Reloading Equipment WTB Reloading equipment for beginner

[smokinbobf4]

please delete if I cannot have a wtb like this

I have been thinking of reloading for quit sometime and I think it’s time to start piecing things together. I have looked into it a bit and done some reloading with a friend but I would like to get my own setup. Looking for maybe not the absolute best stuff but quality components for precision rifle ammo. I’m sure I can’t buy it all at once but would like to get a few things at a time. Probably $500 to start

Looking for
Press-Forster coax (I know I may need to buy one new as I don’t think many sell them)

scale-RCBS chargemaster? (hopefully this is good enough for now) sounds like the best for the money

Tumbler of some kind

random accessories for holding, trimming, prepping brass.

anything else you would have laying around that I would need to get startedust ask

 

[Moose]

One of the most important things would be a good reloading manual.And ask lots of questions and watch as many videos on reloading as you can.If your friend is a good hand-loader spend some quality time with him at his reloading bench.I got started many years ago with one of the Reeding reloading kits and a video on hand-loading.

 

[smokinbobf4]

One of the most important things would be a good reloading manual.And ask lots of questions and watch as many videos on reloading as you can.If your friend is a good hand-loader spend some quality time with him at his reloading bench.I got started many years ago with one of the Reeding reloading kits and a video on hand-loading.

Thank you for this! I actually have reloading with him a few times for one of my guns. And also I have been thinking of doing this for years and have watched probably every video on it that I can find and read a lot. Just haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

 

[Dog]

I’d like to recommended if you only have a 500 dollar budget, skip the Forster coax. That will be almost your whole budget and as nice as they are not necessary. Go on eBay and get a older vintage not made in China rcbs rockchucker or rcbs jr2. Cast iron and straight. A lot of benchrest Reloader use them. If it’s good enough for them, its good enough. Used chargemaster lite off the forum. Go to harbor freignt and get a dry tumbler, a set of used Mitutoyo calipers off eBay. (Don’t skimp and buy cheap calipers). Now you have about 100. Left for small odds and ends like hand trimmer, etc...

 

[nn8734]

please delete if I cannot have a wtb like this

I have been thinking of reloading for quit sometime and I think it’s time to start piecing things together. I have looked into it a bit and done some reloading with a friend but I would like to get my own setup. Looking for maybe not the absolute best stuff but quality components for precision rifle ammo. I’m sure I can’t buy it all at once but would like to get a few things at a time. Probably $500 to start

Looking for
Press-Forster coax (I know I may need to buy one new as I don’t think many sell them)

scale-RCBS chargemaster? (hopefully this is good enough for now) sounds like the best for the money

Tumbler of some kind

random accessories for holding, trimming, prepping brass.

anything else you would have laying around that I would need to get startedust ask

Don’t forget measurement tools for confirming shoulder bump and casehead to Ogive dimensions.

Here’s what I use:
- dial indicator(s)
- Hornady headspace gauge and comparator kit
- hornady oal gauge (they make one for bolt guns and one for semi autos)

 

[smokinbobf4]

Thank you both. That is all very helpful. I did think about getting a rock chucker. My buddy about has me convinced I “need” a Forster. Also I know that the $500 will only get me started as I may just have to pick things up as I can and maybe not be ready for a year to start. I also have a list of things I made about a year ago for measuring and what not, just didn’t want to list everything on here. It’s all new and a bit intimidating, especially since my buddy has an amazing reloading room and all of the very best stuff. I can’t go that big right away but thought I would get started.

 

[Deleted member 113831]

My buddy about has me convinced I “need” a Forster.

I know lots of people with a Forster Co-ax other than me. However, I don't know anyone that only has a Co-ax. They are a really nice secondary press but not a good primary press.

There are applications it isn't very good at. The Co-ax sucks for universal depriming, bullet pulling, swaging primer pockets...

It is made to resize, prime (one at a time, no primer feed) and seat bullets. Anything other than that will give varying results.

I suggest a traditional single stage "O" press for your first one.

 

[Dog]

I have a newer Hornady dry tumbler I’d like to pass along to you and brand new walnut media. I want to pay it forward and help a newbie like what was done for me when I started. Just cover shipping. Pm me. And Forster is nice for a lot, but I actually found it was not giving super consistent head space case to case for me. So, buy a rcbs jr2 off eBay for 75 bucks. It’s what Tony Boyer uses. Worlds top benchrest shooter.

 

[CowboyBart]

I have a 505 scale and a powder measre, if you want to go old school. $100 puts them on your doorstep.

 

[Kevins750]

What cartridge(s) are you reloading for?
You don't have to have a Forster co-ax, plenty of good ammo being made without the forester.
You don't have to have a tumbler unless you are shooting range pick-up. Wiping brass off with a towel
Has worked for many people.
A good "O press" from all the famous named companies will work.
A good scale, beam or electronic whatever the wallet says. Don't be afraid of the Lee beam scale
It is slow, but easy to use and very accurate.
The usual brass prep items and some loading trays and a funnel.
Don't over complicate this.

 

[smokinbobf4]

I have a few calibers to load for eventually. 6mm creed, 6.5 creed, and 300 win are probably the starters. I think I am going to just do as recommended by many here and find a rock bucker press.

 

[smokinbobf4]

I have a 505 scale and a powder measre, if you want to go old school. $100 puts them on your doorstep.

thanks for the offer but I think I want to stick with electronic.

 

[combatgrunt84]

Do you have a digital scale?

 

[smokinbobf4]

Do you have a digital scale?

I do not. I think I am looking for a chargemaster or chargemaster lite

 

[Sprayed99]

Are you anywhere near DFW TX? I have some extra stuff I could pass along cheap, but shipping it would be a pain in the ass.

 

[smokinbobf4]

Are you anywhere near DFW TX? I have some extra stuff I could pass along cheap, but shipping it would be a pain in the ass.

I am straight north of you by the other border. Thanks for the offer however!

 

[Faljunkie]

I’ve had a few friends that have been reloading for a very long time try out this press and say it straight up compared to the Forster as far as quality at a fraction of the cost and it’s on sale right now

The Reloading Authority - Graf & Sons

Graf & Sons, the reloading authority, has a wide selection of reloading supplies, shooting supplies, ammo and more.

www.grafs.com

 

[Notevenonpaper]

I second what Faljunkie suggested. If you want a CO axial type press, I suggest the M press as well. I use one for .308, and have no problems. I did run in to issues with .223 using Hornady dies, but I'm blaming the dies. No issues with RCBS die sets. Like Skookum said, it isn't my only press but if you are only looking to hand load rifle calibers then it will do you fine. I found it for $200 at Cabela's on a sale.

 

[smokinbobf4]

Thanks for the heads up, I think I have all but decided to go with a rockchucker.

 

[Tremor3]

You don't have to have a Forster co-ax, plenty of good ammo being made without the forester.
A good "O press" from all the famous named companies will work.
The usual brass prep items and some loading trays and a funnel.
Don't over complicate this.

Wish I had taken more time to read posts like that prior to get into the reloading adventure. Totally agree with this. I had a LEE and a COAX and end up selling the COAX. Not versatile enough. I like the priming system better on the LEE . Changing the jaws on the coax for other calibers is a pain, quick and easy on an O press. I use the Hornady lock n'load die bushing so switching dies is not an issue. I just sell my Forster to grab a Chargemaster Lite and THIS makes the whole experience much more enjoyable.

 

[mmlj]

You might want to consider the Lee Collet die sets, especially if you start with new or already have brass fired from the rifle calibers you will be reloading.