[Z09SS]

My shooting buddy and I have decided it is time to start reloading.

We are looking around and we've noticed that we don't know what we don't know about the equipment.

HELP!

We think we want a turret press. We are not sure about brands and whose dies work in what machines and so forth.

I have had friends with both RCBS and Lee presses who seemed happy. I think I would prefer going RCBS, but I am not sure.

 

[Jamesb74]

If you are looking money wise Lee single stage's are not bad and will get the job done. Turrets are nice. RCBS makes some great products so does Redding and Hornady. It really comes down to what you want and the coin you want to spend. Most all dies are compatible with most presses. I have a Lee single and a Dillon 550 and Lee,Dillon,Rcbs,and redding dies that fit in both presses.

I wish I would have gotten a turret first as you just buy the turrett and set your dies and flip it off and another turret on with the dies set for a different caliber. Some here have highly recommended the bushing type from Hornady that youset the fiirst time and snap in and out.

A lot of decisions so take your time Hope this helps.

 

[Test_User]

If you want a turret the only one worth getting is the Redding. Using a single stage with the hornady quick change bushings will allow you to load almost as quickly and save you some money. going that way I woudl suggest getting the RCBS Rock Chucker Master Supreme Kit. Add to that:

Dies
bullet puller
calipers
Hornady bushing kit
RCBS shell holder
Bullet compator .277

ammo cases
loading trays

That will get you a really solid start.

You will completely recouple your money within 1000 rounds which is not much for two people.

IF you want the turret press then you need tyo add to the above since you will not be getting the kit:

RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure
RCBS 505 scale
RCBS case mouth deburr
RCBS Case funnel
Lee hand Primer and lee shell holder
You can make your own case lube by mixng 1:1 STP Oil Treament with Hoppes No 9 or you can buy Dillon Spray or others do not get hornady spray lube it is not good.

You are going to need to get a case trimmer eventually but that can wait until you get a few firings from the cases. there is other stuff you may and likely will want to add as you get more into it but this will get you a very thorough start.

 

[rushca01]

Go to a book store and get a couple different reloading books, they generally have a nice "intro" and "how to" sections for reloading. They give nice detail on equipment needed etc...and most importantly they give you load data. Get two (or even three) to compare loads between each book as they can be different. Always start low and work up, I don't know if the new books have 6.8 load data but even if they do I would come here and use the loads that have been worked up by various people here, Owneslee, Paulsantos, Constructor, Tim W, HTR.....etc....(just work up).

Don't know how much you know about reloading and you may already know all of this, just a couple of basics.

As far as presses, the Dillion 500 is nice for "speed" loading just check your finished rounds for accuracy, there have been reports of the dillion being "sloppy" with the powder. That being said I have a dillion and if you are loading for accuracy you can fill the case by hand and have better control over that step.

 

[WiscTJK]

Not to hijak the thread but..

Tim, what is a .277 bullet compator?

As far as good books to learn from (these are the ones I am using / have used): Lee's Modern Reloading, Lyman Reloading Manual and ABC's of Reloading.

 

[remat457]

I like the Lee turret's they are well priced for what you get. I almost got one of those when I upgraded from a single stage but decided on the Hornady Lock and Lock progressive, which you also get a 1000 free bullets.

I had always gone RCBS before but the price difference was noticeable.

 

[7bears]

delete post

 

[nemohunter]

the Lee classic turret press i what i use to build almost all my ammo. you can either use it as a self advacing turret or take the op rod out and use it as a single stage. i have loaded MUCH ammo that would do moa with ease. you cant load long cartridges with the auto advance in place but you can load almost any round on it. the $$$$ you save can go towards components and other tools.