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Posted: 6/29/2008 10:10:40 AM EDT
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I'll be purchasing a starter kit later today - probably RCBS - and I'm wondering what sort of advice you guys would offer. What things would you have done differently when you started, what extra things should I buy, etc. I will, of course, do alot of reading, both here and in whatever reloading manual I happen to get before I even think about throwing a powder charge. Incidentally, I'll be mostly loading 5.56mm but I'll also load 7.62mm NATO, .45, 9mm, .357, a bit of .270 and possibly 7.62X39mm if I can find decent brass. |
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Buy "The ABCs of Reloading." Best book on how to get started. Don't forget a quality caliper. They're fairly cheap (about $25-$30) but will give you the info you need to ensure your loads are correct. Also, I wish I had bought case-length gauges for each of my rifle calibers first, instead of using the calipers. You really need both. Consider the Lee turret press kit. It's A LOT easier to simply swap the turret & shelholder for the next caliber, or turn the turret to the next die, instead of having to unscrew, then screw the next die into the single-stage presses. I've still got the turret press I bought 18 years ago, and it's still going strong. |
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My opinion...buying a "kit" RCBS,Lyman, Hornady is the best way to start. All 3 have most of the basics. With any one of these you will get an apology instead of an accusation if you call customer service. My Lyman kit came with; press, scale, powder measure, funnel, chamfer/deburr tool, case trimmer, case lube pad, bottle of case lube,neck brushes, universale die press tool, press mounted priming arm, large and small primer tubes and punches, primer flipping tray, and BEST OF ALL, the Lyman 48th edition manuel. (thinks thats all). All 3 of the kits come with a manuel. If you don't get a Lyman setup, I recommend buying the Lyman #48 manual separetly. I then added... Sierra manuel Hornady manuel Hodgdon 2008 manuel and the freebie Hodgdon/IMR/Win booklets bullet puller primer pocket cleaner primer pocket swagger flash hole uniformer calipers (dial is more accurate than cheap digitals) tumbler (frankford arsenal) corn cob media FA brass polish 3 gal bucket and Christmas wire basket for seperating media/case 2 reloading blocks Shell holder set Chrony F1 and of course dies If you plan on using brass with crimped primers I would recommend Lee dies. Don't have to worry about breaking decapping pins. Also consider a primer pocket swagging tool. |
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Get everything that's on the Recommended Equipment - Single Stage or Turret Press list. The starter kit will cover most of them, but not all of the items. I never bought anything I never needed. but I outgrew some stuff like loading blocks, stand alone powder measure when I added a progressive press |
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One other thing. Find someone in your neighborhood, at your range, work, etc., who can mentor you hands-on. There's only so much you can learn from a book, actually seeing someone do it (and pointing out the pitfalls along the way) will save you a TON of time and money as they show you how to do things the right way, the first time. |
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