took the plunge...

[back40]

i've been wanting to get into reloading for a while. i bought a lee classic loader a little ways back for my .308 and it has worked well. however, pounding rounds together with a mallet got old quick, once i tried a freind's turret press. i still like the portability of the classic loader and will likely keep it around though.

i've been reading and checking out reviews of presses and equipment trying to decide what route to take. i liked the idea of piecing together my own set-up rather than buying a kit, but ultimately the kit made more sense. being that the press, powder measure, scale, and priming system i wanted all came together in the rcbs rockchucker supreme master kit.

i also ordered rcbs .308 dies and shellholder
the "ABCs of reloading" book
rcbs bullet puller and collet
lee primer pocket cleaner
lee case length gauge and shellholder
lee case trimmer and lock stud (with ball handle)
hornady lock and load bushing conversion kit
rcbs advanced powder measure stand

the kit comes with a speer reloading manual, and i plan to photo copy the pages that are applicable to my calibers out of my friends manuals until i can pick up others.

for now, i'll be focusing on .308, and with .357/38spl soon to follow.

any advice, words of wisdom, critiques or suggestions regarding my kit......im all ears.

 

[UKWildcatFan]

I'm going to tell you what wise folks told me on here...read all manuals at least once before anything. It answered a lot of my questions. Once you've done that and are ready to start reloading/hand loading, make sure to start at the lower end of the range for powder charges and work up from there.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

only thing i don't see listed is a caliper.

some method of cleaning brass wouldn't be a bad idea. you'll want to wipe the lube off at the very least. the RCBS lube and lube pad worked ok for me, but eventually i went to imperial sizing wax.

 

[back40]

i have calipers already. i've heard good things about the wax, and one-shot looks intruging too. the pad can be a bit messy from what i gather playing with my friend's set-up.

 

[jwrowland77]

Definitely read the manuals...helped me a bunch. Plus I have a mentor to help answer any questions I may have, that's helped me a few times.

As far as lube goes, just go get a can of mink oil shoe polish from your local store. Pretty much same thing as imperial, just a lot cheaper and readily accessible.

As said, start low and work your way up, and don't be afraid to ask questions. And always always go by the book. Can't go wrong that way, along with getting in a routine of how things flow.

Have fun and be safe.

 

[Magnum Shooter]

I think you have made very good choices and are off to a great start. Congratulations, and welcome to the insanity.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for asking our advice

Single stage press is good for about 50 rounds per hour. 75 or so if you are fast. Lee's Classic Turret can do 100 rounds in 47 minutes (I did that my first time out) and do it all day long, including refilling components. For your .308 probably not what you are wanting. If you are planning a lot of handgun shooting you should consider the turret.

I started out with RCBS and I still have my Rockchucker after 35 years and will never get rid of it unless I wind up getting another single stage. But I never seem to use it any more, in favor of my Classic Turret.

I normally recommend assembling your own kit. Usually there are pieces of the kit that you don't like and also parts that it lacks that you wind up buying anyway. Both those factors usually wipe out any "kit savings". However, you apparently have done your homework and if you like all (or most all) of the components of the RC kit, go for it. I do recommend checking out Kempf's gun shop on line. Their kit consists of the Lee Classic Turret press, a set of dies, some other things and no Lee Scale. $220 and virtually all you need is a scale and manuals. Worth checking out.

Lost Sheep