Smart Reloader

[tikkawarrior]

Hi all, keep seeing the smart reloader range of products available such as press, tumbler etc on optics warehouse.
Question is if anyone has or does use it and it’s worth getting or not?
I’m probably going to be loading about 80 rounds a year max so don’t need some all singing all dancing setup, if it’s cheap but works then happy days!
Cheers

 

[enfieldspares]

Mmm. It looks cheap and cheerful to me, If you're reloading eighty rounds a year maximum I'd still reckon full fat factory ammunition is the, now, cheaper option. Powder sadly doesn't come in small quantities. So for primers + powder + press + dies are going to cost roughly the same unless you've something semi-bespoke or exotic such as a Weatherby Magnum. Holland's .240 Apex or the like. And for just eighty a year a tumbler isn't needed. Just wash the fired cases in warm soapy water or indeed if they aren't muddy don't even bother with doing that.

 

[Hunter 6.5]

Because of the very reason stated by enfieldspares I back to reloading again. Trying to keep equipment cheap as possible I was looking at their press but after seeking some reviews online scrapped that idea completely. As anything else you get what you pay for. If you are in the market for press particularly I highly recommend Lyman victory. Just bought one recently for £190 brand new and it's very very good

 

[steroberts_284]

I’d look for second hand stuff, probably pick it up for not much more and it will be better.

 

[tikkawarrior]

Mmm. It looks cheap and cheerful to me, If you're reloading eighty rounds a year maximum I'd still reckon full fat factory ammunition is the, now, cheaper option. Powder sadly doesn't come in small quantities. So for primers + powder + press + dies are going to cost roughly the same unless you've something semi-bespoke or exotic such as a Weatherby Magnum. Holland's .240 Apex or the like. And for just eighty a year a tumbler isn't needed. Just wash the fired cases in warm soapy water or indeed if they aren't muddy don't even bother with doing that.

I’m reloading for the 30-30, factory ammo is a bit thin on the ground hence the need to load my own. I’ve got all the dies etc already, just need a press and a few other bits

 

[tikkawarrior]

I’d look for second hand stuff, probably pick it up for not much more and it will be better.

Been looking around mate and can’t find any local, most people don’t want to post out a press and I can understand that, I’ll keep my eye out of course but nothing so far

 

[25 Sharps]

Hi all, keep seeing the smart reloader range of products available such as press, tumbler etc on optics warehouse.
Question is if anyone has or does use it and it’s worth getting or not?
I’m probably going to be loading about 80 rounds a year max so don’t need some all singing all dancing setup, if it’s cheap but works then happy days!
Cheers

Honestly, if you’re only loading 80 rounds a year, stick with factory. You’ll never recoup the costs, time and money invested in load development will be better spent stalking.

Any decent RFD should be able to order yiu enough 30-30 in for 80 rounds a year or double that.

(And that’s coming from an avid reloader!)

 

[tikkawarrior]

Honestly, if you’re only loading 80 rounds a year, stick with factory. You’ll never recoup the costs, time and money invested in load development will be better spent stalking.

Any decent RFD should be able to order yiu enough 30-30 in for 80 rounds a year or double that.

(And that’s coming from an avid reloader!)

I hear you, but I want to get into it, I’ve done some load dev already and found one that works well, got good groups with it so keen to fine tune a bit more

 

[25 Sharps]

I hear you, but I want to get into it, I’ve done some load dev already and found one that works well, got good groups with it so keen to fine tune a bit more

Well the hard works done then, smart reloader kit will be fine for the work you’re going to do with it

 

[south-nofolk-stalker]

Hi all, keep seeing the smart reloader range of products available such as press, tumbler etc on optics warehouse.
Question is if anyone has or does use it and it’s worth getting or not?
I’m probably going to be loading about 80 rounds a year max so don’t need some all singing all dancing setup, if it’s cheap but works then happy days!
Cheers

I’ve got bits and bobs of their kit and I’ve still got it and it still works over a decade later.

People say Lee dies are cheap compared to rcbs but the Lee produces sub moa ammunition.

The only expensive bit of kit you need is the press.

Don’t be sucked into expensive is the must have!

 

[25 Sharps]

I’ve got bits and bobs of their kit and I’ve still got it and it still works over a decade later.

People say Lee dies are cheap compared to rcbs but the Lee produces sub moa ammunition.

The only expensive bit of kit you need is the press.

Don’t be sucked into expensive is the must have!

For once I agree with you Lee

 

[Greenmist]

I'd just wait for a second hand press of better quality

 

[JTO]

Hi all, keep seeing the smart reloader range of products available such as press, tumbler etc on optics warehouse.
Question is if anyone has or does use it and it’s worth getting or not?
I’m probably going to be loading about 80 rounds a year max so don’t need some all singing all dancing setup, if it’s cheap but works then happy days!
Cheers

Get a Lee Loader, some good beam scales and a trickler, a calipre and comparator, possibly a Lee hand press and die for seating the bullets.

 

[25 Sharps]

Just to add, I wouldn’t bother with a tumbler, a Lee or other cheap primer pocket cleaner and 0000 wire wool is all you need for that quantity.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

I wouldn't object to most of the SmartReloader stuff, but I'd probably get a press from a different company. If you didn't already have (presumably conventional FL) dies I would second the suggestion to get a Lee loader - especially as your 30-30 is one of the cartridges best suited to neck-only sizing. As it is however, any press will work for you, even a Lee Hand Press, and the SmartReloader presses just look like fairly crude copies of Lee presses, very much "Made in China" and without much in the way of any cost saving - for the extra 15 quid I would just buy the Lee hand press - at least that way you will have a tool from a company with a pretty decent guarantee, and all the advantages of a truly portable press....

 

[Twodogs]

Have you considered one of the bespoke loaders? Such as HPS TR.
They can load to any criteria and any quantity.

 

[Mack243]

Can’t vouch for their tumbler, as I just use citric acid and washing up liquid to clean brass. But the Smart Reloader ammo box is as good as any. I also have their powder thrower to set up, but initial thoughts are the rotary knob is very stiff and the rubber powder seal I can’t see lasting very long