Guns, Dogs and Blades QnA
I don't believe I've seen any posts on reloading. I was looking into it back in the 1980s, but some twists and turn of life placed reloading on the back burner. I've gone full circle now...time to get into reloading my own.
I remember RCBS and it looks like they are still around. Any other equipment companies to consider? I would do various handgun rounds from 38 through 44 magnum and various rifle rounds from 6.5mm through 8mm.
The equipment doesn't have to be for fast production, but it needs to be tough, reliable and produce good results. Availability of parts/dies and serviceable items is important to meThanks in advance
Apologies for delayed response as I have been moving from ND home to Ark. I love reloading. As a competitive shooter you simply have to. Rather than discuss all the responses you got let’s just say they were all good and I did not see any of them that did not make sense. I am actually a card carrying NRA metallic cartridge reloading instructor. It is my favorite class to teach but very little interest in it. Most folks watch a couple of you tube videos and dive in. Starting with a solid single stage press is truly a great way to start. Won’t be long you will be eyeing a progressive tho. If you can swing it Dillion is the cats Jammie’s. In the end you will end up with both. I use Dillion on my progressives and I run RCBS for my single stage. Here are a couple of other hints from a guy who has reloaded since the seventies.
Case inspection is key, just do it
Two scales is mandatory, always verify powder charge. I use one digital and one beam (RCBS)
An automated powder charge system for single stages makes it a lot easier.
Use the RCBS primer machine vs the hand held. Basically same cost and way less fatigue
You need at least three reloading books from different manufacturers. You will be amazed at the disparity between them.
You can mount your press on a cutting board then just clamp the board to your bench so you do not tie up precious bench space.
Invest in case checker, allows you to drop a finished round in to ensure it is correctly resized. I use Lyman for those
Be sure and have good lighting.
you will need a good set of calipers, digital or dial makes no difference.
Get a deburring tool.
You will need a bullet puller hammer
Go carbide on the dies I use both RCBS and Dillion.
If you want a pix of how my bench is set up let me know.
Wear safety glasses and no bourbon at the bench!
