Ok, so I'm trying to get together some components for reloading together. Big Boomer was nice enough to sell me one of his old Lee presses, some 30-06 and 357 magnum dies, case gauge, and a 30-06 cartridge holder. I don't have a 357 mag, but I'll hold onto them for later. I purchased a Hornandy Reloading Book and am in the process of reading through it. I also purchased a Lee auto primer as per Big Boomer's recommendation. My plan is to buy components as I have the money for them and so I just need some input from you guys on what else I will need to get started. Here's what else I think i need to pick up before I try reloading bullets.
Equipment:
Powder Scale
Analog/Digital Caliper
Case Tumbler with Media
Powder Measure
Powder Funnel
Case Lube Kit
Deburring Tool
ComponentsThis I got figured out)
Primers
Bullets
Powder
Brass(Got tons of this)
Does it look like I got it all laid out to have what I need to get started? Buying each one of these things will be dictated by how much money I have to spend on each item. Is there anything I should consider adding to he equipment list or getting rid of, thank you guys, and thanks Big Boomer for giving me deal on the press and dies. I also plan on reloading 45 colt, 454 casull, and 460 S&W Magnum in the future, so any piece of equipment that I haven't bought yet and will help me load those cartridges better would be appreciated.
I'd go the digital caliper if at all possible if I were you. It is SO much easier to read.
If one buys a digital scale, there is a clever little thing one can buy which is a combined scale pan/powder funnel. Throw the powder in, trickle it up to weight (a powder trickler is another helpful extra) and then fit the case in the funnel orifice and tip the pan to the vertical. All done.
I bought Hornadys book because I like their ammo, and there's a lot of it available where I live, but I do agree, more manuals will definitely expand my options. I should be able to buy more stuff after my birthday on Nov. 4th. I usually ask people to get me gift cards to sporting goods stores, or anything that I will be able to make use of a lot.
Those asterisks are what would normally come in a Lee Kit. Make sure you have those too.....
- Press*
- Dies for your caliber (get carbide for your pistol dies. I like the Lee Deluxe set if you buy Lee dies)*
- Scale* ( I use the little Lee backed up by a $40 Lyman digi-scale)
- Powder measure*
- Priming tool* (while all presses will prime on the press, some offer a hand priming tool. I like these hand primers).
- Case length trimmer*
- Case mouth deburring tool*
- Primer pocket cleaning tool*
- Case lube
- Shellholders for each caliber (with Lee dies, the proper shellholder is included for that caliber)
Other tools you'll either need to get going or will want soon thereafter:
- small, digital scale ( I use a little Lyman GS1500 for quick checking the powder charge thrown from the powder measure)
- powder trickler (I like the RCBS. It's large and heavy and can be weighted but there are probably others that have the same features)
- loading blocks (can be made from MDF or wood)
- ammo cases (i.e. MTM)
- dial or digital calipers (for measuring case length and other things)
- brushes by caliber to clean inside the case mouth
- Tumbler and media
- Inertia bullet remover
- Manuals by Lee, Sierra, Lyman, Hornady, etc (I like the Lyman and Lee, followed by Sierra, then Hornady. THe Nosler, Speer, and others are probably very good too, but I don;t own them so I can't say)
And a powder trickler, seen plenty of those, will probly just get an RCBS.
you can find this caliper for half that price without the rcbs name stuck on it. try harbor freight. i'll see if i can find one for you.
as far as the scale goes, the lower priced rcbs is just as accurate as that one for less than half price as well. i'll look for a link to it too.
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my bad. it was franklin arsenal i was thinking on the scale. my brother just got this one.http://www.midwayusa.com/mediasvr.dl...eitemid=713372
it's small and needs a powder pan, but it's just as accurate as the one you're looking at. i like the fact that it's so small that i can just set the powder trickler next to it and turn it's handle without lifting it over the pan like you'd have to do with that big rcbs unit.
i can't get a link to work. here's the description for it. if you check the reviews, you'll find it's rated the same.
Frankford Arsenal Micro Reloading Electronic Powder Scale 750 Grain Capacity
Product #: 713372
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here's a digital caliper made for frankford arsenal that has the same specs as the rcbs for 22 bucks. Frankford Arsenal Electronic Caliper 6" Stainless Steel
Product #: 604242
sorry. i can't get links from the midway site. it keeps causing errors on my computer when i try.
the thing to remember is that the companies like hornady, rcbs and frankford arsenal don't make digital scales or calipers. they just buy them from someone else, put their name on them, mark up the price and sell it to you.
if you read the reviews, you'll see that not only do lots of the cheaper stuff have the same specifications, they have better reviews.
it's your money, i just want to help you save some of it, so you can buy even more goodies with it!
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My recommendation would be to forget about the measure for now and get a set of Lee dippers instead. Since you are just getting started reloading, this will keep you honest with each load-just find the scoop closest to your desired load and then trickle up to it. Powder measures are notorious for being inaccurate\inconsistent with stick powders. After you have a few thousand loads under your belt and are more comfortable with the procedures, you can get a feel for how the measures meter different powders. If you want to start with a measure, I'd suggest weighing every load, which is a pain in the butt because you have keep moving the case around. If you use the scoops, you can do it all right on the scale.
All very good suggestions, toolman makes an excellent point. I can save some money with the powder measure by getting the dippers and still purchase a nice scale. Thank you for a nice list Stretch, this is all helping me make better use of my money. I'm so bad when it comes to buying sometimes, I'm just like Brett Favre in those Sears commercials when he's buying a TV.
This I got figured out)
