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Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Reloading
Reloading equipment question
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<blockquote data-quote="crkckr" data-source="post: 1625645" data-attributes="member: 78056"><p>I will have to say that virtually all of the kits I've seen tend to put at least a few things you will never use or will find other things that work better, leaving you with inferior junk you can't give away. It just takes time and experience to figure it out. I would recommend "at least" an RCBS Rockchucker press... but then it all comes down to what kind of accuracy you want. The higher your expectations the more you want to put into the press and the necessary accessories. A good dial caliper, case trimmer and especially a good scale. I always recommend a beam scale first, then a digital. I believe all digitals should be cross checked with either a beam scale or a really good set of check weights... and checked often. Beam scales don't drift like any electronic device can. They won't weigh individual grains or anything fancy but once properly set up and calibrated they will at least keep your fancy electric scale honest! You will also need a way to clean your brass and I would recommed the BoreTech brass cleaner. I've just recently purchased some and I like the way it works... that is, easy and well! You can get better dies than RCBS but again, how much accuracy are you wanting? Redding might be best (subject to personal preference, of course) but you will pay dearly for any jump in accuracy. Personally, the only Lee product I use is a hand priming tool, which they no longer sell. I have not heard much good about the new ones they have. I will also admit to modifying mine to keep them going. Honestly, I'm not sure what hand primer to recommed these days, no matter what brand you pick you will find people who love them and usually a nearly equal number who just flat out hate them! I guess it depends on volume and ease of use? Do some reading and maybe try some different ones out, if possible. You'll need a way to lube your cases. Many swear by Imperial sizing wax (I don't think I've ever read anything bad about it) however I'm still using the old water soluble RCBS case lube. There's a learning curve as how much and where to lube, however. Not enough and the case gets stuck in the die and is a major pain to remove unless you can use your wife's ultrasonic jewelry cleaner without getting caught! Too much and you dent the cases. It's all part of the learning curve, which every part of reloading has. You will also need at least 3 manuals to load by. I recommend Lyman, Sierra & either Speer or Hornady (all 4 is the best bet!). Hodgdon, Alliant and Western are all online these days. None of these sources are the Ultimate when it comes to how much powder to use. You always need to start out at low or mid-range charges and work up to max loads (if that's what you're looking for) because every rifle is unique. Internal ballistics are part science and part voodoo. There's a learning curve, of course. Starting out from the beginning can be daunting but once you start putting out the highest quality ammo available on Earth (assuming you do it right!), it will be worth all the gnashing of teeth and worry (not to mention cost!) associated with starting out from scratch. Read up on everything. There's a wealth of info on this forum alone! Although often enough you'll come away not knowing what the devil to do because of all the conflicting opinions! But, man, is it ever fun!</p><p>Cheers,</p><p>crkckr</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="crkckr, post: 1625645, member: 78056"] I will have to say that virtually all of the kits I've seen tend to put at least a few things you will never use or will find other things that work better, leaving you with inferior junk you can't give away. It just takes time and experience to figure it out. I would recommend "at least" an RCBS Rockchucker press... but then it all comes down to what kind of accuracy you want. The higher your expectations the more you want to put into the press and the necessary accessories. A good dial caliper, case trimmer and especially a good scale. I always recommend a beam scale first, then a digital. I believe all digitals should be cross checked with either a beam scale or a really good set of check weights... and checked often. Beam scales don't drift like any electronic device can. They won't weigh individual grains or anything fancy but once properly set up and calibrated they will at least keep your fancy electric scale honest! You will also need a way to clean your brass and I would recommed the BoreTech brass cleaner. I've just recently purchased some and I like the way it works... that is, easy and well! You can get better dies than RCBS but again, how much accuracy are you wanting? Redding might be best (subject to personal preference, of course) but you will pay dearly for any jump in accuracy. Personally, the only Lee product I use is a hand priming tool, which they no longer sell. I have not heard much good about the new ones they have. I will also admit to modifying mine to keep them going. Honestly, I'm not sure what hand primer to recommed these days, no matter what brand you pick you will find people who love them and usually a nearly equal number who just flat out hate them! I guess it depends on volume and ease of use? Do some reading and maybe try some different ones out, if possible. You'll need a way to lube your cases. Many swear by Imperial sizing wax (I don't think I've ever read anything bad about it) however I'm still using the old water soluble RCBS case lube. There's a learning curve as how much and where to lube, however. Not enough and the case gets stuck in the die and is a major pain to remove unless you can use your wife's ultrasonic jewelry cleaner without getting caught! Too much and you dent the cases. It's all part of the learning curve, which every part of reloading has. You will also need at least 3 manuals to load by. I recommend Lyman, Sierra & either Speer or Hornady (all 4 is the best bet!). Hodgdon, Alliant and Western are all online these days. None of these sources are the Ultimate when it comes to how much powder to use. You always need to start out at low or mid-range charges and work up to max loads (if that's what you're looking for) because every rifle is unique. Internal ballistics are part science and part voodoo. There's a learning curve, of course. Starting out from the beginning can be daunting but once you start putting out the highest quality ammo available on Earth (assuming you do it right!), it will be worth all the gnashing of teeth and worry (not to mention cost!) associated with starting out from scratch. Read up on everything. There's a wealth of info on this forum alone! Although often enough you'll come away not knowing what the devil to do because of all the conflicting opinions! But, man, is it ever fun! Cheers, crkckr [/QUOTE]
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Reloading equipment question
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