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February 4, 2009
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Charger,
I had the exact same problem when I was looking for my gear.
Cabelas had some shot shell presses on display and not much else. I finally dug through some boxes (back when they were still somewhat available) and then tried to make a decision. And yes, if you want everything you will need eventually, it is very easy to spend $600+. No kit will be coming with dies so that will be an up front expense you will have to make. Initially, a set of dies, case guage (if doing bottleneck rifle), a dial caliper, case mouth chamfering/deburring tool, safety glasses, and reloading components are all you should need right off the bat (if buying a kit). A few factory loading manuals are a plus, but you can find load info from other sources. If you can't find load info, you can always ask on the forums or give me a shout, as I have several manuals handy.
I purchased a lot of stuff but haven't purchased a tumbler yet.
I am stashing large amounts of brass and figure I will shoot at least 1000 rounds before the tumbler becomes an neccessity, so I have time. There are several items that you can put off until another day- assuming you will use it in the first place. Some of these items would include tools for checking concentricity, neck and case wall thickness, primer pocket cleaners and uniformers, etc. The primer pocket uniformer might be a tool to purchase up front though. I've had new cases that wouldn't allow proper seating depth on the primers.
In the current times, the key is to buy ammo components when you see them since they probably won't be there tomorrow. This is especially true if loading rifles or 357Max- small rifle primers are non-existent right now, as are certain powders. If I see an 8# jug of 4227 locally, I will be buying it immediately.
Good luck with the search, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.
January 22, 2008
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It's only been in the last year or so that I've started reloading. Took an NRA Reloading class at my club. My Dad and I had picked up a used RCBS Rock Chucker before he passed away. As others have stated it's a very sturdy press. I have switched out the bushing and replaced it with a Hornady Lock-n-Load bushing. This allows you to quickly change the dies. Once you set then in the bushing you're finished. To change then you simply give them a 1/4 turn and they come out.
Below are some pictures of my bench:
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January 24, 2009
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cdf294 said:
Post edited 7:47 am - February 18, 2009 by cdf294
In the current times, the key is to buy ammo components when you see them since they probably won't be there tomorrow. This is especially true if loading rifles or 357Max- small rifle primers are non-existent right now, as are certain powders. If I see an 8# jug of 4227 locally, I will be buying it immediately.
Aww crap, that's not what I want to hear. A lot of my interest in reloading is because of the 357 Max I have coming.
I guess that means I'm going to really be scouring the sites & stores, if I plan on being able to actually use this thing.
Regardless, thanks guys for all the help, you've given a ton of good advise & pointers that I can use. Jody, I can see why that lock-n-load bushing would be an advantage. That's a neat idea they had, right there.
January 4, 2009
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JODY QUESTION REGARDING YOUR LOCK-N-LOAD BUSHING..DO YOU HAVE TO
buy special Hornady Lockn-load dies or can you use your regular dies and .. then what.
is there a bushing you thread over your dies that allows this lock-n-load feature to work or what ??
I like the single stage because it forces you, (ME), to pay attention to details rather then mass production and loss some details.
Wayne
February 4, 2009
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Charger,
It really isn't as bad as it sounds.
You can usually find some powder in 1lb. jugs that will work. Brass is readily available for the Max at MidwayUSA, and bullets can be found fairly frequently locally.
It's those primers you need to stock up on if you see them. I was at Cabelas one day picking up some other items and noticed that they had 3 boxes of 1000 on the shelf, so I grabbed all of them. I had been there 3-4 times in the previous couple weeks, for stuff I kept forgetting, and there were none to be found. My biggest problem is that I shoot alot of 223, and the 357Max takes the same primers, so I go through quite a few.
February 4, 2009
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Wayne,
The Hornady LnL bushings will work with other manufacturer's dies. I guess I should have mentioned this as an option for those using a single stage press.
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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OK, now we have a problem, First of all, Jody had to post a picture of his Rockchucker (I used to use C-clamps to lock mine down to the diningroom table for marathon, all night reloading sessions in my first apartment after I got married, 32 years ago).
Then I went to WallyWorld to buy 9mm for tomorrow's range expedition, and they HAD NONE! Maybe I'm getting back into the game after all.
I guess there are worse ways to spend my time.
Steve
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
Dans Club
March 2, 2008
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delete duplicate post-every so often DWF goes full-auto on me
Steve
I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman "Were is the Self Help Section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose.
George Carlin
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