Topic: Getting started reloading...on the cheap

[shotokan94]

With the rockchucker you can get a piggyback for about $100 to make it semi-progressive, is it worth it, or should a person save their pennies for the Dillon?

[Nomad]

 Summer yard sales or ask who has extra............

[ballardw]

With the rockchucker you can get a piggyback for about $100 to make it semi-progressive, is it worth it, or should a person save their pennies for the Dillon?

The difficulty with this idea is which Rockchucker and which Piggyback. There have been several versions of both and only certain pairs will go together.

I was certainly surprised to see what a current Rockchucker looks like compared to my 83 vintage one.

[Longshot]

With a bit of patience you can get equipment really cheap.  Not one piece of my gear cost over $25, it took me over a year to do it but I got it all.
RCBS JR3 single stage press $20
RCBS 510 Scale $20
RCBS Dies $15-25 (buying used dies can be an iffy proposition be careful)
Lee Perfect powder measure $15
For my case trimmer, after talking with one of the guys at Cliffs I get the Lee caliber specific trimmers and use them on my drill press.  I can't do custom trims but they are consistent $6
Calipers (yes HF specials) $12

With a little ingenuity and patience you can do this inexpensively

***TAKEN Congrats 9shooter!!***And to prove it I will GIVE...FREE....NO MONEY....NADA to the first member that PM's me and makes pick up arrangements an old heavy duty Herters single stage press.  It uses standard dies but the shellholders are different. There is an adapter available from Brownells or Midway to use RCBS shell holders.  It comes with the #1 shell holder which is the .06 size.  It is old but it works and probably cannot be broken with standard use.

There it is OFFER UP TAKEN and another one slides down the slippery slope of gear acquisition syndrome!!!


LS

[ballardw]

BTW, There are adapters available to allow the Herter's press to take the 'standard' RCBS/Lee/etc shell holders.

[jard]

Another thread went on recently regarding another style of press--the turret press.  Generally speaking, they are cheaper than a progressive and a lot faster than a single stage. They will work as a single stage as well.  Kind of the best of both worlds. Personally, I would strongly recommend a turret. The other thread goes into greater detail, no need to waste bandwidth again. ..

I just wanted to throw out there that I have a lee pro turret setup. I've got 9mm, 38, 357, .40, 10mm and .45 acp dies  and if anyone wants to come out (to kuna) and try it out to see if it would work for them just send me a PM.

Getting to try before you buy will help you make the best decision for yourself. I know there are some that don't like lee products, but this press works great for me. I can load 300+ rounds an hour easy.