reloading start..suggestions welcome

[SwampBuck]

Not that I NEED to reload but its something that always interested me and I like being more hands on and having a better understanding of what it is I'm shooting or fishing (I build fishing rods also).

So I haven't bought any equipment yet. But I did buy the latest Hornady book, lee precision modern reloading and the latest Lyman Book. Ill probably pick up a Nosler book also once I get started. A little searching on here got me pointed in a good general direction

Right now Im looking into the Hornady lock n load Iron single stag press but I know rcbs has a good setup too.

Also decided to start out with the stainless cleaning media, still looking into which cleaner to get that will work with stainless.

Basically just open to any suggestions or pointers. I'm stuck on shift for the holiday and its pretty boring. Trying to keep myself entertained so I wont spend anymore money.

Oh, first two calibers I plan to load would likely be for my .280 and the .308 I just picked up. Both Hunting rifles.

But I also have a .243 and a 25-06 Ill likely mess around with down the road.

Merry Christmas

[Drycreek3189]

Sounds to me like you're on the right track. I would have suggested that your first step would be the buying and reading of a couple good reloading manuals, Hornady and Nosler being my favorites. Any good press and dies will work to start, and the wet cleaning is probably the way to go, although I'm stuck in the past with walnut shells

When you start with the .280, give R19 a try. That or IMR4831 have been my best loads. Good luck , it's fun and rewarding to roll your own !

[SwampBuck]

Will do! Appreciate it.

[M16]

I have one of these and it works very well.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/713881/frankford-arsenal-platinum-series-rotary-case-tumbler-110-volt

How serious do you want to get budget wise?

The Forster Co-Ax is a great press.

Redding makes great dies

[SwampBuck]

hilarious....that's the same tumbler I have in my wish list at midwayusa.

I don't mind spending money for quality stuff, just don't see the point in going full tilt just yet.

[cajuntec]

I have one of these and it works very well.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/713881/frankford-arsenal-platinum-series-rotary-case-tumbler-110-volt

I use the same tumbler. Works fantastic. Cleanest brass I've ever processed. I use a gallon of water, 1 tablespoon of Dawn dishwashing detergent, and 1/4 teaspoon of Lemishine. My brass comes out looking awesome.

Welcome to the addiction. It's a heck of a hobby.

All the best,
Glenn

[Horitexan]

I have one of these and it works very well.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/713881/frankford-arsenal-platinum-series-rotary-case-tumbler-110-volt

How serious do you want to get budget wise?

The Forster Co-Ax is a great press.

Redding makes great dies

I've got that tumbler and it's great. LOVE my Redding Type S dies.

hilarious....that's the same tumbler I have in my wish list at midwayusa.



I don't mind spending money for quality stuff, just don't see the point in going full tilt just yet.

It's definitely hard to jump in with both feet but buying twice (upgrading later) is always more expensive.

I use a RCBS Chargemaster with a custom insert in the dispenser tube. Redding T7 press and Redding dies. For a log book, I really like the one from MTM/Case Guard.




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[SwampBuck]

I do like that turret head idea on the t7. But not sure Its needed for the low amount of ammo id be doing.

For dies. Are most of you sticking to two or three die sets?

A neck sizing die looks like it would be handy

[Gummi Bear]

I use the same tumbler. Works fantastic. Cleanest brass I've ever processed. I use a gallon of water, 1 tablespoon of Dawn dishwashing detergent, and 1/4 teaspoon of Lemishine. My brass comes out looking awesome.



Welcome to the addiction. It's a heck of a hobby.



All the best,

Glenn

I use the same tumbler recipe. I will cut the Lemishine to teaspoon for once fired brass. Same great results.

Love my F.A.R.T. I run a few batches a week.

I also use a Nesco food dehydrator to dry.

For a media separator, spend the money once on the Dillon. All the ones that fit in a bucket are junk in comparison.


Eventually you will get a batch of cruddy brass. You have too much muck in the tumble bucket. You will need to clean your stainless media from time to time. Just a little soap in the bucket then fill with water and let it run. Rinse it until no more soap when it's done. Probably will take 7-8 rinses. I process quite a bit of brass for other folks, usually a 5 gallon bucket full at a time.


"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices, have very few virtues" - Abraham Lincoln

[Gummi Bear]

Swamp Buck

You're on the right path in your thinking. Hornady makes fantastic stuff. I'd put them in the same quality as Redding, RCBS and Dillon.


"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices, have very few virtues" - Abraham Lincoln

[SwampBuck]

Swamp Buck

You're on the right path in your thinking. Hornady makes fantastic stuff. I'd put them in the same quality as Redding, RCBS and Dillon.


"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices, have very few virtues" - Abraham Lincoln

Appreciate the info. Thanks I didn't want to seem too brand bias but ive always had good luck with most things hornady and seems like a lot of others have too.

The reason I liked the Iron single stage press they have is the auto priming upgrade and the accessory mounts up top. Maybe its a minute addition but from the couple of videos ive seen it used in it seemed a good bet.

[cajuntec]

I also use a Nesco food dehydrator to dry.

Yep. Me too. Got mine used off of Craigslist for a couple of bucks. Works great, and I paid about a fifth of what the new ones from Hornady, Frankford Arsenal, and others cost.

All the best,
Glenn

[Leverhunter]

RockChucker from RCBS is a great press. Unless you need benchrest quality dies I would try Lee with the factory crimp die. They are inexpensive and give me 1 inch groups in my best guns. The Hornady manual has great info.

[cajuntec]

By the way... nothing says you have to stay with one brand.

I started with a Hornady Lock-N-Load single stage press kit. I replaced the Hornady digital scale with a Redding balance-beam type for precision measurements. I still use the Hornady when I'm doing quick checks to get my powder drop close to where I need it.

I then upgraded the powder drop to the micrometer insert, which greatly cut down my time when resetting my drop. I just note the micrometer setting in my log book when I load with a certain powder. When I go back to it, I just reset the micrometer to that reading, perform about a half-dozen drops into a pan to get everything settled, and when I check, I'm usually dead on or pretty close to where I want to be.

My first dies, even though my press was a Hornady, were RCBS. No issues at all. But the first set of Hornady dies I purchased and upgraded with the micrometer insert on the seating die got me wanting more Hornady dies.

I didn't like the Hornady all-in-one case prep center at the time I got into this (they have changed since then), so I purchased the RCBS model. Love it.

Then my brass cleaner is the Frankford Arsenal, and I use a RCBS media separator. I also have a Hornady vibrating tumbler for polishing brass and removing case lube after sizing.

Recently, I upgraded my powder trickler from the Hornady plastic one to a heavyweight Redding.

Oh... and I use Lee Factory Crimp Dies on just about everything I reload.

So you see... you can be brand loyal if you want... but you don't have to be. Pick and choose components you like.

All the best,
Glenn

[SwampBuck]

By the way... nothing says you have to stay with one brand.

I started with a Hornady Lock-N-Load single stage press kit. I replaced the Hornady digital scale with a Redding balance-beam type for precision measurements. I still use the Hornady when I'm doing quick checks to get my powder drop close to where I need it.

I then upgraded the powder drop to the micrometer insert, which greatly cut down my time when resetting my drop. I just note the micrometer setting in my log book when I load with a certain powder. When I go back to it, I just reset the micrometer to that reading, perform about a half-dozen drops into a pan to get everything settled, and when I check, I'm usually dead on or pretty close to where I want to be.

My first dies, even though my press was a Hornady, were RCBS. No issues at all. But the first set of Hornady dies I purchased and upgraded with the micrometer insert on the seating die got me wanting more Hornady dies.

I didn't like the Hornady all-in-one case prep center at the time I got into this (they have changed since then), so I purchased the RCBS model. Love it.

Then my brass cleaner is the Frankford Arsenal, and I use a RCBS media separator. I also have a Hornady vibrating tumbler for polishing brass and removing case lube after sizing.

Recently, I upgraded my powder trickler from the Hornady plastic one to a heavyweight Redding.

Oh... and I use Lee Factory Crimp Dies on just about everything I reload.

So you see... you can be brand loyal if you want... but you don't have to be. Pick and choose components you like.

All the best,
Glenn

Oh no I totally agree...I'm just too new to know what I like so just somewhat sticking to one brand was my way of making a decision. Most dies I've looked at were Redding or Lee.

While I'm taking the time to read up and research I'll probably Lee my eyes peeled for a good deal on a used press then accessorize from there.