I've picked shooting back up after a several year hiatus. I never had the space to reload previously, but now I do and I'm interested in reloading so I can shoot more for the same amount of money (especially when prices/availability get to the point that they are right now) and getting more consistency and accuracy.
My question though: if you were to start fresh knowing what you do, what equipment would you get? After I master the basics, I was thinking I would like to get an RL1100 until I stumbled across the M7 Evolution. I don't think progressive presses are the right place to start though. Everything I've read says to start with a single stage press. But what single stage press, dies, and other equipment would still be useful down the road, even once you have an M7 Evolution with toolheads for each caliber you want to reload? The only thing I have so far is a bunch of dirty brass and a Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler Lite which I also plan to use for cleaning some cans once they're out of jail.
I'm fortunate that I can invest in quality stuff, and that's usually how I approach any hobby: I don't mind buying quality products that are a good value and will serve me well for a long time. I just don't want to buy equipment, particularly expensive equipment, if it's only useful when getting started. I don't get the feeling that's the case with reloading equipment, but I'm sure there are things that will be replaced once you upgrade and I'd like to know what those are so I can put more money into the equipment that I'll get longer-term use out of.
If you were to start over now knowing what you do about reloading...
in Miscellaneous BEginners
Posted
I've picked shooting back up after a several year hiatus. I never had the space to reload previously, but now I do and I'm interested in reloading so I can shoot more for the same amount of money (especially when prices/availability get to the point that they are right now) and getting more consistency and accuracy.
My question though: if you were to start fresh knowing what you do, what equipment would you get? After I master the basics, I was thinking I would like to get an RL1100 until I stumbled across the M7 Evolution. I don't think progressive presses are the right place to start though. Everything I've read says to start with a single stage press. But what single stage press, dies, and other equipment would still be useful down the road, even once you have an M7 Evolution with toolheads for each caliber you want to reload? The only thing I have so far is a bunch of dirty brass and a Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler Lite which I also plan to use for cleaning some cans once they're out of jail.
I'm fortunate that I can invest in quality stuff, and that's usually how I approach any hobby: I don't mind buying quality products that are a good value and will serve me well for a long time. I just don't want to buy equipment, particularly expensive equipment, if it's only useful when getting started. I don't get the feeling that's the case with reloading equipment, but I'm sure there are things that will be replaced once you upgrade and I'd like to know what those are so I can put more money into the equipment that I'll get longer-term use out of.