Thinking about starting reloading

[T3hK1w1]

Well, my father and I were talking recently and we decided that it's time to get serious about getting started in reloading. we have over 20 calibers in the house, 6 of which we have to buy ammo for online (including one that we haven't successfully found ammo for yet). We need it to load pistol, rifle, and magnum rifle cartridges with (nothing huge). I'm thinking about the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, which I've heard a lot of good things about. MidwayUSA has a kit that looks really nice that includes the rockchucker. Would this be a good set to start with?
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=646599" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BobCat]

Yes it would. You will probably wind up with a progressive at some point, but you will always have a use for your Rockchucker. I've had mine since by brother and I bought it used in 1971, and I still use it regularly.

A single stage press is ideal for learning the steps - you can learn on a progressive but it is simpler on a single stage.

The "kit" includes a number of things you will need/use; maybe some you don't, but it is still cheaper and faster.

You will receive advice to obtain several reloading manuals and read them before starting. This is good advice. You will also receive offers from experienced reloaders to help you out / get you started. I am near Houston (West of the city) - and would be happy to help.

It it a fun activity, besides allowing you to shoot *lots more* for not-much-more money.

Regards,
Andrew

[RiverRat]

The Rock Crusher is the right place to start. Midway's price is better than I was able to find locally, too. I even bought a second press only to have as a decapper. If you start loading a lot you will want to move to the progressive, as was said, the Rock Crusher kit will allow you to reload anything you want. Only problem with reloading is you will start shooting more.

[CWOOD]

Another option to start with is a good turret press.

I just got a Lee Classic Turret press kit through Cabelas. Not the Deluxe Kit but the "Classic"

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Kemps Gun Shop also has one.

https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php?pag ... &Itemid=41" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

With a turret press you can set up all of your dies for one caliber on a single turret. This unit has auto indexing to advance the dies in a sort of "semi-progressive function. The auto indexing is easily disabled so that the press can be used as a single stage for the beginner (like me). You can simply change the stages (dies) by rotating the turret to the next die. You can set up the 3-4 dies on the turret, adjust them and not have to readjust them for each stage. If you want to change calibers, you just remove the turret/die combo and install you spare turret (get one for each caliber) with the next set of dies installed and adjusted.

You can go as slow and as precisely as you want in the beginning phase, yet instead of later having to buy a more advanced press as you get more experience, you can just reset the indexing. You can then do pistol ammo at a rate of 150-200 per hour. You can equip this turret press to accomodate everything from .25 ACP up to the .50BMG. Larger rifle ammo cannot be used with the auto indexing but most all pistol and most rifle cartridges can be handled with auto indexing in use.

Just a suggestion for you to consider.

[bj]

Hi if you want some help getting started PM and I will be glad to help B.J.

[txflyer]

The Rock Chucker is an excellent press to start your reloading career. It's where I started more than 20 years ago. I learned a lot on that press, still have it and occasionally use when I don't want to tear down the progressive for just a few rounds of another caliber.

Feel free to PM with any questions, I'll be glad to try and answer to the best of my ability.

One piece of advise to begin, don't scrimp on the dies (especially the resizing die). Most of the time I use the Redding competition dies (if available). The micrometer on the bullet seating die makes all the difference in the world when trying to dial in the seating depth. And be sure to get carbide dies when doing straight walled pistol - no need to use a lubricant when resizing with carbide dies. Saves a step.

You'll also need to add a decent pair of calipers to the order.

[tomneal]

I am a little different than most. I started with a Dillon 650 and have never looked back. 50,000 rounds and no longer counting.

[ske1eter]

Well, my father and I were talking recently and we decided that it's time to get serious about getting started in reloading. we have over 20 calibers in the house, 6 of which we have to buy ammo for online (including one that we haven't successfully found ammo for yet). We need it to load pistol, rifle, and magnum rifle cartridges with (nothing huge). I'm thinking about the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme, which I've heard a lot of good things about. MidwayUSA has a kit that looks really nice that includes the rockchucker. Would this be a good set to start with?
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=646599" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I still have an old RCBS II, if I recall correctly, that I bought in college, oh, 20+ years ago and still use it. I have since bought a Lee Load Master for pistol reloading, 9mm and .45. Many will point you toward the Dillon 550 ($409) or higher but for that price you can almost get two Lee Load Masters ($214).

http://www.factorysales.com/cgi/catalog ... ldmas.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Then consider the price of adding additional calibers between the two. Yikes!

[cling]

Does anyone use the lee classic loader? For $25 it looks like a cheap way to try reloading.

[garcia946]

Really been thinking about doing my own reloads lately. From what I`ve seen and everone recommending The rock Chucker , I just may have to find one and check it out. i may also look at the Lee Classic Turret Press Reloading Kit .
I`ve never done a reload before , so I really don`t know what to expect. Any helpful thoughts?

[ghostrider]

I started with a Lee Challenger press in the early 90's. It works fine, but if I were to start over I would probably go for the rock chucker.

Definitely, get multiple reloading manuals (I like Speer and Hornady). You' find in some cases that the min load in 1 manual exceeds the max load in another manual for the same calibre and bullet weight. More data is better. Take it slow. Weigh your powder charges. For full-sizing of rifle cases, I recommend the RCBS Precision mic; not necessary if you neck-size only.

And ask a lot of questions :-)

[getnit1]

The Rock Chucker kit is where I started. It has everything you need to start loading pistols. If you are going to load rifle you need to get a case trimmer also and calipers. I still load my highpower match shells on my rockchucker and throw each charge on the 5-0-5 scale and use the uniflow powder measure. Cabella's has the RC supreme master kit for 289.00 and is in stock. Midway is out as of right now @ $274.99. If I was to start over today I would get a Lee Challenger kit $104.99 @ Midway in stock, the RCBS Trim Pro case trimmer with the pilots and case holders for rifle calibers you are going to load, a bottle of spray lube, a tumbler kit, and a set of calipers. All for about the same as the Rock Chucker kit and you only need to buy the dies you need, and you now have everything you were going to have to buy anyway with the Rock Chucker kit. I did not use my Rock Chucker very long before I was searching for a faster way to load (about 2 mos). But, all of the stuff that you get with the kit you will need when you go progressive for high use calibers as well so you gotta have them. The Rock Chucker in my opinion is a little overbuilt for those of us which generally go progressive anyway. And don't say you won't go progressive. I also bought a Lee Challenger kit a few years back and I admit it is not built as well as the RCBS but I have yet to have any problems with it. I use it to load 300 weatherby, 30-06 and 308 so it is strong. I have left my Rock chucker for my .223 competition loads. I sometimes size my .223 on the Lee and seat on the Rock Chucker.

[sbb]

I am a little different than most. I started with a Dillon 650 and have never looked back. 50,000 rounds and no longer counting.

Started with the Big Blue and have never wished I had bought anything else. An investment in quality will last more than one lifetime. The no bull warranty is the best in the industry. I hope to hand my press down to my grandson in a couple of decades.

[gmckinl]

Great package to go with. The Rockchucker is not just a starter press; it is ONE of the best presses on the market. I'm using a Lyman Orange Crusher because the opening is a bit taller than a Rockchucker but otherwise they are quite similar presses.