What equipment is OK to buy used?

[epijunkie67]

I've decided to get started in reloading and will be doing both pistol and rifle calibers. At the least 35 remington, 30-30, and 41 magnum for now and maybe some .357 and 45 LC down the road (although if 7.62X39 stays this scarce I may have to work on THAT too). None of the rifle magnums though.

Although I can afford all new stuff just fine it seems kind of silly to pay new prices if the used stuff is just as good. On the other hand, new stuff is worth it if the used stuff is in anything less than great condition. Looking on ebay I see all kinds of stuff at decent prices, but what should I get?

I'm going to start off with a single stage press for now. I'd even considered getting a lee classic loader or two since they are so cheap. But then that nagging though creeps in. This is equipment with tolerences in the thousandth of an inch range. Is it safe?

So what is OK to buy used and what should I buy new? Or should I just get one of the Lee all in one kits and buy all new dies and be done with it?

 

[taliv]

used is fine for any equipment

abused is not, of course

 

[Citadel99]

I'm trying to think of what I have that isn't used. I've got a used Rock Chucker, Dillon 550B, lots of dies... Used but not abused is good advice.

Mark

 

[dmftoy1]

Everything I've got with the exception of my chronograph and RCBS Chargemaster Dispenser/scale was bought used. (never a problem) The only time I got "slightly" burnt was because of my ignorance. I bought a set of old pacific dies that weren't setup the way that modern dies are. I can't remember the problem specifically, but it required me to buy a different sizing die if I remember right. I think the sizing die didn't have a depriming rod in it if I remember right.

Getting stuff off of Ebay at a good price seems to be a challenge to me . .especially with the shipping/handling costs that many want to charge. It seems like there's very little in the way of equipment that I can't buy new from Midway or Natchezz when it's on sale. (not on sale is a different story)

Have a good one,
Dave

 

[Schleprok62]

dmftoy1:

You hit the nail on the head my friend. Ebay has become something of a joke with the shipping rip-off artists. Yeah, the listed price is pretty darn good... look at the shipping, and Jeez!!! what in the world?!!?! I look for deals with "fair" shipping... Like the scope I bought for my .22 Barska Plinker-22 4x32IR with rings $18 shipped.

the ones that have unreasonable shipping, I email and ask them why I should buy this product from you when I can save $$ buying it elsewhere?

 

[azredhawk44]

I've got used dies from RCBS in 44mag, 357mag and .30-30.

The .30-30 dies gave me 3 touching holes at 50 yards with Hornady 170gr flatpoints and a near-max charge of H335. I was shooting from a bench and my rifle beat the hell out of my shoulder, so I didn't get to go out to 100 yards or further that day. Next time at the range, beware X-ring!

I don't think I have any other used equipment. I don't think I would trust a used powder measure or scale. Too critical of a piece of equipment to put blind faith in. Unless some sort of calibration and verification was available to me when buying...

 

[dtalley]

The only thing I have that is new is a Lee Auto Prime at around $10., a RCBS powder Funnel and 2 out of 9 sets of dies. Everything else is used and functioning properly.

 

[dmftoy1]

A used scale is easy to verify. You just pick up a set of check weights which is something everyone should probably have anyway. If you've got an accurate scale then a used powder measure is no sweat as long as it drops consistent charges.

Just my .02

Regards,
Dave

 

[Sheldon]

RCBS and Dillon are a pretty safe bet as they have a lifetime warranty of most everything that's not electrical or electronic in nature. I have gotten a lot of used reloading stuff locally and sold off what I don't need on Ebay. Most of the time I make a little and get to keep what I need to boot. That's how I got my two 650 presses. I even sold one off a third one locally for $500 with the casefeeder. The deals don't pop up as often as I'de like, but they do pop up now and then.....the trick is finding them!