get the load you want if you to use a combination of dippers and weigh all charges. Or you can go with a number of dedicated powder measures. I own both. Calibrated dippers are handy to have around.

Calipers $20 on Midway USA. I did not see these in the kit

Loading Manual - $30

Method to lube – You can use LEE tube lube ($5) and your fingers if you wish. I saw a lube pad but no lube in the kit

Single Caliber Loading Block from Midway- $5. I do not like universal blocks.

Lee Case Trimmer and chamfer tools. - $20

Add in whatever dies you want. I like LEE and RCBS dies. Prices vary.

 

[hdwhit]

Don't get into this hobby thinking about saving money. Because like stated above, you wont really save any money. All it allows you to do is shoot more for the same amount. I love to shoot and honestly reloading has turned into something that I love to do just as much as shooting. Once you start down this road it nickel and dimes you at every turn!!!! " Oh that's a good price on primers , better pick up 5k of them " or wow powder for 21$ a pound !! better pick up 3 or 4 pounds! but the satisfaction of knowing that you created your ammo and if you accumulate enough components a shortage of ammo will not effect you. It also opens up the world of wildcat rounds which is where I'm at right now. Take the plunge and join the rest of us broke but happy reloaders !!

Amen.

 

[Busta Prima]

Don't get into this hobby thinking about saving money. Because like stated above, you wont really save any money. All it allows you to do is shoot more for the same amount. I love to shoot and honestly reloading has turned into something that I love to do just as much as shooting. Once you start down this road it nickel and dimes you at every turn!!!! " Oh that's a good price on primers , better pick up 5k of them " or wow powder for 21$ a pound !! better pick up 3 or 4 pounds! but the satisfaction of knowing that you created your ammo and if you accumulate enough components a shortage of ammo will not effect you. It also opens up the world of wildcat rounds which is where I'm at right now. Take the plunge and join the rest of us broke but happy reloaders !!

And I'll third the "don't do this for savings" sentiment. I find reloading to be relaxing and therapeutic. I like the feeling of accomplishment but sometimes it's like painting . . . lots of prep, work and cleanup but the feeling of seeing the room finished makes it all worthwhile.

You CAN save money reloading but it's a long way to go to save money. You pretty much have to be shooting at least 100 rounds a week. The larger the caliber, the larger the savings but bullet cost is key because that is usually the most expensive component (for me anyway, I'm not that picky with brass). The other thing you get is quality. Yes, your loads, once you get over the speed bumps and learning curves, WILL be better than the cheaper target ammo. I got into reloading because I shot IPSC once or twice a week with two guns. Better ammo and for less. That was a long time ago. Knowing what I know now, for casual shooting I would just buy my ammo.

Not doing this just for the money is excellent advice.