Bullseye-L Forum
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

Total Reloading Equipment Packages

+12
Wobbley
jglenn21
fc60
rebs
Allgoodhits
Chris Miceli
gregbenner
Bigtrout
mspingeld
dronning
BE Mike
NuJudge
16 posters

Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by Guest 10/15/2017, 1:38 pm

Are there Total Reloading Equipment Packages for the different calibers offered by any companies?
If so please list them.

Thanks in advance.

Guest
Guest


Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by NuJudge 10/15/2017, 2:31 pm

Lots of them.  I believe each of these would need a die set.  
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit  
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/785993/lee-classic-4-hole-turret-press-deluxe-kit  
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/149937/hornady-lock-n-load-classic-single-stage-press-deluxe-kit

NuJudge

Posts : 263
Join date : 2011-09-22
Age : 67
Location : SE Michigan

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by Guest 10/15/2017, 2:37 pm

A different die set for each caliber, right?

Guest
Guest


Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by Guest 10/15/2017, 2:40 pm

I like the looks of the Hornaday setup. Seems more massive and complete.

Guest
Guest


Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by Guest 10/15/2017, 2:44 pm

Oops. I meant "Hornady."
"Get up to 500 Free Bullets with Purchase of Qualifying Products"
What kind of .45 bullets should I ask for?

Guest
Guest


Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by NuJudge 10/15/2017, 2:50 pm

Yes.  A different die set & shell holder for each caliber.  There are also some equipment specific to certain types of caliber reloading, such as rifle cases needing periodic trimming, and a tool to remove crimps from primer pockets when using military and police surplus brass.  

I encourage you to look on Craigslist and other such places for reloading equipment, before buying new.  

Also, give some thought to what you are going to load for.  If you are going to load high volumes of ammo for pistol use, the actual equipment you would buy would be quite different from occasionally loading a box or two of deer rifle cartridges.  

I do encourage you to spend money on good gauging equipment and task lighting also.  Cheap Chinese electronic vernier calipers are good for some things, but they're frequently off by .002".  For situations where .002" is important, use a micrometer.  Cartridge gauges can help a lot.  With bad technique on some equipment it is not hard to throw a double charge of fast burning pistol powders, and if you don't have enough light to spot it, you could destroy your pistol.

NuJudge

Posts : 263
Join date : 2011-09-22
Age : 67
Location : SE Michigan

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by BE Mike 10/16/2017, 8:22 am

The majority of reloading dies will work in presses of other makers. They have standard threading. I would get a good reloading manual before buying any equipment and learn about the reloading process. The good manuals have detailed instructions on the reloading process in the front. I'm sure that there are good videos available, but you want to learn everything from the base line. Seeing a video that is somewhat advanced can leave you with a lot of overlooked important information.
BE Mike
BE Mike

Posts : 2564
Join date : 2011-07-29
Location : Indiana

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by dronning 10/16/2017, 8:30 am

Please don't rush into this decision, do your research.  Check into Lee, Hornady, Dillion.
- Dave
dronning
dronning

Posts : 2581
Join date : 2013-03-20
Age : 70
Location : Lakeville, MN

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by mspingeld 10/16/2017, 8:53 am

Interesting article: http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

mspingeld
Admin

Posts : 835
Join date : 2014-04-19
Age : 64
Location : New Jersey

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by Bigtrout 10/16/2017, 9:43 am

Make sure the package has a "small" rotor in the powder measure if you are going to do primarily pistol loads.  Take your time and talk to folks you know who already reload.  +1 for RCBS, Hornady or Dillon.  Handloading is very rewarding if done right, not just for saving money but developing loads that are right for you and your firearm.
Bigtrout
Bigtrout

Posts : 417
Join date : 2015-06-21
Age : 84
Location : Richmond, VT

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by gregbenner 10/16/2017, 10:28 am

You might also want to check the various manufacturers re: tech support, post purchase.  I have a Dillon 550, purchased used 20 years ago.  Dillon has a responsive and available tech support line which has proven very valuable, particularly when I was starting.

I have no experience with the other companies.

gregbenner

Posts : 738
Join date : 2016-10-29
Location : San Diego area

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by Chris Miceli 10/16/2017, 11:24 am

call Bruce at star machine works, he can setup with an entire star reloader setup.

Chris Miceli

Posts : 2715
Join date : 2015-10-27
Location : Northern Virginia

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by Allgoodhits 10/16/2017, 8:36 pm

wesleytilson@gmail.com wrote:Are there Total Reloading Equipment Packages for the different calibers offered by any companies?
If so please list them.

Thanks in advance.
https://www.dillonprecision.com/
Allgoodhits
Allgoodhits

Posts : 899
Join date : 2017-09-17
Location : Southport, NC

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by BE Mike 10/17/2017, 9:00 am

Chris Miceli wrote:call Bruce at star machine works, he can setup with an entire star reloader setup.
The Star machine is a work of art, but has very limited versatility. If you decide to go with a progressive setup, go with Dillon or Hornady. If you go with a single stage kit, Lee is the cheapest. RCBS, Lyman, Hornady or Redding have very good kits. I would opt for the beefier press, as well as, the one which will give you more leverage and make sizing the easiest. When buying reloading dies, get the "deluxe" versions with carbide sizing dies for pistol calibers.
BE Mike
BE Mike

Posts : 2564
Join date : 2011-07-29
Location : Indiana

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by dronning 10/17/2017, 9:47 am

+1 this is great advice and often initially overlooked - don't skimp on dies.  All my seating dies are Competition dies and I always seat and crimp in 2 different stations final crimp is a carbide Lee Factory Crimp die.  

I also use the powder funnel from Double-Alpha Academy that was designed for their Mr Bullet Feeder, (Dillion press only) because the unique flare makes it easier to place a bullet on the case before seating.  You don't need the bullet feeder to use it.  I have the bullet feeder on my 1050 and liked the funnel so much I started using them on my 550 which doesn't have a bullet feeder.
- Dave
dronning
dronning

Posts : 2581
Join date : 2013-03-20
Age : 70
Location : Lakeville, MN

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by rebs 10/17/2017, 11:52 am

Hornady has great customer support. One call and they will send you anything you might need and will also talk you through anything you don't understand.

Also highboy has a bunch of videos showing exactly how to setup a Hornady LNL progressive press.

rebs

Posts : 273
Join date : 2015-02-11

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by fc60 10/17/2017, 3:16 pm

Greetings BE Mike,

"The Star machine is a work of art, but has very limited versatility."

Please elaborate on your statement.

I have a Star and find it meets all my needs. Perhaps I am missing out on something.

Cheers,

Dave
fc60
fc60

Posts : 1452
Join date : 2011-06-11
Location : South Prairie, WA 98385

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by jglenn21 10/17/2017, 3:20 pm

I've owned several stars and they are great for pistol. You do have to use their dies though 

The dillon 550 and  up can do both pistol and rifle cartridges. Also uses std. 7/8 dies..
jglenn21
jglenn21

Posts : 2618
Join date : 2015-04-07
Age : 76
Location : monroe , ga

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by Wobbley 10/17/2017, 4:24 pm

RCBS, Hornady, Dillon Redding all have good support.  I have experience with all 4.
Wobbley
Wobbley
Admin

Posts : 4776
Join date : 2015-02-12

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by Jack H 10/17/2017, 5:51 pm

wesleytilson@gmail.com wrote:Are there Total Reloading Equipment Packages for the different calibers offered by any companies?
If so please list them.

Thanks in advance.

Really more information needed.

Calibres?
Rifle too?
Experience?
Budget?
Expectations?
Work space available?
Jack H
Jack H

Posts : 2693
Join date : 2011-06-10
Age : 75
Location : Oregon

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by Keyholed 10/22/2017, 2:29 am

Amount of time available to reload?
Volume of ammunition required?

If you're shooting a box or two a week, you could get by on a turret--it would take a little over an hour a week in reloading and maintenance.

If you're shooting a match, 200-300 rounds in practice, and an afternoon a week fooling around with IPSC or sumsuch to the tune of another 100-150 rounds, then the expense of, say, a Dillon 650 is well worth it.

Keyholed

Posts : 110
Join date : 2015-08-05

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by willnewton 10/22/2017, 7:24 am

Lee Classic Turret kit and Lee carbide 4 die set.  RCBS universal hand primer.  A small digital scale that can weigh in grains.  You are done for a starter kit.

“Lee is cheap”, “Lee is import”, whatever.  The Classic turret gives VERY repeatable ammo and is way better than a single stage without the headache of a progressive press.  I bought a progressive press and went back to the turret after a week.  It just makes more consistent ammo.  The progressive press is just used as a bulk depriming station now.

I would not go with a progressive press to start with, you can just add the press later, as you accumulate the tools and experience.  Don’t be distracted by the shiny mechanisms and fancy moving parts everywhere, just learn how to make one good bullet and then learn to make it over and over again.

  The turret press is a fantastic learning tool and you will always have a use for it for depriming or making quick runs of ammo you don't use often even if you grow into a Dillon, Hornady, Star, or what have you.  Your education on the Turret will give you a huge jump start if you move to a progressive press later.

I got this kit.  I don’t use the onboard primer, just the hand primer.  I use the digital scale for faster reading than the included beam scale when setting up, but still use the beam as the “final word”.

https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Classic-Turret-Press/dp/B008M5TSCG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508675640&sr=8-1&keywords=lee+classic+turret+press+kit
willnewton
willnewton
Admin

Posts : 1108
Join date : 2016-07-24
Location : NC

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by Sevens 10/26/2017, 4:35 pm

Always going to be spirited "debates" in different brands of handloading gear and a few decades of doing this and loving every minute of it has shown me that EVERY brand has genuine value depending on your need, skill level, patience and bankroll (except for one brand, SmartReloader, the 'opioid crisis' of handloading tools) but of all the passionate discussions I have ever read or taken part in, this is the first time I ever recall Lee products even hinted at being IMPORTS.

A couple dozen ways to argue (pro/con) with Lee, but imported they are not, unless this is a recent development that I have missed.

Sevens

Posts : 35
Join date : 2016-10-07

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by willnewton 10/26/2017, 6:39 pm

You are correct, as far as I know, but that doesn't stop folks from making the assumption since the Lee are so cheap, er uh, I mean affordable, that they are not made in the USA.

The “Lee is import” is what was said to me during a discussion about the merits of red vs green vs blue vs any other color of reloading gear.  I should have clarified that context a bit more, didn’t mean to imply otherwise.  I called out the guy that said it just the same as you did me!  Wink
willnewton
willnewton
Admin

Posts : 1108
Join date : 2016-07-24
Location : NC

Back to top Go down

Total Reloading Equipment Packages Empty Re: Total Reloading Equipment Packages

Post by Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top

- Similar topics

 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum