Reloaders

[landtoy80]

Now that we have a reloading section and I don't have a reloader (reloader virgin) what does one look for when looking to buy a reloader?

Would like to reload postol, rifle and maybe shotgun.

[wonderwolf]

Shotgun and metallic cartridges can be loaded on the same press but you would be better off if you got yourself a Mec loader for the shotgun. I havnt loaded shot in years so somebody else might step up to help you on that.

As far as rifle and pistol goes its best to start out with a single stage press like RCBS rockchucker or Lyman orange press (OJ squeezer I call'em). A manual turret press is a good 2nd choice for somebody just starting out but I would stick with a single stage so you get the basics of setting the dies and everything 1st. I load ALL my rifle ammo on a single stage and ALL my pistol ammo on a manual turret press (that is a press that is not progressive or semi auto).

Get yourself the latest edition of the book "ABC's of reloading" and read read read. Look around online for info on reloading and safety tips. Get yourself a big name load book I recommend Lyman and Hornady. Reloading dosn't need to be the equipment race as some make it out to be. I've reloaded for years on a basic set up and have not had any problems some people like to spend $$$$ on set ups. But it is not needed. Lee offers excellent starter packages but the sturdiness of some of their presses made me wonder about the strength.

Dies can be had from $5(used) - $500 (price for 20mm vulcan Dies from CH..but thats a project for down the road :wohow: ) depending on what you load. I pick up dies on spec for calibers I don't own all the time cause they are cheap and in good condition and I prolly have brass laying around for it anyways. Some people swear by Lee dies but I tend to swear at them so I stay with RCBS, Lyman and for my match rifles I use Forester dies.

Others will add their ideas and options but the above is just a overview for ya. Good luck

:wave:

[cimmaronkid]

Reloading equipment never wears out. Remember that. WW is right about the single stage press. You can find these quite reasonable used. Just make sure that they take the newer shell holder. Any of the major brands are good, but try and get an "O" style press instead of a "C" style as they will not flex as much. My favorite are the "H" style, but these are rather pricey unless you can find one at a garage sale. To go with this you will need dies, shell holder, primer arm for loader(usually comes with press), scale, powder measure, chamfering tool, case lube and pad, primer tray, and trim die in the calibur you are loading for. This is about the minimum amount of equipment that you will need to be successful. I probably forgot something small, but with some astute shopping, you should be able to get all of this for less than $100.

As far as a progressive goes, I highly recommend the Dillon line of loaders. They are extremely well built, fast, and if anything breaks or wears out, it is replaced FREE! My 550B has had over 20,000 rounds loaded on it before a minor part gave out. Since I live fairly close to his store and plant, I took the part over and was given the new one along with some other small parts they said I might need. No charge.

For shotshell, forget the single stage loaders and go directly to the progressives. Lots of good ones here and if possible, save the money and buy used. MEC(Maysville Engineering Company), Hornady, Pacific, and PW(Posness-Warren) lead the pack with the MEC and PW being the best and fastest with everyone else just a nose away. I have not used the new Dillion progressive, but if it is anything like his metallic progressives, it will be fast and highly durable.

I load for 12, 20, and 410 and the 20 and 410 are MEC progressives that I have had for over 30 years. No problems at all. The 12 is a PW 800C that produces a shell after every handle movement, that is move it up is one shell, move it down is one shell, move it up...you get the picture. With 3 guys feeding this beast(one to fill shot and powder hoppers, one to put the wad in the wad guide and one to put the hull on and pull the handle) you can load close to 1000/hr with this loader. Cost for a good progressive will probably be around $100 up for a nice used one and closer to $150.

Hope this helps!:wave:

[Norton]

To echo cimmaron,, Look for a cast iron O frame such as a RCBS rock chucker or the older 1960s JR model. Lyman Orange crusher or the LEE classic. These are all big heavy duty cast iron presses that will last you a lifetime. I think Hornady makes a good press as well but I have never used one. I think having two single stage press a main one to resize and a small one to seat and crimp is a way to have a semi progressive set up and still keep that control. I use three single stages at a time for some tasks, I didn't start off with that in mind but I picked up extra presses at yard sales etc..
Whatever you do stay away from a pot metal or cast metal press for resizing, It wont last over the long haul. (But they are fine for light tasks such a seating ) As for shotgun shells if you can find a used Pacific press they are soild as a tank . I have one from 1959 and it still works great for thing like skeet, trap and bird loads. I use a RCBS Rock Chucker conversion kit for 12 buckshot or slugs. It is super slow. (how much buck shot do you reload?) I just do it for fun and because I have a bag of buckshot.

[wonderwolf]

Multiple single stage presses do help...I have 5 of them set up and one for 50 bmg ....I just need more 50BMG brass :sterb126:

[cimmaronkid]

Norton is right about cast iron presses and the shotshell Pacific press. Any of the shotshell presses mentioned will outlast you and me as far as longevity. Be aware that the MEC uses a different type of bushing system than the Pacific, Hornday, and PW which all use the same bushing system for shot and powder.

The real sleeper in the reloader line is the Bair as they made loaders that were almost identical to the Pacific which was almost identical to the Hornday. Because Bair was such a small company and most people are not acquainted with them, these loaders go for a lot less than the others and do just as good a job. I used a Polar Bair progressive for years until I got the PW which operates like a small factory.

Now that we have you totally confused, the best recomendation is go and get some used equipment and try it out and find what you like. Sell what you don't like and purchase something different until you find what works well for you.

[wonderwolf]

Not to mention Hollywood and Corbin...also CH ok I'm just adding to the confusion. Hollywood made a progressive press for 20mm a while back and I've only seen 1 example of it so far kinda cool.

polar bair.....hehe thats clever :bash:

[cimmaronkid]

If you can score a CH Tool single stage "H" press or the Bonanza "H" style for what you would give for a regular "O" press then you should buy it and leave immediately walking very rapidly to your vehicle and locking it in the trunk. Then go back and see what else this idiot has to sell and then call ME!:056:

If you want to see a really great set up, go back and search the posts by Norton. Then you will see what a really nice "man cave" looks like! He has posted pictures and are well worth looking at.

[bullseye]

Just to add more confusion, I'll add my .02 worth. I love Lee presses and all I have is Lee equipment. I currently have the Loadmaster(189.00 Grafs & Cons) and will load for 38, .357, 9mm, .223, and 308. I started 15+ years ago with the Lee anniversary kit loading 7.62x39 and 30-30. After a few years the linkage broke and was replaced with no hassle, this is where Lee got most of their bad rep for quality. They no longer have this problem. You will need to determine what you are going to load and how accurate it needs to be. If you are goning to shoot benchrest it can be done on Lee stuff, but you may be better served with a different brand. If you are just loading plinking ammo, Lee would be the way to go as the idea is to load as much for the lowest cost and saving a bunch up front goes into components right off the bat. For everything I will be shooting, even my Rem700 in 308 I will be just happy with Lee. I would do my precision loads on a Challenger press and everything else on the Loadmaster. Once you figure out the safety scale it works great and is very acurate. Nothing against the other brands, but for me it is the bottom line and anyone that has used Lee will tell you they work, and work for less. Shop around for prices, having a C&R or FFL will get you a better price. You may find a deal on evilbay from time to time, but with a little searching you can find it cheaper new from a dealer. Even if money was not an option I would still stick with Lee. Just my preference.

[NavajoNPaleFace]

Just to add more confusion, I'll add my .02 worth. I love Lee presses and all I have is Lee equipment. .....

I have both RCBS and Lee Turret presses.

Although I do enjoy the Lee the upward movement/play of the turret makes it not the press I use to do bullet seating for precision rounds..

I do that on the Rock Chucker.

[Reloader_26D]

[QUOTE=cimmaronkid;9948]If you can score a CH Tool single stage "H" press or the Bonanza "H" style for what you would give for a regular "O" press then you should buy it and leave immediately walking very rapidly to your vehicle and locking it in the trunk. Then go back and see what else this idiot has to sell and then call ME!:056:

I also recommend gun shows as possible sources. After you get more comfortable with different pieces of equipment, hopefully you'll be able to recognize abused equipment, and add it to the fodder. A while back a picked up a pristine CH Tool single stage in the box for $17.00. Guy said he got it from a neighbor. I wanted to know where the neighbor lived... :icon_biggrin:

[Norton]

Yes I had a Hippie ( he might have been a beatnick) anitque dealer sell me box of old gun junk as he called it for $50
It was a entire 1964 RCBS set with a bunch of brass and dies. It even had the dudes load books with what he had killed and how far he had shot it.
I thought this guy is pushing up daisys, but would be glad. I bought his stuff and found the load book load book.