Want to buy reloading press and dies- Advice needed

[Nhoro]

Hi all, I am in Zimbabwe and ammo for my 458 lott is insanely expensive. I have 100 brass + 120 or so bullet heads. So at $20 per factory round and $10 if I get my components loaded by someone, it is a no brained. I have calculated that 100 rounds will pay for a press and kit, never mind my 30-06.

So school me on reloading presses for my Lott. I can get a Rockchucker Supreme master kit from South Africa. Also 458 rcbs dies and redding deluxe dies for the 30-06. I have to take what I can get or wait for other makes to become available. I am reloading for hunting, not benchrest. And also aiming to cut my shooting costs on the big boomer so not needing super acurate bench rest acuracy.The 30-06 probably doesn't save much at all but if I have the kit, at least I can build a consistent load. Currently I buy a box or 2 and then next time I look it is a different brand/ bullet weight. Re zeroing each time probably uses more bullets than actual shooting.

 

[uplander01]

Buy the RCBS Supreme, get the rcbs dies and you are good to go. Been using the big RCBS press for many years. You'll need a way to trim cases and prep them, and measure powder (inexpensive digital scale) and you'll be good to go. If you need a list of what I would buy to get started I'd be happy to help

 

[Hogpatrol]

One thing to consider is the size of the opening in the press. Is it large enough to hold the cartridge with the bullet on top? If that's a go; considering availability, another vote for the RCBS.

 

[PARA45]

I believe the RCBS Supreme has a big enough opening for your 458 Lott (4.25" Operating Window). I use RCBS presses for all my rifle reloading, and I like the Redding dies better. Based on what you said it is available; I'd go with those choices. The RCBS press will last a lifetime. Good luck!

 

[JimP]

The Supreme should be big enough but if you have any questions take a case down to the store where you plan on purchasing it and check it out.

With my .340 Weatherby I have to place the bullet up into the seating die and then back down onto the case with my current press a Lyman Turret press. It just takes a second to do it but at times it can get annoying.

 

[Shootist43]

Nhoro, I too reload to save money and understand completely your desire to do so. The Rockchucker Supreme Master Kit would be a good start towards getting the equipment needed to start reloading. Have you had the opportunity to sit with an experienced reloader to see all of the steps required? If not, please do so. A couple of required pieces of "kit" not included are a case trimmer of some sort and a set of calipers. What is the availability of appropriate powders and primers?

 

[JimP]

One thing, if you can find a whole kit that the majority of manufactures sell it will have everything in it to start loading. If you can't find one with the Supreme press you can always purchase it separately and then sell the press that came in the kit.

Also find a loading manual for the bullets that you plan on using and read the part about loading cartridges, there is a lot of information in that short section and it will take you through part by part.

 

[Rob404]

I use Rock Crusher Jr for everything up to and including 375HH,

 

[cajunchefray]

One thing, if you can find a whole kit that the majority of manufactures sell it will have everything in it to start loading. If you can't find one with the Supreme press you can always purchase it separately and then sell the press that came in the kit.

Also find a loading manual for the bullets that you plan on using and read the part about loading cartridges, there is a lot of information in that short section and it will take you through part by part.

I suggest getting a copy of the Lyman Reloading manual, I think they’re printing the 51st edition.

Whatever the edition (I have the 49th), it has a very good, easy to read tutorial on the basics of reloading. I started reloading with this based on recommendation from several sources.

Good luck.

 

[Falmike]

I highly recommend one of these kits for the RCBS press:

Hornady Lock-N-Load Press Die Conversion Bushing Kit

The Hornady Lock-N-Load Press and Die Conversion Bushing Kit is a great accessory for your reloading press. Simply insert the Lock-N-Load conversion...

www.midwayusa.com

It makes swapping dies, while maintaining your settings a breeze.

Here is the link for extra bushings:

Hornady Lock-N-Load Die Bushings 10PK

The Hornady Lock-N-Load Die Bushing is a great way to get the most out of your Lock-N-Load press. The unique Die Bushing allows dies to be changed...

www.midwayusa.com

 

[analog_peninsula]

The Lee classic cast press may be less expensive and is great for large cartridges. I’m not necessarily a Lee fan, but the classic cast and the factory crimp dies work well.

The Hornady die bushings are great too.

 

[grand veneur]

I would also buy the Rock Chucker Supreme press from RCBS. I already load all my cartridges between 7mm Remington Magnum and 600 Nitro Express with the previous Rock Chucker model with a smaller frame opening that the Supreme.

 

[skydiver386]

I think the brand name on the press and dies isn't nearly as important as taking care in your loading process. I've owned RCBS, Lyman and several other brands, but found Lee to be every bit as good once you understand how reloading works.

The best advice you've been given so far is to get a good loading manual, and read it from cover to cover. More than one manual wouldn't hurt. Don't go to the loading chart in the back of the manual until you've read the front half first. Headspace, setting the dies, pressure signs, etc., are all in there and are extremely important for producing good loads.

 

[JimP]

I highly recommend one of these kits for the RCBS press:

Hornady Lock-N-Load Press Die Conversion Bushing Kit

The Hornady Lock-N-Load Press and Die Conversion Bushing Kit is a great accessory for your reloading press. Simply insert the Lock-N-Load conversion...

www.midwayusa.com

It makes swapping dies, while maintaining your settings a breeze.

Here is the link for extra bushings:

Hornady Lock-N-Load Die Bushings 10PK

The Hornady Lock-N-Load Die Bushing is a great way to get the most out of your Lock-N-Load press. The unique Die Bushing allows dies to be changed...

www.midwayusa.com

The Hornady Lock and Load is nice with being able to change out your dies with their bushings. However it is just a added expense for the bushings once you have your dies set and the lock ring locked on any of the other presses.

I am using the same dies that are locked as to any adjustment for the last 30 years, it only takes me a minute to change from one cartridge to another even with having to change the shell holder.

 

[PARA45]

Remember that the OP lives in Zim, and probably the availability to reloading equipment is probably very limited and why he is looking at the RCBS kit.

Like it's been said above, get a manual and read it. I would, however, get the one for the bullets you are planning to load, and you can find in your neck of world. I'm sure you have different powders than what we have here in the US.

 

[LimbNoMo]

I have a Lee Classic cast and it will load up to 50bmg. It is tall enough that the Hornady .375 H&H die has a difficult time pushing out spent primers. I do like the quick change system. The press will accept up to 1 1/4” dies. You’ll need to order a bushing for 1” dies though.

I was under the impression that a reloading license was required Zimbabwe and that it is prohibitively expensive. Is this not true?

 

[Ontario Hunter]

One thing to consider is the size of the opening in the press. Is it large enough to hold the cartridge with the bullet on top? If that's a go; considering availability, another vote for the RCBS.

I have an old RCBS JR2 press and I manage to load 404 Jeffery cases with it just fine. Overall length of 404 is 5.53" and 458 Lott is just a bit longer at 5.6". I simply slip the bullet tip up inside the seating die with two fingers and gently close the press.

I'm reading way too many bad reviews for both RCBS and Hornady digital scales. My brother had a Hornady scale crap out at a very inopportune time. I picked up a used Lyman trickle digital powder dispenser and love it. But even used they can be pricey. Unless you plan on doing a lot of range shooting, I recommend a simple balance scale. They are pretty much bulletproof. Loading is slow but accurate.

I don't recommend a progressive loader. I have one for shotgun ammo ... and am thinking seriously about bringing single stage loader out of retirement.

 

[Sideshow]

Good set of scales. Hornady have a nice set of balance beam scales. They don’t bounce all up and down like some ie Lee drive you round the bend waiting for those to settle. Also they read true and you don’t need batteries.
Good set of callipers as well. Manual has been mentioned. Bullet puller is very helpful when you first start out. Our are testing to see what shoots and then find the other loads don’t so you can save the heads powder etc.
If you’re handy you can make a reloading tray.
Nathan Foster does a nice book on how to reload. You can download it. He runs through most of the brands. I have a Lee press does me fine. The Lee quick trim dies are helpful as well. But depends on what you can get in Zim. Hope that’s helpful.

 

[mdwest]

The RCBS supreme will work great for your 458 Lott and your 30-06… I have loaded both on mine with no issues at all…

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Hi all, I am in Zimbabwe and ammo for my 458 lott is insanely expensive. I have 100 brass + 120 or so bullet heads. So at $20 per factory round and $10 if I get my components loaded by someone, it is a no brained. I have calculated that 100 rounds will pay for a press and kit, never mind my 30-06.

So school me on reloading presses for my Lott. I can get a Rockchucker Supreme master kit from South Africa. Also 458 rcbs dies and redding deluxe dies for the 30-06. I have to take what I can get or wait for other makes to become available. I am reloading for hunting, not benchrest. And also aiming to cut my shooting costs on the big boomer so not needing super acurate bench rest acuracy.The 30-06 probably doesn't save much at all but if I have the kit, at least I can build a consistent load. Currently I buy a box or 2 and then next time I look it is a different brand/ bullet weight. Re zeroing each time probably uses more bullets than actual shooting.

That kit will definitely get you started. The powder dispenser I would say is pretty old school along with the scale. However both have worked for many years, it's just a bit of a slower process than with the more advanced dispensers available now. A few things I see you'll need in addition to the kit to get started:

1) Powder trickler. You'll use this to "dial" in the powder charge after the main charge has been dumped into the weighing pan. The powder dispenser can only be adjusted to so much precision. So you set it to dump a little less than the load you want and then bring it to what you want using the hand trickle tool.

2) Shell holders to be used with the press as well as the priming tool

3) A trimming tool and its own shell holder as well as trim pilot. You'll need the trimming tool if you wish to reload brass that has been previously shot and eventually exceeds maximum length.

4) A micrometer for measuring brass after sizing and the length of the loaded cartridge.

5) The kit includes a lube pad for lubing the brass with that tube of lube I see in the kit. You'll also want some sort of neck lube for inside of the neck prior to sizing. Neglect to lube the neck and you'll be stretching it more than needed.