Want to get into reloading -- kit recommendations?

[Dosh]

Very few items in a kit you will be using a year from now. Since you are going to be hard pressed to find brass, powder, primers and perhaps bullets, piecing together a good accumulation of tools would be in order. Buy used, they hardly ever wear out and you'll save a lot $$$. Check the search box top right for info on tools, there's a lot of opinions but you'll find a overall best recommendation. Local OfferUp or Craigslist is a good place to look as well as this forum.
Good luck

 

[Sdbeanfield]

I bought the rockchucker surpreme kit when I first started and the only thing I still use from it are the press, case loading block, and case lube pad. I would use the beam scale if I hadn't sold it. Shortly after I started I bought an electronic dispenser. I don't trust my electronic dispenser so I weigh every load on a beam scale. I feel they are more consistent although its probably not necessary. Will need a trimmer and like others said measuring tools are as important as the press. I have yet to find a priming tool I'm overly fond of. I use the press mounted lee priming tool.

 

[epoletna]

I agree with others who say there are items in a kit that you will never use. Buy individual items, and look for used items online (shipping will be expensive, but the equipment lasts forever).

The Rockchucker is a bullet proof press, but others are good too. I have owned Lee, but consider them entry-level equipment and prefer other makers now.

Dies: I use a lot of RCBS and have been happy with them. Redding is also good. L.E.Wilson for bench rest shooting.

Weighing/metering powder: I have used RCBS (Ohaus) balance beam scales, a Dillon electronic scale, and an RCBS Chargemaster. I love the speed and convenience of electronic metering systems and scales, but you need to replace them every 3-5 years as they begin to wander.

Others have mentioned measuring equipment. Very important to repeatable results.

Also important is making good notes and referring to them. Keep good records.

A solid bench is a must-have. You can build your own with plans you can find here. Best to have a dedicated bench -- not your kitchen table.

Good luck to you!

 

[docdempster65]

I started with simple classic Lde Loader--add inexpensive scale and a few
inexpensive Lee acccessory gadgets...all you are likely to need.

Classic Lee Loader - Lee Precision

For over 60 years, more shooters have chosen the famous Lee Loader for their first reloading tool than any other. They realize it is all they need for good, accurate ammunition. In fact, at one time ammunition loaded with a Lee Loader held a world record listed in the Guinness Book of World...

leeprecision.com

Wish Lee Precision would add 6.5 Creedmoor to Lee Loader line!

Doc D

 

[Overkill338]

The Lee Anniversary kit ($159) is the way to start. Then the money saved over the green one, buy you a digital scale. I have a Hornady kit now, and like it better than the Lee I had before. But for the price its hard to beat Lee.

 

[GunHawk]

You should be calibrating the scale with standard weights. Check, calibrate, and check with different standards that "bracket" your measurements (1 weight heavier than, 1 weight lighter than).

 

[nksmfamjp]

Order yourself a Dillon electronic scale and an RCBS 5-0-5 beam scale.

Why 2 scales?

 

[QuietTexan]

Something I didn't mention when harping on buying the best calipers you can find. I've bought a Sheridan slotted gauge in every caliber I load for (that they're offered in at least):

300 Win Mag Ammunition Gauge

SLOTTED or NON-SLOTTED AMMUNITION GAUGES.

sheridanengineering.com

I don't necessarily use it for the measurements that it'll do because I have other tools, but when you're starting out it's a great tool for visualization of what you're doing since you can see everything through the slot. Stand the gauge up vertically and use a straight edge and you get to see the cartridge settle on the different headspace measurements inside the chamber.

Case gauges can do different things, so you have to check each different brand to make sure it does what you want. An example is LE Wilson gauges are sized large in the body so they can be used to measure case trim length and headspacing on fired brass. Hornady is reamed to the SAAMI body size to check that a round will chamber in factory spec rifles. Very similar looking tools that do two very different things.

Here's some decent measuring stuff to start with. Higher prices really does tend to mean better quality on measuring tools, but compare part numbers across multiple vendors. You can buy top quality measuring tools from machinist supply stores. This list is the first stuff I pulled up on Midway and are middle-tier. Perfect for someone starting out that wants to get good measurements but not go insane chasing down the final 0.0005".

Calipers:

Starrett 3202 Dial Caliper 6 SS

Direct read 6" caliper offer sharp, clear graduations of .001" and .100" per one revolution. Knife edge contacts for both inside and...

www.midwayusa.com

Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Advanced Onsite Sensor (AOS) Absolute Scale Digital Caliper, 0 to 6"/0 to 150mm Measuring Range, 0.0005"/0.01mm Resolution, LCD: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Mitutoyo 500-196-30 Advanced Onsite Sensor (AOS) Absolute Scale Digital Caliper, 0 to 6"/0 to 150mm Measuring Range, 0.0005"/0.01mm Resolution, LCD: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

www.amazon.com

Bullet Comparator:

Hornady Lock-N-Load Bullet Comparator Basic Set 6 Inserts

The Hornady Lock-N-Load Bullet Comparator is perfect for the reloader looking to quickly and precisely measure seating depth of loaded ammunition from...

www.midwayusa.com

Headspace Gauge:

Hornady Lock-N-Load Headspace Ga 5 Bushing Set Comparator

The Hornady Lock-N-Load Headspace Gauge is a great tool for increasing the accuracy of your loaded ammunition. The Headspace gauge measures from the...

www.midwayusa.com

Cause Gauges:

L.E. Wilson Adjustable Case Length Headspace Ga 7mm Remington Mag

L.E. Wilson has been making precision reloading tools for over 80 years. This gauge allows reloaders to measure case length from the base of the...

www.midwayusa.com

L.E. Wilson Case Ga Depth Micrometer

Every reloader should know exactly how much your Full Length Sizing Die is pushing back the shoulder. With the L.E. Wilson Case Gauge Depth Micrometer...

www.midwayusa.com

Hornady Cartridge Ga 357 Mag

Hornady Lock-N-Load Cartridge Gauges allow the user to check their cases and ammo to ensure a correct fit in SAAMI chambers. Cut to SAAMI maximum...

www.midwayusa.com

Examples of higher quality would would be Starrett also makes a higher quality digital caliper that's $315 on Midway, $308 at Grainger, and MSRP is usually more like $285 elsewhere. AccuracyOne makes a universal digital comparator that costs $115. So basically double what's on the list above.

Starrett 798 Digital Caliper 6 SS

This 6" precision caliper features easy-to-read numbers, long wearing carbide faces and a hardened stainless steel body for a lifetime of service....

www.midwayusa.com

Seating Depth Comparator

The Accuracy One Seating Depth Comparator measures bullet seating depth, ensuring consistency. Compatible with 22 to 30 caliber cartridges.

bullettipping.com

Edit: Links show the wrong calibers, but 300 Win Mag is in the drop down menus.

 

[NATE40]

I started with simple classic Lde Loader--add inexpensive scale and a few
inexpensive Lee acccessory gadgets...all you are likely to need.

Classic Lee Loader - Lee Precision

For over 60 years, more shooters have chosen the famous Lee Loader for their first reloading tool than any other. They realize it is all they need for good, accurate ammunition. In fact, at one time ammunition loaded with a Lee Loader held a world record listed in the Guinness Book of World...

leeprecision.com

Wish Lee Precision would add 6.5 Creedmoor to Lee Loader line!

Doc D

They have the dies and a hand press you can reload at the range

 

[nksmfamjp]

Get:

Dry Tumbler/wet tumbler/
Case lube
Press
Dies
She
Powder scale/dispenser/measure
***depends on volume, speed, your process
Check weights
Loading block
Case trimmer
Case chamfer/deburr tools
ammo boxes
Decent calipers

 

[DUSTY NOGGIN]

see how quickly a 4oo $ budget , grows outta control ... ittl be fun though

i couldnt imagine , starting with todays component prices

 

[Lynn Holifield]

Stay away from kits!
Don’t be a casualty of big company marketing schemes. You have waited this long. While supplies are hard to find read Top Grade Ammo by Glen Zediker and if enough time read Handloading for Competition.
Make sure the 1st thing you purchase are the primers you will need!
Read the 2 attached pages

 

[Plinker147]

Cheapest is to piece together and by used. A press is a press not much to go wrong with them as long as it is the standard thread for dies.

If you go Kit I recommend the Hornady. If you get more advanced over time Hornady has the best reasonably priced extras. It easier to keep all your equipment the same brand, the little parts are more interchangeable

 

[Lynn Holifield]

Cheapest is to piece together and by used. A press is a press not much to go wrong with them as long as it is the standard thread for dies.

If you go Kit I recommend the Hornady. If you get more advanced over time Hornady has the best reasonably priced extras. It easier to keep all your equipment the same brand, the little parts are more interchangeable

Plinker, When you go into my heated/cooled dehumidified reloading shop the only items you will see with rust will be red with Hornady stamped on it. The have the very best marketing team complimented by an awesome engineering asset. Where they fall short is using low end Chinese manufacturing. You can get good quality from China, but you have to pay for it. The L&L gauge which most of us use is a Stoney Point product.