Reloading Equipment Recommended?

[Zig]

I want to start reloading my casings finally and need some recommendations on what type of equipment (press, etc.) to get that doesn't cost a fortune. What I have is a browning 30-06 bolt action.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[toxic111]

Simple.. get yourself a RCBS Rockchucker starter kit, and you are on your way... Will pretty much only need the dies, and powder/bullets/primers.

[Zig]

Thanks toxic111. Any idea who in BC supplies them?

[toxic111]

Wholesale sports in Kamaloops is who easliy comes to mind.. I am sure some of the BC members could help you out.. I am a little out of touch with BC now (been out in the praires for over 10 yrs now)

[Cariboo]

Unless you live in a city with a well-stocked sporting goods store is usually easier and cheaper to mail-order. Both Russells and Wholesale Sports stock a large inventory of reloading equipment. (My personal favorite is Russells) Do not overlook buying used equipment from boards such as ours and eBay.

What equipment to get depends on what sort of volume you will be loading. If you are looking to load say less than 100 rounds a year for a single rifle it is hard to justify spending more that what a Lee Kit costs. For under 200 bucks you should be able to get all the tools you need to make good, accurate, inexpensive loads for your rifle.

If however you think that hand-loading may really interest you for many years I will suggest your buy "green" - RCBS or Redding. The Forester line of tools are also top of the line. These tools will last a lifetime and have a great lifetime warranty if you do happen to break something. Lyman and Hornady tools are quality-wise just below the "green" tools but are well ahead of Lee.


The basic tools you will need are:

Reloading manuals. More are better and these should be the first items purchased. Read the "how-to's" several times until you can almost repeat then verbatim.


A press. A "O" type press is stronger than a "C" type and has less deflection while reloading. With 30-06 class cartridges however a lot of brute strength is not needed. Most presses other than Lee have capabilities of priming new cases although a dedicated priming tool is quicker.

A scale. While Lee does offer data using their "scoops" a good quality scale is a must.

A set of calipers that will measure to .001". Dial or electronic is a personal preference.

A method of trimming cases. All cases will "grow" after being shot and re sized. The pressure and stretching inside the case during ignition will cause the case to thin above the case head. This brass has to flow somewhere and so it takes the path of least resistance and flows out into the case neck lengthening it. Lee makes a cute little lock nut and cartridge specific cutter to trim cases back to minimum lengths. Not a good tool if you have hundreds of cases to do it will work on smaller batches. Most reloading tool companies offer a "file die" that is hardened on the top and once screwed into your press allows you to insert a case into it with the excess length protruding above the top surface. A few swipes with a fine file and the case is brought back to minimum length. Most companies other than Lee offer a lath type trimmer that not only cuts to length but also can be fitted with other gadgets if desired.

A de-burring/inside chamfering tool. You must bevel both the inside and outside of the case mouths after trimming the cases.

A set of dies. A standard set of full-length sizer die and bullet seater die is what you need to start.

Shell holders. These are pretty near universal in fit these days and shell-holders from one companies press usually fit another brand of press.

Cartridge sizing lubricant. many different types on the market and most work well. (My personal favorite is Imperial Sizing Die Wax from Redding)

Loading blocks. These hold the cases while you are working on them.

Cartridge boxes. These hold your loads once they are made. Re-using factory ammo boxes does work too.

A notebook. Mark down everything you do with each batch of ammo. The recipe is no good if it can't be repeated.

[Zig]

Thanks guys!!!! I printed that info out Cariboo

[ruger#1]

loadbooks.com This is where i buy my reloading books on reloading, one book covers one cal, But uses all the bullet and powder manufactures loads and is a fraction of the cost of one large book.

[BwanaDave]

Like Boo said, dont discount good quality used stuff, you can sometimes find it going pretty cheap. Ive got an ancient old Bair/Pacific press and powder measure made in the 50's that continues to give great service. I would however recommend you stay away from hornady dies and give redding some serious consideration.

[the rifleman]

I don't know where Zig lives, but if he's in the lower mainland, Reliable Gun and Tackle on Fraser St. in Vancouver carry RCBS products. The Rockchucker kit is a great way to start off. You will get almost all the stuff you need with it. A case trimmer is a nice addition to the load bench. A stuck case remover may be a good thing to have handy as well. If you check out the RCBS website, they list what comes in the starter kit.

With RCBS they have an iron clad guarantee. Anything breaks, or wears out they replace it free, and pretty quick. I emailed them about a broken deprime pin, they sent me "5", in less then a week. Get a case stuck in a die. send it to them, they will pull the case no charge. Can't beat thier service, and they have first class loading equipment.

[ruger#1]

BULLET loading equip, RCBS reloader press, all acces & manual incl'd $250 obo.
604-467-1987 Found this hope it helps.

[open-sights]

Originally Posted by BwanaDave

I would however recommend you stay away from hornady dies

OK I give, what troubles have you had with them?

[Gatehouse]

With the strong Loonie rigth now, you can save yourself a whack of cash by buying a kit form Midsouth Shooters Supply. They offer great service and great prices.

Make sure it is shipped by US Postal service so you don't get dinged wiht brokerage fees from UPS.

You can't buy brass, powder, bullets or primers from them due to US State Dept Laws, but you can get all the gear necessary. The RCBS kit is a very good option.

[polarbear]

What's everybody got against Lee? I've had no problems with my set, and it's built tough enough that if you break it, you're too ham-handed to be handling primers and powder anyhow.

For the price, you can't really go wrong with the Anniversary Edition kit and a set of Pacesetter dies, and a Collet Neck-sizing die. If you really want to get super-technical later on, invest in some of the other brands if tinkering beyond the point of having fun is your kinda thing.