Learning to reload-need advice

30 April 2009, 01:53

I have decided that I want to start reloading. I know very little about it and I'm just starting the process. Currently, I'm working my way through "The ABC's of Reloading" and a video.

I've got my eye on the RCBS Rock Chucker press. But, my question is this: I will be trying to learn to reload some magnum calibers. I currently have several, the largest being a .375 H&H. I will soon be getting a .416 Rigby. Is there equipment that will not load those large calibers? If so, what would you recommend??

30 April 2009, 01:58

Hunt-ducks

Stick with the Rock Chucker you will do just fine.

30 April 2009, 02:32

Swede44mag

If you are concerned about the ability of the Rock Chucker to load larger calibers check out the Rock Chucker Supreme.

30 April 2009, 02:48

vapodog

quote:
Originally posted by Hunt-ducks:
Stick with the Rock Chucker you will do just fine.

30 April 2009, 04:45

merlinron

you can't go wrong with the rockchucker.
your press is one thing that will last forever if it's a good one and there's no such thing as being "over-pressed".

30 April 2009, 04:56

Winchester 69

If you've heard reports of the latest RockChucker's loss of grace, i.e., being made in China and having loose tolerances, and are having misgivings, take a look at the Redding Big Boss. You'll be glad you did. The new generation of large-framed presses accommodates the long magnums.

30 April 2009, 05:45

Bannor

No, I hadn't heard about the Rock chucker being made in china now nor of any problems with it. Thanks for the heads up! Does that apply to all Rock chucker models or even all of RCBS presses?? I will check into the Redding.

A lot of people, articles etc recommend the Lee for beginners, any input on that?

30 April 2009, 06:55

Ratltrap

quote:
Originally posted by Bannor:
No, I hadn't heard about the Rock chucker being made in china now nor of any problems with it. Thanks for the heads up! Does that apply to all Rock chucker models or even all of RCBS presses?? I will check into the Redding.

A lot of people, articles etc recommend the Lee for beginners, any input on that?

Can't say much about the new Rock Chuckers. Mine is an old one I picked it up used at the local Mom n' Pop gunstore. I load everything up to 375 H&H with it. The H&H is a tight fit so I doubt the Rigby would fit. I'm sure the Rock Chucker Supreme will work as it was designed for big Weatherbys (same as a belted Rigby case)and Ultra Mags. Same goes for the Redding, for twice the price of a Supreme.

I also have a Lee single stage that I load mostly handgun and levergun ammo on. Sometimes I set it up to press bullets and crimp so I can leave the sizing die in the Rock Chucker. If you plan to load the Rigby don't bother with a Lee single stage press. Even if it has the length, that aluminum isn't going to be strong enough to resize that big case.

30 April 2009, 09:28

Winchester 69

quote:
Originally posted by Ratltrap:
Same goes for the Redding, for twice the price of a Supreme.

The Redding press costs $20 more than the Supreme and includes the through-the-ram primer disposal facility. I understand that the RCBS product is known for littering.

If you do a SEARCH you can find a lot of discussion on Lee products. They are low-cost and necessarily cheaply made.

30 April 2009, 10:25

Bob from down under

Green is good.
Redding Ultramag takes the 416.

30 April 2009, 15:52

BNagel

My old Rockchucker works fine with .416 Rigby. Watch your fingers, tho!

30 April 2009, 16:59

Concho42

I use the Lyman orange crusher , works on 3-1/4" 40/90 brass and everything below !

01 May 2009, 00:53

375hnh

+1 on the Rockchucker. Check e-bay buy used. I replaced a Redding with my first Rockchucker, have never looked back. I commonly load 375H&H and have loaded .416 rigby and Remington on it.

01 May 2009, 01:26

DuggaBoye

I have several presses including the RockChucker, Get a bigger press(taller) if you plan to EASILY load long cartridges.(416 Rigby, 500NE etc)
The least expensive good press is the LEE CLASSIC.
The Previously mentioned Redding UltraMag and the largerRCBS and the Lynan Crusher 2 are also good options.

01 May 2009, 01:41

jeffeosso

get the RCBS supreme KIT .. and don't look back.. everything that can be said for the rockchucker, plus more clearance.

but, if *I* had it to do all over again, I would have bought the hornady LnL AP progressive

no, wait .. i DID just buy that

oh, yeah - learn proper terms .. a bullet aint a "head"

01 May 2009, 23:36

fredj338

The RCII is a good press. I went w/ the AmmoMaster as it was made for the 50BMG & will ahndle the longest sporting round you could ever load. The RCII has a larger "window" than the older RC & will be fine for 375-416 calss rounds.

02 May 2009, 01:28

SR4759

Here is some advice.
Learn to load using a could of cheap rounds like the .308 and the .223. You will scrap some cases and in the case of the .223 pull some rims off. It is better to learn this with rounds that use common cheap brass. When you start learning belted rounds you need to learn that the shoulder is not likely to be where the die locates it. You have to learn how to set sizing dies to avoid head separations and case stretching.

02 May 2009, 07:52

eurocentric

Ditto the Redding Ultra Mag, I reload from the 17 Fireball up to the 470 NE with it. Never had an issue. Its a treasure.

02 May 2009, 07:59

Chop901

Case lube is cheap! Use lots of it! If you forget to lube, you'll be sorrreeeeee !!!

02 May 2009, 20:24

Bannor

I appreciate all the replies. Lots of good leads and advice here. Thank you.

02 May 2009, 21:36

wino

For gods sake, don't smoke while reloading

03 May 2009, 12:51

Winchester 69

In lieu of an over-abundance of case lube than can cause shoulder dents, Imperial will do the job with a paucity of application.

The UltraMag is a wonderful design and a powerful press, but it is less convenient ergonomically. Its power or size may not be needed if the case doesn't warrant it. If you need the extra capacity or more power, that's where the UltraMag shines.

09 May 2009, 01:19

tnekkcc

Learning styles vary.
The best for my learning style would be to go to some else's house and watch them do it.

Not having that, I got an RCBS video that showed someone doing it.

10 years later, I now reload ~60 cartridges.

Every few years I write post on how to reload.
It is always changing.
I can see what I wrote last year does not emphasize the Lee Collet die nor the hand held priming tool, the way I now do:

quote:
This is the stuff I still use for handloading:
1) Forster Co-ax press, two modified jaw sets, screwed to a board, board clamped to a table
2) Forster full length dies, factory honed out necks, no decapping stem
3) RCBS uniflow powder measure
4) RCBS 505 powder scale, on a shelf behind my head at eye level
5) Redding Imperial die wax
6) Wilson case mouth chamfer
7) Forster priming tool, with modified RCBS primer tray, & paper clamp
8) Lee de-priming die
9) Lyman moly vibrator kit, 6,000 Copperhead BBs, & a big Neodymium magnet
10) Berry's Bullets vibrator cleaner
11) Any $20 Chinese 6" dial caliper
12) Any Chinese pin gauge sets .060 to .500"
13) Lyman pocket uniformer [for cleaning]
14) Quickload program on my computer
15) Sinclair concentricity gauge
16) Sinclair bullet comparator
17) Berry's Bullets ammo boxes, labled with post-its, marked with a Sharpie ultra fine point permanent marker
18) Donegan Opti-visor
19) Luxo magnifier lamp
20) A radio to listen to when reloading while sitting in an office chair
21) I stock 40 powders, but can get along with just:
.a) Power Pistol
. b) Blue Dot
. c) H110
. d) IMR4895
. c) H4350
22) I stock lots of primers, but I could get along with just any brand in:
. a) small pistol
.b) large pistol
.c) magnum small rifle.
. d) large rifle

09 May 2009, 02:23

JBrown

quote:
oh, yeah - learn proper terms .. a bullet aint a "head"

Jeffe

That depends where you live. In Namibia they are called "heads."

It really does not cause much confusion.

Jason

"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________

Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.

Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.

-Jason Brown