I have been a reloader since the 70's, when gunpowder was 3 or 4 bucks a lb. I worked for some time for a gunpowder company doing loading research. I have no idea how many rounds I have loaded but I go through 5K primer boxes like water. And I cast most of my own bullets.
I got started with some very cheap equipment and loaded quite a bit of ammo with it, but I soon learned one thing - you get what you pay for when it comes to presses and other equipment.
For pistol and rifle ammo, a good simgle stage press will let you get rolling. I can fully recommend an RCBS Rock Chucker. You won't ever be able to wear it out. It will handle all of your resizing needs and gives you the control that will let you make some great ammo. If you are only loading pistol you can use a lighter rated press, but for rifle and case forming, the 'O' press is the best one.
For shotgun, get a Mec press. They have a number of different models with various options. I think one that resizes the brass is a good choice, like the 77 sizemaster, especially if you are using autoloaders.
A number of my friends are using Dillon machines of various flavors but I have never been able to get them to work very well for me. I have a Hornady pro-7 press for a progressive press that works great.
Do yourself a favor and stay away from the Lee equipment. I know I will get trounced by those that prefer cheap to performing but if you had seen as much broken loading gear as I have, you would not want it around. They have a good warrantee policy, but I got tired of sending in the items over and over and over again to be replaced. They just won't hold up to heavy use. The one exception is that I still use their factory crimp dies. They give me consistant performance in auto loaders especially.
Go ahead and spend the extra bucks for carbide dies in calibers they are available in. They will save you lots of time, work and make it much cleaner for you.
Have fun, follow the loading manuals, stay consistant and make some great ammo!
G
I got started with some very cheap equipment and loaded quite a bit of ammo with it, but I soon learned one thing - you get what you pay for when it comes to presses and other equipment.
For pistol and rifle ammo, a good simgle stage press will let you get rolling. I can fully recommend an RCBS Rock Chucker. You won't ever be able to wear it out. It will handle all of your resizing needs and gives you the control that will let you make some great ammo. If you are only loading pistol you can use a lighter rated press, but for rifle and case forming, the 'O' press is the best one.
For shotgun, get a Mec press. They have a number of different models with various options. I think one that resizes the brass is a good choice, like the 77 sizemaster, especially if you are using autoloaders.
A number of my friends are using Dillon machines of various flavors but I have never been able to get them to work very well for me. I have a Hornady pro-7 press for a progressive press that works great.
Do yourself a favor and stay away from the Lee equipment. I know I will get trounced by those that prefer cheap to performing but if you had seen as much broken loading gear as I have, you would not want it around. They have a good warrantee policy, but I got tired of sending in the items over and over and over again to be replaced. They just won't hold up to heavy use. The one exception is that I still use their factory crimp dies. They give me consistant performance in auto loaders especially.
Go ahead and spend the extra bucks for carbide dies in calibers they are available in. They will save you lots of time, work and make it much cleaner for you.
Have fun, follow the loading manuals, stay consistant and make some great ammo!
G
