Upgrading Reloading Equip with $$$ from Rifle Sale

[Billy Jack]

I've decided to take the cash from my last rifle I sold and instead of buying another rifle upgrade some of my equipment. I do not reload in large quantities and I enjoy doing things kind of slow and methodical, BUT I am doing more reloading all the time and certain tasks seem to be taking more time than I like.

Here is what I use (since 1975) and if anyone can make suggestions for minor upgrades that will speed up the process I would welcome them. I am 69 yr old and just a little set in my ways, so not looking for major changes....just a little improvement.

RCBS Rock Chucker Jr Press
RCBS Model 5-0-5 Powder Scale
All RCBS die sets (except one set of Lee's)
RCBS "Duo Measure" Powder Measure
RCBS Powder Trickler
MTM Cartridge Trays
Lee Auto Prime
Lee Case Length Guage/Trimmer
RCBS Reamer/Chamfer (De-burring) Tool
1/4" Hand Drill for holding cases while trimming and deburring
RCBS Plastic Calipers to measure case length
Lee hand Operated Primer Pocket Cleaner
Imperial Case Lube for outside of cases
Lee Case Lube for inside of case necks
Franklin Quick and EZ Case Tumbler

I was going to research a little better press. One with compound cam action for more power for less effort.
Maybe a more advanced way to measure powder and a faster way to add powder to the cases.
Maybe a better case trimming tool.

Any thoughts will be taken to heart so give me your ideas.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you're looking for a different press take a look at the Lee Classic Cast single stage press. It's a very heavy and solid press and I like the way they handle the spent primers. One will run you just over $100.

A big upgrade would be a Forster Original Case Trimmer.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/614276/forster-original-case-trimmer-kit?cm_vc=ProductFinding
It's actually a small hand lathe with a ton of attachments. Not only does it do case trimming but you can clean and uniform primer pockets, turn case necks, remove the crimp from primer pockets and a few more operations too. I have one and I do a lot with it!
http://www.midwayusa.com/find?users...&itemsperpage=96&newcategorydimensionid=11885

 

[quartermaster]

My suggestions would be to look into an RCBS Chargemaster Combo, an RCBS TrimMate prep center and if you are looking into a new press, check out the Forster Coax. You won't regret buying any or all of these or you could consider taking your cash and buying components when you can find them.

 

[witchhunter]

That looks a lot my setup, with a couple of exceptions, I have a Rockchucker and a Redding BR powder measure. I would invest in a power prep station. I have an RCBS and I like it. I really like the Satern caliber specific powder funnels too. I also have a Lyman power trimmer, but if you don't load in quantity, a hand trimmer will do. I use a Sinclair tool that holds the chamfer-deburring tool in my drill too.

 

[nettlle]

A powder measure would probably be your biggest improvement. Redding makes an accurate measure. Most of the measures these days dispense right into the case. I just double check the measure accuracy with the beam scale every 25 cases.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you're looking for a powder measure take a look at the Lyman #55. It's one of the best on the market and it doesn't cost a lot.

 

[Kp321]

You said you have a RCBS Rock Chucker Jr. press. It is either a Rock Chucker or a Jr. If Jr, the best upgrade would be to a Rock Chucker press. It has compound linkage and a larger ram than the Jr. I have the same one I have been using since 1975. Add a primer feeder if you don't already have one.
I also use a RCBS powder measure with a baffle added. No need to upgrade there.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

If you like loading slowly on a single stage, I dont think upgrading your press or powder measure would be that helpful. If I were in your situation I'd look into products that woukd speed up case prep. Mainly a powered trimmer and/or a powered case prep center. Your 69 year old hands may very well be in better shape than my 30 year old hands, but I hate chamfering and deburring, etc, with a handheld tool. I know some people claim pretty good speeds using those Lee trimming tools but to me they seem like more work than necessary to keep a good pace.

Edit: And if it will work with your particular press, this little contraption might make things easier on you http://rapidcasekicker.com/

 

[rcmodel]

Spend $9.95 on a set of Harbor freight digital calipers would be the first thing I would do.

The RCBS plastic ones are next to worthless for really accurate measuring.

rc

 

[Billy Jack]

Embarrassed......I do have the Harbor Freight digital calipers. Don't know why I mentioned the plastic ones I bought in 1974 and have not used for reloading in several years. I actually used the HB ones tonight on the 444 cases I was sizing.

The Case Prep station and the powder measure scale combo all sound like what I need to speed up and ease up a little.

The Rock Chucker press will probably make the job easier, but maybe not actually faster.

I've read reviews on the RCBS ChargeMaster™ Combo and it sounds great until you have a problem and RCBS doesn't repair them and has a short warranty period. They want $200 plus shipping to send you a new one if you have a problem after their short warranty. Not like the RCBS I am used to.

 

[jeepmor]

I'm with RCmodel on new calipers. I prefer Mitutoyo, they hold better than anything I've used in an aggressive industrial environment. They often held calibration longer than dern near anything else we used, or used to calibrate them.

That, and maybe a micrometer for your powder drop. If not, a new powder measure with a micrometer for quicker more repeatable setup to save time.

And lastly, a faster trimmer setup. I think trimming is a big time sink, speeding it up would really increase the joy of reloading for me.

 

[Rory McCanuck]

While I don't think it will speed anything up for you, a Co-Ax press might make it a bit more enjoyable, and seem like less time has gone by
Lots of leverage, although the handle being so much higher is a bit of a change.

For electronic powder dispensers, RCBS and Lyman have good reviews, Hornady and Pact, not so much. I've been reading and dreaming about them, but I can do a whole bunch of weighing and trickling for the price. One of these days.

Have you looked at the Frankford Arsenal trim center?
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/628405/frankford-arsenal-platinum-series-case-prep-and-trim-center
It sure looks like it would be nice for big batches.

 

[Billy Jack]

I just looked at the Franklin Arsenal Trim Center and liked what I saw, until I read this in one of the reviews.......

"One issue, it only trims bottle neck brass so any brass such as 45-70 straight case you will have to do it the old fashioned way."

The majority of the cases I trim are straight walled except my 35 Remington and 30-30.

45-70, 444, 44 mag

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I just looked at the Franklin Arsenal Trim Center and liked what I saw, until I read this in one of the reviews.......

"One issue, it only trims bottle neck brass so any brass such as 45-70 straight case you will have to do it the old fashioned way."

The majority of the cases I trim are straight walled except my 35 Remington and 30-30.

45-70, 444, 44 mag

You mentioned you already have a cordless drill and if you buy the power adapter for the Forster Trimmer I mentioned above you can use the drill to speed things up a lot.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/644779/forster-case-trimmer-power-adapter?cm_vc=ProductFinding

 

[Barr]

I like the Redding Big Boss series press for all my rifle loading. I started w a Lee Hand Press for rifle loading for the first 7 years I loaded. Any bench mounted press is an improvement.

An RCBS case trimmer is also handy w a Lyman hand deburr kit mounted on the bench. Very universal and very little to break.

 

[Billy Jack]

Went to Cabelas today to see what they might have after doing some research and reading everyone's comments. Long story short everything I was interested in was on sale so I left them $1,275 and left with an XD-S 9MM (mine was just made so hopefully whatever the recall was is prior to mine), an RCBS Charge Master Combo, an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press, a Lyman Ultimate Case Prep Station, and an RCBS Trim Pro-2 Universal Head Case Trimmer.

Next my reloading/work bench needs a new top of some kind before I set up all the new stuff.

Thanks for all the great comments...it helped a lot (helped me spend all my money anyway!)

 

[Rory McCanuck]

That's a heck of a shopping trip!
Now you'll need to expand the bench for all the new stuff, then expand the room because the bench is too big, and so it goes...
I think you'll feel spoiled, that's some really nice gear you picked up.

 

[Milt1]

Also check InLineFabrication.org for some nice equipment that they've made for the Rockchucker Supreme that will assist in speeding up your reloading at a very decent cost.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Went to Cabelas today to see what they might have after doing some research and reading everyone's comments. Long story short everything I was interested in was on sale so I left them $1,275 and left with an XD-S 9MM (mine was just made so hopefully whatever the recall was is prior to mine), an RCBS Charge Master Combo, an RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press, a Lyman Ultimate Case Prep Station, and an RCBS Trim Pro-2 Universal Head Case Trimmer.

Next my reloading/work bench needs a new top of some kind before I set up all the new stuff.

Thanks for all the great comments...it helped a lot (helped me spend all my money anyway!)

Well well, it certainly seems like you covered all the bases. When I recommended you buy the Lee press I was under the impression you were under some kind of budget. I didn't know you sold one heck of a rifle and was able to buy everything you wanted and a handgun too! You are going to really like the Rockchucker Supreme press as well as the other top quality tools you bought. You sure did upgrade a lot of what you will be using alright, enjoy!