Getting into reloading for long range/precision

[Lefty150]

Hey guys, I am considering getting into reloading for those purposes but needing some direction on the absolute must haves and exactly what I need to get started. Looked into some kits but have heard there are several things in kits I won’t use or won’t like and will end up replacing
Any help would be appreciated

 

[Quest1000]

Here is a list I put together.
Media tumbler
Corn media
Dillion case lubricant
Full length bushing dies Redding type s
Precision micrometer bullet seating die
Digital calipers
Cartridge headspace gauge kit Hornady
Redding comp shell holder set
Case trimmer.
Vld chamfer tool
Deburing tool
Rcbs bench primer
Rcbs charge master 1500
Labradar/magneto speed

Just some thoughts to get started.

 

[f15david]

Great list Quest, I logged on for the first time in a long time to ask this very question

 

[Lefty150]

Here is a list I put together.
Media tumbler
Corn media
Dillion case lubricant
Full length bushing dies Redding type s
Precision micrometer bullet seating die
Digital calipers
Cartridge headspace gauge kit Hornady
Redding comp shell holder set
Case trimmer.
Vld chamfer tool
Deburing tool
Rcbs bench primer
Rcbs charge master 1500
Labradar/magneto speed

Just some thoughts to get started.

Thank you

 

[Bender]

Some (me) prefer a tumbler with SS media. Makes brass like new. Less mess than corn cob media but it’s really just subjective.

It also depends on how much you reload. Do you need a single press? Or a turret multi stage? But yes, lots of experience in here. I highly suggest reading the Reloading for Longrange stickies above these threads. #4 “Powderin it” is the best/most important one imho. Book mark it and refer to it often.

 

[culater]

Reloading is like starting up a business. Just have to understand every caliber you want to reload for, has a start up cost of about a $500 to $1000 per. All depends what your shooting pistol or rifle. Buying components in bulk is key. Because today's prices are cheap compare what they will be in the future.

 

[spife7980]

You spend 500-1000 on every caliber? ?

 

[Steel head]

Don’t skimp on dies.

You’d be surprised how well cheap stuff works except cheap dies,,,they suck.

 

[salks]

Yea I bought a rockchucker kit once. Still use the press from time to time for .44 or .357 and the hand primer that's it . I now have a Forester co-ax which I highly recommend. For stick type powder like most rifle powder you'll want some type of auto powder thrower. I use a charge master lite its on the low end. I just use regular reading dies FL sizer and bullet seater w/micrometer head. You'll need some type of case tumbler to clean brass I like walnut media. Case trimmer I just have a hand crank one with 3 way cutter head. I consistently get single digit SD's with my reloads. There are much much better options to what I have but they all come at a price. You can also have the best of everything and still suck. For my volume of loads my stuff works pretty good always looking to upgrade though. Very important to keep good notes on everything you'll thank yourself later.

 

[culater]

You spend 500-1000 on every caliber? ?

You be surprised after you start adding things up. I get quality brass,components and tools that last.

Let’s use my 300 mag reload for example.

Norma Brass is $125 per 100 I have 2 boxes. That $250
Retumbo powder is about $180-200 per 8lb keg
Primers 215m $45-55 per thousand
Bullets 225 ELD $35-40 per hundred I have 10 boxes.
Redding comp dies used $180.

Then budget how much do you want to spend on supporting this caliber on a per yer basis. If you are committed then I would stock up for the next 5yrs worth of shooting. 2020 election is only around the corner and we don’t know what’s going to happen.

 

[Milo 2.5]

You spend 500-1000 on every caliber? ?

I'd think 1K is conservative.
Dies 200
3-500 pcs of brass 2-500, again could be conservative.
1500 bullets minimum 3-600 ^^^^
Powder, 10 lbs min which means 2-8lb jugs for lot consistency 400
2k primers 70-85

 

[spife7980]

Yeah, after my mind got blown by the number I just didnt read carefully that he was talking about components and not equipment like the OP was asking about.

For me I just get a sizer and a seater and maybe a giraud case holder as far as equipment goes and with Forster dies thats 120 bucks and 45 bucks.

 

[Fig]

Here's the thing:
Some people don't like to handload. Why spend a ton of money on all that shit for a separate (complimentary but separate) hobby that you may not like?

I tell the same thing to people who ask me about fly tying. Find someone getting rid of a vice and a box of materials before you go spending a ton of cash on something you may not enjoy...

Screw all the brass polishing/tumbling and procedures that don't need to be done. If you get a set of good dies and carefully weigh each charge you can beat the factory on a Rockchucker without spending thousands and thousands of dollars. Why would you do that before you know if you'll even use your reloading equipment? There's always a shit ton of basic kits on ebay because people buy them and never use them. You can get a full set of all the stuff you NEED in one of those sets without all the stuff that you may want to add later.

Buy the Lyman book (because it is the best basic reloading manual in terms of procedures) and a used kit off ebay, and see if it's for you first. The kits have all the stuff you need, and none of the stuff you don't. If this is for you then hold onto your wallet, because you can spend money on handloading very easily.

Ask me how I know.

 

[r3daction]

I agree start with an inexpensive kit that has a scale, trickler and press snatch up some dies.

Plenty of resources on youtube. Then you will see what equipment people have moved up to.

That being said, knowing what I know now I woukd have started with the Redding turret press

 

[OLD308]

All good points so far. I will add that the better measurement equipment you buy will pay dividends for a life time.

Case gauges by Widden Gunworks are my favorite.

Analog 6” Mititoyo calipers over digital. Personal preference only

You’ll eventually end up with a V3 if you stick to reloading. Other accurate powder measures out there. None as fast and accurate, per my application/experience.

Concentricity gauge 21st century is my preference. This Is priceless. Best $250 ever for cutting through dogmatic reloading beliefs. It will show you the deferences, variables, and actions that have the greatest impact on your load quality.

Hope this helps.

 

[spife7980]

A comparator would be better than a plunk gauge.

The igauging calipers are more than good enough and 40% of the cost

You dont need a $900 scale, a charemaster is 30% the cost and more than good enough to start with and grow into.

You dont need a concentricity gauge.

 

[Steel head]

A comparator would be better than a plunk gauge.

The igauging calipers are more than good enough and 40% of the cost

You dont need a $900 scale, a charemaster is 30% the cost and more than good enough to start with and grow into.

You dont need a concentricity gauge.

so true!

 

[Alabusa]

This....

Lyman Ultimate Reloading Press Kit System

The Lyman Ultimate Reloading System is the only kit you’ll ever need! Outfit an entire reloading bench with premium products designed to...

www.midwayusa.com

Is a great kit with next to nothing you dont need and most everything you need to get a good start.

 

[Steel head]

This....

Lyman Ultimate Reloading Press Kit System

The Lyman Ultimate Reloading System is the only kit you’ll ever need! Outfit an entire reloading bench with premium products designed to...

www.midwayusa.com

Is a great kit with next to nothing you dont need and most everything you need to get a good start.

I could probably be pretty happy with that kit and my dies.

turrets are nice because you don’t have to dick around with dies.

 

[Alabusa]

I could probably be pretty happy with that kit and my dies.

turrets are nice because you don’t have to dick around with dies.

I have that press and am very happy with it. I have 2 tool heads full and need to order another.