I decided to take up reloading, so I can actually have ammo to shoot, and purchased an RCBS reloading kit. I read the “instructions” on how to set it up, which amounted to make it look like the picture. They’re a little too vague so I was wondering if anyone could give a more detailed description on how to set the reloading press & powder measure up. I did a quick Youtube search and didn’t really find anything useful for initially setting up from the box.
Well which press did you get? That can change how you’d set it up. What I like to do is set it up one station or stage at a time. When you setup the resizing die, I place the handle in the down position so that the plate/shell holder is all the way up to the die area. Then I adjust the die all the way down to the shell plate or however the manufacturer or your die set specifies. Then I lock the height in, then set the decapping portion of the die. I like to error on the side of the decapper not being set far enough down as I can adjust it down more and more until it decaps every time, whereas if you put it down to far initially you can break the decapper heads and on my presses it puts too much effort into the resizing.
If your press includes a priming stage, I set that one up and just toy around with it until I get primers that are just a littler more inset than flush.
For handgun loading you will then have to setup a expander die, these I always suggest following the directions included with your die set or else you can run into issues with expanding the case neck more than you want to resulting in reduced brass life.
Then I suggest setting up your bullet seating stage and this involves initially setting the height of the die body to where it just comes into contact with the case and then slowly adjusting the die height downwards until you reach the desired OAL for your particular round.
Then adjust for your powder. This simply involves lots of trial and error unless you have a really nice powder measure. Example would be the micro-adjuster on my Hornady Lock-n-Load press that adjusts about 5 grains per turn so getting in the ballpark is simple. This adjustment will depend on your press, just make sure you can get an easily repeatable measure and that you clean your powder measure REALLY well.
Don’t know if any of this will help. It’s pretty basic reloading info. If you have any questions, be a little more specific and I’m sure that either myself or someone else here on this site would gladly help make your reloading experience a safe and enjoyable one.
- EDIT: Thought I would add just to make sure you are doing so, clean everything thoroughly with a dry cleaner and lube. Then do it again! It seems like over-kill when you set these things up, but really clean any die bodies, parts involved in priming, and powder measures. Just be sure to remove any rubber o-rings prior to cleaning. Just clean those with a damp cloth as the solvents can harm the rubber. One thing I took from the Hornady press I installed and use on everything now is their recommendation on using Hornady One Shot. The stuff is amazing for cleaning things out, just use it in a well ventilated area as it gets to be pretty over-powering after a while.
Sorry I wasn’t more specific. I bought one of RCBS’ basic Rock Chucker Supreme kits. About the only thing I understood from the instructions was that I needed 3/8 bolts long enough to reach through my bench.
So you have not even mounted this thing to the bench?
Something like that. I don’t see much point in mounting it to the bench without knowing how to set up the rest of it.
I couldn’t find anything specific for RCBS single stage press setup, but maybe it might be worthwhile for you to take a look at these videos. http://hornady.com/inst_video_mr.php
While the press is a progressive press that they are setting up, many of the steps are the same as you’ll want to follow setting up your single stage press. They are the best videos I’ve seen and you should be able to supplement them with info on your specific press and die sets.
The first part of setting up a press is to mount it to your bench. 2nd attach the handle. 3rd if you are going to prime on the press , install the correct priming assembly.
To set up the sizing and seating dies, follow instructions packaged with the dies.
i have the same setup for my pistol reloading (and now possibly rifle reloads as well). It seemed to be fairly easy to set up, even with the “instructions” that came with them.
Find where you want to mount it to the bench and get some 3/8" hardware and bolt that sucker down tight. Like someone else said, next comes the handle and the primer if you choose to prime with the press (im using the hand primer tool). As for the powder measure, mine came with some moderate instructions on how to set it up. It needs to be taken apart and cleaned thoroughly before use, or the powder will stick to the grease and lube (which is used as a rust preventative). Use a couple wood screws and mount that wherever you want it on your bench.
As for the die set up, the instructions for those are better IMO that the press. follow the instructions and pictures to get dies set where you need them.