Reloading FAQs

[dlbleak]

I got ya, I'm not a fan of the primer stage myself. I hand prime also

 

[TeleStratMan]

Some more specifics on Equipment.
What do they do? What are the choices? Which one? What is the difference and why would I need to pay more for it? Finally, where do I get one?
I'll try to answer some of these.

Press
This is the most basic piece of equipment. They vary in cost and complexity from basic hand presses to commercial level progressive presses. We'll get to more of that later. The press is what does all the "work." The dies attach to it, the ammunition is held by it during the process.
Types of presses:
Single Stage - holds one die and one piece of brass at one time. One stroke of the press does one operation. Typically used in "stages," where all the brass will be resized/deprimed - up stroke and primed - downstroke, then the die changed, and all the brass will be charged with powder, change die, seat bullets in all brass. The single stage press requires as many strokes per loaded round as operations are performed. Usually 3-4 strokes per round.
Turret - holds multiple dies but only one piece of brass. Can be used as a single stage, where the press is left in one die location, and the brass is loaded in stages. This saves the time of changing out the dies, as the turret is merely rotated, and the next operation can begin. Also, the turrets are typically easy to change out, so as many sets of dies can be left set into turrets as the loader desires. The other way these can be used, is to leave the brass in the press, and rotate the turret and perform all the steps on that piece of brass while in the press, then switch out brass and start over again. This press type will require the same amount of strokes as the single stage.
Progressive - holds multiple dies, and multiple pieces of brass. The dies are typically held in a "turret" similar to that type, but instead of the dies moving, the shell plate that now holds multiple pieces of brass rotates around, and on each stroke of the press, one piece of brass is being inserted into each die set in the turret, therefore one of each operation is done with every stroke. So, there is only one stroke for each completed round. These are the most efficient when loading large amounts of any particular ammunition. They are also the most complicated, and typically the most expensive.

The most common reloading press manufacturers (in approximate order of typical cost):
Lee
Lyman
Hornady
Redding
RCBS
Dillon

Where to Get a Reloading Press:
Here's a few places, there are many more. Also look around at local gunshops.
MidwayUSA
Graf & Sons
Dillon Precision

Some specific presses, who uses them, and some explain why.
What presses you guys use??

I use 3 different single stage presses = Redding Big Boss II - MEC Marksman - Lyman Brass Smith C Press and use them for different functions. I chose this set up because I load mainly Rifle Cartridges. If I were loading mainly pistol loads I would choose a Press such as the Dillion 550.

 

[TeleStratMan]

I got ya, I'm not a fan of the primer stage myself. I hand prime also

I use the LEE Bench Prime System and Like it.

 

[TeleStratMan]

Scale
Measuring powder charges and other components.

Calipers
Necessary to measure diameter of bullets, and cartridge overall length.
Calipers

Also the Hornady Bullet Comparator / Headspace Gage set is very helpful because when loading rifle cartridges it is better to use the bullet Ogive as the measuring reference point. The bullet tips can vary several thousandths of an inch due to manufacturing or damage from mis-handling.

 

[Aries]

I use an RCBS Rock Chucker single stage press. I would love to have a Dillon, but just don't shoot enough to justify the expense... I have a Lee reloading press (the little inexpensive C type) mounted on a portable stand that I sometimes use in the house if it's too hot or cold to work in the barn, and a Lee hand press that I only used once or twice but haven't used either of the Lees in quite a while, I might post either/both of those in the Pay-It-Forward thread if someone offers something I really want.

 

[TeleStratMan]

I use an RCBS Rock Chucker single stage press. I would love to have a Dillon, but just don't shoot enough to justify the expense... I have a Lee reloading press (the little inexpensive C type) mounted on a portable stand that I sometimes use in the house if it's too hot or cold to work in the barn, and a Lee hand press that I only used once or twice but haven't used either of the Lees in quite a while, I might post either/both of those in the Pay-It-Forward thread if someone offers something I really want.

I like RCBS products and have RCBS Rifle Dies.

I do not shoot enough pistol to justify the need for a Dillon 550.

You are correct that Reloading can become very expensive just like most hobbies.

In my case I reload to produce the rifle ammo that shoots well in my particular rifles. Also I have not forgot several years back when the shelves were EMPTY of Ammo for several months. I'm definitely not saving money when the Initial cost of Equipment and Accessories are factored into the equation.

 

[JoeUSooner]

[/QUOTE]What presses do you guys use??[/QUOTE]

For four years now, I've used a Lee Pro1000 progressive... it was the most affordable advanced press (larger and more complicated than a single-stage, anyway) that I could find back then. Lee's tech/operations manuals are well-written and illustrated, which made the learning curve short... after which, I've reloaded well over 35,000 rounds in those four years, with little trouble - although I did have the normal-maintenance issue of replacing a lot of the (worn out) smaller moving parts and springs after about 24,000 rounds. Coupled with the fact that I take great pains to carefully prepare the components beforehand (clean/polish the used brass, etc), and I use five quality-control checks during the reloading process, the press produces remarkably high-quality and reliable reloaded rounds. The press is in my garage workshop, and the biggest single problem I've had has been with the powder dispenser, which can become partially clogged in highly-humid (rainy) weather... which I now simply avoid when reloading.

 

[doug1949]

Brass case extractor-removes cases stuck in dies

 

[doug1949]

Most people upgrade their equipment as time goes by. To minimize the cost of upgrades buy the most advanced equipment you can afford. Example: electronic powder scales vs balance beam, electric case prep station vs manual case prep equipment

 

[Snake]

The Dillon 650 primer feed is a pile of junk. The Dillon 550 primer system runs like a dream. Twice as simple and less moving parts. Its the primer system the 650 SHOULD have had.