What is your reloading setup / best practices?

[derherr65]

Looks like I may have to invest in my own rifle reloading equipment before long, so what are you guys using? What are the best or smartest choices in practices and equipment? (defined as fast, economical, and/or accurate as you see fit ) What would you do if you had to start all over again knowing what you know now?
I currently have a RCBS Pro 2000 progressive press for pistol... I suppose it could be used for rifle, but would it have the accuracy and repeatability needed for silhouette?

[Trent]

Your RCBS press will work just fine for loading match silhouette ammo. No need to buy another press unless you just want to.

If I had to start all over and do it again... I'd get either a Hornady LNL or a Dillon and call it a day. Pick common loads for the cartridge you choose... test it and tweek it, and then go have fun!

In silhouette you will find guys at both ends of the spectrum. Some guys do the minimum work required to load ammo and others do full benchrest load prep and loading. Pick what suits you and makes you confident in your loads. You have to be confident in your loads so that when you are standing there on the line you KNOW your ammo is good to go.

[malinois]

Reloading is such a personal thing but i have two set ups one stationary and a travel set...home use I have a redding press the big one and for travel I use a harrels press..powder handling the rcbs automated powder measure and travel a harrels br..I use redding dies. I have switched around afew times but this is my current setup. Plus all the other little things and tools you will need ...lots of stuff.

[twidpa]

I like my RCBS progressive for PCCLA because it uses the carrier to manipulate the power measure rather than using the case mouth like most other presses. The thin walls of 32-20 and 25-20 makes this an important feature. I use a Dillon 550 for most other rifle reloading. The dillon is quicker and cheaper to change calibers.
T

[derherr65]

Looks like there are quite a few people using the RCBS Pro 2000 for 223 and 308. Lots faster, inexpensive to change cartridges, and with attention to case prep and powder selection very consistent.

What other tips and trick have you found over the years?

[Bob259]

I would have bought the Dillon 1050 $800 dollars ago ;) I have 2 Dillon 550's and a Redding T7

[DennisC]

Dillon 550, RCBS Partner for travel

[Snake]

I use Wilson dies and case trimmer and an arbor press. The Wilson sizer uses a button for my fitted neck 7-08 . I use a RCBS priming tool....everything is aligned etc. You could go to a RCBS press and use Redding button dies and competition seaters. But my brass is turned to .011 and I use a .304 button for firm not excess neck tension. That works this way .022 brass plus .284 bullet give you a .306 finished product . The .304 button on annealed brass yield .002 tension. With that it will group under 2.8 inches at 600 yards (5 shots) with a 168 Sierra at 2500 fps. Now if only I could shoot worth a flip off-hand ;)

[Bigfoot]

I'm running a blended set up. Like snake I use a Wilson seating die for my 260 bobcat as its so consistent with minimal run out. I trim with a Wilson as well. I neck size and deprive with a redding bushing die on a vintage rcbs rock chucked and throw powder with a Harrell's powder measure. Rcbs hand primer for when I don't feel like being tied to the bench (I like to prime 500 or so cases at a stretch)

I did a lot of experimenting and found that blend worked for my OCD. It's pretty awesome that we have so many great tools at our finger tips. God bless Sinclair!

[ywltzucanrknrl]

Some of the preference comes down to whether you like to shoot or reload. I really like reloading but prefer shooting. I think one of the biggest time savers I have is a Gracey trimmer—trims and does a nice chamfer quickly. One tool I really like that is hard to find today is the old Lee Hand Primer. They have a great feel and the new Lee’s just don’t cut it, nor have any of the others I’ve tried. You can load a lot of ammo quickly and turn out good ammunition with a Dillon 550. I find that using ball powder works best with the Dillon powder charger. I like a Harrel’s powder charger because they are accurate and easy to adjust to different charge weights if you write down the setting. I like Redding dies because they offer a carbide expander ball---I find that I have a lot less case stretch with carbide expander balls. I think measuring devices are important---bullet run out, seating depth gauges, calipers and mic’s. I used a lot of different dies, CH, Wilson, Redding, Forster, RCBS, Jones, Dillon…..and all can load good ammo but if a set isn’t loading good ammo the easiest way to find out is with measuring devices that concentricity. I prefer a Forster press over other single stage presses because they are well made and you don’t have to change out a shell holder every time you change cartridges and once the die is set, it is just pop it in and pop it out, very quick and repeatable.