I'm wanting to get started reloading.
I've looked at the RCBS "Rock Chucker Supreme" kit and the Lee Loadmaster Press Complete and am quite uncertain about what I'd be buying, what else I ought to buy, or even if these two outfits are the best overall choice.
I want to start with .223 and 30-06 and later add .40S&W, 9mm and maybe one more.
Some of you that have been doing it for some time now could very likely tell what not to do and I'd be appreciative of the info.
Never bought a kit. My stuff was piece by piece.
You need (minimum):
powder scale (even if you have a powder measure you have to confirm the setting after each adjustment)
press (resizes the fired cases, removes the primers, seats the new bullets)
dies with shell holder (holds the rim of the case as it goes into/out of the dies)
a way to install the primers (I like the Lee hand operated unit and it will do both small and large primers, rifle or pistol)
at least a couple of reloading manuals, maybe three (some will contain info not contained in others)
a dial (or new fangled electronic) caliper for measuring case length when setting up your case trimmer and measureing overall length of the loaded cartridge
a way to clean your cases (I didn't buy a case tumbler for a couple of years either, but I have one now)
I eventually bought a case trimmer but I had been reloading for a couple of years first, but a case trimmer is a good idea to help insure the case isn't so long it causes excess pressure.
There are some little accessories that make the job easier:
a powder trickler if you're going to weigh powder charges
a tool to chamfer the case necks inside and outside
a primer pocket swager if you use have some military cases with crimped in primers (this only has to be done once, the first time you use them)
The RCBS "Rock Chucker Supreme" kit is close to a complete kit to get you started. It is missing a case length trimmer.
I had planned to purchase that exact same kit but fell into a local bargain on a used setup.
For rifle cartridges, I would recommend a single stage or turret, particularly if you have never reloaded before.
Too many things to keep track of/too many moving parts on a progressive for a newbie. 50,000 psi is nothing to fool around with.
SoM
Are these things upgradable once one gets a handle on the doing, single to turret and then turret to progressive?
I'm a quick study, but willing to learn safely.
I started with the Lee stuff. Cheaper to learn on and to make sure that you really want to do this. For the most part when you want to upgrade you are going to need to buy a new press. I think that you should start with a single stage press. Lee has an anniversary kit that comes with everything that you will need, including a reloading book, other than brass, bullets, primers, and powder. Its slower that way but when you get the hang of it you can figure out what you want to get to make you get faster.
Raymon
Press frames are not really upgradeable. The turret press is in between a single stage and a progressive, in that it has a rotatable turret with 3 or 4 die stations, so you can install and adjust the dies ONCE. After they are set you just swap turrets to change calibers and don't have to fiddle around.
Most turret presses have an auto-index feature, which rotates the turret one die station per pull of the handle. I would disable this to start with. Use it like a single stage so you can "batch" reload--IOW, run all cases through the sizing die, then rotate the turret manually. Clean cases, prime and charge, then run through the seater die. Rotate turret, run all through the crimp die. Inspect and you're done. For pistol reloading, the auto-index is great--it is easier to make safe and functional (straight wall) pistol cartridges, and can be done fast.
Second the Lee recommendation--it is very cost effective, and will deliver safe and functional loads for years. If you decide you like reloading but don't care for the Lee gear you haven't spent much and can pass it on to some starving college Appleseeder. Whether you go with Lee or not, take a close look at their factory crimp die. It is much better than standard crimp dies in that it separates the seating and crimping operations (crimping a moving bullet always seemed hinky to me), and tolerates slight differences in case length with no ill effects. Using this die (especially coupled with the RCBS X-die) has allowed me to reload cases multiple times without having to trim in between. Once you've trimmed a batch, you will appreciate not having to do it again for a while.
For reloading for semi-auto rifles, I would get the aforementioned X-dies, and specify the "small base" version. It might shorten the case life slightly (though I am on reload #6 of some .30 cal brass with no incipient failure indicators), but in the meantime the cartridges will be safer and more reliable. Standard full-length sizer dies are fine for boltguns or lever actions, but semis may not reliably chamber brass from such. This becomes especially important if you fire the reloads in different rifles--sooner or later it will meet up with a tight chamber. The small-base dies do everything that can be done to make reloads right.
SoM
Ditto the Lee crimp die.
Okay, to start the learning process I think that I need to order the following:
90050 Lee 50th Anniv. Breech Lock Press Kit
90114 Lee Case length gauge & shellholder (.223)
90817 Lee Crimping Die (.223)
38862 RCBS X-dies, small base, (.223)
Is that about it?
Also P/N 90277--Modern Reloading manual. Excellent read, and has load data.
SoM
Gentlemen:
Thank you for your assistance.
Son of Martha, I don't know if you remember me or not, but you were my Line Boss at Toccoa back last November. I felt that my experience at that Appleseed was remarkably rewarding and I know that my shooting skills have improved as a result. We're thinking about coming to Ramseur this coming weekend and would like to have the opportunity to learn from you again.
Yup, right side of the firing line... :)
Ramseur is always good--everyone should go at least once. If you go, make sure to bring a centerfire--you likely will get a chance at the popups on the 500 yard range <:)
I won't be there (gotta get a Red Cross cert that day), but you'll be in good hands.
SoM
I've been to CMP since November and am the proud owner of a 1954 model H&R M1 Garand for just such an opportunity.
I'm sorry to hear that we will not cross paths there if we are able to go.