the calibers id like to load are 204 ruger, 223, 22-250, 308, 300wsm, 300 win mag. so 100% rifle.
hopefully that can help you advise me on what to get.
anyway ive been doing more research. ive had the some specific advice from a member here in a P.M. I just read the book: the abc's of reloading. i think ive set upon buying a single stage press, at least for now. id like to buy a high quality one. i was thinking of the forster, i saw it on sale for like $250 ish. also my local sportsmans warehouse is having a sale on the rock chucker kit right now that has the press and a scale and a bunch of basic stuff for about $250 also. im not sure what im going to yet.
anyone here using the forster? also what are your thoughts on the hornady lock and load bushings? seems like it would be pretty good for me because i think im going to be doing a lot of caliber changes. thanks again for all the advice, it is much appreciated.
Ah! Thank you. Now we can get somewhere!
► Your PM was correct. You're going to reload less than 50 rifle rounds, with a maximum of maybe 3 calibers per week, with the caliber mix changing throughout the year. I too will tell you that any kind of true progressive will be a waste of your time and money because of the need for "case trim". Therefore your choices are (only in order of number of choices) single-stage, traditional turret, or maybe the Lee classic turret.
► Understand that in the context of
quality , anything you reload is going to be twice the quality of factory rounds, even if you use a rusty Rock Chucker from the late 1960's. So if you are typically satisfied with the accuracy of factory, then you'll be grinnin' like a pig in you-know-what after you settle in with whatever system you choose.
► The average reloader with your needs typically ends up with a mixture of brands. That is to say,
since there in no single kit that supplies everything you need, reloaders of your genre typically 'pick and choose' to get the best pieces from several brands. Most of these people end up with 5-7 different brands over 20 years in the hobby. Picking the best of this and that as the need arises, and as time and money allow. But if you're willing to hurry things up a bit and 'spend your children's inheritance' then it can be done from the start!
The Press
You want a good strong press with LOTS of leverage. Make sure the press will open wide enough to accept your longest cartridge. O-frame presses (like the RCBS Rock Chucker, and Redding Big Boss) are the most prevalent, which, due to frame flexure/distortion, are usually preferred over the open-front C-frame. A twist on this would be the traditional turret like the Redding T-7 or Lyman T-Mag. These allow you to leave a greater number of dies in-place, which can be an asset when you don't own a spare press for odd jobs. The Forester has a action all it's own. It is the least common press but may be the most accurate, that is to say, bench rest quality.
For the budget conscientious, Lee makes several presses which are all half the price of those above which can be great ways to start off.
Considering everything,
cleanliness will probably play a huge part in your '
gosh I wish I would have known' list 1 year from today. May I suggest starting with the Redding line up and work up or down from there.
Scales / Powder Measures
You have 2 ways to go. You can get a basic beam scale and a good powder measure which is accurate, inexpensive, and will sever you for decades. Or you can get a high-end electronic scale that measures out every load. You have previously pointed to the later, and if you can afford it, this would be a great way to go. What you do not want to have is a cheap electronic sale anywhere in the mix.
Static is a big issue in dealing with powder. Therefore great powder measures tend to have all metal parts. The exception to this are the high-end electronic scale dispenser types.
Trimmers
All bottleneck rifle cartridges have to be trimmed at some point. Trimming is a pain and the "better" trimmers tend to be motorized simply because some of us here trim 500 to 1000 cases at a time. That's not you. Any basic hand operated trimmer, as long as it's bolted down, will serve you well. Start with the Lyman as the low-end choice and work up. The Lyman offers a drill motor adapter if the job gets to be too much. Avoid anything that's not bench-mounted.
Starter Kits
Of the starter kits, the Lyman T-Mag comes the closest to what you need due to it including a case trimmer. RCBS Rock Chucker and Hornady Classic are probably next. None of these kits includes a 6" caliper. Most of these kits do include a bottom-end electronic scale of dubious life expectancy.
Hope this helps!