okiedog Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Yep, thats right another newbie reloading question:rolleyes:. Ok, I'am dead set on buying reloading equipment, but I am unsure on where to start, and what I will need. I know to read the loading manuals several times, and then read it again:). Safety is my 1st priority in this. I'am not looking to save a bunch of money, I'am looking to make the best loads for my rifles that I can. I have done the searchs on the forums and also on the internet, but I am not finding a good list of supplies that I will need. I dont want to make a $600 dollar order and find out I forgot a $15 pc of equipment that would be useful in making my loads. I am looking at starting with a RCBS kit, but there are alot of different ones with different pcs in them. What I am looking for is a ABOVE basic list of items to get started. I am going to just start out reloading 243. Anyone that has good experience with reloading and willing to help me out, I would be greatly thankful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mailmanmark Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 reloading check out accuratereloading.com I get alot of good info at this site. Good luck..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted February 25, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 This is the press kit I'am looking into: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=646599#enlarge Along with this kit I'am looking at purchasing: Manual case trimmer Primer pocket cleaner Flash hole deburring tool Lyman Manual Does that equipment look about right? On the dies, I'am honestly lost:rolleyes:. There looks to be alot of options (singles, sets, etc) I'am looking to just purchase the tools to do 243 to start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted February 25, 2009 Report Share Posted February 25, 2009 Okiedog- I am really wishing you could find somebody local to give you an over the shoulder eyeball as you first make your way through the process. It really helps. Written instructions can be so darn confusing and occasionally not stress the importance of certain vital steps. I had my brother-in-law help me get set up and run through the procedure the first few times. No it's not absolutely necessary, but it's always a bit reassuring if nothing else. Are there any gun clubs or other individuals locally that might be able to give you a hand? Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 If you're going to be trimming cases you'll need a caliper. You'll also need the RCBS shell holder for a .243 along with your die set. That's one of those $7 items you sure don't want to forget. You might want to buy some spare decaping pins for the resizing/decaping die too just in case you break one. If you do and don't have a spare you're out of business until you get another one. That's another $5 item. The die set for a .243 is a 2 die set. I'm not sure if the shell holder for the case trimmer you're getting comes with that either. If not, you'll need that shell holder too. That's another $6 item. Also, I prefer using the spray on case lube instead of that stuff that you use with the lube pad. It wipes off a lot easier. You may need a powder trickler too. Most rifle powers are rod powers and you don't get an accurate flow with rod shapped powders through the universal powder measure. You'll have to weigh each powder charge and then adjust it for the correct weight. That's all I can think of right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted February 26, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 Thanks for everyones input. As far as knowing someone that reloads.. I do and I don't:D. A really good friend of mine has reloaded for years, but he is stationed down in Texas for proable the next year for work. I did speak with him on the phone last night and gave some good insight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted February 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 For the sake of someone doing searchs on reloading like I did, there are some really good videos on RSCB's website. I did make it down to the local gun shop and bought a couple of manuals which made for good reading material during lunch. I'am going to do some research on the calibers I'am looking to do in the future and see if I can find a common powder to use for most of them. I had no idea there where so many types and mfj's of powders. Did most of you end up find one brand of powder you liked more than the others? This is going to get expensive really quick:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 For the sake of someone doing searchs on reloading like I did, there are some really good videos on RSCB's website. I did make it down to the local gun shop and bought a couple of manuals which made for good reading material during lunch. I'am going to do some research on the calibers I'am looking to do in the future and see if I can find a common powder to use for most of them. I had no idea there where so many types and mfj's of powders. Did most of you end up find one brand of powder you liked more than the others? This is going to get expensive really quick:) I have settled in on a couple different powders that seem to work well in the guns that I am reloading for. Yes, it does get expensive with all the different trial and error stabs you have to take to determine just which combinations of components work best out of your guns. But, remember, that is most likely one of the reasons why you are reloading ......... so that you can fine-tune your groups to something better than the limited commercial choices. Just be careful on consistancy of procedures and volumes and sizes so that as you experiment, the results that you see are from the components and not some variation that you have let creep into your process. This will save you making a whole lot of faulty trials and costing you even more money than it should. That brings up another point in equipment selections. When unsure, ALWAYS go for the equipment that will produce the best accuracy. Each individual component of your reloading set-up should be an independant study all of its own. That too will save you money in the long run. Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted February 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Thanks for the info Doc:). I have been really studing the equipment. There are several pcs that all do the same thing, just some look like they preform better than the others. That is what I'am really trying to figure out, I want to buy quality stuff the first time around to get the most out of what I do. I'am not looking to buy $200 worth of equipment to start, but not looking to purchase $1500 either. I think I can get a good quality setup for around $500-$600 I'am just trying to figure out what those pcs are:). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 I bought the lee challenger kit and have been very happy with it. My first set of dies was also lee and I'm not quite as happy with them. All my other dies are RCBS and have been flawless. My 243 shoots best with IMR 7828SSC which is cut short so it meters better and you'll do less tricking. Things that are a must beyond the kit. Shell holders- can't do anything without them. Bullet puller- You WILL make mistakes and this will help fix them. Tumbler/media/seperator/polish-hand cleaning the first 200 convinced me I need this. Spray lube- I use it too. A lot less hassle, a little more expensive. Electronic scale-this is still on my want list. I'd really like to have two scales to use at the same time to measure quicker. Notebook to keep up with your loads and results. Don't make your mind up that you want to use a common powder for different guns. It may not work out for you. That being said, my 243and 25-06 both shoot the best with the aforementioned 7828ssc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tped Posted February 28, 2009 Report Share Posted February 28, 2009 Hard to beat the old RCBS Rockchukar press for starters and it will last a lifetime. I would suggest getting one of the kits as it will have everything short of dies to get you started. Second choice would be the Lyman expert kit with the turret press which also gives you just about all you need to get started and the turret lets you set up all the dies and leave them that way if you load one caliber on a regular basis. If you are going to load large magnums stick with the Rockchukar though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DannoBoone1 Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 All good suggestions. Also, if you plan on shooting any boat tail bullets, you should get a VLD neck chamferring tool. Seems like mine is Lyman, but I believe RCBS also has them. This gives a longer and better chamfer inside the neck, and also works better for flat based bullets. A GREAT case trimmer is made by Lee. It is caliber specific, and cuts down the neck to SAAMI specks. Using the drill attachment, it takes very little time to whittle 50 cases down to size. The only downside is that it trims to just that one length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adjam5 Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Your .243 shell holder will also work on .308,7mm-08 and any other cartridge based on the .308 cartridge. Some of the other shell holders will cover a few other cartridges as well. Not being disturbed is a very big thing while you are rollin' your own. Make sure you complete each step carefully and it does not hurt to visually check each case for powder. I too am a RCBS fan. They have a great replacement policy too in case you break anything such as de primers:rolleyes: Like I have when I first got started. Enjoy and have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m gardner Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 I left all my reloading and bullet casting stuff with my brother in law when I came out west 12 years ago so I got new stuff. I got the RCBS Partner press, RCBS powder scale, RCBS powder measure, Lee trimmer (goes in your drill), wilson chamfer tool, primer pocket cleaner, Hornaday One Shot spray lube, Hornaday tunmbler with walnut lube. Dies and shellholder about finishes it off if I remember correctly. I shoot Hodgdon Varget in most applications for rifle. It's hot out here and it gives me less trouble if it gets over 100 degrees. One thing I learned quickly. Turn off the fan or AC with the powder scale! Wind blowing on the scale is bad. The powder measure lets me charge cases and stay cool. Check the primer flash holes for media from the tumbling operation and remove it if any is stuck in the holes. I may have forgotten something but I'm sure you have enough info here to get started safely. Have fun! mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 All good suggestions. Also, if you plan on shooting any boat tail bullets, you should get a VLD neck chamferring tool. Seems like mine is Lyman, but I believe RCBS also has them. This gives a longer and better chamfer inside the neck, and also works better for flat based bullets. A GREAT case trimmer is made by Lee. It is caliber specific, and cuts down the neck to SAAMI specks. Using the drill attachment, it takes very little time to whittle 50 cases down to size. The only downside is that it trims to just that one length. I use that same case trimmer and it is really fast, probably 5 seconds including chamfering the inside and out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
csualumni21000 Posted March 14, 2009 Report Share Posted March 14, 2009 Sniper's hide has all you need to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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