I thank everyone for good information. It sounds like this is an area you must read and learn. It's nice to hear that there are pitfalls and it sounds like learning one caliber at a time might be best. Because I am going to be shooting my 6.5 x55 more over the next 5-6 months, preparing for deer season, I think I'll focus on that reload. Then maybe my 308's, although general ammo cost is pretty cheap in that caliber. But I'd really like to perfect a caliber at a time. Any thoughts on my first purchase of equipment. i can afford high quality stuff that is accurate and a long term keeper. So a list of the basics I'd need would be helpful. Machines, powders and target and deer bullets. I have put in 2 book orders so that's a start.
Thanks to all...
Ed
Sticking to one caliber at a time till you have worked your way through the process of developing a good accurate load several times is a very good idea. It will eliminate the opportunity for confusion causing mistakes. You will need to develope your documentation system, how you label things, the process you want to follow based on your goals for the ammunition you are working on.
I'd start with a good single stage press. There are a bunch of them on the market that are really good both to start and which will last about forever. Any of the cast iron D-frame presses will work just fine - RCBS RockChucker, Redding BOSS and Big BOSS, Forster, Hornady - they are all good and will last longer than you will be able to pull the lever.
If cost were no object I'd get two presses. The first would be the Redding UltraMag press and the Redding Competition Bushing dies for high power rifle cartridges. The second, for .223 and similar Black Rifle Ammo and handgun ammo I'd get the Dillon 550 Progressive Press and use Redding Dies in it for rifle cartridges, the Dillon dies for handgun cartridges. Work out your process on the single stage first, the progressive press has a lot going on at once and that multiplies the chances for a mistake when just getting started.
The Dillon vibrating case cleaner, AKA tumbler, is probably the best on the market. I finally bought one after a lesser one wore out in less than 3 years. It's built like a tractor. I think it will outlast the sun. A rotary case/media seperator is much better than any other system for getting media out of cases after they are cleaned. Dillon makes a good one of those too. Dillon makes good stuff period, and they stand behind it 100% no matter what.
Sinclair has lots of high end case preperation and measurement stuff. By the time you've finished the book you will know what you need.
Take a look at the RCBS ChargeMaster digital powder dispenser, but back it up with a lab quality digital or beam scale and a set of check weights.
For handgun ammo you can just dump it in tupperware tubs. Rifle ammo I put in 20 round slip cases. If I had a black rifle I'd put that ammo in plastic tubs.
That said, you can load a lot of ammo with a RockChucker Supreme kit plus a tumbler and some loading manuals. Most of the leading reloading suppliers sell a kit that containes about everything you need to get started.
Fitch
