Pulling the trigger into reloading:

Shootingblanks · Jan 20, 2016

I have decided to start reloading and shared an afternoon with a friend last weekend who's been reloading for a long time. He showed me the ropes and we reloaded .357 Magnum and 38 special and fired them afterwards in his Smith and Wesson revolver. I've been shooting firearms for 30 years.

I primarily will be reloading 9mm, 45ACP, 223 and 30/06.

I purchased this on Monday and received it today:

This Redding T7 will out last me and can be passed down to my kids and then grandchildren.

I need to purchase the following items:

Powder measurer
Mechanical scale
Shell holder (one per cartridge)
Die (one per cartridge)
Loading block
Case trimmer/chamfer tool
Vibratory case cleaner
Rotary case/media seperator

I ordered the following books:

"The ABCs of Reloading"
"Lyman 49th Edition Reloading"
"Lee Modern Reloading Manual"

Plan on also ordering:

"Hornady 9th Edition Handbook of Cartridge"
"Sierra 5th Edition Reloading Manual"

RCBS is currently running their Buy Green Get Green promotion January 1-December 31, 2016 where you spend $50 you get $10 back and if you spend $300 you get $75 back.

For a powder measure I'm considering the following:

Redding Competition 10X Pistol and Small Rifle Powder Measure
RCBS Competition Powder Measure Part #98910
RCBS Uniflo Powder Measure (small measure) Part #9002
RCBS Uniflo Powder Measure (large measure) Part #9010

I'm torn between the Redding Competition and RCBS Competition Measure, but leaning towards the RCBS Competition one with their promotion going on. It comes with a powder baffle and micrometer adjustment screws.

From your experience, which would you choose and why?

I am planning on purchasing the RCBS Scale M500, RCBS Rotary Case/Media Seperator and the RCBS Case Cleaner.

For the case trimmer, I'm leaning towards the Redding 2400 Match Precision Case trimmer as opposed to the RCBS Trm Mate Case Prep Center.

I'll more than likely be ordering these from MidwayUSA.com.

I already have digital calipers. Sure there are containers, bullets, primers and powder to purchase.

On the plus side, I can get plenty of spent brass from my brother who is a large department police officer who is in SWAT. In a day of SWAT training he said the shoot approximately 3,000 rounds. He has around 1,000-1,500 brass to give me.

For dies I'm contemplating the following RCBS:

9mm Part #20515
45ACP Part #18915
223 Part #1107

Any input on the components I'm considering on purchase would be greatly appreciated.

I've been reading several threads on this forum, seen pics of setups and watched several YouTube videos on reviews.

Shootshellz · Jan 20, 2016

Do yourself a favor and buy the book 'Basic Handloading' by George C Nonte. Although out of print, it is available on Amazon. It is IMHO a must read for beginning reloaders and covers rifle, pistol and shotshell reloading. It does not provide loading data but offers a clear, concise and thorough explanation of the 'hows and whys' of reloading. As for equipment, I have been happy with my RCBS Uniflow measures with micrometer adjustment screws. P.S. Don't take everything you see on YouTube as gospel. Be safe and have fun.

Lost Sheep · Jan 20, 2016

Hard to say "no" to a 20%-25% discount.

Welcome to reloading. Thanks for asking our advice.

I would buy another turret disk/head. Keep your dies installed in the head permanently (one head should be able to accomodate two sets of dies) and just swap heads (or rotate) when changing calibers. Not a requirement, but a convenience. (For myself, I have a turret with 4 die stations. One head, one caliber. I like things logistically simple.

Sorry, I have no advice on your other choices. RCBS and Redding make fine products, all.

For your bottlenecked (rifle) cartridges (the ones that will not be used in a semi-auto), a neck-sizing only die will extend the life of your brass. Neck sizing as your standard procedure and full-length sizing only when chambering gets hard results in less "working" of the metal. You will also find yourself trimming the length less often.

Having a mentor is a great luxury. My mentoring (in 1975 consisted of six rounds of .357 magnum. I watched and asked questions whil he loaded three, then I loaded three while he watched, answered more questions and made sure I did not mess anything up. From there, I was on my own with "ABC's of Reloading and Lyman's manual of the time. And the Internet did not exist at that time, of course.

I approve of your choice of a mechanical beam scale. Gravity is reliable. Batteries lose voltage, AC power can get brownouts or spikes and errant emanations from nearby flourescent lights or electrical devices (motors, etc) can disturb less-than-perfectly shielded electronic scales. The better scales, are better. Electronics are faster and more convenient than balance beam, but I like my old RCBS 1010 (made by Ohaus). It's overkill for me, but I used it for 40 years, happily.

I believe electronic calipers are less problematic than electronic scales, but I use the dial calipers because I am too cheap to buy batteries.

Good shooting.

Be safe, always, all ways.

Lost Sheep

witchhunter · Jan 20, 2016

Make sure your pistol dies are carbide, as they will work better and won't require lube. If you are loading 223 for an auto, make sure those dies are full length or small base dies. You will need them. You will need a trimmer as well as a chamfer tool or an automatic case prep center. I have an RCBS prep center and I like it fine, it takes a lot of work out of a tiresome task. You sound like you are on the right track. There is a lot of experience on this site, don't be afraid to ask for help.

Shootshellz · Jan 21, 2016

IMHO you need to fully resize your rifle brass if you plan on hunting with said rounds, regardless of action type. Neck sizing only is fine if you are primarily a target shooter. My electronic RCBS scale has been fine; so much so I have left my Redding balance beam scale in storage.

Metal God · Jan 21, 2016

Well based on your list it appears you are jumping into the deep end and money is no object .

Of the books you list . I'd drop the ABC's and the LEE manual and get the other three . If you're not planning on shooting a bunch of Hornady bullets . I don't see a need for that one . That all said My first book was the ABC's and I have no issues with it . You'll just get what you need from the others and load data as well .

I see a lot of of precision and competition words in those descriptions . Redding bushing dies would seem to be in order . At least for any rifle match quality target loads you plan to make http://www.midwayusa.com/s?targetLo...&Ntpc=1&Ntpr=1&Ntt=Redding+type+s+bushing+die

That trimmer looks pretty nice

Scale , RCBS , Redding , Dillon - take your pick all will do the job . I like my Redding because it has the .1gr dash marks http://www.midwayusa.com/product/658771/redding-2-master-magnetic-powder-scale-505-grain-capacity#

Shootingblanks · Jan 21, 2016

Thanks for all the input and advice.

Looking forward to acquiring the components and setting it all up in my basement. Another hobby to be passionate about and keep myself occupied. Like all other hobbies, you start with a good foundation and build up upon that.

jmorris · Jan 21, 2016

I wouldn't buy a new RCBS scale if you gave me the money for it.

Once they sent production of them to China they had to discontinue some models because they gave them such a bad reputation for quality.

The older Ohaus made 10-10 and 505 were good scales but the last ones RCBS put out had poor quality and only the casting was the same as the U.S. Built ones.

I would buy and old one off eBay if you really want an RCBS scale.

thomas15 · Jan 21, 2016

You might consider separate seating and crimping dies for 9mm and 45acp

tcoz · Jan 21, 2016

Good choice on the press. I just picked one up from a member here and it's a beast.

Shootingblanks · Jan 21, 2016

W.E.G. · Jan 21, 2016

Be sure to acquire CASE GAGES for those bottleneck rifle cartridges.

Shootingblanks · Jan 21, 2016

I'll save up and order the case gages for the rifle cartridges at a later date. I hunt deer with a rifle in PA for deer season.

First goal is to get set up with the 9mm and 45mm since I shoot them the most. Despite 9mm being readily available and affordable, I have lots of time on my hand in the evening that I can occupy myself reloading.

tcoz · Jan 21, 2016

Spend the extra money for Sheridan slotted gauges. They're available for 9mm, 45acp, 223 and 30-06. You won't be sorry.

Shootingblanks · Jan 21, 2016

Will look into Sheridan gauges.

Placed my order and got everything with exception of this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/805529/redding-slide-bar-automatic-primer-feeder-system

Everything should be here on Monday.

Shootingblanks · Jan 21, 2016

Metal God · Jan 21, 2016

I can't wait to see what that place looks like in 6 months . I only have one recommendation for your reloading room .

Don't get to caught up in finding the perfect spot for everything right away . Let the room design it self . All the big main stuff will likely stay where you want it the first time but other stuff will be moved a few times as you learn what's more important to your process and what needs to be close and what can be put up out of the way till needed .

clearcut · Jan 21, 2016

Looking good for just starting. I can tell you won't save any money reloading just shooting a lot more. Welcome to the club. My name is ______ I've been reloading for ____ years.

CC

Shootingblanks · Jan 21, 2016

The portion the bench is located at is part of the basement. There is a section off to the stairs and behind stairs. When I finish the rest of the basement I was thinking of building a safe room to store guns, ammo and house the reloading equipment. But that will be a ways off since my wife wants me to build a bigger deck come spring. Happy wife makes a happy life, lmao.

I'm in no hurry and this section of basement is closed off with a door. I'll be installing a deadbolt and lock on the door to keeps children out in future. My children are 2-3 and don't go in basement yet.

My pistols, rifles and shotguns are all locked with exception to my G19 that I conceal carry.

My brother is looking at getting another gun safe and may give me his old one. If that happens I'll have more secure storage for ammo and guns. Regardless a gun safe is on my list to get.

evtSmtx · Jan 22, 2016

welcome to the obsession

Morrey · Jan 22, 2016

Enjoy your new found hobby! Being able to custom craft hand loads for your guns will ensure you'll get the most accuracy possible from each gun you shoot. Some loaders are looking for cost savings, while others are looking for accuracy. No matter your goal, you'll have a great time in your new reloading center!

wiiawiwb · Jan 23, 2016

Wow, you have an awesome setup there. Great choice of the T-7. Plenty of room on your bench and storage area to keep things organized. I started reloading five months ago and since have reloaded and shot about 2,000 rounds of .45 Colt and 500 rounds of 9mm in the last month. It's fun but demands paying close attention to every detail. I'd suggest you keep the area immediately around the press free and clear of everything except that what you're using while you're reloading.

Best of luck and ask any questions. I can attest to the both the talent and generosity of the guys here. They're awesome.

tcoz · Jan 23, 2016

If you plan on having spare T-7 turrets, look at Inline Fabrication. Any time now theyre coming out with a turret storage piece that can attach to the wall or to their wall rack. It'll hold your filled turrets. Looks very cool as do all of their accessories.

jmorris · Jan 23, 2016

I can't wait to see what that place looks like in 6 months . I only have one recommendation for your reloading room .

Don't get to caught up in finding the perfect spot for everything right away .

Yeah, it will settle in where it can...

sugarmaker · Jan 23, 2016

Based on your calibers (small cases which tend to be shot at high volumes) maybe something like a lnl-AP progressive kit. You can use the included powder measure manually also. Or you can get a couple of Lee progressives and leave them set up full time on that nice empty bench.? The T7 will always come in handy, great choice, but it looks like the bug has bit, no stopping now!

Pulling the trigger into reloading:

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Similar threads