Reloading Starter Kit?

[Yeomans]

I'm taking the step into the reloading world but have (typically) read conflicting reports about the level of equipment that is required, especially whether the 'starter kits' are any good.

Are there particular bits of kit that are worth spending the money on and other elements that are much of a muchness??

Thanks

 

[Stalker62]

 

[Rory]

It's worth buying decent beam scales (RCBS 5-0-5 comes to mind), some good check weights as well.
A decent quality caliper would be a sound purchase as sell.
With regards to the other stuff, it's much of a muchness, a set of Lee dies will resize and seat your bullets just as well as a set of Redding competition dies.
A lot of the 'must have' equipment is not really necessary to produce highly accurate low es/sd ammunition.
Horses for course though, if you're going to be shooting F Class, then some significant investment in very high quality kit and micrometer style equipment for gauging, truing and attaining absolute consistency might be worth it.

 

[voncram1]

Hi, I’ve just stopped reloading and have a decent set of reloading kit accumulated over a few years. If you are interested PM me.

 

[Dragonfly Ordnance]

The RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit has pretty much everything you need, apart from the specific calibre reloading dies, but does come at a cost. You might find second hand will be a good option if you’re on a budget.

A good accessory is the Hornady lock n load die bushing set, as it makes it easy to swap the loading dies around. Handy for multiple calibres too.

 

[Smellydog]

Economise where you want but not on the scales .
Rcbs 505 are the standard.
If a person however can not afford them go for a Lee dipper set, a chart for all the powders and learn how to go volumetric consistently.
I started with the lee challenger kit but now only have a lee hand press! Lee trimmers that work well in a cordless screw driver.
Some of my kit was donated by kind gents here after an absence from reloading for a decade.

 

[hendrix's rifle]

I was loading some test loads a few weeks ago and didnt want the faff of filling the powder hopper for a dozen rounds. I used a large yellow powder scoop and was genuinely surprised to get around .2 - .3g off my target weight every time.

Shame I've not seen any videos from him recently

 

[voncram1]

Hi, I’ve just stopped reloading and have a decent set of reloading kit accumulated over a few years. If you are interested.

Edit:

Scales are RCBS 10-10, plus a full set of the yellow powder scoops!

 

[Sniper308]

Each to their own. However I would stay away from kits. Much better off buying separately. My opinion is that kits tend to have junk in them which you’ll end up replacing. Start off with buying a good press and dies. I’d recommend the co-ax press, and redding dies

 

[Yeomans]

Thanks, all. Very valuable

 

[CookM]

I bought an RCBS Partner press kit from SGC,around 2004.
Still does the job.
Have picked up dies on fleabay,and other such.
And new dies as l added calibres.
A good hand primer new,and a second hand tumbler.
It does the job for all my calibres and fills a winter evening or ten.

Budget ish,but effective enough.

 

[Sash]

What calibre(s) are you reloading for?

I would avoid kits, and buy individual items on here.
Start simple, in case you find out you don't like the process:
- a Lee press: should be able to find one for well under £100. I use the Ram Prime which fits in the vice
- Dies: Lee, RCBS are fine
- The one thing I would spend money on is Mitutoyo calipers
- Scales are real Marmite things: beam scales are not expensive (and can be incredibly precise), digital scales are far more expensive for near-equivalent precision.
- a funnel!

Later on, you may get into the world of annealing, trimming, tumbling, and your costs (and workspace) will double or triple. But none of this is necessary up front - just set aside for later any over-size cases

 

[royalewithcheese]

I'm taking the step into the reloading world but have (typically) read conflicting reports about the level of equipment that is required, especially whether the 'starter kits' are any good.

Are there particular bits of kit that are worth spending the money on and other elements that are much of a muchness??

Thanks

I was told something by the rifle captain in our club when I first started shooting that stuck with me:
Ask 10 reloaders what the best brand of kit is or the correct reloading process is, and you will get 11 different answers.

I think what equipment you might want is driven by what you actually want to do, how much you shoot and what calibres you plan to reload for. If you're going to knock up 50 rounds a year for some stalking, that video linked above is a cheap (but slow) way of doing that, and it would work perfectly fine.

If you want to to reload 3000 rounds a year because you spend alot of time at the range, using the method in the above video means you will never get to the range because you'll spend all year trying to reload them. That's where some of those starter kits would be worth looking at, the RCBS rock chucker supreme master kit as mentioned above, is a decent kit. I have one and I dont think anything in it is trash, its all decent quality stuff. You could buy equipment piecemeal which would give you the same result, and you might be able to find good deals on 2nd hand stuff. An RCBS press with a forster die and a lyman tumbler would work equally well as having all the same brand. Presses are generally very well built and can outlast their owners.

 

[gixer1]

Get a Lee hand loader - then you have spent £40 max and can see if it’s for you, buying a press for £100 plus scales, primer tools etc would be a mistake if you don’t know if you are going to continue.

Better still - borrow a Lee hand loader - then you have no real outgoings! What chambering are you loading for? I may be able to loan you one.

Regards,
Gixer

 

[Radstorm]

Just to play devils advocate on the reloading subject - do you really want to do it - what is factory ammo not doing for you ?

If your reason is to save money - no you don’t unless your shooting volumes - (yes you may beagle to reload for half the cost of factory ammo but your time, money spent on equipment may take years / decades to recoup) is it worth the hassle??

This is my opinion.
I had to reload for one of my calibres - it was annoying as time is sometimes not available to do it. How much time do you have / what’s your hourly rate worth.

I don’t find it therapeutic. Some people do.

That said - I started with a Lee kit loaded some great ammunition changed everything apart from the press and dies - loaded great ammunition.
I’ve recently spent a lot on a Forster press, dies, and loaded great ammunition.

More expensive kit makes it more consistent and repeatable without tweaking between sessions and makes it a little speedier. Less frustrating.

However I also plan to have factory ammunition to hand for when I don’t have time to reload.

 

[Buchan]

I'm taking the step into the reloading world but have (typically) read conflicting reports about the level of equipment that is required, especially whether the 'starter kits' are any good.

Are there particular bits of kit that are worth spending the money on and other elements that are much of a muchness??

Thanks

Time!

 

[Tikkat3rob]

I'm taking the step into the reloading world but have (typically) read conflicting reports about the level of equipment that is required, especially whether the 'starter kits' are any good.

Are there particular bits of kit that are worth spending the money on and other elements that are much of a muchness??

Thanks

A good set of Mitutoyo Caliper's 150mm version will give you best bang for buck for measuring accurately and last a lifetime, if you wish to buy some comparators to use on the calipers you can as well for CBTO Cartridge base to ogive(most accurate seating depth measuring method) + CBTS Cartridge base to shoulder (used to measure case shoulder expansion which can affect headspace you can adjust the CBTS measurement of the case by shoulder bumping a few thou if you've got stiff bolt close. Have you got any contacts or mates who would let you come over and have go at loading with them to get a feel for it ? (i would also note that each individuals reloading skill/knowledge can vary greatly so be wary of picking up bad habits or inefficient reloading methods

 

[kad24uk]

Hi, I’ve just stopped reloading and have a decent set of reloading kit accumulated over a few years. If you are interested PM me.

Im after reloading gear if you want to message me what you have.

 

[voncram1]

Hi, already gone I’m afraid.