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Alpacafarmer
Penny Pincher Member
130 Posts |
 Posted - 12/21/2009 : 15:09:16
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Hello all
I don't know if anyone here is into reloading but I have been thinking about getting into it and have a few questions.
I see reloaders from $50 to $1000+ and want to get something that will work for me without mortgaging the farm. In the past I have started a new hobby I start out cheap then keep adding things I should have had from the begining and that generally ends up much more expensive than buying the right stuff to start.
The two things I want to reload are 410 shotgun shells and 7mm rifle shells. It would also be nice if these would be able to load other rounds in the future if needed including 20, 12 gauge 45 long colt and 9mm hand gun rounds.
Any suggestions or sites that may help would be appreciated.
Thanks
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faithnotwork
Penny Pincher Member
USA
121 Posts |
Posted - 12/21/2009 : 16:34:00
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| RCBS has very good quality equipment. A bit higher priced than others, but their stuff is solid and resale value is also high. Check out some of the reloading departments of the sports stores, and you'll get an idea on quality. RCBS packages up some stuff well into their Master Kit, so that's something to consider. Its what I have. Also keep in mind how much you are going to reload. If just for yourself stay with single stage presses and take your time. Actually it is fun. |
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Delawhere Jack
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1680 Posts |
Posted - 12/21/2009 : 18:40:28
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Shotgun reloading generally uses different presses than rifle and pistol reloading, (though .410 dies may be available to fit a rifle/pistol press, I'm not sure).
I agree with FNW, start with a single stage press. It takes longer, but you'll get a good understanding of the process. Starting off with a progressive press can be frustrating and potentially dangerous. There are many steps occurring simaltaneously on a progressive press, such as charging the case with powder, something you do NOT want to do twice to any one case.
A basic RCBS single stage press is a good starting point, but for dies, I've always been satisfied with Lee, great quality and much cheaper. Most manufacturers use the same thread on the dies, so they interchange between brands. Regardless of brand, get good case lube for reloading rifle cases. I use Hornady "Unique" case lube. It comes in a little 3oz bottle, and you just touch your fingertip into it, then coat the outside of the cartridge lightly before sizing/depriming. DO NOT SKIP LUBING the case....those of you who have know why...
Buy a good powder scale. If you don't already have one, get either a dial or digital micrometer caliper. Get at least one, and preferrable several reloading manuals, the BIG ones, from Lyman, RCBS, Hornady etc. Look for ones that have several chapters on the reloading process. The Lyman manual is good in that regard.
You should be able to get started for about $300.
Most importantly, only reload when you can devote your undivided attention to it.
Enjoy, and welcome to the club!
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"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thomas Jefferson
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Edited by - Delawhere Jack on 12/21/2009 18:41:42 |
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faithnotwork
Penny Pincher Member
USA
121 Posts |
Posted - 12/21/2009 : 22:20:24
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The pistol dies that are carbide dont require lube, but most if not all of the rifle dies are NOT carbide and will require lube. Its interesting when you start out, there are so many little parts to reloading, alot of cool stuff to learn. And take your time, it'll be more fun that way.
Yes, as DJ mentioned, only reload when you devote your attention to it. If you are ever in any doubt about whether you double charged a case, dump it and recharge it. Not worth the potential problems that you could have with your safety and your guns. |
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Delawhere Jack
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1680 Posts |
Posted - 12/22/2009 : 19:29:44
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quote:
Originally posted by faithnotwork
The pistol dies that are carbide dont require lube, but most if not all of the rifle dies are NOT carbide and will require lube.
Thanks for the clarification, I was not clear about that point.
The reason that you MUST use lube on rifle cases is that, if you don't, you WILL get a case stuff inside the die. It is a mess trying to get a stuck case out. That said, if in doubt, use lube. Just be careful to not get it inside the case, only on the outside.
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"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thomas Jefferson
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wolvesdad
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
2164 Posts |
Posted - 12/23/2009 : 01:34:55
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| wow, a manly topic involving the repeated encouragement to be sure and use lube! You don't see that everyday! |
"May your percentages ever increase!" |
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NotABigDeal
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
3890 Posts |
Posted - 12/23/2009 : 06:20:13
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I'm new to the reloading as well. A few weeks ago I got a Hornady LnL progressive press. I set it up, but I've been too busy to even start. Looking forward to starting after the first of the year. Mine is setup to load .45's right now.
Deal |
Live free or die.
Plain and simple.
"If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from us in peace. We ask not your council or your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen."
- Samuel Adams |
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Delawhere Jack
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1680 Posts |
Posted - 12/23/2009 : 18:47:01
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quote:
Originally posted by wolvesdad
wow, a manly topic involving the repeated encouragement to be sure and use lube! You don't see that everyday!
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"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thomas Jefferson
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faithnotwork
Penny Pincher Member
USA
121 Posts |
Posted - 12/23/2009 : 19:42:32
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| Deal, on the progressive, be careful that your powder loader is working properly. Depending on the loader, you may have to run a few loads through the loader to be sure that that flow is accurate. Important to read directions on all of the equipment that you use. Also make sure you have a reloading guide. - book. for load information and safety. |
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Alpacafarmer
Penny Pincher Member
130 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2009 : 12:56:49
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| Ok picked up a RCBS rock chucker kit at china mart and am waiting on mid south to send dies, calipers, and case trimmer. Couldn't find primers but a buddy gave me few hundred to get started. The Lee dies I bought claim not to need lube but does not say they are carbide??? So if my shooting continues at same average rate as the past my equipment will be paid for in just over 25 years. Thanks everyone for your input. |
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Delawhere Jack
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1680 Posts |
Posted - 12/28/2009 : 18:03:06
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quote:
Originally posted by Alpacafarmer
Ok picked up a RCBS rock chucker kit at china mart and am waiting on mid south to send dies, calipers, and case trimmer. Couldn't find primers but a buddy gave me few hundred to get started. The Lee dies I bought claim not to need lube but does not say they are carbide??? So if my shooting continues at same average rate as the past my equipment will be paid for in just over 25 years. Thanks everyone for your input.
Lube ALL rifle cases, you'll be sorry if you don't. For pistol, try sizing one. If you need to lean on the lever to get it into the die, STOP, back it out, then lube them too, but you shouldn't need to. You'll probably never need to length-trim pistol cases, just rifle cases.
BTW, you'll want to bolt or clamp the press on a sturdy bench...
You did get a good reloading manual...right?
Don't worry about the savings. When you're making rounds for 1/2-1/3 the price of new stuff, you'll suddenly find yourself shooting alot more.
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"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thomas Jefferson
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Delawhere Jack
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1680 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2010 : 18:23:08
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quote:
Originally posted by TnAndy
Out of curiosity, why did you go with Lee dies for an RCBS press ?
Price. And I've never been dissapointed with Lee dies. If I were loading for benchrest type accuracy, I'd step up to RCBS or Forester, but for informal target shooting and hunting, I find Lee more than adequate and 1/4- 1/3 less expensive.
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"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thomas Jefferson
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Ponce
Penny Hoarding Member
Cuba
630 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2010 : 18:25:12
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How much shooting are you guys planing on doing?, getting ready for war or for pleasure... if it for war you then get the other guys equipment or he gets yours, it might now be the same caliber as yours but......how much ammo do you already have in stock? how much of it do you intent to use at once?......do you intend to shoot and reload, shoot and reload over and over again and again?
For pleasure? Uncle Sugar wil be on the hunt for those shooting their weapons unless you are far away from everyone......hide your weapons and don't take all out at once.....don't hide any new weapons or ammo with the old ones, why? ..... they could hide a micro tracker in your new weapon and ammo and then track them to your stach with ALL your weapons and ammo.
If they do mark all new ammo then use the new ammo for pleasure and the old one for business.
Don't sell or trade any of your weapons or ammo... what you have now could be all that you will have for ever and ever.
Remember that "The Man" has now the capability to bypass your walls and see what's behind them, keep everything away from home.......until the times comes. |
"If you don't hold it, you don't own it"...Ponce |
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Alpacafarmer
Penny Pincher Member
130 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 12:18:03
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quote:
Originally posted by TnAndy
Rock chucker is the press I use....good, solid press.....not fast, but you can crank out several hundred rounds in an evening of reloading.....plenty fast enough unless you're supplying a platoon.
Out of curiosity, why did you go with Lee dies for an RCBS press ?
Also, don't forget the shell holder for each caliber you get dies for....
Primers and powder are going to be the hard thing to find right now....every place is short or just plain out. I got 5,000 CCI small pistol primers from Cabela's online and ordered a 8lb keg of powder the same time....primers came in about a month, I' waiting nearly 3 months on the powder.
I went with the Lee dies because you don't have to use lube when reloading shells that you have previously shot out of the same gun, They claim 10 times longer brass life, comes with a shell holder, has a 3rd die if you are using brass that was fired from another gun (these you must lube) oh yeah they where also less money! |
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Alpacafarmer
Penny Pincher Member
130 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2010 : 12:37:38
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| I have been doing some reloading now and have been having fun. I was amazed at the improved accuracy of the 7mm rounds. I also bought a MEC for reloading 410 shells and a Lee Load All for 12 gauge. I've reloaded a bit with the MEC and like it. It has a lot more punch than the factory shells and cost less than a third to load. Have not used the Load All yet as I have no empty shells and to much snow to go out and empty them. Figured I won't save much reloading 12 gauge shells but like the idea of being able to if needed. Could never figure out why 410 shells are twice the price of 12 gauge with half lead and powder. |
Edited by - Alpacafarmer on 02/17/2010 12:42:30 |
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Delawhere Jack
1000+ Penny Miser Member
USA
1680 Posts |
Posted - 02/20/2010 : 11:21:51
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quote:
Originally posted by Alpacafarmer
I was amazed at the improved accuracy of the 7mm rounds.
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"Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty." Thomas Jefferson
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reloading equipment
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