Borrowed my reloading gear

rbl2 · Dec 8, 2010

About 15 years ago I was given an RCBS reloader. I didn't have it long when a friend borrowed it. About 2 weeks ago I asked him if I could borrow it back. Lucky for me he agreed. I hope he doesn't want it back anytime soon.

It has a large tumbler, a Pro 1000 scale that will weigh up to 500 gr, and 4 dies: 38 spec., 30-06, 45-70, and 444. I thought there was a 30-30 and a 357 die but my friend said the 30-30 die was his and that there was no 357 die. I can probably use the 38 die for 357's.

There's a bunch of different primers with it but I have no idea what they are for.

Now I have to relearn how to use it. I also want a scale that will exceed 515 gr as I would need it for my .58 muzzle loaders. I have about 80 lbs. of lead that needs to be reshaped and I figure using it as minie balls and .36 cal revolver balls is as good a way to use it as any.

I had a melting pot but it grew legs while I was on vacation in Iraq. It was too small to suit me anyhow. I need something that will melt no less than 10 lbs and maybe 20 at a time.

All the brass I had saved over the years also grew legs while I was away. Oh well. This will give me an excuse to do some shooting.

grumpyvette · Dec 8, 2010

If you have questions please post them as Ive been reloading, and bullet casting, for 50 plus years and have some knowledge in that area
the first step should be for you to buy these three books, and read thru them as they contain a great deal of info, if you go that route youll speed up the learning curve by years.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=251279

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=783420

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=867465

heres a decent scale

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=415607

http://www.6mmbr.com/prometheus.html

you can of course buy a digital scale for less and if you do get spare battery's
Ive never truly trusted those scales

http://myworld.ebay.com/digital-pocket-scale/

rbl2 · Dec 8, 2010

Thanks Grumpy, I'll keep all that in mind. Right now I don't have an immediate need for a reloader. I wanted my equipment back simply because 15 years was more than enough time for my friend to buy his own. That and all the doomsday sayers urge us to be prepared for the worst in the near future :?

I have 4 rifles I use exclusively for hunting. Two use the 7.62 x 39 round. I know many people don't like that round but it does extremely well for me and I see no need to stop using it simply because others don't like it. I'm not sure if it is econimaclly a good idea to reload that round at this sitting but I do want to get the accessories needed to do so. The other two rifles I use are .58 cal. muzzle loaders. All I need here is an accurate scale to weigh the bullets.

I have my sons 30-30 but he hasn't hunted in years. In fact, I can't even remember the last time it was fired.

I have a 9 mm I am happy with that I could reload for. Also I am supposed to get a 45 1911 in a few months so I will definitely have a need there.

I have a .410 that I bought for my son on his 8th b-day. I suppose I could reload for it. I want to buy a 12 ga. Remington 870 if I ever find one. I would have a need there as well for reloading. I have the dies already.