Reloading equipment advice

[Ouhout]

I’ve bought a used 1980 RCBS Rock Chucker reloading press & a set of RCBS dies in .243. All in very good condition. The press weighs 7.5kg!

I have some reloading experience but that was about 10 years ago.

I’m looking for advice on the remaining gear I need to reload .243 & .270 (non lead)

Do I stick to all RCBS made gear & build up a kit again or for eg is there a non RCBS scale you’d recommend instead.

Looking for good quality but basic items to reload about 50 rounds per calibre each year once Ive worked up the loads I need.

This is for stalking needs.

Thank you

 

[tfb]

The mechanical scales are all (I think all) are built by Ohaus not RCBS, Hornaday, Dillon etc. Lee may be different as they are all plastic. Not a big fan of the Lee scales as I find it hard to see the vernier scale on them.

 

[Uncle Norm]

You'll get lots of advice on the kit required. As you're loading only 50 rounds per year in two calibres, I would advise you to keep it minimal.
For stalking use you only need to load to factory standard dimensions. Do get a Lee Factory Crimp Die for each cartridge. They are as cheap and chips and make a significant difference.

 

[ofbiro]

RCBS gear are great and I use them with pleasure and good results. The only exception IMHO is the Lee primer. A fantastically efficient hand tool. The only disadvantage is the dedicated shell holder, different fro the others.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

I’ve bought a used 1980 RCBS Rock Chucker reloading press & a set of RCBS dies in .243. All in very good condition. The press weighs 7.5kg!

I have some reloading experience but that was about 10 years ago.

I’m looking for advice on the remaining gear I need to reload .243 & .270 (non lead)

Do I stick to all RCBS made gear & build up a kit again or for eg is there a non RCBS scale you’d recommend instead.

Looking for good quality but basic items to reload about 50 rounds per calibre each year once Ive worked up the loads I need.

This is for stalking needs.

Thank you

Mix and match, i’ve loaded extremely accurate ammunition with Lee dies, as well as RCBS, my little tub because they only load one calibre now sits under the desk in my office. I have two holes drilled in my desk for my press, and in that little tub you will find the most mixing match selection of reloading gear that I’ve collected over the years.

It all works some more expensive than others. It just depends on how deep your pockets are.

 

[Demetrius]

The little bench mounted Lee primer tool is better.......(I've used both)

D.

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

The little bench mounted Lee primer tool is better.......(I've used both)

D.

That’s fine if you’re reloading a lot, 50 rounds what the OP states is not here or there so a hand tool is in my opinion the way to go, the new version of the Lee hand primal is bloody good bought one not that long ago myself

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

You'll get lots of advice on the kit required. As you're loading only 50 rounds per year in two calibres, I would advise you to keep it minimal.
For stalking use you only need to load to factory standard dimensions. Do get a Lee Factory Crimp Die for each cartridge. They are as cheap and chips and make a significant difference.

I’ve never crimped a bullet ever!

Just one of those little bitch jobs that I’ve never needed to do, but each to their own

 

[Smallholder]

I've used a Rockchucker press for years with Lee dies without issue. For a small number of rounds the press mounted primer is fine.

I'd add a Lee case length trimmer, primer pocket cleaner and a set of RCBS scales, second hand have been fine.

 

[Cloudhopper]

When I started hand loading 12 years ago I bought a Lyman Gen 6 electronic powder dispenser. It's still going strong, might be worth trying to pick one up secondhand?
CH

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

If your only loading a small volume then a set of mechanical scales are idea. The in build primer press is also ideal tbh. Never seen the need for the hand tools.

Digital are amazing but to get good ones you have to pay a good whack. The cheap ones are just way to inconsistent for the repetition/accuracy you need.

 

[Ouhout]

Mix and match, i’ve loaded extremely accurate ammunition with Lee dies, as well as RCBS, my little tub because they only load one calibre now sits under the desk in my office. I have two holes drilled in my desk for my press, and in that little tub you will find the most mixing match selection of reloading gear that I’ve collected over the years.

It all works some more expensive than others. It just depends on how deep your pockets are.

I agree, because I havent bought a kit, its an opportunity to pick out whats recommended. I was leaning towards a digital scale for £50-£100 but seems the mechanical are more reliable?

 

[Ouhout]

If your only loading a small volume then a set of mechanical scales are idea. The in build primer press is also ideal tbh. Never seen the need for the hand tools.

Digital are amazing but to get good ones you have to pay a good whack. The cheap ones are just way to inconsistent for the repetition/accuracy you need.

Which digital ones would you recommend? Thank you

 

[Norfolk Deer Search]

Which digital ones would you recommend? Thank you

I’ve got the lyman pocket jobs, you can soon load up 50 rounds in about half an hour or so. The big scales are and powder dispensers are fine if you’re proper whacking target a paper wholesale.

 

[Stevie/P]

Looking for good quality but basic items to reload about 50 rounds per calibre each year once Ive worked up the loads I need.

Not worth it just buy factory ammo save your money and time.

 

[Stalker-of-the-deer]

Which digital ones would you recommend? Thank you

Genuinely the only digital ones I would touch are the fx120i or somthing similar now I have a set or the rcbs loadmaster stuff.

They cost a fortune but your not constantly re zeroing them and I know if I throw 50 charges they will all be consistent.

Outside that you cant really beat the beam scales if your doing small amounts. Thats why id always recommend them unless your getting into the weeds of precision reloading or high volume.

The problem is with digital is the only ones worth having are the electromagnetic force restoration ones or ones with a high end load cell in them which costs alot.

The cheap ones with the load cells and go funny if you have mobiles or fluro lights near them and they also dont detect change very well so trickling up is an absolute nightmare. The "pocket" ones are pretty crap for it

 

[Bowland blades]

I would swerve LEE presses but some of their kit is ok . The Press castings break easy , been asked to weld them loads of times WFT though the castings is just rubbish

 

[andy R204]

RCBS/Ohaus 505 scales have never let me down in over 15 yrs of reloading . You'll be able to pick up a good 2nd hand set at reasonable cost.
I personally wouldn't use digital scales to many gizmos to go wrong.

 

[NP435]

I agree, because I havent bought a kit, its an opportunity to pick out whats recommended. I was leaning towards a digital scale for £50-£100 but seems the mechanical are more reliable?

A mechanical scale will not have issues with static, however static can be defeated with a used dryer sheet rubbed on the scale body ( electric). I use a PACT electric and I have a Hornady mechanical for the day my PACT quits working.

 

[Ouhout]

If your only loading a small volume then a set of mechanical scales are idea. The in build primer press is also ideal tbh. Never seen the need for the hand tools.

Digital are amazing but to get good ones you have to pay a good whack. The cheap ones are just way to inconsistent for the repetition/accuracy you need.

I've decided to get a mechanical scale - thank you!