Reloading Kit or Not?
 

I want to get into reloading my own stuff, so I will be starting out with nothing. I am planning on buying the RCBS Digital powder measurer and Digital scale as well. I am pretty sure that I want the Rock Chucker Supreme Press. Should I buy the Supreme kit or just the press, since the kit has the manual scale and powder measurer that I won't really need?

RE: Reloading Kit or Not?
 

I would buy the kit, its a good setup- it has just about everything you need to start reloading.
Only thing I would add to the kit would be a good dial caliper, a lee case trimmer set, and possibly a cheap lee press to mount the powder measure on- don't use the flat metal piece for mounting the powder measure, you need a very solid mount for getting a consistant throw. With a cheapo lee press you will also have the advantage of having a spare press to do oddball taks like decapping, belling mouths of pistol cases etc. I would also spend the money saved over buying digital equipment to buy an extra reloading manual or three.

As far as a digital scale goes- I don't see the point- they don't measure as fast as a beam balance, and they are not any more accurate. A digital powder trickler is nice, but certainly not anywhere near necessary. If you learn to set up the uniflow measure correctly it will throw powder charges much more quickly.

Once you learn to reload and get the hang of it, you will be in a better position on deciding what to spend big $$s on, or if you even enjoy reloading at all.

Just my $0.02

RE: Reloading Kit or Not?
 

The manual scale[IMO],will save your butt,when the electronic one quits!!!!Get the kit.

RE: Reloading Kit or Not?
 

Thanks for all the info! Besides dies and caliper, is there any other thing I should get or need? More reloading manuals as was stated or maybe a reloading CD?

RE: Reloading Kit or Not?
 

Plastic shell boxes to put your loads in. Buy more than you think you'll need, you'll use them.

A notebook to keep notes about your loads in., spend $5-10 to get a good composition/laboratory type notebook.

RE: Reloading Kit or Not?
 

other notable items......rcbs hand priming tool, universal shell holder set,bullet puller, and the kit from rcbs only comes with one tray for holding the casings you are working with, I bought 3 more just to have some extras, you may not need 3 extras but one extra is a must.

RE: Reloading Kit or Not?
 

At some point you might want to pick up one of the vibrators for cleaning your brass.

RE: Reloading Kit or Not?
 

I promise you, you will like the manual scale better. I have tried all the digitals and sent them back. They are hard to trickle a load. And yes, when you get up to 80gr loads, you will need to trickle. The digitals are apt for ground noise, which can be bad out west. Bad near dryers or any vibrations. I can throw and trickle a load much faster with a beam. If you worry about precision, buy a calibration set for it of wieghts. My 5-0-5 is dead on.

I like the digital for wieghing wieghts that don't change, like broadheads, and brass, things you are not trying to add too. Also need a kinectic hammer, and trickler. both well worth the money. I have a RCBS hand primer, but would get the lee if it was me.

Well, the trimmer. There's not too many alternatives for a hobbist reloader. Especially if your just loading 20 rounds a week. There is the lee drill bit pilot, but I have seen them not square the mouths well. You got Wilson which is the be most precise, but very slow and tedius. Stick with the RCBS for the time being. I just don't see going out and buying a gracey just starting out until you see how much youwill reload.

RE: Reloading Kit or Not?
 

I got the kit, and I've used pretty much everything in it. I like the RCBS hand primer fine. The main additions would be a trimmer, trickler, and calipers. I got the digital calipers from Frankfort Arsenal at Midway, and a Redding trickler and trimmer.

RE: Reloading Kit or Not?
 

yeah, I have found my digital scale, will not work with the ac adapter, I called rcbs and they said I have "dirty' electric. My house is only 5 years old but they said that didnt matter. I think I will be pulling the 505 out of the box soon. I cant afford to trust a battery it may fail. Bigcountry I might need to borrow that calibration set:)