I need some advice on getting a reloading system and wanted to start here in the DR area of AR.

I've never reloaded before and have no equipment to do so. I have a .450/400 from VC on the way which motivates me to get into reloading. Yea, as I understand DRs are probably not the best starting point to learn how to reload. I'll probably putz around with some .30-30 Winchester or .38 Special to ease into it.

I need to get my equipment through Cabelas as I have about $800 in points to spend. In Cabelas I see Hornady, RCBS, Lee and some Redding systems. Dillon is enticing as I used to get their catalogs, for some reason, and looked at them a lot, but perhaps they are not available through Cabelas. I figure that one of those all encompassing kits that includes most of what I'd need is a wise move to save a few $.

The main use of the system will be for .450/400 but I'd like to be able to be able to load .357, 9mm, .45 ACP, .223, .270 Win, .308, and .30-30. I, shamefully, do not do a lot of shooting so I do not need a high throughput system. I do like the idea of those systems where you can quickly swap out/in one cartridge set up for another.

What system would you suggest, or discourage? Beyond what the all encompasing kits include, which must have items would you also suggest? What I want to avoid is getting, say an RCBS (I'm not to picking on them for any particular reason) and then later wish I'd have gone with something else.

Thanks,
Dave

If you're into speed loading then get a turret press. 6 holes, 2 calibers at once.
Once you lock the rings it doesn't take long to spin a die in or out.
I think you'll find that everyone is out of just about all loading supplies including presses.

Since the 450/400 is on the menu I would buy a RCBS Ammo Master. It has a huge window to slide those long cases in and out. You can also use this press for the other calibers but it will be a chore to use. For the other rounds plan on buying a Forster.
Any brand name scale will work, stay with a beam and balance for weighing individual powder charges.

Other smaller tools are needed such as a trimmer, lube pad, priming tool, etc.

The very first thing you should buy is a couple of reloading manuals and read them front to back.

+1 on the ammomaster but I don't know what Snowwolf means by a chore to load other calibers. I find mine to be great no matter what caliber unless you are talking high volume output then yes there are faster presses for sure but it is a fantastic singlestage press.

I used to use a Forster, a Lee, a Rockchucker, and a miriad of others but now only use my ammomaster or my lee progressive but that is set up for only one caliber and I would not switch that around.

Matthew

You will not go wrong with RCBS reloading gear.

If you can get your hands on an RCBS Big Max, you won't regret it.

quote:

The main use of the system will be for .450/400 but I'd like to be able to be able to load .357, 9mm, .45 ACP, .223, .270 Win, .308, and .30-30. I, shamefully, do not do a lot of shooting so I do not need a high throughput system. I do like the idea of those systems where you can quickly swap out/in one cartridge set up for another.

I was trying to lend a hand as well to Fo Fiddy, but was not quite sure of a couple of things.

I run several Dillons here. The best feature for me is the tool head setup. Once dies are set up in the tool head, its a simple matter of just switching tool heads, if the cartridges are the same, such as 270 Win/30/06/308, then you don't even change the shell plate, and continue loading. Using ball or small gr powders, you can even run general loading through the powder measure without much issue. As for handgun, just progressive all the way.

I have one Dillon set up to do nothing but large rifle. I don't care much to prime on the Dillon, so prime on a bench mounted RCBS system. I do not run this press in a progressive mode, choosing to have two RCBS ChargeMasters to run powder. However when you throw in the big Nitro cases, I use a Redding Big Boss II for those, and it has been great for that. I have even used it for the bigger dies and 600 OverKill. Of course I don't load a lot of those sort of things, mostly 500 Nitro on the Redding.

Personally I would never have the patience to run handguns or 223 through the single stage Redding, but like I said, that is me. Proper Hand Loading equipment is a great investment, one that don't take too long to pay for itself. And fortunate for us, there is some good equipment out there.

Michael

I reload my 450/400 3 inch on a LEE Classic Cast Press. I have for years! All my Big Bore/ Dangerous Game rounds on a single stage press. Every charge is hand thrown and checked on balance beam scale.

Start with the RCBS® Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit to learn. It is a nice complete "all-in-one" setup for a beginner. I have used one for many years for various handgun and rifle rounds.

The Ammo Master is a nice secondary press for LARGE rifle calibers but, it is massive overkill to learn on with handgun rounds. The progressive presses are really nice but, they are too expensive to get setup unless you shoot that caliber a lot (or your budget is better then your range time so, the higher cost investment is worthwhile).

For lower shooting volume high quality ammunition, it is hard to go wrong with a good single stage press. It is also simple to setup and use for someone new to reloading.

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
I reload my 450/400 3 inch on a LEE Classic Cast Press. I have for years! All my Big Bore/ Dangerous Game rounds on a single stage press. Every charge is hand thrown and checked on balance beam scale.

This. The Lee's port is the largest and I needed it for my 450. Also, I strongly recommend a Lee Factory Crimp Die. jorge

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
I reload my 450/400 3 inch on a LEE Classic Cast Press. I have for years! All my Big Bore/ Dangerous Game rounds on a single stage press. Every charge is hand thrown and checked on balance beam scale.

+1


I have been reloading for the better part of 28 years, I did reload tons of pistol/revolver and rifle rounds, used Lyman cast press for rifle and the lee 1000 progressive and Dillon XL650 progressive for hand guns. When I started to reload for the big NE cartridges, I found that the Lyman press was too small and I needed a bigger press. I did post the same question here on AR for which press to go with, that can handle those big Mamas. Rusty as well as others advised to get the LEE Classic Cast Press, which I did and I am very pleased with. With this press you can size, decap, and prime in one stroke using their auto primer set up that attaches to the press. Also with this press you will have a feel for the primer too. You will be able to get the whole reloading kit almost for the price of another press ($200.00 -$250.00).

Initial set up is like any other press (secure to the top of a very sturdy reloading press with 3 bolts). Dies Set up is very simple, you set the Lee Lock-Ring in the press screw the dies in it, adjust the dies properly tighten the lock up screw and you are ready to go (2 dies, 2 Lee Lock-Rings for the 450-400) after that life becomes very easy and simple. You can switch between dies or calibers with a simple twist to the Lock-Ring/die’s unit and your die is in or out in few seconds and a new die in its place, again with a simple twist (quarter of a turn) to the die/Lock-Ring unit.

For reloading your revolver/rifle cartridges the Dillon XL650 will fit the bill.

Incidentally I bought the massive Redding press and set it up on the bench in case, it has been sitting at the end of my reloading bench collecting dust ever since, after finding out that I did not need it.


Best regards

Malek
Good shooting/hunting and God's best.

I'm a RCBS guy. You don't want to start with a Progressive press. Single stage will be your best option. The RCBS Rock Chucker Master Kit will get you going the quickest. You'll also need dies and a shell holder for each caliber you want to load. You do not need to weigh each load unless you are loading for bench rest accuracy. The powder measure method will greatly speed up the process.

I've never had any negative issues with RCBS. Top notch equipment as well as top notch customer service on the very rare occasion I've needed it.

I use the Lee Classic Cast Turret. it's plenty big enough to fit the NE case. My rounds (use it for everything) are as accurate as my old single stage. I love having the dies set up in the removable turrets, and have all my calibers set up in their own turret. Bob

Lots of good advice here. I use a Lee Classic Cast Press and RCBS everything else.

Reloading is really quite simple, once everything is set up. What would be ideal would be to find someone that reloads nitro express cartridges in your area, get them to help you with set up which should only take an hour or so. There are lots of little tricks that can either be learned through the pain of experience or taught by someone that has been there done that, e.g., how to set up a seating die to crimp in two steps, using slightly undersized pilots on the trimmer, etc.

Fo Fiddy,

I agree with Todd.

I too am new to re-loading, I bought the RCBS master kit, it has everything I need in a simple easy to use package. I’m glad I started with 30-30 because there is a learning curve and I damaged some brass. The master kit does not have all the fancy components but as Todd said “it will get you going”.

Started with a Rock Chucker kit when I was 12. Now have about a dozen presses set up that I use for different things. Still use that old rock chucker for a lot of things. It is a slippery slope and you will find different presses are good for different things. I use the following the most.

Redding Ultra Mag (NE Loading)
Forstner Co-Ax tall throat (Newer press will accept taller dies, Love these Forstner for quick die changes and floating universal shell holder)
Forstner Co-Ax older short throat.
Sinclair Arbor Press. (Love seating bullets in the average sized calibers with Wilson hand dies. Very quick and precise for me.)
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme (Use mostly for sizing projectiles)
RCBS Ammo Master II (50 BMG Work)
Lee Classic Cast 50 Cal Press (Back-up to the Ultra-Mag, Use it quite a bit at the same time for different processes while using the redding ultra mag)
Dillon RL550 (For Progressive pistol and rifle uses)
Mec Steel Master (Misc Shotgun Stuff, set-up for progressives below, etc)
Dillon SL900 (Shotgun progressive, 12ga)
Spolar Gold Progressive Hydraulic Press (For high quality, 12ga, 20ga, 16ga, 28ga, and 410ag, It is a dream to run. Little slower than the Dillion but much higher quality.)

I like turret presses myself for single-stage type loading.

I use a Lee Classic Turret Press for almost everything.

Then...I have a single stage Lee Classic Cast Iron Press mounted to the right. And Cheap aluminum Lee Challenger Press mouted to the left.

Buy the right trimmer as well. Seems most of the regular trimmers you find on the market are not long enough to trim cases that are 3 inches long.
My suggestion is to start with a Forster Classic trimmer.

For a 470 and a 404, I bought a redding ultramag and the Forster classic trimmer.

I have a 30+yr old Rockchucker, all I have ever loaded on it is rifle cartridges, fom .218bee to the 450/400. The Rockchucker is getting towards the upper end of what it will handle lengthwise on the 450/400. I also have a new Co-AX, it is definitely a nice press, but, won't handle the 450/400.
I still use a beam scale, Lee dippers for long extruded powders into the scale pan and as a trickler. I have a Redding powder measure and a Chargemaster and an old Lyman 1000gr electronic scale as well. Powder measure gets used for ball and flake and short extruded powders, LE 1000 electronic scale for weighing cast bullets only. The Chargemaster is new, takes a 1/2 hr to warm up so you can use it, unless left plugged in, and I keep forgetting to do that, so wind up using the beam scale for 30 or less batches. I have yet to convince myself it was worth 300.00.
Another vote for the Forster Classic trimmer.
Had to make loading blocks for the 450/400,nothing commercial around here, that was big enough for that rim.
RCBS hand primer won't work with the 450/400, but is great for everything else. I've just been priming the 450/400 on the press. Lee is fine also, but, need Lee shellholders for it.

Find a couple of people, to go check out their setups, you can learn a lot that way, and maybe figure out what will work well for you.

Use shotgun loading blocks.

Wow. Very helpful info! This sends me in a good direction to get started.

quote:

Originally posted by 209jones:
RCBS hand primer won't work with the 450/400, but is great for everything else. I've just been priming the 450/400 on the press. Lee is fine also, but, need Lee shellholders for it.

The new RCBS Universal Hand Primer will work on 450/400 3 inch cases. No shell holder needed. It also has a square primer tray to match the square boxes that primers come in.

This topic and the replies have been most helpful to me too as I get started on learning to reload 450-400.

I used the Classic cast for years with no problem. However it was a bit short for the 3 1/2" cases of the .450 and .475 no2 shells. The 1 1/4" x 12 thread size worked fine for my 8-bore and its length of 3 inches. When I bought a 4-bore with a 4-inch case and needing a diameter of 1 1/2" I bought the Ammomaster.
I don't know if a big 4 is in your plans but another double will be and reloading a 3 1/2 inch case in the Classic Cast is a bit slow.
Good luck. The .450-400 is a great place to start!
Cal

Case wouldn't center over the hole on my RCBS primer tool, needed to upen up the back of the plate to get it all the way over.

Cal, you have a good point that I did not consider. Would be wise to plan for a system that will accomodate a larger cartridge than a .450/400 since a second double is inevitable....

Fo:
When using the Classic Cast with the no2 cases I have to place the bullet in the seater die first, then place the charged case in the shell holder, seat the bullet and slip out the completed cartridge as a bit of an angle. For the money it is the best press out there. When I bought mine they cost about 99$ direct from Lee. (I used the Lee auto prime 2 for my priming needs).
Cal

By now you have been given enough advise to make you really confused as to what you need to get started. Let me add to the confusion. I have been loading for over 50 years (yikes I hate to put that in print). You can get by with much of the suggested equipment.
You indicated that your primary focuses is the new VC 450/400 (congratulations). My recommendation is get the Redding Ultramag This will give you a high quality press that will handle the 450/400. I would get one of the kits, as it will have most of the bits and pieces you will need. If you don’t want a kit just make a list of the basic things you will need and go shopping. When you get some experience with the single stage press I would look at the Dillon 550 for your other calibers. Some say they don’t need a progressive because they don’t load large volumes of ammo. I say I would rather be shooting than setting at a bench running cases through a single stage press. Hear is an example. Lets take pistol reloading. Lets say 100 empty .357 cases. With a single stage press you have to run all the cases through each operation/station before you have loaded ammo. That is at least 300 pulls of the handle before you produce 1 loaded round. With my Dillon after the 4th pull of the handle I have loaded ammo dropping into the bin.
You have looked at Dillon so you have some knowledge. The Dillon warranty can’t be beat.
Bill