I currently have a Redding T7 turret press but next one would be a MEC.
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reloading equipment help
- Thread starter Nuclear Worker
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Savage 12BVSS
Well-Known Member
I would say the Mec will not disappoint.
The posts reflect the different equipment that is considered of most importance. They also show the variety of ways we all arrive at the same goal, all things considered the press and dies are still the heart of the system. Choose wisely grasshopper
Kmccord
Well-Known Member
On dies, I would recommend Redding or Forster's. I have Redding Master Hunter set for my 28 Nosler, for my 6.5 Creedmoor, I purchased a Redding F/L sizer and a Forster Ultra Micrometer seater die, the combo was cheaper than the Master Hunter die set by Redding. I also have RCBS dies for my 7mm Rem Mag, but the Redding and Forster dies are better, especially loading VLD bullets.
Bang4theBuck
Well-Known Member
What you need is reloading mentor. Where do you live and are you willing to take instruction over e-mail, zoom, face time, etc. ?
Backcountry sports
Well-Known Member
Rcbs is what I use
Soooo many options. If you're looking for a kit the Rock Chucker Supreme kit is hard to beat. I bought everything independently and not in a kit. I just replaced my press and went with a RCBS Summit and a RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme. I have a thread on here from the other day with a lot of good info about presses. I'll try and find the link and also a video someone shared from the "ultimate reloader". Summit will be a clean press and the supreme a dirty press. I also use the RCBS Electric powder dispenser scale and hand priming tool. There are hundreds of dies out there with a huge range of prices. Case gauges, calipers, case trimmer, comparator tools, etc.... take your time. Here is my thread https://www.longrangehunting.com/th...sue-need-some-help.240197/page-4#post-1877774 and below is the "Ultimate Reloader" review.
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Live in Wisconsin and yes to taking instructions
I won't tell you what you should get but rather what I use that works for me. One questions is what is your end goal? Will this be a casual hobby or are you looking to make precision loads and add additional calibers down the road?
My equipment is as follows:
I have future plans to add an AMP annealer and probably an Autotrickler V3.
Regarding presses, the video posted above of the 14 press shootout is a good one to watch.
My equipment is as follows:
- Forster Co-Ax press
- Mixture of Forster Micrometer and Redding Competition dies. I recently added a set of Whidden dies and really like them as well.
- RCBS Chargemaster 1500 (I plan to add a Harrels powder throw at some point)
- LE Wilson micrometer case trimmer (eventually plan to step up to a Giraud)
- Forster bench top chamfer/debur tool (see above about the Giraud)
- I keep a RCBS Rangemaster 750 on hand for general weighing/sorting of cases, bullets, etc.
- I also keep on hand a Wilson case gauge for every cartridge I load for.
I have future plans to add an AMP annealer and probably an Autotrickler V3.
Regarding presses, the video posted above of the 14 press shootout is a good one to watch.
Mc Fraser
Well-Known Member
My take away from the above video is that the co ax press is "the best". I don't know other people using the Mec press just YouTube celebrities. I suspect you can do the same thing with any press by removing the shell holder spring. I own a co ax and my only complaint is that is a small press, I thought it will be bigger.
I would buy the new RCBS powder dispenser or the AutoTrickler v3.
For dies i recommend Redding or forester dies they are both equally good.
I would buy a powder funnel and block to hold your brass while reloading. My advice is to buy premium brass like lapua, alpha, ADG so you don't have to turn it and spend money in brass prep tools.
Once you have all these buy a good caliper and start reloading. The ideas is that you will either shoot 1/4 moa and that's it or you will shoot like crap and then you'll come back and ask for advice.
What I'm trying to say is don't buy a lot of stuff, you might not need it ever. Buy only what you need to reload.
I would buy the new RCBS powder dispenser or the AutoTrickler v3.
For dies i recommend Redding or forester dies they are both equally good.
I would buy a powder funnel and block to hold your brass while reloading. My advice is to buy premium brass like lapua, alpha, ADG so you don't have to turn it and spend money in brass prep tools.
Once you have all these buy a good caliper and start reloading. The ideas is that you will either shoot 1/4 moa and that's it or you will shoot like crap and then you'll come back and ask for advice.
What I'm trying to say is don't buy a lot of stuff, you might not need it ever. Buy only what you need to reload.
I use a '70 vintage "Chucker" that I got new and have used for decades. It looks a bit ugly, after the many years of use. I did get a M.E.C. last year and use it strictly for the seating operations. The "chucker has been relegated to brass prep and handgun loading. When I got the M.E.C. I checked a lot of 100 rounds for runout. Found3 that needed "tweaking" to get under .002 runout. I use Forester dies and RCBS Gold Medal dies for long guns and LEE for the handguns, I like their factory crimp dies. That being said, whatever quality tools you choose, just take good care of them. The occasional cleaning is good insurance.
Lee Goodwin
Well-Known Member
RCBS, the green single stage press. Dies.? Buy the top end ones. It is just a few dollars more. Might as well blow money on case prep, make it as enjoyable as possible. I do a lot of manual case prep and it gets old. Length, shoulder bump and neck prep...
Research the best is a must.
With the perfectly prepped case(s)...
Get a digital scale that has the trickle built in.
If you are going to seat pointy plastic tips make sure your dies don't Mar the tips as you seat the bullets...some sets do.
So, go ahead and get a crimp die.
I hand prime, using Lee, but it is too cheap and the plastic covers break, and I use clothes pins to hold them on...go up in $.
I can prime with my press but don't very often. I like to feel the tension as the primer goes into pocket. If it feels loose...
Then, get a RCBS collet and bullet puller for each caliber...here a 6.5
Rock on with your rock chucker. I have two, $40 each at a gun store, 100 plus year device.
Save the turret press for after you master the single stage press, unless you are high volume shooter, like a hand gunner, shooting hundreds of rounds a month.
You are about to embark on an amazing adventure full of knowledge and side tracks and potholes...enjoy the ride.
Research the best is a must.
With the perfectly prepped case(s)...
Get a digital scale that has the trickle built in.
If you are going to seat pointy plastic tips make sure your dies don't Mar the tips as you seat the bullets...some sets do.
So, go ahead and get a crimp die.
I hand prime, using Lee, but it is too cheap and the plastic covers break, and I use clothes pins to hold them on...go up in $.
I can prime with my press but don't very often. I like to feel the tension as the primer goes into pocket. If it feels loose...
Then, get a RCBS collet and bullet puller for each caliber...here a 6.5
Rock on with your rock chucker. I have two, $40 each at a gun store, 100 plus year device.
Save the turret press for after you master the single stage press, unless you are high volume shooter, like a hand gunner, shooting hundreds of rounds a month.
You are about to embark on an amazing adventure full of knowledge and side tracks and potholes...enjoy the ride.
Lol....lol....asking these types of questions here.... will leave you more confused then when you started......better asking...WHICH WAY THE WIND BLOWS!
freddiej
Well-Known Member
Nuclear Worker,
Now its all about personal preference
here is my best advice. try out several single stage, basic loader, and turret presses. My preference is the Hornady O-press, the Redding Big Boss II, the Hornady Iron Press, Dillon BL-550, or Lyman O-press. I am not an RCBS fan but their rock chucker II is a pretty nice press. The Dillon is technically a stripped down manual progressive (RL-550) but it's strong and it has served me well since the mid-1980's. the interesting fact is the BL-550 is not the highest priced of the lot either.
Look at and play with each of the brands scales, powder meters, dies, and prep equipment.. then put together your personal choices of brands, pieces and such. no one goes completely all one brand. I have most every brand of reloading equipment in/on my bench.
Now its all about personal preference
here is my best advice. try out several single stage, basic loader, and turret presses. My preference is the Hornady O-press, the Redding Big Boss II, the Hornady Iron Press, Dillon BL-550, or Lyman O-press. I am not an RCBS fan but their rock chucker II is a pretty nice press. The Dillon is technically a stripped down manual progressive (RL-550) but it's strong and it has served me well since the mid-1980's. the interesting fact is the BL-550 is not the highest priced of the lot either.
Look at and play with each of the brands scales, powder meters, dies, and prep equipment.. then put together your personal choices of brands, pieces and such. no one goes completely all one brand. I have most every brand of reloading equipment in/on my bench.
tnek13
Well-Known Member
Forster Co-Ax for sure, Brownells has them in stock now. Scale FX-120I, AutoThrow and an AutoTrickler and/or RCBS balance beam, Redding dies, Forster ultimate seater, etc. Everybody has their favorites, and as you see the choices you have there is a lot of latitude in choices. I started 50+ years ago with an RCBS Rockchucker and it still works well, the Forster is IMO better and easier, but I still use the Rockchucker for many things that are easier on a conventional press. Whatever you start with understand that you will end up with several. Have fun.
