Reloading equipment advise needed

[Cuatro]

I just got my dads RCBS reloading stuff out of the attic. Looks like a single stage kit. He had a few dies that i can use and i am ready to add a few pieces of equipment.

I need advice on priming tool/press, a case cleaner and a auto powder measurer.
I am new to this and all info is welcome.

 

[BuckSnort]

I just got my dads RCBS reloading stuff out of the attic. Looks like a single stage kit. He had a few dies that i can use and i am ready to add a few pieces of equipment.

I need advice on priming tool/press, a case cleaner and a auto powder measure
I am new to this and all info is welcome.

Priming tool: Hard to go wrong with a Lee Auto Prime...Probably be better off to buy the 11 piece shell holder kit, as it will be cheaper in the long run...

Electric powder dispenser: I like my RCBS Chargemaster, but you need a balance beam scale if you don't already need one.. It's also fine for starting out and many people prefer them..

Case cleaner: I have a Midway 1292 it's been cleaning thousands of cases for almost 20 years..

 

[jpd676]

I have the Hornady automatic charge thrower. I love it and could never go back to only the balance beam scale. I am sure the RCBS is great too. I got the RCBS case prep station and love that also. To clean cases I just use a Lyman 1200 (I think) case tumbler and am pleased with that.

 

[land308]

I use the lee hand priming tool also. works great and it was cheap. I used a lyman balance beam scale for years but just upgraded to the lyman 1200 auto dispenser. It works well. No compliants. I think all of the cheap tumblers will get the job done if you keep good media in them. I have a cheap lyman tumbler and a large dillon tumbler. The lyman works well but the dillon is much faster. you will need a case trimmer. Get one that can hook up to a power drill. Trimming cases is the only part of reloading that I hate. I like the lee deluxe die sets. I don't think you can beat them for the price. Get a good reloading manual and read it. I you have any other specific questions ask away.

 

[Cuatro]

Thanks for all the info. I shoot a 30-378 and was told to only use a neck die if the brass stays with the same gun. That right?
Dies will work in all brands? Lee dies on a rcbs press?
Best current manual?
How do you measure the depth of your lands in a barrel?

Thanks

 

[SidecarFlip]

Lets not dazzle and confuse this person with all the electronic fandango crap.... He don't need it now. He needs basic tools.

You have a single stage press, get yourself an RCBS or Lee hand primer. Simple effective and cheap. The Lee shellholder set (you need that) fits both plus it fits your press and it's cheap. You can upgrade to an auto prime later and sell your hand primer but I doubt you will. I prefer my hand prime over a press prime anytime.

A loading block made from a 2x4 with proper size holes works to hold cases. Been using 2x4's for years for loading blocks. Cheap again.

Both Lee and RCBS make a basic case prep kit with hand brushes (but nylon bore brushes of the correct diameter work too. Get a chamfering tool for case mouths and neck chamfer.

A powder funnel and trickler and a beam scale, not the electronic crap yet. Nothing beats the accuracy of a jeweled movement, magnetically dampened beam scale, nothing. I use a beam scale even today. I have an old but accurate 5-0-5 RCBS. Inexpensive., lasts forever.

I have a hand trickler, a Lyman, works fine, was cheap.

I use an RCBS powder measure but they are all good, just learn to move the charge lever the same speed and slap the upper and lower stop everythime. No biggie. Cheap again. Forget the micrometer whatyoucallit for the powder measure, useless. Put your micrometer head on your seater die....

A set of dial calipers to measure COAL and neck concentricity should do it. Harbor Freight has some cheap but serviceable ones that if you drop them, you won't have a coronary....

I like al dies, Lee the least, Redding the most but dies have to do with personal preference and caliber being loaded so I won't go there....

That will get you started, if you can get components today.... Thats another challenge.

 

[Cuatro]

Lets not dazzle and confuse this person with all the electronic fandango crap.... He don't need it now. He needs basic tools.

You have a single stage press, get yourself an RCBS or Lee hand primer. Simple effective and cheap. The Lee shellholder set (you need that) fits both plus it fits your press and it's cheap. You can upgrade to an auto prime later and sell your hand primer but I doubt you will. I prefer my hand prime over a press prime anytime.

A loading block made from a 2x4 with proper size holes works to hold cases. Been using 2x4's for years for loading blocks. Cheap again.

Both Lee and RCBS make a basic case prep kit with hand brushes (but nylon bore brushes of the correct diameter work too. Get a chamfering tool for case mouths and neck chamfer.

A powder funnel and trickler and a beam scale, not the electronic crap yet. Nothing beats the accuracy of a jeweled movement, magnetically dampened beam scale, nothing. I use a beam scale even today. I have an old but accurate 5-0-5 RCBS. Inexpensive., lasts forever.

I have a hand trickler, a Lyman, works fine, was cheap.

I use an RCBS powder measure but they are all good, just learn to move the charge lever the same speed and slap the upper and lower stop everythime. No biggie. Cheap again. Forget the micrometer whatyoucallit for the powder measure, useless. Put your micrometer head on your seater die....

A set of dial calipers to measure COAL and neck concentricity should do it. Harbor Freight has some cheap but serviceable ones that if you drop them, you won't have a coronary....

I like al dies, Lee the least, Redding the most but dies have to do with personal preference and caliber being loaded so I won't go there....

That will get you started, if you can get components today.... Thats another challenge.

Thanks for the input. Will get supplies and get my bench set up and ready.

 

[SidecarFlip]

You always start with basic stuff and work up. Me, I started with the basic stuff and stayed with the basic stuff.

I've loaded hundreds and hundreds of rounds. Reloading is like male knitting. It's supposed to be a relaxing, laid back thing. You don't need no electronci crap, but then, maybe you do. I don't but then Its relaxing for me....

 

[Snowman]

I would agree that a beginner would be better off NOT having some fancy electronic powder measure. I've helped a number of guys get started reloading and the Lee powder dippers and a beam scale are a safe way to start. Use the dipper that measures closest to the change you want and dump it into the beam scale to ensure you are not overcharging any cases.I've been reloading for 45 years and I still use my Lee dippers and a scale on all Max and near Max charges.

 

[Cuatro]

If you were to have one reloading manual, which one would it be?

 

[Dr. Vette]

If you just got out your Dad's old stuff, it might help us if you tell us what you already own. If nothing else take a couple of photos of the equipment and post them.

I started reloading this past year and yes, I have an RCBS Chargemaster 1500. I really, really like it and don't even own a beam scale. Buy what you want after doing your own investigation, and if you already own a beam scale from your Dad then start with that and see how it goes. If your heart is set on an electronic one then go for it; I'm glad I did.

For a cleaner I bought this tumbler from Harbor Freight and use it with stainless tumbling media:
Rock Tumbler, 3 Lb. - Save on this Rotary Rock Tumbler
Yes, you can only do 20-40 cases at a time but that's not a big deal if you only clean a days' range session at a time. Let it run for a few hours and get sparkling clean cases. Buy the double drum unit for not a lot more money if you want. Oh, and buy spare belts as well, though I've not yet had to replace mine.

Think about a bullet comparator set (or at least one with the 30 caliber insert) so that you can measure each load to the ogive:
Hornady Lock-N-Load Bullet Comparator Basic Set 6serts

You probably already have a primer pocket cleaner (in Dad's kit) but think about a primer pocket uniformer as well.

Along with previous recommendations that should get you started.

Oh, and don't buy one reloading manual. Buy 3, and use company websites as well since most provide load information online.