NOOB needing help on reloading equipment

[Feesh]

Don't overlook used equipment. I've had a 70s era Pacific Multi Power press that was old when I bought it years ago and I still use it - though mostly decapping now. Rock Chuckers are solid as well and readily available used. On dies you might want to go new and I prefer Forster or Redding - most "lesser" dies have ended up in the junk box. I have a chargemaster I mostly use but my old beam is trusted and I use it regularly. You can get great deals on beam scales all day on ebay - just get check weights or send it to the guy in Bakersfield for a tune up.

I'm not familiar with kits but those I know who've started with them ended up replacing most items - usually the press is last to go or it stays around. If you get a kit get good dies - don't skimp there as the dies can mostly be carried over into upgraded presses should you go that way.

I picked up a Bonanza Co-Ax that was a mess. Good dose of rust and had to take a torch to it to free it up for disassembly but its coming together nicely. Forster had all the part and was very helpful. I just need to get it cerakoted and do the final assembly. Should be better than new for about $125 total invested. I'm not in a position where I need to go cheap but I appreciate the solid build of some older things and its been a fun challenge to refurbish some solid old tools.

I bought a cheap auction lot of old RCBS/Ohaus stuff for a buddy to get him into reloading. After some cleaning and degreasing it was well worthwhile! Can be challenging if you don’t know what to look for.

 

[McHaggis]

Good move on the Lyman and a great price. Where I am they are $530 plus shipping. I’m pleased you’re buying bits n pieces rather than a kit for the reasons everyone else has already stated.
One thing for sure is that as you get into this and learn more and your process and therefore the kit needed or wanted will change as you develop your ideas. I’ve come a long way from a time I thought I was assembling great ammo with suitable equipment. Boy was I wrong.

I too was going to go Dillon 650/750 for pistol/bulk reloading and I asked for advice on AS about a 2nd hand unit and had the Hornady LNL AP recommended by a respected shooter. I got one and love it. I’m very pleased I went this way instead of Dillon so I’m just making you aware of this option too.
On the 308 I too went with one years ago but later I wished I’d gone 7mm08 instead. Just saying.
One really cheap way to go with dies is a Redding Body die and a Lee Collet die to get the cases in shape. But spend the extra and go with something like a Forster micro seater die. Not cheap but you’ll never regret the $ for the lack of frustration you get chasing seated depths.

The Charge Master Lite is a good price but an Fx 120i with the AutoTrickler is way overkill but a real joy to use. And the balance can be used for weighing all the things you haven’t thought of yet. Hard to justify tho at your stage but just something to consider.
Lots of other cool time saving stuff that you’ll eventually want but start by walking and go from there. It’s scary how much stuff ends up on your reloading bench if you read too many forums! Good guys on here that have your best interests at heart and just want to help. That’s what makes this a great forum!

 

[Gustav7]

Good move on the Lyman and a great price. Where I am they are $530 plus shipping. I’m pleased you’re buying bits n pieces rather than a kit for the reasons everyone else has already stated.
One thing for sure is that as you get into this and learn more and your process and therefore the kit needed or wanted will change as you develop your ideas. I’ve come a long way from a time I thought I was assembling great ammo with suitable equipment. Boy was I wrong.

I too was going to go Dillon 650/750 for pistol/bulk reloading and I asked for advice on AS about a 2nd hand unit and had the Hornady LNL AP recommended by a respected shooter. I got one and love it. I’m very pleased I went this way instead of Dillon so I’m just making you aware of this option too.
On the 308 I too went with one years ago but later I wished I’d gone 7mm08 instead. Just saying.
One really cheap way to go with dies is a Redding Body die and a Lee Collet die to get the cases in shape. But spend the extra and go with something like a Forster micro seater die. Not cheap but you’ll never regret the $ for the lack of frustration you get chasing seated depths.

The Charge Master Lite is a good price but an Fx 120i with the AutoTrickler is way overkill but a real joy to use. And the balance can be used for weighing all the things you haven’t thought of yet. Hard to justify tho at your stage but just something to consider.
Lots of other cool time saving stuff that you’ll eventually want but start by walking and go from there. It’s scary how much stuff ends up on your reloading bench if you read too many forums! Good guys on here that have your best interests at heart and just want to help. That’s what makes this a great forum!

I was just contemplating scales a couple weeks ago. I have a chargemaster 1500 and thought about the A&D Fx120. I may own that setup in the future, as it is extremely nice and the cool factor as well. Love that they made that system work so well.

But after a slew of YouTube videos and forum posts I went with an additional Chargemaster, this time the Lite version. I’m happy with that choice for now. I don’t think you can go wrong with either

 

[Feesh]

I was just contemplating scales a couple weeks ago. I have a chargemaster 1500 and thought about the A&D Fx120. I may own that setup in the future, as it is extremely nice and the cool factor as well. Love that they made that system work so well.

But after a slew of YouTube videos and forum posts I went with an additional Chargemaster, this time the Lite version. I’m happy with that choice for now. I don’t think you can go wrong with either

I have a dual Chargemaster setup - it’s certainly cut my charging time. I can confidently say the scale is not costing me any hits at Regional PRS matches.

 

[Bolty]

Good move on the Lyman and a great price. Where I am they are $530 plus shipping. I’m pleased you’re buying bits n pieces rather than a kit for the reasons everyone else has already stated.
One thing for sure is that as you get into this and learn more and your process and therefore the kit needed or wanted will change as you develop your ideas. I’ve come a long way from a time I thought I was assembling great ammo with suitable equipment. Boy was I wrong.

I too was going to go Dillon 650/750 for pistol/bulk reloading and I asked for advice on AS about a 2nd hand unit and had the Hornady LNL AP recommended by a respected shooter. I got one and love it. I’m very pleased I went this way instead of Dillon so I’m just making you aware of this option too.
On the 308 I too went with one years ago but later I wished I’d gone 7mm08 instead. Just saying.
One really cheap way to go with dies is a Redding Body die and a Lee Collet die to get the cases in shape. But spend the extra and go with something like a Forster micro seater die. Not cheap but you’ll never regret the $ for the lack of frustration you get chasing seated depths.

The Charge Master Lite is a good price but an Fx 120i with the AutoTrickler is way overkill but a real joy to use. And the balance can be used for weighing all the things you haven’t thought of yet. Hard to justify tho at your stage but just something to consider.
Lots of other cool time saving stuff that you’ll eventually want but start by walking and go from there. It’s scary how much stuff ends up on your reloading bench if you read too many forums! Good guys on here that have your best interests at heart and just want to help. That’s what makes this a great forum!

Thanks for the suggestion on the Hornady. I will take a look at it and play around between the 2 ideas while I get my rifle setup done. I am in NO RUSH with this as I plan to take my time and learn as I go.

While there are many reasons for not going with a .308, my main reason is I and the kid in me (8 year old) always wanted a .308 rifle. So this is more or less a way to kill a few birds with one stone. I have never owned a bolt action rifle, always wanted one so since you can shoot PRS with it then I am not worried about it. Like I stated earlier, later on I will move to a 6.5 or similar rifle for PRS if I decide that its for me.

I have looked at the FC120i but that (at this time) is not an option for me as I think its just to much ( not money) of a scale for a beginner like myself.

This may have been a mistake, dont know much about this company and have not seen it mentioned but I bought in the PX a .308 die set, has the Trimmer die, sizer die and the seater die in the kit. Brand is C.H. tool and die corp. If its not a good set then I will know soon, I have brass on the way lol. When the Lyman gets here I will test out the die set. I got brass in the PX as well. Took some advice and got enough to use to practice with and some to test loads with and then some for strictly PRS matches.


Every on here is great, love the knowledge and I hope I am asking the right questions. I realize there are many ways to do this so I will find mine but all the advice and such is really fantastic. I really do appreciate it.

 

[Bolty]

Thoughts on this, might end up getting it then using my 3d printer to make a motor case for it. Sacrifice a drill and get a pedal to make it fully electric.

GEN 3 CASE TRIMMER | website

Motor Kits are allotted to motor trimmers. Motor kits will be available intermittently as stock allows Please email us if you would like to purchase a trimmer when trimmers are back in stock. We will add you to our notification list and send you notification when trimmer will be available on...

www.hendersonprecision.com

 

[Bolty]

Or should I just go with this to start out and get the Henerson later on ?

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[spife7980]

If you’re only gonna do one caliber then the frankford trimmer would be fine but I would rather go with the drill mountable giraud triway or the trim it 2 personally.
If you’re gonna do lots of different stuff in the future then a fancier Henderson or giraud bench top is the tits but overkill to do one type of case only.
The giraud triway and the trimit2 cut the length down like the frankford but it also chamfer and deburrs at the same time meaning you get to do three process while only handling the case once. Saves 66% of your time on those steps in that way.

 

[Gustav7]

If you’re only gonna do one caliber then the frankford trimmer would be fine but I would rather go with the drill mountable giraud triway or the trim it 2 personally.
If you’re gonna do lots of different stuff in the future then a fancier Henderson or giraud bench top is the tits but overkill to do one type of case only.
The giraud triway and the trimit2 cut the length down like the frankford but it also chamfer and deburrs at the same time meaning you get to do three process while only handling the case once. Saves 66% of your time on those steps in that way.

100% This.... I bought my L.E. Wilson case trimmer before I knew about how annoying the extra steps of chamfering and deburring are. But I've always used it because its a great trimmer.

Well I recently just got the Giraud Tri-way trimmer for .223. That thing is a beast, and like he said above, it does all three steps in one automated motion. Give Giraud a call and you'll talk to a super nice lady (I believe his wife), and you can order for your caliber right there. I think it was around $110 Shipped.

 

[Bolty]

Thanks for the advice Spife7980 and Gustav7. I just looked at both and yes I will be going with one of those most likely. I think the Giraud would be better due to you set it and trim vs the trim it 2 since you would end up with different caliber adapters and would need to change setting when changing calibers.