[YukonGlocker]

I received a new RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit for Christmas. I am so happy because I have wanted to start reloading for a long time.



Now I need some help. I have some dial calipers, but what other tools are necessary or just nice to have?

What powder do you guys recommend to start with?

I need:

1. 9mm target loads

2. .40 target loads

3. .38 Special target loads

4. .30-30 hunting loads



Thanks for sharing any information with me. I will be searching for information also. I can't wait to load some of my own rounds!

 

[Dan Burwell]

You will certainly need a bullet puller best $15 I spent in reloading equipment.

For powder you will need at least 2 as you will not be able to use the same for both rifle and pistol calibers. You can check here for a powder that you may use for all you pistol needs:

www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Index.htm

 

[Gregchico]

I have the rock chucker supreme

I recommend you get the piggyback 4 to make it a progressive.

I like American Select (by Alliant) for the calibers you mentioned (except 30-30).

I addition to the book that came with your kit, check out the powders manufactures web site for different reloading recipies. They will be close, but not always the same.

I try to by carbide dies for all the pistol calibers and RCBS's "x" dies for all my rifle needs.

2nd the bullet puller, it will help erase mistakes.

Build a sturdy reloadng bench, 2x4s and 4x4s in the frame.

Check out www.MidwayUSA.com and www.Cabellas.com to find their bulk reloading bullets. I do not like shooting lead, but I do like the copper coated bullets in my guns when plinking. They do not cost much more then plain lead bullets.

I do not care much for cci primers some (approx 3 per 100 in small pistol) require a second strike in my old revolvers.

 

[G56]

Your bullet puller is your eraser, everyone makes mistakes, so you can "erase" them instead of throwing away the brass and bullets!



You are going to need a dial caliper for precision measurements, and make sure to get carbide dies in pistol calibers.



When you get ready to reload the 30-30 you will also need to get a case trimmer, this isn't necessary for regular pistol calibers but it's essential for bottleneck rifle calibers, they get longer with each firing, you measure them with the calipers and trim back to spec with the trimmer.

 

[YukonGlocker]

Thanks for the replies. I am currently reading through the Speer Reloading Manual that came with my kit. I had my tonsils removed yesterday, so I will be spending the next few days learning about reloading. (I have nothing else to do!!!)

 

[G56]

I forgot something important, you will also need a good way to clean the dirty fired cases, they need to be cleaned prior to reloading, don't resize dirty brass, it can have sand or other contaminants that could scratch your resizing die.



The brass should be clean before reloading, clean is important, shiny is nice but not necessary.



The inexpensive way to clean brass is soap and water, it works OK, that's the way I used to do it, but the best way is to get a brass cleaning tumbler, something like this one:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/...leitemid=587176



A kit like this is a good way to go, they must of been hot for Christmas since they are on back order:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/...leitemid=668307



I have tried that Frankford Arsenal Brass Polish in the kit, I wouldn't give you a plugged nickel for that stuff, something that really works is Flitz, it only takes a little bit to shine the brass up nicely.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/...leitemid=952756

 

[ArnisAndyz]

Congratulations on pickup yet another addictive hobby! I use Tightgroup for 9mm and 40SW and and Clays for 45ACP. Winchester 231 is a pretty good overall powder (you can use it in multiple applications).



I've been using Data68 for my rifles (.223 and 308) and have been pretty happy with the low cost and performance, you'll have to check Accurate's site for 30-30 data, I'm pretty sure I saw it listed.



www.handloads.com is a good site to checkout for other people's loads (use with caution).



Some other tools you will need (if it didn't already come in you kit) are some case prep tools: you'll need some lube so your rifle cases don't get stuck in the resizing die (alot of different types from spray on to stamp pad type lubes) and a case trimmer and chamfer tool for your rifle calibers. Again, they range from the cheap LEE prep tools (which I use) to more expensive sets. You won't need to do anything to the pistol cases, just clean them and load them.



Good luck and be safe.

 

[FieroCDSP]

Also

You also need books.

The ABC's of Reloading is informative on basics. A must.

Metallic Cartridge Reloading is also helpful. This has some about how casings react, ID-ing over-pressure and case failures

Lee's Modern Reloading reads like an autobiography, but there is a lot of basic info in there that I found helpful and easy to remember.



Welcome to the fun of reloading, scrounging for brass, calculating costs, and worrying about blowing your gun up. :twisted:

 

[MrApathy]

would recommend Lymans 48th Reloading manual, also have lee's modern reloading 2nd ed which does read like a autobiography as previously mentioned but I found it helpfull.



Lymans loads are on the safe side of things.



good all around powder you may want is Unique it can work in 9mm,40sw,38,30-30. though Unique is not clean, it burns best around max loads and in 30-30 believe it is more for plinking loads.



lots of nice loading sites online for process and data.

powder manufactures and press manufactures

http://www.handloads.com

http://www.hodgdon.com they have links to IMR and Winchester

http://www.alliantpowder.com

http://www.accuratepowder.com/

http://www.vihtavuori-lapua.com/ nice big pdf of Vihtavuori load data for lots of calibers. make some good easy metering single base powders but expensive due to Europe manufacture and value of Euro and importation.

http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders-guide/ they manufacture some powders that windup in the US sold by Hodgdon and others

nearly same data different name used.

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/

good burn rate chart

http://www.ramshot.com/powders/burnrate.php

http://www.stevespages.com/page8b.htm <-- lots and lots of data go to top of his page he has tons of stuff 100's of megs of data from various sites. the load data is not the greatest unless its manufacture information but can be helpfull at times

 

[YukonGlocker]

Everyone, thanks for all the excellent links.