http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000449357

Im thinking about getting started in reloading. Im not looking to load thousands of rounds a year just enough so I can get in some extra practice. The attached link has what seemed to me to be a good price on that particular reloader. Someone at a local sporting goods store suggested that one but their price was a lot more than what is listed at Midsouth. Is this one going to get me started down the right road? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks. Mike

Yep Buy it! RCBS is a great kit, Cheaper than I payed many years ago.

Get you a Hand held primer tool and some Calibers you be in like flint

Mike, Do yourself a big favor in case you haven't yet: Get a couple of reloading books and read them!! (the Speer is okay but for Speer bullets)
I recomend Lymans, a wealth of info!!
The kit is an excellant start and you can build your "stuff" up from there.
Reloading is very enjoyable and I believe you will have fun!!



Smedley

There's other good presses and kits but one can do a lot worse than the Rockchucker kit.

I bought a Pacicic super 'C' back in the late sixties and just recently got an RCBS press. I wish I'd done so wwwaaaaayyyyyyy back then.

do two things
1 find a coach to give you some 1 X 1 advice to get started.

2 ask questions here.....there's some extremely good reloaders here.

Buy It. All you need to go along with the RCBS Kit is a set of calipers and your Dies. RCBS is also a good choice for dies.

Well, what are you waiting for??? Get it ordered up.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0004498925

Ok sounds like I am on the right track. Before I press the order button I have one more question. I have also heard that I should purchase the accessory kit to go along with it. See above link. Do you think I should buy this kit or is there just a couple of items I should purchase seperately (besides dies and shell holders)) to go along with the rock chucker kit? Thanks. Mike

Mike 27,
The things in the accs. kit are nice to have, but not absolutely necessary. At some point in time after you get into this you will want these items and if you can afford them now it would not hurt to go ahead and do it now. Once U start, if you are like many of us, you will be hooked. Handloading is a wonderful pass time and you will should be able to see that the ammo you are loading if far better than factory. I don't know how many rifles you have, but choice one caliber to start with and work with that for a while until you feel comfortable. Why not list what you have and let others here suggest a good starter caliber. I believe you will like this hobby. I have done it off and on for 35 years and the ammo I work up for my arsenal were far better than factory. At one time I loaded 458wm, 375H&H, 300wm, 280 rem.,270, 250 Savage and 45acp, 357m,38spec.44m,10mm
Go for it and you can count on the old hands here to help at any time. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION ABOUT HANDLOADING. If in doubt PLEASE CONSULT THE FOLKS HERE. You will get all the support you need from very knowledgeable people that have a real interest in seeing you succeed.

Mike,
That is a good price. Cabela's sells that for $259.99. Be sure and check what the freight charge will.

Mike27

The RCBS loading setup you're looking at is what I got into reloading with in 1973. It is still putting out quality ammo today. Over the years it has operated flawlessly. I had one problem with it though. I lost the primer catcher. Sure was nice of RCBS to sent me a new one for FREE! Mine didn't come with the manual your going to get.

That little accessory kit would be nice but not nessary if you run into a money thing we all do at times. The trickler and the dial caliper are the two things in the kit you will use the most.

Good luck.

Wingguner the calibers I would be looking to handload are .243, .270, 30-06, 350 rem mag.
Out of all those probably I would shoot the .270 and the .243 the most. My 30-06 is a sporterized 03 springfield. I recall reading that you had to be careful with some of those when using handloads. I cannot recall which serials numbers had weak metal. Out of these calibers is there a best choice for me to start out with? Mike

the accessory kit includes a caliper that can be had from midway for $35 and it's a darn good tool.

I think it's well overpriced from RCBS.

I'd buy the kit and pass on the accesories.The powder stand is around $20,theres better loading blocks than the green one.The powder trickler is around $10 and the caliper you can buy for $20.The case brushes are cheap also.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
the accessory kit includes a caliper that can be had from midway for $35 and it's a darn good tool.

I think it's well overpriced from RCBS.

vapodog you may be right. But the RCBS one has a lifetime guarantee. No matter what happens RCBS has always replaced anything of mine that hasn't worked or was broken. That wasn't often but was without fail.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike27:
Wingguner the calibers I would be looking to handload are .243, .270, 30-06, 350 rem mag.
Out of all those probably I would shoot the .270 and the .243 the most. My 30-06 is a sporterized 03 springfield. I recall reading that you had to be careful with some of those when using handloads. I cannot recall which serials numbers had weak metal. Out of these calibers is there a best choice for me to start out with? Mike

Mike,
Go with the 243 or 270. Either one would be good to start with. The 243,270,3006 all use the same size case holder. I believe a #3, but not sure. Both the 243 and 270 offer a large number of bullets in various weights. I would go with the 270 for a starter. For one thing You will have access to a wide varity of reloading dies from many companys. I bought RCBS dies for my 270 and also RCBS Compation bullet seater.
It would be a good place to start IMHO

Mike,
I have a setup that is almost an exact copy of that master kit, but add a RCBS case trimmer and a bunch of pilots and collets. I don't have the Speer manual for you, but I do have .243 dies as well. I am thinking $215 plus shipping from TX for the whole lot would be fair. Let me know if you are interested.

mlambeth @ sbcglobal.net (remove the spaces)

Trouble,

I'll take the setup if Mike doesn't want it. PM sent.

I'm also looking at getting into it and was wondering how this one looked to you experienced loaders?
http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-po...=cat20847&id=0032404

Hi Trouble thanks for the offer but I have already ordered the master supreme kit from midsouth (My wife is going to shoot me. The UPS truck was here just a couple of days ago with a new Nikon Monarch). Sounds like Hillbilly will take your setup. I did not order the accessory kit I will just buy single pices as I need them. Thanks to everyone for their input on this process. Also I wanted to ask about reloading videos. Are there any out there that are good? Any recommendations? Fortunately I know someone that has done a little reloading so I hope to have him help me along too. Thanks again. Mike

The 2 DVDs that I have from Sierra, Introduction to Rifle Reloading, and High-power Rifle Reloading are both pretty good. If you want to see the more tedious things like primer pocket uniforming, flash hole deburring, and neck turning check out High-power Rifle Reloading with G David Tubb (http://gunvideo.com/pgroup_descrip/87/5519/?return=%3ft...6category_id%3D87%26)

I think Mine must have been the master kit . I got the tall powder stand , primer pocket cleaner kit, etc, pretty complete. I had to add a powder trickler.

A hand held primer tool is the way to go. You should get one of those.

The description of the the kit says it includes a "hand priming tool". Do you think the one in the kit will be adequate or would you recommend a different one? Also can anyone recommend a particular model of caliper and powder trickler? Sorry about all the questions but I am totally new to this hobby. Thanks. Mike

Mike,
Their hand primingtool is quite good. Any Caliper will also do. The dial type are the easest to use.

Well I couldn't pry Billhilly66's money from his white knuckled fist.... Something about needing to load 375 H&H cases (who in their right mind would want to shoot such a cannon?)...

So my little setup is back up and will be hitting the classifieds as soon as I can get the pic thing worked out...

If you're going to use that RCBS priming tool, go ahead and order another shell holder so you won't have to change back and forth with your press.

I use one and it very good. I hated priming on the press.

Mike, when I started with an old lyman 310 hand loader many years ago, I didn't plan on loading any more than 1 caliber, and not many of them. If you enjoy it after you try it, I suggest that you listen to these guys and follow their advice on equipment. After almost 30 years, many thousands of rounds, and multiple calibers I now own and use many brands of re-loading tools. They are all good, some just better. Again, take advantage of the free advice from these experienced loaders. The best advice at this stage, in my opinion, is get a good manual, like the lyman, and read it, more than once.

My kit arrived today. Now the journey begins. : ) Total cost was $234.34 shipped so that was pretty good. Thanks gang for your help. I'll be back with more questions after I get some reading in. Mike

The hand priming tool is all you'll need.Buy a rcbs powder trickler.The midwayusa $20 caliper is fine.
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=119623

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=604242

Either of these are fine.

Ok I have started reading the Speer manual that came with the kit and I will also be picking up the Lyman manual from our local library to help with my questions. Right now I am a little confused on dies. I have decided on starting reloading for my .270 bolt action using once fired brass (mainly winchester & federal factory brass) that I have collected the last few years. My midsouth catalog for RCBS dies lists parts numbers for a full length die set, full length size die, neck die set, neck sizer die, etc, etc. From what I have read in my Speer manual I figured I needed the full length die set. Would this be correct? Any and all tips are appreciated. Thanks. Mike

Yes buy the FL die set.It will be 2 dies,one sizes and decaps and the other seats the bullet.

hey mike glad you you wunt to learn its fun and great relaxer I started out about three years ago I think you need to get some reloading books to get started, my first was the starter kit from lee then if you like which i thank you will once you get into it then you can move up but the RCBS is very good i have bouth i think you will like either one hope this helps and dont be afraid to ask. later

Well I went out shopping yesterday for the last few tools I needed. I found everything except the #3 shell holders so I will mail order those.
In case anyone is looking to purchase new calipers I found a decent looking digial caliper on sale at our local Harbor Freight Tools store for $16.99 I rented a reloading video at our local library and Im currently reading the ABCs of reloading. Thanks for the advice. Im looking forward to a fun summer of reloading. Mike

Mike,
I have the same digital caliper (plus a couple of manual dial calipers). They are all plenty accurate, but make sure you always have at least one spare battery for the digital. The one that came installed in mine was dead the second time I turned it on. Luckily they come with one spare battery. Since that is your only set, be sure to replenish the spare when you have to use it. You know, Murphy's law.