Finally taking the plunge

[Geckgo]

Got my RCBS setup ready on Cabella's, have not pulled the trigger yet but pricing everything out right now and trying to make sure I don't forget anything. I have a space cleared out in my shed and ready, and I can get my bullets, primers, and powder locally for now till I figure out what I like. Got a Lyman 49th ed at the house, an older reloading manual, and the RCBS kit comes with a manual as well. I have been saving brass for a while

This is what I have priced so far...

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit
includes:
•RC Supreme Press
•5-0-5 Powder Scale
•Uniflow™ Powder Measure
•Speer No. 14 Reloading Manual
•Hand Priming Tool
•Hex Key Set
•Case Loading Block
•Case Lube Kit
•Powder Funnel and Deburring Tool.

Bullet Puller
Digital Caliper
RCBS 30-06 2 die set
RCBS .45ACP 3 die carbide set
Lyman Case Trimmer
2 Shell Holder #3 (same for .45 and 06)


I can't help but think that I'm forgetting something. I don't need a tumbler at this point in time... Does this look right for a full setup for .45 and 30-06?

 

[billybob44]

Just off hand??

You will also need:
Primer flip tray
Primer pocket cleaner ( RCBS handle+brushes)
RCBS #3 shell holder (for press-not sure if the universal will only work for the case trimmer?)
case guages-at least for .45acp.
This just off of the top of my head..Bill.
PM me if needed??

 

[Geckgo]

Thanks billybob, I'll keep it in mind to contact you. I'm gonna be starting off slow. Limited funds since I dropped money on a honeymoon cruise for my wife

The shell holder was designed to be used only for the press, I'm pretty sure, I will look into it on the website before I buy. Even though it says universal it made me choose from the list and it looked like the same list in the rockchucker instruction manual that I downloaded.

Case gauges I hadn't thought of. Is it a bad idea to measure them with calipers?

I also had a thought to get a trickler and a digital scale, but I will pick them up later. I can fight with the scale in the kit for a while. I might be getting a triple beam anyways at some point but we'll cross that road when we come to it. I will probably be contacting you soon.

 

[billybob44]

You can use your .45acp. barrel for a case gauge also. When you drop your finished round into the barrel you will see the same distance and hear the same "clunk" as with a factory round, if the loaded round is correct.
I'm pretty sure that you will want to buy a #3 RCBS shell holder for your press. The Lyman Universal, I think is only used for the case trimmer.
I use a RCBS 5-10-5 scale along with a Dillon digital, and compare the readings to make sure they are close (.1gr) to the same. Your scale is the SINGLE MOST important tool that you will need for accurate+SAFE hand loads. I would stay away from the cheap $20.00-$35.00 digital scales that you will find everywhere--their accuracy usually is very lacking..
For you to start with I would also stay away from the very fast powders such as Bullseye,Titegroup, etc. Use HP-38/WW-231, HS-6, Accurate Arms #5, Unique,etc. In your .45acp. loads you want to start with the max. case volume of powder to avoid missing a double charged case-this is VERY easy to do, by mistake with Bullseye.

Good luck+HAVE FUN-I think that you are already HOOKED..Bill.

PS: Who went on the Honeymoon with your Wife, that YOU paid for??? HA HA..

 

[Geckgo]

LOL, booked it, haven't gone yet. We'll go when she gets back from afghanistan. I checked and that "universal" is a #3. Don't know why they call them that on Cabella's site. It's the only one on there asside from the Hogdon "universal" so I guess I'll find out when I get everything set up. If nothing else I can get the right one when I go to buy powder. I think I'm sold on Varget for the 06, haven't picked a powder for the 45acp yet but I will probably follow your advice on that one. My .45 isn't a target shooter, mainly just going to be practice ammo for the range and offhand I won't be shooting MOA groups with it. Just need the slide to function.

 

[rfwobbly]

With a little routine cleaning and oil, you'll be handing that Rock Chucker over to your grandchildren!

Congrats!

 

[spoogie]

Primer flip tray

Not needed? The RCBS hand primer has one built in.

Lots of cases for reloads. MTM or Frankford Arsenal is what I like. Also, that last link has "case loading blocks" or reloading trays from Frankford. It's nice to have more than 1 that the RCBS kit comes with. Pistol ones are shorter (easier to grab cases).

Personal preference: I bought two case holders for each caliber, one for the press and one for the hand primer. Saves you from pulling the case holder out of the press and dis/reassembling the hand primer every time you want to prime.

Anything more is more personal preference and will cost you more $$$.

-S

 

[Geckgo]

Just looked at the picture of the kit again, the handprimer has a flipper on it, funny I didn't look at that picture before. I may get an extra holder following your advice, they are only 9 dollars each. 30-06 and .45 take the same one so that's nice Got a plan together for cleaning cases also that involves a washing machine and some old socks, hehehehe, so I'm gonna skip the tumbler for the moment.

I might check out some loading blocks for the 06 cases, I've kept all of my SPEER golddot boxes and I think the plastic trays in those should work well enough for the .45. Thanks for the input, can't wait to get home and see that box on my porch

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You will need RCBS shell holders for use in the RCBS hand priming tool. I had Lee shell holders but they didn't fit in the RCBS tool. The angle on the bottom of the base is slightly different although I'm not sure if holders from other companies will work. I'm fairly sure that universal holder won't work in the hand primer so you might as well buy the case specific RCBS holders instead.