Reloading Consult

[MassHntr]

I now have access to a good range and am considering getting into reloading. I' ve read quite a few of the posts on here and have no illusions that it will be cost-saving for the amount of shooting I plan to do. But it would be fun to dial-in my ' 06 and try it out on whitetails and elk. I' m also a firm beliver in ' you get what you pay for' . and many of you endorse RCBS. However, for tinkering rather than hundreds if not thousands of rounds, would a lower-end set-up suffice? I bought Lee' s Modern Reloading on sale and got a free single stage press. I understand that it' s a bit like AOL sending free CDs in hopes I' ll sign up for monthly fees. Nevertheless, is Lee equipment (except for the scale) reasonable enough? Second, I' m in Massachusetts. Getting powder and primers on-line will be much easier than turning over my first-born son to buy it over-the-counter. Are there on-line vendors? I noticed that Midway doesn' t list it in their catelogue. Thanks guys.

[NE Hunter]

I use a Lee press right now it the " chalanger" its an O frame design and has served me well to date. i have one complaint about it and that' s where the spent primmers drop a catcher like RCBS would be a great improvement on it. I just started using a Lee collet die and that' s causing me my first real head ache with the press either I don' t have the die adjusted right or I need more leverage on the ram ( I' m currently watching a few rock chuckers on ebay) if that solves my problem great if it doesn' t well I solved the spent primmer issue.

as for powder here' s a link for you
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...ainCatcat20712

I checked after I posted the link and they have restrictions on sending to MA ... sorry

[ktscontender]

RCBS is good, I have a Special 5 press and one of thier Progressives for pistol ammo., both have worked without flaw for years. I also have a Bonanza (Forster) Co-Ax press that is great and use it more than the RCBS Sp-5 now.
LEE dies are good and I have aquired quite a few sets but, when it comes to gaurentee and warrenty RCBS is #1 in my book. I have bought used dies that were obviously abused and they have replaced them, no questions asked and that is hard to beat.
The base on my progressive wore out last year at the priming station, I called RCBS only to discover they no longer stocked the bases for my old press BUT, they sent out and had one made for me No Charge.
Start out with the best you can afford, don' t plan on saving any money ' making your own' (you' ll find something you just have to have believe me ) and be careful, handloading is a great pasttime/hobby and alot of fun but, it is DEADLY SERIOUS.

[Vapodog]

I' m a fan of RCBS for a single stage press and dies and scale and a lot more. Get your case trimmer from Forester or Wilson.

Lee is not spoken here.

[Mykey]

Another vote for RCBS.

[1eyedfish]

Lee makes good things for the price. I dont have any progressive presses but have a few nice old lyman presses one a manual turret type. But i do have a Lee small hand loading press/that can be mounted & a Lee powder measure/thower& Lee hand priming tool & quit a few Lee dies sets etc. All Lee products have worked well for me.(thks Lee)
Rcbs makes some great stuff too for sure&good after service warrintys etc.

If i ever progress to a pregressive press & money is no object at the time ,think i will buy a dillion orRcbs press.

But Lee is a good way to start i thi nk &i like my old lymen presses old heavy duty pretty much unbreakable i think too lol)but a little slow- cost effective for me.

Lee will get you there makin ammo& out shooting more i think.[:-]
Lee takes on the green giant .
Lee is like the model -t.

[MassHntr]

Thanks, guys. Any advice on on-line powder and primers?

[Vapodog]

powder and primers have a hazmat charge and unless you wish to buy in very large quantities I suggest you buy powder and primers from a local reloading shop.

Check out this website.....good buys!!!
www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

[handloader1]

RCBS. Good luck.

[neweboarhunter]

MassHntr, I bought the Lee Anniversary kit from Cabelas in 1999 and the Modern Reloading book with the free C-frame press that is what I load most of my rifle ammo on. I use a Dillion 550B for large volume pistol and sometimes rifle. The Lee scale as worked fine for me. I have " updated" to a Lyman digital. I checked the two against each other and they were both within a tenth (.100) of a grain. You are right about the C-frame press though, I have found that it works well for pistol brass resizing, and bullet seating. I use the O-frame Challenger Press for rifle resizing. Have used it for short and long action. I just bought a 7mmSTW that should be a good " test" for the Lee' s streangth. My reloading experiance is only about 4 years or so and as such I am just starting to aquire more advanced equipment. LOL, NBH

Oh, check out www.midsouthshootersupply.com they sell powder.