Beginner Reloader - Kit and/or parts?

[antelopedundee]

Kits usually include some sort of lube and or a pad, both of which I'd throw in the trash and use the Imperial wax applied with the fingers. When sizing you first cases using a new or clean die use plenty of lube as in my experience these usually size the hardest and it gets easier as you go. Easiest way to clean the die is with a 3 inch square patch and a needle eye jag on a short cleaning rod and squirt a little Ronsonol on it.
A cheap tumbler is great for cleaning your cases before priming and loading. Check to make sure that there is no tumbling media plugging the flash hole.

Also I like to use the disposable food gloves at various times when handling cases.

 

[Tiny Tim]

Agree, but I was just pointing out a simple way to check if the scale is drifting. One could also see if the tare value is staying constant. Most cheap scales don't have a calibration feature that I'm aware of. I'll have to look and see if mine does. I wouldn't buy a calibration weight if I didn't need to. Not sure how you'd fix a beam balance that was off other than to add or subtract for it. I'm a low volume reloader so I get by with the beam version.

Most electronic scales come with a calibration weight, and are usually calibrated for max or near max reading.

Beam scales are generally just set to zero and balanced there. If a calibration weight was placed on it and read incorrectly, I believe the scale would be junk. You're correct in that it's not easily fixed.

 

[Koda_]

What are your thoughts on home made annealers? Or is this a product that is with spending the coin on?

Nothing wrong with buying an annealer if you can afford it but IMO I dont think its needed. I use a simple propane torch and chuck the brass in a handdrill on slow, all you need to do is exactly the same every case and your fine. Dim the lights, look for the glow and dunk in water. Some say the water is not needed and its true but I like to handle the brass sooner without burning my fingers.

 

[Koda_]

Agree, but I was just pointing out a simple way to check if the scale is drifting. One could also see if the tare value is staying constant. Most cheap scales don't have a calibration feature that I'm aware of. I'll have to look and see if mine does. I wouldn't buy a calibration weight if I didn't need to. Not sure how you'd fix a beam balance that was off other than to add or subtract for it. I'm a low volume reloader so I get by with the beam version.

Your on the right path but a bullet wont tell you if the tare is drifting since bullet weighs are not consistent. You could set aside one bullet for the task though but that needs to be clarified to suggest this. I just tare off the powder dish myself. In my experience the tare reading doesn't tell you if the scale is drifting as it drifts under load. Measure the same powder weight 3 or more times and if you get different readings then you cant rely on the scale.
there's no need to fix a beam balance once you zero it (tare) unless you move it on its surface, there is nothing to break on a beam scale.

 

[antelopedundee]

Before you do anything get your powder and primers. If you end up having a change of heart those will be the easiest things to get your money back from.

 

[Mark37082]

You will get a ton of advice on starting your reloading journey. Since you are starting with one cartridge it will make things easier on the wallet. The RC is a great press. You will need a good set of dies, good calipers, case lube, scale (I prefer digital based readability), a manual powder trickle, a tool to de-bur and chamfer case mouth, and components to get started. A case trimmer will be needed (I use a Wilson). Get a good manual and read it thoroughly. You can drop big $$$ on things like top of the line annealers, scales, etc. If your loading volume is relatively low, it's hard to justify spending more for equipment than you did for your rifle and scope.

 

[rogerstv]

The kits are pretty useless these days anyway. Most of the stuff you need don't come in them anyway.

1. You need a good set of calipers
2. headspace comparator
3. Ogive measuring set
4. A good scale. I like an electric trickler.

The headspace and Ogive kit is a must for the 300 win. You need to setup your dies correctly or you will ruin all your brass in 4-5 firings if you resize them too much

I think a kit will give you items you will eventually upgrade. Piece it together

Good calipers. Spend a little to get quality. Starrett is great brand.
Hornady for the headspace and Ogive comparators
I have RCBS CM Lite scale. Started beam. I prefer electronic. Calibrate every use. Bump check.
Powder trickler
LE Wilson case trimmer. Exact every time.
Case prep station. Brand probably not concern.
Best dies you can afford. Repeatability and precision adjustments.

Watch Panhandle Precision videos.

 

[epoletna]

I just watched four Panhandle Precision videos. I think they're probably good for total beginners, and we definitely need something for total beginners.. Some good tips there. I watched they at 1.5X speed. That seems to work.

 

[LkeAF]

PM sent

 

[old_heli_logger]

Someday you'll say, "why oh why didn't I eat the blue pill "
After several firings they get hard to chamber and you'll need this to size all the way to the belt...

Innovative Technologies - Reloading Equipment

Our patented resizing die can reload Winchester, Remington and Weatherby belted magnums up to 20 times, instead of just 2 or 3 times and the top of the die is a chamber width gauge.

www.larrywillis.com

Good luck!

 

[Troutslayer2]

I started with the rock chucker kit and at this point the vise is the only thing I have not upgraded.

 

[antelopedundee]

Someday you'll say, "why oh why didn't I eat the blue pill "
After several firings they get hard to chamber and you'll need this to size all the way to the belt...

Innovative Technologies - Reloading Equipment

Our patented resizing die can reload Winchester, Remington and Weatherby belted magnums up to 20 times, instead of just 2 or 3 times and the top of the die is a chamber width gauge.

www.larrywillis.com

Good luck!

Is that just essentially a small base die?

 

[Troutslayer2]

Hit me up via PM if you want. I've got a 300wm rcbs dieset, a hand primer, powder dump, shell holder and some other necessities. I'd sell you this stuff cheap to help you get started, it's just collecting dust.

 

[old_heli_logger]

Is that just essentially a small base die?

Yes, it's a collet die and it works on all belted magnum cartridges