new reloader

tjoad717 · Jan 27, 2013

Just ordered my first round of reloading tools/equipment. Been wanting to start for a while and just kept putting it off. Will start first with .40 s&w for my M&P. Will also add 9mm and .45 acp when I find the dies in stock. Have been saving brass for a while so I'm good on that.
Also plan on loading other pistol and rifle calibers eventually. Here is what I ordered from Midway:

Lee hand press kit
Lee breech lock quick change bushings
.40 Lee deluxe carbide die set
Lyman turbo 1200 tumbler
rcbs 505 scale
lyman impact bullet puller
Lee powder dipper set
Lee primer pocket cleaner
500 ranier plated 165 grn. FP bullets
Lee loading handbook

hope to find some CCI or Winchester primers soon
haven't decided on powder. Thinking Hodg HS-6 or Universal or Win Autocomp or 231.
Any recommendations for an old "new" guy.

Starting this to save money on plinking/informal club match ammo, but maybe get more competitive in the future.
Also plan on getting the classic turret press, but will be moving a few states over later this year and figure I'll get started slowly now, and worry about speed/volume later.

beatledog7 · Jan 27, 2013

Others will add to the list, but the item that first struck me as missing is a set of calipers.

tjoad717 · Jan 27, 2013

calipers

yeah, I have a digital caliper from Harbor freight tools. It will get me started. I also have a small digital scale that measures grains, just to have a back up/cross reference for the 505.
What calipers do you use? Digital or analog? Does brand/cost on this really matter?

beatledog7 · Jan 27, 2013

I use digital, Cabela's branded as I recall, because I find it easier to read. All are good enough as long as you remember to zero before a session. Good habit IMHO.

oldpapps · Jan 27, 2013

Cheap loading blocks make life a lot simpler. The cheap plastic ones do great.
I prefer the Lee 'Hand Priming Tool' for priming. Much quicker and no or little touching of the primers.

Lost Sheep · Jan 27, 2013

Welcome to loading and thanks for asking our advice.

If you load in any kind of quantity, you will want a bench-mounted press eventually. Probably sooner than later. I am jumping to a conclusion from the fact that your chosen calibers are all semi-automatic.

A bench-mounted press does not necessarily have to mount on a bench. Mounted on a board, it can be clamped onto an end table or simply wedged into a drawer.

When you want to upgrade, consider the Lee Classic Turret. It is the best 4-station auto-indexing turret available in the world today, bar none.

Lost Sheep

p.s. My final sentence is helped by the fact that Lee is the ONLY maker of auto-indexing turret presses amd the Lee Classic Turret is superior to the Lee Deluxe Turret.

p.p.s.

This other thread parallels yours. There could be useful information there, too.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8693081

Tsparger · Jan 28, 2013

It won't be long before you will be wanting some cases to put your loads into unless you're just going to throw them into ammo cans.

HighExpert · Jan 28, 2013

I guess you have never heard of Dillon. The Square Deal and the 650 are both auto indexing.

bengals1975 · Jan 28, 2013

Lost Sheep said:
If you load in any kind of quantity, you will want a bench-mounted press eventually. Probably sooner than later. I am jumping to a conclusion from the fact that your chosen calibers are all semi-automatic.

A bench-mounted press does not necessarily have to mount on a bench. Mounted on a board, it can be clamped onto an end table or simply wedged into a drawer.

I agree with this. I'm just getting started as well and I recently bought the Classic Turret Press and didn't really have a place to set up a permanent reloading station. So I built this thing. I clamp it to my table and it works great. When I'm done, I pack my stuff in the little cubby and stow it away. I left some space on the left so I could possibly mount a case trimmer there or something, who knows.

btw, the scale in the picture is the smart reloader 750, and it sucks. I got what I paid for

tjoad717 · Jan 28, 2013

That rig looks good and something I will probably do in the not too distant future.

I think I'm gonna start with a # of Universal. Any objections for that with the .40?

mayassa · Jan 28, 2013

Your wife let you clamp that to the counter top, or bring it in the kitchen? your a lucky man.

bengals1975 · Jan 28, 2013

mayassa said:
Your wife let you clamp that to the counter top, or bring it in the kitchen? your a lucky man.

She lets me so far, but she really isn't very happy about it.

readyeddy · Jan 28, 2013

I like both HS6 and W231. HS6 will get you higher velocities but W231 is more economical.

Lost Sheep · Jan 28, 2013

bengals1975 said:
She lets me so far, but she really isn't very happy about it.

I imagine that if you spread a drop cloth fully under your work area and clean up carefully afterwards, she will be happier.

It's a lot less hazardous than making stained glass.

Lost Sheep

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