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Hi all,

I've just purchased a new rifle for F/TR class & need to start trying my hand at reloading.

I've read a book or two & have someone who can show me the basics but I'd appreciate your opinions on equipment selection.

As I'm looking at F/TR class accuracy & consistency are more important than cost, but when it comes to the press itself I'm unsure what to spend my money on.

I'm working on the assumption that a single stage press would be the better option, am I correct?

RCBS seems to get good reviews, do you agree?

Thanks,

Mick.

RCBS Rockchucker is a great press and you would have no regrets.
Also look at the Hornady Lock and Load single station press.
Some good deals on the Hornady "starter" kit.
Optics Warehouse are good on RCBs gear.
Tony

Stuck wrote:I'm working on the assumption that a single stage press would be the better option, am I correct?

RCBS seems to get good reviews, do you agree?

A Rock Chucker will last you a lifetime. Take a good look at the Forster Coax too.

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rox wrote:

Stuck wrote:I'm working on the assumption that a single stage press would be the better option, am I correct?

RCBS seems to get good reviews, do you agree?

A Rock Chucker will last you a lifetime. Take a good look at the Forster Coax too.

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Might also be worth looking at what's on offer in this thread: http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=12733

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Take a look at the Lee Classic Turret press, ( to check out the info, log on to www.leeprecision.com), the UK distributor is Henry Krank (www.henrykrank.com) it can be used as a single stage press or indexing turret.
They are a solid cast steel press and probably the best value for money on the market.
I use mine to load 14 calibres, from .357 to 30-06 with no problems.
ukrifleman.

I use RCBS and Lee Cast Classic and much prefer the Cast Classic to work with and at under GBP100 they have to be worth a look. They also have a breechlock version for around the same price.

Thanks all,

Can I also ask a quick question about cleaning cases please?

Do the ultrasonic cleaners work as well as the traditional tumblers?

Thanks again,

Mick.

I would say go for stainless media tumbling if at all possible, JD Reloading are doing them at a super price right now and the results are very good.

Stuck wrote:Do the ultrasonic cleaners work as well as the traditional tumblers?

Ultrasonic cleaning can get good results (although I tried multiple ultrasonic baths - including commercial - and multiple solutions over a long period without real success). Even if you get it to work well, compared to stainless tumbling you'll need more expensive solutions, be limited in the number of cases you can process at a time, and it's quite a faff. I can't help thinking that the electronics, transducers etc. are less robust than a motor and rubber band.

Stainless gives great results but you still have to dry the cases, so it's a little more of a faff than vibratory tumbling but it does get the cases clean inside and out, including the primer pocket. There is a theory that when hardened carbon residue from the primer pocket finds its way into the leade, then gets picked up and engraved into a bullet, this can cause scoring damage to the barrel. I can't vouch for this, but stainless tumbling is about the only way to clean the primer pockets without manual handling of each individual case.

Note that the Thumlers tumblers are great for stainless tumbling, but as supplied they are not fit for wet processes since the inside of the barrel is unfinished. Mine had rust coming through to the outside after the very first use, and despite empty promises from the supplier to replace it I am now left with a rusty barrel that is literally falling apart at the seams. Make sure to thoroughly treat the inside if you want a lifespan of more than 12 months.

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Edit: SP

ovenpaa wrote:I would say go for stainless media tumbling if at all possible, JD Reloading are doing them at a super price right now and the results are very good.

+1