Ok, I’ve decided I can’t wait and must become a reloader. Now I have the usual new guy questions. I’ve got quite a bit on info searching through the forum here but still have some gaps to fill.
I’m getting the RCBS Rockchucker kit either from “Trouble†on this board or from Midsouth. What else do I need to reload .375 H&H, 280 rem, and.458 win mag? Here’s what I’m thinking:

Shell holders # 3 and 4
Tumbler
Full length dies?? Or what kind?
Master gauging tool?
Accessory kit

Can I use a folding table if I get the base plate?
Should I get a lube die or use the pad?
What about a decapper?
What is the best manual to start with?

Thanks for any advice, I can't wait for the sickness to completely take hold.

Kevin

The tumbler isnt really "nessesary", especially for rifle ammo, but its nice to have nice new cases.

You may want a die kit for each, comes with resizer (full length, or pick up lee collet die if you want to just neck size), and a bullet seater/crimper. You need both, might as well get both. Dont forget a caliper, and I high recommend a Lee case trimmer kit, about 8 bucks it trims your cases to the exact same lenth, and you put them in a drill to turn them, cut them, and chamfer them. Plus you can hit the outside w/ some steel wool if you really want clean cases outside.

Im pretty sure a folding table would be fine, it doesnt take much force, just make sure its sturdy.

I just put the lube on my fingers and whipe the casing with it (dirty jokes comming im sure). works fine for me.

I like hte Lee Modern reloading guide, But it favors lee producets. Ummm, ABC's of reloading is good, nosler is good, most bullet manufacturers have good manuals.


good luck and have fun.

quote:

Should I get a lube die or use the pad?

Neither get Imperial die sizing wax.

billhilly66

My suggestion would be to get a Lee Collet Neck Sizer

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=474192

a Redding Body Die

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=417647

and an RCBS Competition Seating Die. If you don't want to fork out the big money for the Competition Seater then you can use the Lee Seating Die that is in the 2 die set.

That way you can neck size (no lubing necessary) until the case gets hard to chamber and then use the Redding Body Die to push the shoulder back. Costs the same for all three of those dies as it does for one full length RCBS die. Better too!

I don't think the folding table is a good long term solution. I have a bench made out of 1 3/8" doors and I'm thinking about putting some 2x4 legs directly under the press for reinforcement. Wish I had used 1 3/4" doors.

I've got a tumbler I haven't used in a couple of years and my brass is shinier than new. That's a long explanation though.

I'm with P. T. on the Lee trim system.

Nosler #5 manual. Gives the "most accurate powder tested" and load density.

All of the above is good advice...

I have been very happy with Hornady One Shot for lubing cases...(comes in an aerosol can and is sprayed on all your cases at once in the loading block) its only 5 or 6 bucks and you'll find that saving time on some steps (like lubing) give you more time to focus on other important steps.....

IV

I'd also suggest a stuck case remover. You may never need it, but if and when you ever do, you'll be real glad you have it. They're cheap insurance.

I would recommend:

oops.
I would also recommend, a dial caliper, a digital read scale, a bullet puller, the lube pad with whatever kind of lube made for cases. If you properly lube your cases, you shouldn't have any problems with a folding bench. I also like the hand priming tool made by RCBS.

Billhilly66,
It was nice meeting you yesterday. Sorry things didn't work out with the press. I just did some checking and the 375 H&H case will fit, but just barely.

I think you need to shoot more reasonable cartridges...

Thank you Trouble. It was nice meeting you as well. I just wasn't shure about my long cases and went ahead and ordered the Supreme kit from Midsouth. I really appreciate your understanding.

Kevin

I would reconsider the folding table You want to mount the press on the strongest table you can get.

A caliper is very handy when recording the OAL as this can effect accuracy.

I have used a balance beam scale and electronic scale, both were acceptable. If you can swing it, the RCBS 1500 Chargemaster really makes life easy

I have used RCBS Case Slick and a pad with different oils to lube cases, a matter of preference.

To trim cases I have used an RCBS and Forester unit. I find I use the Forester exclusively.

The type of dies you use depends on primary use of cartridges. All DGR should be full length resized and run through the chamber before use. I neck size my 243 as it is used for varmints and long range accuracy is most important.

Thanks for all the advice. Well so far I've trashed the folding table idea and bought a steel table with a laminate top and an RCBS supreme kit. I've decided that full length dies are the ticket but what kind?

Also need a tumbler (got 200 filthy pieces of once fired 458 wm)
I keep hearing Forster case trimmer is the ticket. Which one or do they only make one?
Thanks again for the help.

quote:

Originally posted by billhilly66:
I've decided that full length dies are the ticket but what kind?

Most of mine are RCBS and I've never had a problem with them.....But the last one I bought was a cheap Lee FL die set and that too was a fine tool.

quote:

I keep hearing Forster case trimmer is the ticket. Which one or do they only make one?
Thanks again for the help.

Forester makes a fine case trimmer.....I have no problem with it.....

If you think that your cases need to be w/n .001 of each other the Wilson is a fine tool.

All in all they're both fine tools but the Forester is more versatile requiring far fewer shell holders butisn't quite as accurate.

Personally I'd recommend the Forester.....even though I have the Wilson.

ISSO case cleaner works as well or better than a tumbler. I use both. Media can get stuck (mostly damp or sub 22 cal) inside the case and throw pressure through the roof. I use both RCBS and Redding dies. I prefer Redding but I would take RCBS before I would back order. They are very close. Forester makes a kick ass die, I would look at them. Sinclair International has real precision stuff. They are proud of it, but you can get a bunch of questions answered so it works out. Wilson trimmers are hands down the best. Nothing wrong with the Forester. Your kit should come with a trimmer??? if it does my RCBS has worked well just a bitch to set up. Sierra bulletsmiths are awesome. I had a guy on the phone for an hour helping with die set up. Get two or three manuals. Hodgen, Hornady and another bullet, I like Nosler. Precision shooting makes a reloading manual that is very good. The NRA is not bad either. Mics that go out to .0001 and good Calipers. A chrongraph is so cheap there is no need not to own one. The mics and the chrono will help you work up to top end loads. A stoney Point guage will help you find AOL. If you read you can learn to make a jam case. I make an AOL dummy that touches the lands with each bullet. I also make a trim dummy to set up my trimmer. I write on the side with a Sharpy what they are and the measurment. I do the same when testing loads. powder and charge. Sharpy stays on but cleans right off. BEST ADVICE IS GET SOMEONE YOU TRUST TO GET YO GOING AND READ EVRYTHING

Most of my dies are RCBS. I use CH4D for the 470 NE. Some will bad mouth anything except RCBS The CH4D was 1/2 the cost of the RCBS and has been excellent.

I did not mention the tumbler, I use a Cabelas I bought on special, works great.

Jay-i think if you know someone who reloads and go to his house and watch and examine his setup would be the fastest, the old saying--a picture is worth a thousand words.

quote:

Originally posted by billhilly66:
Ok, I’ve decided I can’t wait and must become a reloader. Now I have the usual new guy questions. I’ve got quite a bit on info searching through the forum here but still have some gaps to fill.
I’m getting the RCBS Rockchucker kit either from “Trouble†on this board or from Midsouth. What else do I need to reload .375 H&H, 280 rem, and.458 win mag? Here’s what I’m thinking:

Shell holders # 3 and 4
Tumbler
Full length dies?? Or what kind?
Master gauging tool?
Accessory kit

Can I use a folding table if I get the base plate?
Should I get a lube die or use the pad?
What about a decapper?
What is the best manual to start with?

Thanks for any advice, I can't wait for the sickness to completely take hold.

Kevin

1. get all the manuals you can, new and old.. check gun shops, older ones may be a lot cheaper, and a lot of times the info hasn't changed all that much for standard cartridges...
I couldn't be without Lyman 47th Manual and Hodgdon's Number 26 manuals for versatility.. after that, Sierra Number 4... and anyone should have a Nosler Manual...

2. get a univeral deprimer....

3. Rock Chucker, you can't go wrong

4. Dies, get both RCBS and Lee Deluxe in each caliber... the Lees are cheap and the Deluxe has the neck sizer die in it.. I find at times the Lees fit the situation better and other time and the RCBS better at other times...they last a life time and are backed up to the hilt by the manufacturer... the only ones that suck in my opinion are Hornady's...

cheers
seafire

I use RCBS dies and have been getting some real good deals on e bay for them.I also use hornadys one shot spray lube!It works great and its just spray the cases wait one minute and size.I would buy a bullet hammer for when you mess up!Your sizing die has a decapper built into it or you can buy a universal caliber decapper where you don't have to lube the cases to use!