Reloading - Basic Kit

[johnnytheboy]

So I want to start reloading, I have loaded shotgun cartridges for years and have all of that kit, so weighing powder etc is ok, I have the tools for that.

However what kit do I need for .243 reloading? Just a basic starters kit!

Thanks in advance

 

[gelert]

Aside from press,dies hand priming tool etc I found the ogive tool really useful for measuring consistency.
Kinetic hammer,a good set of calipers case trim tool with a cheapo drill works well.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

Minimal kit suggestion:

LEE LOADER

Everything you need to begin reloading one calibre. Youll save enough to pay for it in the first hour!Select your calibre from the drop down menu below.

www.henrykrank.com

Especially if you already have the ability to weigh and measure powder.

 

[webley701]

Buy a good reloading manual such as Lyman or Hornady which have good chapters on equipment & how to use it plus of course load data.

 

[Sonicdmb73]

So I want to start reloading, I have loaded shotgun cartridges for years and have all of that kit, so weighing powder etc is ok, I have the tools for that.

However what kit do I need for .243 reloading? Just a basic starters kit!

Thanks in advance

So the proverbial piece of string.
A Lee loader will do the job. Alternatively you could start as many do with the Lee classic kit, I would recommend Modern Reloading By Richard Lee to go with it. Add your dies, a length trimer and a set of verniers. You can start reloading. You can spend a bit more on RCBS etc there are various kits available, you pay your money and make your choice.
You will probably find that you will add to the basic kit as you go along. Some bits make life a bit quicker and easier (my sons new (to him) RCBS loadmaster 1500 for instance), some bits help get those last few thou for bench rest or long range crows.
Do you need a tumbler? No but they are nice to have. I could go on but you won't go far wrong with this. LEE BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER KIT or this LEE 50TH ANNIVERSARY BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER KIT

 

[mike243]

I dont use anything fancy, it's not necessary, I use the RCBS partner press, Redding full length die set with the stem removed from the FL resizing die, Dillon Beam scale, Lee decapping die, Lee case length trimmer and a locking shell holder that fits in a battery drill, Lee case neck chamfer tool, Frankford Arsenal Vernier Caliper, Hornady head space gauge, Hornady Bullet comparator, Hornady OAL gauge, K&M expander mandrel die and mandrel, Lee powder dispenser, RCBS trickler, Lee primer die, Lanolin and isopropyl alcohol lube, I dont have any fancy case cleaner, battery drill, locking shell holder and some 0000 steel wool and a plastic case neck brush, the best tool you will ever aquire will be understanding what you want to achieve and how to use the tools you have to get there, reloading is a very deep Rabbit hole, I choose not to go too far down it but I'm sure there are some on here that haven't seen the light of day in years, and if that is your thing good on ya, there is an amazing amount of knowledge on this site to be had, youtube is another fntastic resourse

 

[angusb1]

"Vernier Caliper, Hornady head space gauge, Hornady Bullet comparator"

Definitely get these. Very useful to be able to accurately measure shoulder to case head and seating depth consistently. I also agree a decent beam scale is well worth having too.

 

[25 Sharps]

So the proverbial piece of string.
A Lee loader will do the job. Alternatively you could start as many do with the Lee classic kit, I would recommend Modern Reloading By Richard Lee to go with it. Add your dies, a length trimer and a set of verniers. You can start reloading. You can spend a bit more on RCBS etc there are various kits available, you pay your money and make your choice.
You will probably find that you will add to the basic kit as you go along. Some bits make life a bit quicker and easier (my sons new (to him) RCBS loadmaster 1500 for instance), some bits help get those last few thou for bench rest or long range crows.
Do you need a tumbler? No but they are nice to have. I could go on but you won't go far wrong with this. LEE BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER KIT or this LEE 50TH ANNIVERSARY BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER KIT

This is good advice, I would add a manual powder trickler, they’re not a lot of money and help getting those last few grains just right.

Then if you get into it swap the manual trickler for an electronic Targetmaster trickler, often in here for around £90 secondhand. You will probably update the scales at some point as well, a second hand set of RCBS 505s at around £60. They won’t necewsaybe more accurate than the Lee scales but will settle quicker.

I remember the Lee kit being about £120!