Hello folks, I'm new to this site and I'm just gettin into reloading and I need help. PLEASE!!! I am sure that you've all had this question a million times but here it once more. I've just purchesed the RCBS RC Supreme Master Reloading kit. Now is where I''ve got confused. I know I have to get a set of dies for each caliber. What about shell holders, shell holder plates, and any other of the wide number of parts and accessories that are available. Can someone tell me everything I will need other than the kit I've already purchased.

Rest assured your opinions will be appreciated!

Greg

Welcome to the forum.

What all is in the kit? Hopefully you got a press, scale, powder measure, case trimmer, and some loading blocks. A dial caliper is practically required and you'll surely need a loading manual, too. Your press can probably seat primers but the hand-held priming tools are much more convenient.

Dies are cartridge-specific, and shellholders are in 'families' where one shellholder will work with most things having the same head size. Example, the .30-06 and .45 ACP use the same shellholder.

If you think you will load a bunch of different stuff, you can get a set of the Lee shellholders which covers about anything common.

Otherwise, buy a shellholder each time you get a set of dies, unless you already have a shellholder that will work.

Some brands of dies come with a shellholder, by the way - most don't.

Your case trimmer may have it's own set of shellholders - I've lost track of what RCBS is using these days. Oh and the case trimmer pilot will be caliber specific - .30 cal, .22 cal, .45, etc.

A hand-held priming tool may use standard shellholders, and it may not.

Brands of dies are practically always interchangable.

Hope that helps.

Sorta depends on what you're gonna reload. Some cartridges share a common shell holder, others require a specific one. Your kit should contain instructions and will outline other accessory items not included in the kit.

First thing you MUST do is get a reloading manual and read the instruction portion of it thoroughly prior to attempting to reload. The manual will also have reference charts of dies, shellholders, etc.

Welcome to the forum, Greg - hope you enjoy your stay with us.

Thanks for replying, and I'm sorry I forgot to say what comes in the kit. Here is a link showing the kit.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat602007-cat20847-cat20847_TGP&rid=&indexId=cat20847&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&parentType=index&parentId=cat20847&id=0018937

I shoot 270 win 338 win mag 40 S&W I'm getting a 458 lott.

And thanks for the welcome!

Just to add to what Mike & kdub said. You don't use shellplates with that press, but you do use shellholders. A good manual is essential. Lyman's is probably the best, but Hornady, Sierra and Speer manuals are good too. The powder manufacturers have good loading data that up to date and you can look it up on the web. What they don't tell you is how to reload.

Hodgdon is marketing IMR and Winchester powders now.
http://www.hodgdon.com/

Alliant has a good range of powders too.
http://www.alliantpowder.com/

Bye
Jack

Hi Greg. Great to have you aboard. Oh by the way, I am moving to Traveler's Rest when I retire from the factory in about 5 years. Plan to teach school in Pickens County. I live in York County now.

Get a good loading manual and read the directions in the chapters. If you have a brand of bullet you already like, I would get that manual. Go slow with each step of the process and order stuff from Midway as you get to a place where you need things. Ask questions here when not sure. Start with case preparation, I am sure you have a lot of brass to get ready for loading. You may want to get a universal decapping die and just knock out all those primmers and take your brass to someone and let them run them in a tumbler for cleaning.

Have fun. and ask questions as you get to them. Read the steps from your manual first and all the cautions it will give.

Thanks for welcome, and thanks for your thoughts and suggestions.

The kit I'm getting has a Speer manuel, so I guess thats my first step. I should be able to get started on that tonight as I just checked and UPS shows they are delivering it today!

I'm sure I'll have lots of question in the near future, so try to bear with me!

Cheif RID hopefully we can meet up when you move to TR.

I've just purchesed the RCBS RC Supreme Master Reloading kit. Now is where I''ve got confused. I know I have to get a set of dies for each caliber. What about shell holders, shell holder plates, and any other of the wide number of parts and accessories that are available. Can someone tell me everything I will need other than the kit I've already purchased.Greg

Greg,
The only things you are lacking with your present equipment to get started are the appropriate dies, shellholders, dial caliper, case trimmer, and components. Components are the bullets, primers, and powder. A vibratory tumbler would be helpful to clean fired cases but may be purchased at a later date as budget allows. Shell holder plates are not necessary at this time.

Before you start reloading, READ and UNDERSTAND the preliminary chapters in your Speer Reloading manual. It is a step-by-step explanation of the process with a lot of good background information to help you load safe, accurate ammunition. Would suggest you load a dummy round (no powder or primer) with your kit just to get the feel of the reloading process before starting to load live rounds. This is where your dial caliper will come in handy to check for case length and overall cartridge length.

Feel free to come back with questions, we will all be glad to help. Welcome to reloading and IMHO, you are starting off with some fine equipment!

This might help. It's in the archives.

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/49

Thanks Marshal, and flashhole that is a awesome post there. Maybe that should be pinned, sure is helpful info for a beginner, and I'm sure it would prevent you more experienced guys from having to answer so many questions! HAHA

I sure do appreciate you folks helping me with the tips and opinions. So thanks!

Hey greg, welcome to the forums.

You do need a set of dies and a shellholder for each cartridge you intend to reload.

An easy way out on the shellholders might be to go to Midwayusa and check out the Lee Universal Shellholder Set. Covers over 115 cartridges for $16.

Shellholder plates are for a progressive press and not a single stage press like the one in your kit.

Read that manual. The Speer manual is good. Get a second one. Read it too. The more information you have and the better grasp you have on it, the better.

You will need the dial caliper to make sure that things arent too long or short. The case trimmer trims your cases back after stretching so much that they could cause high pressures by pinching in on the bullet because they stick too far forward of the chamber.

The new MidwayUSA catalog is just out. Their site is www.midwayusa.com. I would request one if I were you. Fun to look through at least :D and that way you can plot and plan the reloading adventure.

One thing, if you have a significant other, don't let her see it! It gives the game away on what reloading truely costs. ;)

Yeah I have requested catalogs from all over. Not really worried about the wife, I'm lucky, if it keeps me out of her way she is all for it! haha But then again she has no idea how large this could get! :D

Speaking of large, after the opinions I've got here and after getting and examining my "RCBS Supreme Master Reloading Kit" $230.00 I'm really happy with it but, I realized I needed some more stuff! GOD FORGIVE ME BUT I LOVE TO GET STUFF!!!

1. I've ordered the RCBS CHARGEMASTER DISPENSER & SCALE Combo, I didn't like/ or want to deal with the 5-0-5 scale which came with the kit, but I did find it at a good price at Natchez $260.00.

2. I got a RCBS Trim Pro Manual Case Trimmer Kit which comes with shell holders. $80.00
Do I still need shell holders for the press or will these interchange?

3. 2pc die sets for each my rifle calibers $50.00, and a 3 pcs die set for my pistol $37.00. I also went ahead and got a Heavy Duty Decapping Die $14.00.
I think this is all the dies I will need. Right?

If I'm missing anything else please tell me. I think when this order comes in the only thing left for me to get will be the cases, powder, and bullets..... right?

Yeah maybe I better not tell her the cost of my setup! $670.00 and no components! HAHA But honestly I feel like I have bought equipment that will last a life time.

Don't know what kind of 2-die rifle set you got, but that's about 2x the going price of basic dies. See:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=264330

RCBS's site has a reloading guide on-line:
http://www.rcbs.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=5

which has a shell holder chart:
http://www.rcbs.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=4&s2=11&s3=105

The chart will tell you what cartridges each shellholder will hold, so you can see whether you need an additional one.


.

Exactly 2X going price, because it was for two sets, sorry for the confusion.

On the shell holders the Trim Pro Manual Case Trimmer Kit comes with shellholders 2, 3, 4, and 10 as well as 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 30, 35, 44 and 45 caliber pilots. What I'm asking about this is, will these shell holders interchange to the press or do I have to have a seperate set of shellholders for the press?

Greg,

Your RCBS Trim Pro Manuel Case Trimmer Kit comes with 4 collet type shell holders. Each shell holder is suitable for several cartridge cases. You'll find an enclosed chart that will tell you what shell holder to use with a particular case. These shell holders are not interchangeable with the ones used on the loading press. Chances are good that you will not need more case trimmer shell holders. You will also receive enough pilots to cover most calibers. Anything else that you need is available from RCBS.

If you have purchased a die set and shell holder (these shell holders are different from the ones on the case trimmer), you have all the dies needed to reload on your loading press.

All you need now are the components. Powder, primers, bullets, and cases. Your reloading manual will tell you what powders are suitable for each cartridge you wish to reload and how much you can use with a particular bullet. It is your "Bible" and you will get very familiar with it.

The only thing you will need, and it can come later, is a vibratory tumbler with walnut media. I say this only because it gets tiresome wiping the powder residue and stains off cases by hand. Much easier to drop the cases in the tumbler and turn it on. Cabela's has these currently on sale for about $60.

RCBS has great customer service so don't hesitate to call on them for advice or parts. Almost everything you have purchased carries a life-time warranty and RCBS will (almost 100% of the time) repair or replace for free. I believe the electronic powder dispenser carries a limited warranty. Your equipment will not only last a lifetime but should last the lifetime of your children too given proper care. IMHO, you've gone "first class" all the way.

You'll find the savings by reloading will let you shoot much more for the same price over factory ammunition. We call it "more bang for the buck". Given enough shooting, you will eventually recoup the initial cost of your equipment just from the savings. Best wishes!

You also need primers.