Oh boy I got a kit to reload.

[TH3180]

Well I went and did it. I bought the stuff to reload. I got the "RCBS ROCK CHUCKER SUPREME MASTER KIT". I came down to that is what I could afford and I want to start on a single stage press. I know there are a lot of people that will think I just wasted my money because everyone with a brain should start on a progressive press. I want to really get the ins and outs before I make that step. I want reloading to be second nature to me before I go progressive. I bought it from a local place called the Gunstop. I know I paid a little bit more for it then if I would have bought it off the internet, but I feel it was worth it. Before I left John took my die set and we used them in his press that he has on display. We made two dummy rounds. he also told me that if I have problems to call him or come in anytime. If I want to bring in my die set, bullets and brass we can make more dummy rounds until I get the hang of it. A guy can't get that kind of service from the net. I have de-primed, sized and clean a bunch of brass. I hope this weekend to try loading some ammo.
I will be loading 9mm. Here is what I am using Montana Gold 115g FMJ bullets, Winchester Small Pistol Primers, Alliant Unique Powder and once fired Federal Brass that was fired once through my Glock. I have read the Speer manual three times and I have read all the instructions that came with my kit. I am very excited to take this new hobby on.
Just thought I would share with people that might appreciate all of this. I was all excited when when I got home with everything and my wife said oh goodie and that I should have spent the money on a new gun for her to shoot.

https://shop.rcbs.com/WebConnect/MainServlet?storeId=webconnect&catalogId=webconnect&langId=en_US&action=ProductDisplay&screenlabel=index&productId=2854&route=C04J148

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I know there are a lot of people that will think I just wasted my money because everyone with a brain should start on a progressive press.

Just the opposite. I think everyone who's thinking right starts off just the way you did. Learn the basics before you get fancy.

Before I left John took my die set and we used them in his press that he has on display. We made two dummy rounds. he also told me that if I have problems to call him or come in anytime. If I want to bring in my die set, bullets and brass we can make more dummy rounds until I get the hang of it. A guy can't get that kind of service from the net.

Sounds like you've got a good place to hang out and learn. You're right. You don't get that kind of service from the net. It is well worth the extra $30 or $40 you probably paid.

That's the exact same setup we have. We've loaded a few thousand rounds on it so far. With two people, you can go a lot faster and my brother and I load together quite a bit. One person proming and charging, then handing to the next person who seats the bullet and puts it in the box. Congrats. The press you have will last a lifetime. You'll add stuff here and there no doubt, but it will serve you for years.
We are getting to the point where we want a progressive, but I'm glad we started with a single stage. It'll still see plenty of use for the rifles too.
Welcome to the game.

 

[Chevyguy85]

congrats on joining the fold! My buddies and I started off on a single press 3 or 4 years ago when we started reloading but quickly found that with 3 guys using it, firing 500+ rounds a month we would be there for forever. So we upgraded to a 550b and I later got my own 650. Single stage is a great starter and will teach you the basics. Quite a few people do just fine on a single state so don't let the progressive snobs pull you down. Happy safe reloading

 

[Roccobro]

And if/when you upgrade to a turret/progressive you will STILL find uses for the single stage press. I guarantee it, or I'll take the press!

Justin

 

[Walkalong]

Great way to start. Adda boy.

 

[Muttt]

That's pretty much the same set up I have. That Uniflow Powder measure is excellent. You may want to wipe it out with a used drier sheet to get rid of residual static cling before dumping in powder. When I first put powder in mine, alot of it was stuck to the sides and in the measure area due to static. I'm positive you are really going to like that press. Even though it's ultra simple and you can only do one at at time. It makes excellent product and is easy to use.

Remember to go to the RCBS website and get your mail in rebate coupon. All you have to do is mail it in with proof of purchase and you'll get some money back (I think it's 50 bucks). Also, try to chamber your dummy loads in your weapon and make sure they fit before you commit to a whole bunch of loaded ammo.

Have fun. Great buy. You'll be more than happy with your purchase.

 

[dawico]

Congrats. A single stage is the best way to start. Juat pay attention and you should be fine.

 

[rtpzwms]

I'm still wondering where you wasted your money. You got what you wanted, at a price you were happy with, and you got personalized service. So where is the waste? Good Job supporting your local gun shop. The only question I have is the powder.... Its not a bad powder but there might have been better choices. AA #5 or WW 231 might have been better but thats just a thought. Good news you have lots of time to try other powders and make up your own mind on what works best for you.

 

[SuperNaut]

That is the same kit I got, and then I got a lot more stuff...

Just FYI, you'll end up getting:

Digital Scale
Digital Calipers
Bullet puller
Stuck case remover
Imperial sizing wax
Carbide dies
Hornady Lock Rings
More loading trays
Case gauges
At least two more manuals
Small, medium, and large plastic containers
Brass tumbler or Ultra-Sonic cleaner

 

[RustyFN]

Sounds like you are off to a great start. Congrats and welcome to reloading.

 

[TH3180]

That is the same kit I got, and then I got a lot more stuff...

Just FYI, you'll end up getting:

Digital Scale
Digital Calipers
Bullet puller
Stuck case remover
Imperial sizing wax
Carbide dies
Hornady Lock Rings
More loading trays
Case gauges
At least two more manuals
Small, medium, and large plastic containers
Brass tumbler or Ultra-Sonic cleaner

I guess I should have posted everything else I got.

Digital Scale- have one already
Digital Calipers- have one already
Bullet puller- bought one
Stuck case remover- will have to do some research.
Imperial sizing wax- will have to do some research.
Carbide dies- bought them
Hornady Lock Rings- will have to do some research.
More loading trays- yup I think I need to pick up more.
Case gauges- will have to do some research.
At least two more manuals- as time goes on I'm sure I will.
Small, medium, and large plastic containers- been collecting them for months. Baby formula cans seem to be the right size and coffee cans.
Brass tumbler or Ultra-Sonic cleaner- Christmas is right around the corner.

 

[swiftak]

So it has begun.

 

[bomb dropper]

Congrates. I love rcbs they have a great product and great support to back it up.

I found that
Cat litter jugs make great containers for cases
Order extra decapping pins or lee universal decapper
I don't know if you got it but a powder stand is a must
Dryer sheets
There is a guy on here selling hand made wood reloading blocks if your looking

That's just me good luck. I can't remember who said reloading doesn't save you money it just lets you shoot more. Haha

 

[Cosmoline]

everyone with a brain should start on a progressive press.

I've been handloading for a decade now and I've never used a progressive. For many of my 54R loads, I require a precise level of control so I use a simple Lee hand press. I could use a progressive for some of the more routine .357 bulk loads, but I don't mind doing 100 or 200 on the hand press of an evening.

 

[Rmeju]

By the way TH3180, John at Gunstop Reloading is the nicest, smartest reloader I think I've ever met. Everyone at my club knows who he is, and I've never met anyone who didn't learn something every time they walk in that shop.

I go to Gunstop whenever I can. They treat you right, and the prices are competitive. If he's even close to internet pricing, I always go with him.

It's always exciting getting your first kit. You didn't go wrong with your first kit. You'll (probably) want a progressive later, but the single stage is still great for LOTS of other stuff, especially rifle rounds if you get into that.

IMHO, you probably won't need a stuck case remover or case length gagues/trimmers until you reload with rifle.

Anyway, good luck, get some practice, and tell us how it went!

RmeJu

 

[Hondo 60]

Welcome to the addiction. And congrats on a wife that wants her own gun.
Seems you're livin' the charmed life!

Just remember pay attention to what your doing. It's VERY easy mess up and that oops might get you seriously injured or worse.

Stay safe & have fun

 

[TH3180]

By the way TH3180, John at Gunstop Reloading is the nicest, smartest reloader I think I've ever met. Everyone at my club knows who he is, and I've never met anyone who didn't learn something every time they walk in that shop.

I go to Gunstop whenever I can. They treat you right, and the prices are competitive. If he's even close to internet pricing, I always go with him.

It's always exciting getting your first kit. You didn't go wrong with your first kit. You'll (probably) want a progressive later, but the single stage is still great for LOTS of other stuff, especially rifle rounds if you get into that.

IMHO, you probably won't need a stuck case remover or case length gagues/trimmers until you reload with rifle.

Anyway, good luck, get some practice, and tell us how it went!

RmeJu

I have talked to John a few times before Thursday, he has always been nice to me. I was in there one day were he wasn't to nice to a guy, but the guy had it coming. Thursday I was giving him a hard time about his rep on the net. I said to him it's not Monday, it's late enough he should have had his coffee, I offered to show him a picture of my kids and I don't have a dog but I want one. That got him laughing pritty good. He told me he only gets crabby when people are jerks and don't listen. He also said if I ever come in first thing he expects coffee, with a big smile on his face.
I loaded 10 dummy rounds today just to get the hang of things before I start dealing with primers and powder. It went well. How do I figure out over all length? I just mesured some Federal AE and went off of that. What's the right way to do it?

 

[PT1911]

I just got the same kit... I greatly look forward to building my reloading bench and getting started in the coming months.

 

[TH3180]

I just got the same kit... I greatly look forward to building my reloading bench and getting started in the coming months.

Two holes in my work bench/ reloading bench/ gun care bench. I am good to go. I remove my press when I'm not using it which kind of sucks but I don't have a lot of room.

 

[sniper5]

Sounds like you got great stuff, a mentor, and a good attitude.

Now "measure twice cut once". Make absolutely sure every round is built the way you want it before you pull the trigger. If you have doubts or hesitation, pulling bullets and starting over is a lot safer than pulling the trigger on the unknown.

Reloading is one of those hobbies where you can seriously hurt yourself (building a bad round) and not know it for a long time (shooting it and having the back half of your bolt wind up in the back of your truck with part of your skull attached).

 

[sniper5]

Oh, forgot to add: For mounting, look at leeprecision.com and check out their bench plate. It's a QD mount for reloading equipment. I have one and love it. Also made custom plates for a torch mount for annealing, a dremel vise, drill press, and dremel router table. Less than 30 seconds to change out.

 

[Sunray]

"...Just the opposite..." Absolutely. Read the manual.
"...Stuck case remover- will have to do some research..." Take out the expander and use a 6" brass rod with a plastic mallet. Using enough lube usually eliminates stuck cases though.
"...Case gauges- will have to do some research..." The best guage is the chamber or cylinder of your firearm. The magazine for OAL. If a case doesn't fit in one or the other, it's no good. Mind you, you have calipres.
"...been collecting them..." Shoe boxes are good for storing primed rifle brass. Boot box for lots of it. Coffee cans for handgun brass, depending on how much you have. Haven't the slightest idea how big a baby formula can is.
"...more manuals..." Think Lyman. It has more loads using more powders and bullet weights than any bullet or powder maker's book. Nothing wrong with the Speer manual that came with the kit (or any bullet or powder maker's books), but they only have data for Speer bullets. Hodgdon, Winchester and IMR powder data is here too.
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
Don't hesitate to ask any questions here either.
"...for a decade now and..." 30 years on a single stage press. Speed is a matter of technique.

 

[oldreloader]

Welcome to the fold. I started in the late 60's with a single stage press and still use one for everything simply because I enjoy it and my volume doesn't require more. I still use an old RockchuckerII for rifle and pistol and a Mec 600 JR for shotshell.

 

[mdp75]

I still load on a rock chucker to me there is no better way to load bench rest ammo

 

[Sgt.Saputo]

Congrats! I'm hoping to get some reloading equipment when I get some more money. It's something that has always interested me but for some reason I still haven't started .