Systems compatibility and help

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  • shershot99

    Active Member
    Mar 22, 2010
    334
    Carroll County
    Hello. A few years ago I got an amazing deal on a RCBS Rockchucker supreme master reloading kit. I purchased the kit in anticipation of reloading someday, which I have yet to start. Then this year I inherited a ton of reloading supplies from my uncle after he passed away. Most of what I have found appears to be either Lee or lyman. I guess what I am trying to figure out is if its better to keep one vs the other or if any of the parts work together. I would assume that since the RCBS stuff is still unused in the box it would be best to keep that and perhaps use the dies from the other set on that one? It appears the lyman set up must have been a progressive one vs a single like the RCBS as there are several sets of dies already set up on some kind of black metal disks for various calibers. Can anyone offer any advice based on this limited information? Would model number or pictures help? Ultimately my plan is to begin reloading 223/556, 30-06, 9mm, 9mak, 7.62x54R, 8mm, 7.5 swiss and 7mm mauser. I think.

    Thank you for any advice you can provide.

    Rick
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    The Lyman black metal disks are for a turret press. It is still a single stage press but you can have six dies installed and just rotate them as needed rather than unscrewing them out of the rockchucker. As far as the dies go, if they are 7/8 -14 thread, they are all usable in modern presses. If you are not shooting Precision Pistol or 1000 yard rifle, you can mix and match. If you have powder measures, RCBS beats Lyman and Lee. Lee presses used to be made of Zamack, a zinc alloy instead of steel. RCBS and Lyman made all steel presses.

    There are a kizzillion threads on reloading on line. It is much easier to learn how to reload today than when I started in the early '60's.

    Enjoy.
     

    shershot99

    Active Member
    Mar 22, 2010
    334
    Carroll County
    Thank you very much sir. I appreciate it. I am mainly looking to reload for fun/ease as opposed to precision’s. Although I did a mosin Nagant build that I would love to work up a great match load for. Maybe a match load for one of my “long range” ar’s in 223, but otherwise just standard stuff. I guess for my garand and 1903A3 as well would be great to have a specific load for those. I will keep going through all my stuff and maybe I could sell or donate what I don’t need? I do also have a whole can of old Korean surplus in enbloc clips that I want to unload and reload so they aren’t corrosive as well.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,881
    As John from Md said , the threads on all dies since circa 1950 have standard threads, and are 99.95% interchangeable . Powder measures likewise have high degree of interoperability ( albeit there are strong conflicting opinions as to which are better at powder measuring ) .

    Condolences for the loss of your Uncle, but you seem to now be well fixed for reloading, with both a single stage rig, and Turret set up for multiple cals , make room on your bench for both .

    Philosophical opinions on Turrets vary . One school thinks they're pointless, and everybody should be all progressive, all the time . I'm in the camp that a good Turret press is nifty-er than sliced bread , and serves a very useful role/ niche .
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    For your Garand and 03, go over to CMP forum and look at the Reloading section. Plenty of advice on loads. Plus some 125 grain loads that are a lot more pleasant to shoot. Similar for long range .223 loads.

    What headstamp on the Korean .30-06? PS is non-corrosive, KA may likely be corrosive.
     

    Pinecone

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 4, 2013
    28,175
    Now, to your questions. Things like dies and powder measures are usable with either press.

    I started with a Lyman turret press. It is nice that you can put a case in the holder and do every action to finish a loaded round. The RCBS Rock Chucker is your basic O press. It works for most any reloading. I still have an O press on my bench for several rifle calibers I reload.

    Pistol, and plinking ammo is loaded on a Dillon 650 progressive.

    So basically, there is a place for both presses in your setup.

    There is the stick at the top of this section on people who have volunteered to help you get started.
     

    shershot99

    Active Member
    Mar 22, 2010
    334
    Carroll County
    Thank you! I believe the headstamp was KA. I will verify. I am excited to start. Now to just find the time. I have 3 kids and they currently steal most of my time but I am working on that. Guess I should get a chrono as well to check my loads as well. Can’t wait.
     

    Biggfoot44

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 2, 2009
    32,881
    Yes, chrono is an important tool, and starting at under $100 , should be part of a basic setup .
     

    Blacksmith101

    Grumpy Old Man
    Jun 22, 2012
    22,156
    Over time most reloaders end up with a variety of equipment from various sources. Also wait to get rid of things until you have been reloading for awhile because since you want to reload a variety of cartridges you may find you like different things for different jobs. Powder measures sometimes measure certain types of powders better than others. Often a reloader will have several presses and devote one to a specific job either because he doesn't want to keep changing dies or dedicates it to a specific chore i,e,-depriming brass or swagging primer pockets.
     

    shershot99

    Active Member
    Mar 22, 2010
    334
    Carroll County
    Thank you. Working on that one now. Now to figure out a way to mount everything in a mobile way so that I can use one bench for both cleaning and reloading. I have a limited space of course, lol.
     

    StanW

    Hooligan #8
    Dec 18, 2012
    1,317
    Western MD
    Use matching brand shell holders and dies, I screwed up a 1/2 dozen .338 Lapua cases because an RCBS shell holder wasnt as thick as a Lyman
     

    Magnumite

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 17, 2007
    6,564
    Harford County, Maryland
    I have a turret, single stage and a progressive press. They all have their application. If loading and shooting high volumes of ammo, no way would I consider a single stage after using a progressive.

    About the Garand, a major consideration is not running too high a pressure or the op rod bends. Basically beats the gun up. There are slews of information on that topic.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,734
    Socialist State of Maryland
    About the Garand, a major consideration is not running too high a pressure or the op rod bends. Basically beats the gun up. There are slews of information on that topic.

    These days, powder choice is wider as they have adjustable gas plugs for the Garand. Way back when I was shooting them, the powder range was between 4895 and 4064 if you didn't want to bend an op rod.
     

    sbbieshelt

    Active Member
    Jun 26, 2009
    794
    Simple Pleasures Farm
    I would recommend setting up different calibers on the equipment based on what you shoot most. I have a progressive set up for 9mm, I have my single stage set up for .44. I shoot a ton more 9mm than .44 but like to reload .44 since it's rediculous to buy in the stores. If you have more than one press figure out what you like using the best and set it up for what you shoot most. The other press use for specialty shooting or rounds you shoot less. I find that I reload more during the crappy Md weather I don't want to be out shooting in (cold and rainy and hot and humid). It's another part of shooting for me. sometimes I have just as much fun reloading as I do shooting.
     

    Shamr0ck

    Ultimate Member
    Aug 6, 2011
    2,505
    Frederick
    Thank you. Working on that one now. Now to figure out a way to mount everything in a mobile way so that I can use one bench for both cleaning and reloading. I have a limited space of course, lol.



    Check out the options offered by inline fabrications.

    Wee.inlinefabrications.com.

    They have a variety of bench plates which allow the quick change of presses/accessories.

    abeed925777b295b2665ca02634bca60.jpg


    Loosen two wing nuts and one set screw, remove the press and place in black bracket on the wall and then mount a bench vise by reversing the process.

    Dan has lots of templates already built for different presses, vises, powder measures. He has plate which sit flush or are elevated too

    Here is my Yost vise with mounted plate:
    5d70ab9c818a607c59be9a5185a387a8.jpg



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    PowPow

    Where's the beef?
    Nov 22, 2012
    4,712
    Howard County
    Dan has lots of templates already built for different presses, vises, powder measures. He has plate which sit flush or are elevated too

    Dan did a custom plate for my Capri Tools 6" vise from a tracing I sent. It fit like a glove. Relocating a 60lb. vise takes some effort, but I like being able to choose have what I have on the workbench instead of going with a much longer bench.
     

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