Intro Reloading Setup

[OXN939]

Since it's my patriotic duty to put this beer virus stimulus check back into the American economy...

Done some reloading on friends' setups in the past, but never owned one myself. Would basically be reloading smaller volumes of hunting ammo for rifles for the olde performance increases and cost decreases vs. factory ammo. What kind of setup would yall recommend for getting one's feet wet in the reloading game at a reasonable cost?

 

[archp625]

Since it's my patriotic duty to put this beer virus stimulus check back into the American economy...

Done some reloading on friends' setups in the past, but never owned one myself. Would basically be reloading smaller volumes of hunting ammo for rifles for the olde performance increases and cost decreases vs. factory ammo. What kind of setup would yall recommend for getting one's feet wet in the reloading game at a reasonable cost?

How much money are you wanting to spend? The only reason why I am asking is that will help all of us on what to recommend. I will start with what I would do. I just started reloading and the advice I got was to not buy a kit and get the components that you want. From what I hear the kits are fine but you will eventually replace just about everything but the press.

I am working on a parts list and procedure of what I do and what I got to help others that are in my same situation. I have it written, I just need to polish it up before I post it on here.

 

[OXN939]

How much money are you wanting to spend? The only reason why I am asking is that will help all of us on what to recommend. I will start with what I would do. I just started reloading and the advice I got was to not buy a kit and get the components that you want. From what I hear the kits are fine but you will eventually replace just about everything but the press.

I am working on a parts list and procedure of what I do and what I got to help others that are in my same situation. I have it written, I just need to polish it up before I post it on here.

Let's say $450. I know the Rock Chucker kit from RCBS is a good starting point, but also that, like you said, a lot of components get replaced pretty quickly.

That being said, I'm a "hunter reloader" and don't need all the bells and whistles to attain benchrest world championship accuracy. My standard for rifles I hunt with is 1.5 MOA systemic accuracy.

 

[archp625]

Let's say $450. I know the Rock Chucker kit from RCBS is a good starting point, but also that, like you said, a lot of components get replaced pretty quickly.

That being said, I'm a "hunter reloader" and don't need all the bells and whistles to attain benchrest world championship accuracy. My standard for rifles I hunt with is 1.5 MOA systemic accuracy.

I am in your same boat. I'm loading for hunting rounds and not benchrest shooting. I will say that I strive for benchrest quality out of my set up.

I think the best thing to do is buy a little bit at a time. That's what I did. I totaled everything up minus the brass, bullets, primers, and powder and I'm at $900.

Here is something i threw together to help myself and others:

Steps for Reloading

Disclaimer: This is a reference guide that I put together to help others that are starting to reload. I am not responsible for any mishaps or problems.​

EQUIPMENT:

RCBS Chargemaster Lite scale and powder charger ($220 – Natchez)

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press ($150 – Natchez)

Lyman tumbler ($60 – Natchez)

Lee decapping die (~ $12)

Lyman case trimmer kit (not needed in my opinion for 3-4 firings) (~$100)

Hornady full length resizing and seating die (get the dies of your choice) (~ $35-$80)

RCBS hand priming tool ($70)

RCBS shell holder ($8)

Lyman chamfer and deburring tool (~ $25)

RCBS neck brush ($4)

Case tray ($10)

Hornady One Shot lube ($10)

Microfiber cloth (~$10)

Small Cookie Sheet (~$5 Walmart)

RCBS Powder funnel ($6)

RCBS Digital Calipers ($75)

Hornady comparator gauge ($30)

Corn Cob media (~$20)

Total ~$900

PROCEDURE:

• Inspect all brass cases for cracks, splits, or defects.
• Deprime brass with Lee Decapping die.
• Run ram all the way up with the shell holder attached.
• Screw Decapping die all the way down until it touches the shell holder.
• Makes sure the decapping pin is sticking out roughly 3/16”
• Place brass case in shell holder and move handle down until primer comes out.
• Tumble brass cases in Lyman tumbler with Corn cob media and polish.
• Clean for 6 hours or when brass is clean and shiny.
• Wipe all the polish off the brass using a cloth (microfiber recommended).
• Inspect brass again for cracks, splits, or defects.
• Place brass on cookie sheet and spray at a 45-degree angle on all 4 sides.
• Use RCBS neck brush and make sure inside neck is lubed.
• Let brass sit for 5-10 minutes to let the solvent evaporate off.
• Full length size the brass case.
• Run ram all the way up with the shell holder attached.
• Screw in full length resizing die until it touches the shell holder.
• Snug up die.
• Make sure the decapper is sticking out 3/16”
• Place brass case in shell holder and run ram handle down until brass is resized.
• Wipe off outside of case to remove lube with cloth (microfiber recommended).
• Check brass case against manual to see case length.
• Don’t trim brass unless its over the overall length in Manual.
• Its optimal to have all the brass cases the same length.
• Clean primer pocket with tool until little to no carbon is in the primer pocket.
• Rotate 10-15 times and inspect for carbon (black in color).
• Chamfer and Deburr case necks using tool.
• Rotate 3-5 times with tool.
• Using Hand primer, prime all cases.
• Make sure all primer pockets are tight and primers are loose or fall out.
• Make sure primer is seated so they are flush with the case bottom.
• Warm up RCBS Chargemaster lite for 30 minutes prior to use.
• Calibrate balance using weights provided.
• Pour powder in the tube.
• Dispense powder in pan to the weight you want. Redo and discard back into tube 3-4 times (This is my priming step).
• Once balance is set up, place cases upside down (necks down) in case tray.
• Inspect all cases have primers in them.
• Weigh desired powder in weight pan.
• Flip the first case over, using the powder funnel pour the powder slowly into case. Continue until all cases are charged with desired powder charge.
• Using a flashlight shine into cases at an angle to make sure all cases have about the same about of powder. This is a safety check.
• Set up seating die.
• Place shell in shell holder.
• Run ram all the way up with the case in the shell holder.
• Start to screw in the seating die until it touches the case.
• Back die one full turn (this is for non-crimped bullets).
• Tighten up die.
• Lower ram down and place bullet into neck.
• Run ram up until the seating die barely seats bullet.
• Using a caliper and comparator gauge measure case.
• Make adjustment on seating die until your desired length. Its best to go off CBTO (Case bottom to Ogive) on measurement.
• Weight all completed cartridges to make sure nothing stands out (Second Safety Check).
• You have a completed cartridge ready to shoot.

 

[OXN939]

I am in your same boat. I'm loading for hunting rounds and not benchrest shooting. I will say that I strive for benchrest quality out of my set up.

I think the best thing to do is buy a little bit at a time. That's what I did. I totaled everything up minus the brass, bullets, primers, and powder and I'm at $900.

Here is something i threw together to help myself and others:

Steps for Reloading

Disclaimer: This is a reference guide that I put together to help others that are starting to reload. I am not responsible for any mishaps or problems.​

EQUIPMENT:

RCBS Chargemaster Lite scale and powder charger ($220 – Natchez)

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press ($150 – Natchez)

Lyman tumbler ($60 – Natchez)

Lee decapping die (~ $12)

Lyman case trimmer kit (not needed in my opinion for 3-4 firings) (~$100)

Hornady full length resizing and seating die (get the dies of your choice) (~ $35-$80)

RCBS hand priming tool ($70)

RCBS shell holder ($8)

Lyman chamfer and deburring tool (~ $25)

RCBS neck brush ($4)

Case tray ($10)

Hornady One Shot lube ($10)

Microfiber cloth (~$10)

Small Cookie Sheet (~$5 Walmart)

RCBS Powder funnel ($6)

RCBS Digital Calipers ($75)

Hornady comparator gauge ($30)

Corn Cob media (~$20)

Total ~$900

PROCEDURE:

• Inspect all brass cases for cracks, splits, or defects.
• Deprime brass with Lee Decapping die.
• Run ram all the way up with the shell holder attached.
• Screw Decapping die all the way down until it touches the shell holder.
• Makes sure the decapping pin is sticking out roughly 3/16”
• Place brass case in shell holder and move handle down until primer comes out.
• Tumble brass cases in Lyman tumbler with Corn cob media and polish.
• Clean for 6 hours or when brass is clean and shiny.
• Wipe all the polish off the brass using a cloth (microfiber recommended).
• Inspect brass again for cracks, splits, or defects.
• Place brass on cookie sheet and spray at a 45-degree angle on all 4 sides.
• Use RCBS neck brush and make sure inside neck is lubed.
• Let brass sit for 5-10 minutes to let the solvent evaporate off.
• Full length size the brass case.
• Run ram all the way up with the shell holder attached.
• Screw in full length resizing die until it touches the shell holder.
• Snug up die.
• Make sure the decapper is sticking out 3/16”
• Place brass case in shell holder and run ram handle down until brass is resized.
• Wipe off outside of case to remove lube with cloth (microfiber recommended).
• Check brass case against manual to see case length.
• Don’t trim brass unless its over the overall length in Manual.
• Its optimal to have all the brass cases the same length.
• Clean primer pocket with tool until little to no carbon is in the primer pocket.
• Rotate 10-15 times and inspect for carbon (black in color).
• Chamfer and Deburr case necks using tool.
• Rotate 3-5 times with tool.
• Using Hand primer, prime all cases.
• Make sure all primer pockets are tight and primers are loose or fall out.
• Make sure primer is seated so they are flush with the case bottom.
• Warm up RCBS Chargemaster lite for 30 minutes prior to use.
• Calibrate balance using weights provided.
• Pour powder in the tube.
• Dispense powder in pan to the weight you want. Redo and discard back into tube 3-4 times (This is my priming step).
• Once balance is set up, place cases upside down (necks down) in case tray.
• Inspect all cases have primers in them.
• Weigh desired powder in weight pan.
• Flip the first case over, using the powder funnel pour the powder slowly into case. Continue until all cases are charged with desired powder charge.
• Using a flashlight shine into cases at an angle to make sure all cases have about the same about of powder. This is a safety check.
• Set up seating die.
• Place shell in shell holder.
• Run ram all the way up with the case in the shell holder.
• Start to screw in the seating die until it touches the case.
• Back die one full turn (this is for non-crimped bullets).
• Tighten up die.
• Lower ram down and place bullet into neck.
• Run ram up until the seating die barely seats bullet.
• Using a caliper and comparator gauge measure case.
• Make adjustment on seating die until your desired length. Its best to go off CBTO (Case bottom to Ogive) on measurement.
• Weight all completed cartridges to make sure nothing stands out (Second Safety Check).
• You have a completed cartridge ready to shoot.

Thanks for the thoughtful response. I think $900 is a little above budget at this point. Right now looking like the Rock Chucker plus a decent caliper might do the trick.

 

[Nealm66]

Lol, I went a lot of years with just the basics. Don’t be surprised to accomplish better that 1.5 moa with an rcbs kit and dies. The problem is the addiction

 

[archp625]

Here is my word document

Lol, I went a lot of years with just the basics. Don’t be surprised to accomplish better that 1.5 moa with an rcbs kit and dies. The problem is the addiction

1.5 MOA groups?

 

[cornfedkiller]

I don't have much for fancy equipment, but I shoot 1/2 moa groups and thats good enough for me.

- RCBS Partner Press ($90)
- Hornady Dies ($35)
- RCBS Chargemaster Lite ($280). Started with a simple frankfurt arsenal scale and a trickler and it worked fine, but just very slow.
- Lyman case prep multi tool ($20ish)
- $20 caliper off amazon, can't remember which one right now
- Couple case trays
- Hornady unique case lube ($5)

I've since added a hornady case trimmer, but like mentioned above, it isn't needed right away. I also bought a harbor freight tumbler, but that's not a requirement either.