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Post by jmarriott on Mar 23, 2009 9:02:27 GMT -5
Rounds i would load for.
44 mag
357 mag/max. 38 special (I have about 500 nickel cases in 38)
222 rem
35 rem
These plus a 7mm tcu (a pet project and more advanced) to begin with.
Looked at a rockchucker master reloading kit at the gun show new 265 plus tax. Seem to have all the basics minus the dies. I keep his card. Components seem to be in good supply at the gun show by the way with only primers at a premimun for rifle rounds.
The Ovid conservation club has me on the list for a starting reloading class. So at least the pistol rounds should be fairly easy to reload for to start out. They only had one class last year.
Manuals I do not have but have been looking on the net and some are now online.
Any sudgestions on what i have to have to start.
I have my dad and another local hunter who want to go in on some of the equipment cost and dad is sending me to the Ovid CC Class so i can load up his marlin 44 mag and savage 222.
I have been seeing some reloading equipment for sale used but have no idea of what's good.
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Post by jimiowa on Mar 23, 2009 10:37:57 GMT -5
The Rock Chucker would be a good place to start.
There are many good choices out there and all work.
My loading quipment is bits and pieces from several manufaturers.
Like You I find the 7 mm TCU a very interesting project.
Our local gun club shoots Sihloette and one guy"Bud" uses a 7MM TCU in a Contender (12" I think) with 140 grn bullets that Flat Rolls the 85 lb Rams at 200 meters. I think he said he had backed it down to around 1580 fps, so as not to damage the expensive steel targets.
He said it was an easy wildcat to form.
Use a tapered Expander to expand the neck on the .223 brass.
Size in a 7mm TCU Die and fireform.
Probably everyone but Red would consider it an adequate Deer cartridge if held to handgun ranges.
Maybe not the best choice for a first reloading project?
But once you have done some of the others on your list a good way to jump to wildcatting. I'd sure like to try one myself.
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Post by Jack on Mar 23, 2009 11:54:26 GMT -5
The Rockchucker is an outstanding press. I've loaded an unbelieveable amount of ammo on mine- had it since 1964, and it's still in fine shape.
Don't overlook getting some manuals. Yes, data is available on line, but manuals have far more. Several manuals have a detailed section on how and why you set up your reloading equipment, and how to use it. Plus, reference tables. I would recommend, at a minimum, you buy the manual of the bullet company you prefer, and one from a powder company. Hodgdon sells yearly updates now, in magazine form, that aren't too expensive. For a bullet company manual, I like the Nosler, but the Sierra, Hornady, and Speer are also good.
BTW, RCBS has a superb customer support- if you have a prob, call them, they'll help. That's one reason I'd recommend their equipment.
If you're just starting, with no experience, I would avoid used stuff- it might be fine, but, it might have some quirks, and you won't have enough experience to tell the quirks from operator errors.
I would also tell you to avoid Lee stuff, at the beginning. I know many will disagree, and Lee products are really reasonably priced. The reason I'd recommend avoiding it: every Lee product I've bought, I had to take apart and polish, deburr, or something, to make it work right. That's fine if you're experienced and can diagnose the problem. It's not fine if you're starting out, and can't. The exception to that, in the Lee line, is their hand held priming tool: cheap, works great.
The reloading class is a great idea.
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Post by klsm54 on Mar 23, 2009 13:43:37 GMT -5
I'm a BIG Redding fan. I've bought nothing but Redding Dies for over 20 years. My press is a Redding Boss.
My only problem with the Rockchucker is that they had to lengthen it for those who like Ultra mags, and other big boomers. The original was plenty long for anything I'd ever load. With Redding, even though they have an XL version of the Boss, they still make the standard size too.
As far as quality, both Redding and RCBS are excellent, as is their customer service. I prefer the fit and finish of Redding.
I agree with Jack on the manuals. I'd get at least two, and start studying before you take the classes. The knowledge you gain in the manuals will enable you to absorb more of what they are teaching in the classes.
But as far as quality, I think
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Post by twomoons on Mar 23, 2009 14:02:02 GMT -5
Don't over look the Lee Classic cast press. It is not quite a Rockchucker but it is a good sold press that will last a lifetime. I use a Classic cast turret press a lot and it is REALLY handy is you switch back and forth between calibers. No die turning, just drop in a die set and go.
Now if I were starting from scratch today i would haunt second hand shops and yard sales. This last year alone I picked up a Rockchucker for $65, A Lyman turret for $40 a Belding and Mull measure for $40 and a Lyman 55 measure for $20.
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Post by Jack on Mar 23, 2009 21:54:56 GMT -5
I have to agree with Klsm- Redding makes terrific stuff. Personally, any time I buy reloading dies these days, they come in green boxes (RCBS and Redding both use green boxes- no one else does). In fact, if I'm buying new dies, I lean toward the Redding's first.
That said, you'll never go wrong with RCBS, and RCBS has the best customer service in the business- they don't care how old it is, or where you got it, if it's an RCBS product, they stand behind it.
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Post by dovehunter on Mar 24, 2009 8:40:56 GMT -5
I too have always been an RCBS fan over the years. In fact my press is an RCBS JR. It's the only one I have ever had or used now for 40 yrs. My dies are mostly RCBS, LYMAN, or (don't laugh) Herters. However I have fairly recently gotten into loading .45 Colt, .45 ACP, and 9mm Luger. For those I bought Lee dies and I will have to say that I like them as well or better than any of the other dies I have. In recent years I have become a big fan of Lee stuff and, except for that gawdawful Loadall shotshell loader, would put their stuff up against anything else I have used. I wouldn't sell their AUTOPRIME II tool for $500 if I thought I couldn't get another.
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Post by twomoons on Mar 30, 2009 14:57:47 GMT -5
Local thrift shop has an RCBS Jr. perss for sale $35.00. Used but in good condition... huh, it's a big chunk of cast iron, thats like saying a booat anchor is in good condition. Lyman 55 powder measure $25.00 Herter's Powder measure $25.00 and assorted dies at $10 each.
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Post by twomoons on Mar 31, 2009 10:25:56 GMT -5
Brand new Rock Chucker on Gubroker $62.50
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Post by jmarriott on Mar 31, 2009 12:46:05 GMT -5
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Post by twomoons on Mar 31, 2009 18:45:19 GMT -5
Let me know what die sets you need as I pick them up used $5-10 each. I do have a set of 35 Remington right now.
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Post by twomoons on Apr 15, 2009 10:58:43 GMT -5
How are you coming and what do you still need. I got some more dies sets in this week. I have a couple presses spotted and I have 2 powder measures ready to go.
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Post by jmarriott on Apr 15, 2009 14:15:56 GMT -5
Talking to dad tonight. Mom had her gulbladder removed over the last week and then all the easter stuff.
Unemployment sucks, will know tomarrow/
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Post by twomoons on Apr 16, 2009 10:49:34 GMT -5
Well I can really help you cheap out on a lot of this stuff.
Jim
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