Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

[Shooter_308]

Hey all, upon finishing my reloading bench build today it's time to start looking into what tools i have to buy withing the next month. I've pretty much got it lined up, i'm just looking for some critiquing on my future set up. Let me know if i missed anything/should get anything else you would recommend.

I'm looking to load .308 and eventually .223 (but not for a while) all for bolt rifles, thus why i'm going with a single stage press. I'm just getting into it so i'm trying to keep cost low, but i'm not against spending a little more if i can get a much better product.

I have Hornady's reloading manual and i'll be picking up a Sierra and/or ABC's of reloading. Also, the reloading set comes with a manual as well.

I'd like to stick to manual calipers/scales for the time being at least as i've read a lot about electronics messing up the electronic scales etc.

I have not added powder/brass/bullets/primers yet. I have 800 rounds of once fired Federal GMM .308 brass saved up, maybe i can use some of that. If i do go this route, unfortunately the brass shot between both rifles has been mixed in with eachother, thus i figure a full-sizing die would be a good idea, then the neck-sizing die once i keep it sorted.

As for case cleaning, i have it covered. I will be buying an ultrasonic a friend of mine recommended from harbor fright. It's pretty inexpensive and does more than get the job well done.

RCBS Rockchucker Supreme Master Kit
RCBS Shellholder #3 .308/.30-06
Powder Measure Stand
Redding 3-Die Set .308
Hornady Caliper
Forster Original Case Trimmer
RCBS Powder Trickler
Hornady Spray Lubricant
RCBS Bullet Puller
Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner

Again, i'm completely new to this and i'm just looking for some input. Please be my guest to tell me i'm completely off if I am, i'd rather get some real input than mis-read things. Thanks for all your time, help a brother out?

 

[justinbaker]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

i know you said you wanted to stick with manual calipers, but the digital ones at harbor freight have worked great for me.

if you want to stick with a dial, then harbor freights have also worked fine for me. It give the same reading as my digital.

Just a thought if you want to save a little $

 

[Shooter_308]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

Good to know, i was in there today and saw they were pretty inexpensive. I just wasn't sure on the overall quality/accuracy of the sizing. Thanks for the input though, i'll look into that.

 

[plant.one]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

i only buy electronic equipment that plugs in. I trust a battery operated scale or other peice of measureing equipment about as far as i can toss the batteries.


one thing you forgot - get yourself a set of primer pocket reamers. They'll come in handy eventually.


also a personal recomendation for trimming brass - the Lee Zip trim. Used in conjunction with their case cutter and case length gauges it makes trimming brass a breeze. The bonus part is you can trim, chamfer, and debur your brass without removing it from the zip trim. Again no batteries/power required.


If you're going to be reloading a lot you're going to want to invest in a good digital powder dispenser / charge weighting combo. My Hornady Poweder Dispenser - saved me TONS of time on my last round of reloading 223/308. Hand dispensing/trickling 300+ rounds can take forever. Best $200 i've spent so far on reloading equipment.

 

[Shooter_308]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

Lee Zip Trim....cool i'll look into that, sounds easy enough and time saving.

I'm considering an electronic scale/measure but a normal range session for me is only 40-60 rounds between two rifles, so going manual wouldn't be TOO time consuming. But i'll look into that as well!

 

[bobbyfairbanks]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

Do you have a chamfer/deburing tool?

 

[Shooter_308]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

I actually have one floating around for some reason, but the Kit does come with one.

 

[dlklamfo]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

Here's a video that will show you the very basics of reloading.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LttBArZcQ9g

 

[cav.scout]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

I'd get rid of the spray lube and go with imperial wax.

 

[okiefired]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

My range sessions are usually about like yours count wise and your equipment is comparable to what I've been useing for 20 yrs. After you use it a while, you'll know where you may want to upgrade. I've used a lot of FGMM brass, always start seeing very small cracks in some after the 3rd loading when FL resizing but works fine until then. Winchester will treat ya better, Lapua is best. No need to FL resize if you keep your brass separated for each rifle, could just neck size, but you can think about that later. Never had a single problem with OneShot lube, spray liberally from 45 deg. and 4 different directions, let dry completely....Imperial's good to if you want to take the time. I like RCBS's primeing tool. Cant read about it too much, Glen Zediker's "Handloading For Competition" is great. Good luck.

okie

 

[Shooter_308]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

Scout, why no on the spray lube?

 

[Powder_Burns]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: scoutsout</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'd get rid of the spray lube and go with imperial wax. </div></div>

+1 its called Hornady 'One shot' for a reason--that's all your sizing die can take! Get a better lube solution or be very liberal with your application of spray and make sure the alcohol evaporates before running the cases in your sizer..

 

[jeff1383]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something




If you're going to be reloading a lot you're going to want to invest in a good digital powder dispenser / charge weighting combo. My <a href="http://www.hornady.com/store/Lock-N-Load-Auto-Charge-dispenser/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hornady Poweder Dispen
ser</a> - saved me TONS of time on my last round of reloading 223/308. Hand dispensing/trickling 300+ rounds can take forever. Best $200 i've spent so far on reloading equipment.

[/quote]
+1 for the hornady autocharge. I've been using mine for about 8 months and love it. Couldn't live without my rcbs prepmate too. 60 cases doesn't sound bad but it sucks using hand tools.

 

[Shooter_308]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

okie - thanks for all the input! Good to know my set up resembles someone's who's been doing it for quite a while. Yeah i plan to look into neck sizing maybe down the line but i will be sticking to FL sizing to start. I'm going to be buying winchester eventually, but i'd like to kill off the 800+ rounds of FGMM brass i have sitting in ammo cans haha.

powder burns - thanks, i see what you're saying and i'll look into it.

Jeff - i'll upgrade to something like that in the future.

i just ordered my Rockchucker kit and shell holder....now the fun begins!

 

[dlklamfo]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

Probably will want more than one load data book! It always helps to cross reference and whats not in one may be in another book.

 

[TenZero]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

I was in your shoes a year ago. After a press and dies, get a Chargemaster and a Lyman case prep center. Best $400 I've spent on the whole process.

 

[Shooter_308]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

Oh absolutely. Like i said, I have the Hornady one right now, the kit comes with a Speer Manual, i'm looking to pick up a Sierra and ABC's of Reloading next.

 

[plant.one]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

and a +1 for some kind of motorized case prep station. I dont use mine for chamfer/deburring, but for primer pocket reaming/cleaning it cant be beat.

just a quick tip if you're looking into motorized case prep station, like the Hornady Case Prep Trio that i decided to go with. The Lyman Case Prep Multi Tool comes with all the basic stuff you'll need (lg/sm primer pocket cleaners, lg/sm primer reamers, chamfer tool, debur tool) and is standard 8/32 thread. The same thread that the hornady motor uses AND you have a non-powered tool at the end of the day in case that boring saturday without power ends up being your reloading day.

you can get rollin with the lyman handheld (for about $20) and move onto the powered stuff in the future if you start moving through a lot of brass and not have to buy any extra tips.


just like my powder scale - basic man powered stuff was great when i was only handling a small batch of 50 or less reloads at a time. Soon as i started working with 250+ peices i decided i was "saving" enough $ per batch to invest in some fancier tools to make the job easier.

ps - one thing to remember. reloading wont actually SAVE You any $$. You'll just get to shoot better ammo for less $ per round so you'll get to shoot MORE bullets for your ammo budget

Or spend your "savings" on more reloading equipment. Guilty as charged.

 

[Shooter_308]

Re: Is this set up complete? Am I forgetting something

I understand, good info! I was looking at the hornady and RCBS prep stations. Might be something i look into asking the lady for as an anniversary gift this month

.

And yeah, i'm basically just looking to make much more consistent ammo for MY rifles, at a cheaper cost than the $20-30 a box I spend on FGMM.

Thanks again for your input!