Reloading - what to look for
#7173786
02/08/21 10:43 AM
02/08/21 10:43 AM
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,265 Missouri
HayDay
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 2,265
Missouri
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Am now custodian of a small collection of big bore rifles, all of which have survived for years on factory loads. But times being what they are, executive decision has been made to start accumulating the tools to do reloads for all. I know, late to the party and all that, and expect this to take a year or so, but in the end, goal is to be able to keep ammo for these into the foreseeable future. All are similar enough they can use the same primer and only one or two powders, so only differ by bullets and dies. Only one is obsolete, but I have plenty of brass, bullets and a set of dies for it. The others are common.....so expect enough of something will turn up over time to cover those too.
What I'll be looking for is a powder measure, press and dies, plus the little stuff to go with it. All are available now on ebay at what I can afford. Question is are there brands or models that are the flagship's of the trade. Not looking for modern or digital. Old school is fine with me. Goal is low volume, high quality, so single stage press is fine.
I'm most familiar with RCBS, but also know Hornady and Redding make similar stuff. But I seem to recall RCBS has gone through several owners......been passed around more than Miley Cyrus. Was there a time or model that stands out as the one to get? Same for all?
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Re: Reloading - what to look for
[Re: HayDay]
#7173805
02/08/21 11:00 AM
02/08/21 11:00 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30,001 williamsburg ks
danny clifton
"Grumpy Old Man"
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"Grumpy Old Man"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30,001
williamsburg ks
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RCBS is still quality and affordable. You will need a case trimmer, a caliper, a deburring tool, a powder trickler, a powder funnel (for putting powder in the case. Get one designed for the job they are cheap), along with the powder measure and press you mentioned. You will also need a powder scale to weigh your charges. Lymans new manual is a dandy. Chock full of how to and load data. Lots of internet data also under Hodgdon, Nosler, Barnes, and Speer. There are also powder manufacturer's data online too. I like to use the rcbs lube pad for lubing cases but there are other methods. Just dont forget case lube. Find somebody that will give you some one on one lessons if you can. You will end up buying more stuff but that will get you started.
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
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Re: Reloading - what to look for
[Re: HayDay]
#7173814
02/08/21 11:04 AM
02/08/21 11:04 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30,001 williamsburg ks
danny clifton
"Grumpy Old Man"
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"Grumpy Old Man"
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 30,001
williamsburg ks
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I like full length dies for hunting rifles. The small accuracy gain and one two more loadings with neck sizing, is not worth the feeding problems of neck sized ammo for hunting IMO. One of these rcbs hand primer tools is nice. Makes priming lots easier. There is a learning curve though. https://www.amazon.com/RCBS-90200-Hand-Priming-Tool/dp/B07PQ7P5TN
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
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Re: Reloading - what to look for
[Re: HayDay]
#7173882
02/08/21 12:06 PM
02/08/21 12:06 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,846 Green County Wisconsin
GREENCOUNTYPETE
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 18,846
Green County Wisconsin
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I know it isn't a single stage , but it works very well , and you can use it like a single stage , and not have to keep resetting dies. you leave each caliber set up in a turret and in about 30 seconds you can switch to a different caliber 30-06 is the longest case you can auto index around on , but if you pull the rod which only takes a few seconds then you move the turret by hand you can get finished rounds out to about 3 3/4 inches https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013020843?pid=814175unfortunately the kit is not available right now
America only has one issue, we have a Responsibility crisis and everything else stems from it.
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Re: Reloading - what to look for
[Re: Northmocats]
#7173919
02/08/21 12:40 PM
02/08/21 12:40 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,961 South Dakota
Hydropillar
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,961
South Dakota
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Just get some RCBS dies and Press if you can find it... Rcbs charge master is nice if you want a digital thrower. Love mine. If you want Old school scales Find some Ohaus. Used them for years before my charge master. You can go more expensive on dies like Forester or Wilson, but I've shot Darn good groups with cheaper dies rcbs and lee. Get a brass trimer and case gauge for whatever cartridge your reloading, Lee works fine. x 2 on the chargemaster...love mine and makes reloading a joy
The only place you find free cheese is in a mousetrap !
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Re: Reloading - what to look for
[Re: HayDay]
#7173931
02/08/21 01:06 PM
02/08/21 01:06 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,738 carolina, Alabama
The Possum Man
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,738
carolina, Alabama
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Be sure to check your electronic scales. I had one and depending on where you placed the powder pan on the scale the weight would change slightly. well more than .1 grains. That was not good enough for me so i went back to the beam style and hand trickler which I think is more reliable.
I have RCBS presses and they are old and still great. If i were looking for new ones i might consider a redding turret press or just another rock chucker. My old hornady tumbler still gets the job done. Rifle dies for accurate rifles i try to use rcbs, hornady, or redding dies. Pistols get lee dies. Lots of rifles get the lee dies too, they are good dies. I use the hornady case prep trio tool for chamfer and deburring and cleaning primer pockets.,.thats a hand cramp saver there. For trimmers i recommend the WFT worlds finest trimmer by little crow gunworks. Get the WFT-2 and buy the inserts for different calibers. Those trimmers only work on bottleneck cases so if you load a straight wall rifle case then you will need a regular case trimmer. Ive never trimmed pistol brass, never needed to.
"If you're gonna be stupid you better be tough"
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Re: Reloading - what to look for
[Re: HayDay]
#7174047
02/08/21 03:11 PM
02/08/21 03:11 PM
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 16,150 Tennessee
Scuba1
"color blind Kraut"
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"color blind Kraut"
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 16,150
Tennessee
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Just to mention, RCBS has the best customer service and warranty bar none. Lyman would have to improve a lot to be classed as dismal.
Let's go Brandon
"Shall not comply" with morons who don't understand "shall not infringe."
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