Thank you vapodog. I appreciate the guidance. I would like to learn all I can. If I have any more questions, I hope you guys can help me as much as you have.

Vapodog, if they do away with the IMR powders what would you recommend in place of IMR 4064 ( that's what I use in my .243, .270 and .30/06) Thanks

NeHunter, I'd be tempted to replace IMR 4064 with RL 15

There's also a AA 4064 but I have no experience with it....

Many of these powders are identical and just marketed under different names...for example I strongly suspect that H 414 is identical to W 760 and that H 335 is identical to W 748

IMR failed to come out with ball powders and short cut extruded powders. Their loading data was often lacking, but the powders were all classic.....meaning had been around long enough that many folks had a feeling for them and a history for them IMR 4064, 4831, 4895, and 4350 have very strong homes and will leave many folks out shopping.

The Aliant series from RL 7 to RL 25 is an easily understood group and is a good place to look for replacement.......It's possibly Hodgdon will publish a cross reference chart.

Thanks vapodog, That is a starting point.

Vapodog where did you read about the powder being made obselete .I must have read a different article

From Hodgdon powders site ;

IMR has been the mainstay of numerous handloaders for many years. The IMR brand product names remain and are now supplied by Hodgdon. “IMR is manufactured in the same plant with exacting performance criteria and quality assurance standards that Hodgdon users have come to expect,” said Tom Shepherd, President of Hodgdon.

Hodgdon has no plans to consolidate the lines from either company. We feel that they both have unique (excuse the wording) features and advantages. We will continue to supply the IMR products unchanged from their current manufacturing plant. We look forward to doing more aggressive marketing and updating some of the IMR data etc. We hope that you will continue to use our products and appreciate the business that you have given us in the past.

We are currently out of printed IMR data manuals. In the mean time you can get the data at the following link: http://www.imrpowder.com/safe.html

The IMR powders aren't going away anytime soon- they are way too popular for Hodgdon to discontinue. I think if they did discontinue them, there would be a huge backlash of shooters who wouldn't buy Hodgdon products anymore- at least that's how I feel.

How much money do you think I could get started in reloading for. With the rock chucker kit and all the reloading materials die and all? It is for my .270win. thanks ahead.

Also, what additional things would I need? A case tumbler? things like that?[&:]

Turkey Blaster, here's a link for you that will answer your questions on how much

http://www.midwayusa.com/

As far as what else you'll need a good set of calipers (to measure the case length), case trimmer (if it doesn't come in your kit), tumbler (not necessary to start but something in the future), maybe down the road a cronograph

Hope this helps

I bought my Rockchucker in 1976 all I have ever done to it was add a little light grease to the ram and oil the linkage now and then. I have a lot of RCBS equipment. I also have a Lee progressive and a lee Turret press. Both have loaded thousands of rounds of 45 ACP and 38/357 Mag. I used them for years when I was shooting both Pistol Combat matches and rifle and pistol steel silhouettes. They all got a workout. Never had any trouble with the lee loaders either.