Must have reloading accessories

Check weights. Definitely, check weights.

I would recommend a kit; on a budget, the Lee Classic Turret for volume or the Breech Lock single stage for more precision. RCBS makes similar kits, with similar accessories. Other than what the kit comes with, definitely get a set of check weights (is there an echo?), then some way to clean brass, either vibrating or tumbling. And yes, you will need a way to trim rifle brass, I like the Lee Quick Trim and dies. From there, it depends on what you want to do.

Reloading is putting the components back into the brass; handloading is reloading for precision.

For 9mm, you definitely want a case gauge. I use the Wilson, but I also use a Lyman for 45acp.

I used an RCBS bench trimmer until I got The Frankfurt Arsenal Platinum Trim & Prep.
The FA is well worth the money when you get to the point you can spare it.

I use the FA intellidropper, it is also worth the $.

I use the Lee Auto drum with my Classic 4 hole, mainly for pistol rds and .223 plinking rds. It's good for + or - about 3/10gr with most powders, better with some. I don't use it for hunting rds or precision loads.

You need another manual or 4 , or more, to supplement that Lyman. I found the Lyman 50th to be slim on powder selection for many calibers. I have the latest Hogdon and Hornady manuals as well as some older versions.

A bullet puller is a must.
I have the RCBS collet puller and the Hornady cam-lock. I actually like the RCBS better, but the Cam-lock is easier to find bushings for at the moment.

Not a must, but useful for load development is a chronograph. For entry level , I'd recommend the Caldwell Precision Ballistic unless your range prohibits it.

I use both vibratory and wet tumblers. If you're only gonna do 20 to 50rds at a time, vibratory will do. When you start regularly doing batches of 100 or more, you will want a wet tumbler. Plus, the wet tumbler does a better job inside the case and the primer pockets. I'm using the FA light, and it needs 2 or 3 lbs of pins to go with it.

Primers!!!!

Seriously, I think you are going down the right road, start cheap and Lee is a good way to go.

Once you get into it, you’ll probably upgrade some of your stuff. Or you’ll lose interest and your investment wasn’t too much.

Personally, I’ve never sold a single piece of reloading equipment even when I’ve upgraded. Rather store it then need it for something down the road.

I have MEC. Shotshell Reloaders from the late 70’s, a Rockchucker from the late 80s. They still function as well as the day I bought them although they definitely don’t look new.

Welcome, and good luck!

Check out this thread, which started with a very similar question: https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/looking-to-start-loading-shopping-list.904957/

Welcome to the hobby. I started with a Lee Loader but it didn't take long before I had acquired a ton of other gear. Enjoy!

My suggestions will be biased, as most of my equipment is Lee. Some RCBS.
A turret press IMO, is a good starter, that can double as a single stage press in the beginning.
A good scale and check weights.
A good powder thrower. I have found the Lee autodrum has worked well for me. And at least 1 powder funnel.
A small selection of newer reloading manuals, plus a fair amount of online data in my favorites.
If you're using range brass, lots of 5.56 brass and some 9x19 that have crimped primer pockets. So a pocket swager is good to have.
A good 0-6" calipers, and 0-1" micrometer. (I have been kicking around about getting a 0-1" blade micrometers for checking pressure signs at the extractor groove.)
I have used a Franklin Arsenal vibrator bowl with crushed walnut shells since 2011. It will handle 200-400 cases, depending on cartridge type, at a time, running it for 2 or more hours. By low estimates, it's seen 20k cases go through it.
Kinetic bullet puller at the least. And the RCBS is better than Franklin Arsenal, at least in my experience.
Case length trimmer of some reliable type. I use the Lee quick trim deluxe. But it has a limited range of less then .010" within the specs.
Loading blocks are important to have. You can make your own with some scrap pieces of plywood.
And good lighting.

Priming is a big deal so one accessory I recommend is a Lee Ram Prime. It’s the best on-press tool for hard to seat primers/cases. A hand primer is good enough for regular off-press priming.

A hand primer that takes shell holders. RCBS and Lee have decent ones. I stipulate she’ll holders because I have never been satisfied with the universal holding type jaws on some of them.

After you get a lot of the components that usually come in a kit, get a powder trickler. I like using Lee dippers to get close and then trickle up to a precise powder weight.

This may not be necessary for a lot of folks methods and needs but I only load rifle that is shot lower volume so I like the trickling technique for that.

Everything and more equipment wise is already listed here so this is just some free advice (and worth every penny):

Avoid temptation—to buy everything everyone else has or says they have.

Buy used (or borrow) if possible. (For example, you don’t need to buy the latest edition of every manual being published. Or, a brand new single stage press often just has better paint than an old used one.)

Watch at least one YouTube video (or some other instructional video) on each item you plan to buy. But be careful.

Buy the best dies you can afford. Great dies (and proper technique) can make great cartridges even on a used junker press. Crappy dies are just crappy.

Don’t ignore advice just because your antenna says it’s biased. There are fanboys everywhere, but that doesn’t mean they’re wrong. Try to be discerning.

Relatedly, there is a religious debate over the quality or not of Lee equipment. Someday you’ll join in.

Good luck and don’t get frustrated by the scarcity and price of components. You DO know about that, right?

I would put a decent caliper @ the top of the list. A decent set of drill bits & metal files can per form many deburing & unifoming tasks. A lee-type case trimmer (for rifle rounds) is about as usful as it gets. Go slow, be safe, you will figure out when you need to buy anything else.

I started with the Lee single stage kit. It came with a press, scale, trimmer for on-press trimming, powder measure, large and small priming equipment for priming on the press, and lock stud and cutter for off press trimming.

The only thing I needed to start were calipers and the cartridge specific dies and trimmers. A powder trickler isn’t necessary but makes life a lot easier.

After that I just bought things to fix my mistakes. That’s half the catalog of any reloading supply company.

Seated bullets too deep, used too little/much powder, or use the wrong powder? You need a bullet puller.

Forget to trim your cases before priming? Now you need the trimming die for trimming on the press. The lock stud and trimmer for off press uses the flash hole for the length guide rod.

And on it goes.

Just starting out, I would recommend the Lee APP, it is VERY cost effective, it is not a Strong press like the mainstreams but it will get the job done, then I would recommend a hand primer, I personally use the RCBS Universal, I don’t rely on a press for priming, scales, and dies for your bullets. Let me know in a message when you are ready and I’ll see what I can come up with.

The APP will get you started without a lot of money spent, you can then add as much as you want to upgrade. Just a money idea, cheaper to start, then grow as big and fast as you like.

Good Luck..

Besides calipers, check weights, case prep tools are what you will use/need the most. Now you don't need to go over board on these. Your usage and type will depend on how much you shoot.

As you get deeper and deeper is when you will start upgrading tools and equipment to speed things up. Of if you get caught up in the accuracy game, you will try many things, most of it being measuring equipment.

DMW1116 said:

I started with the Lee single stage kit. It came with a press, scale, trimmer for on-press trimming, powder measure, large and small priming equipment for priming on the press, and lock stud and cutter for off press trimming.

The only thing I needed to start were calipers and the cartridge specific dies and trimmers. A powder trickler isn’t necessary but makes life a lot easier.

After that I just bought things to fix my mistakes. That’s half the catalog of any reloading supply company.

Seated bullets too deep, used too little/much powder, or use the wrong powder? You need a bullet puller.

Forget to trim your cases before priming? Now you need the trimming die for trimming on the press. The lock stud and trimmer for off press uses the flash hole for the length guide rod.

And on it goes.

Click to expand...

This is another task where the Trim & Prep center shines, you can trim and deburr primed cases.

dgod said:

Just starting out, I would recommend the Lee APP, it is VERY cost effective, it is not a Strong press like the mainstreams but it will get the job done, then I would recommend a hand primer, I personally use the RCBS Universal, I don’t rely on a press for priming, scales, and dies for your bullets. Let me know in a message when you are ready and I’ll see what I can come up with.

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I don't think I would want to use the APP as a primary press, but it works extremely well for secondary activities like bulk depriming.

Notes! A must! Keep a dedicated notebook for logging details. By cartridge. I have a habit of lying to myself that I will remember what I did. Not good.

Keeping logs of every detail that you can. Powder charges, bullet OAL, seating depths, etc. It may save you from having to redo a load workup.

dgod said:

Just starting out, I would recommend the Lee APP, it is VERY cost effective, it is not a Strong press like the mainstreams but it will get the job done, then I would recommend a hand primer, I personally use the RCBS Universal, I don’t rely on a press for priming, scales, and dies for your bullets. Let me know in a message when you are ready and I’ll see what I can come up with.

The APP will get you started without a lot of money spent, you can then add as much as you want to upgrade. Just a money idea, cheaper to start, then grow as big and fast as you like.

Good Luck..

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I have no experience with the APP. But to me it looks like a good secondary buy down the road.

badkarmamib said:

Check weights. Definitely, check weights.

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I'm genuinely curious; what are you able to do, because you have check weights, that you couldn't without?

I've been reloading for ~15 years, and never used a check weight. Loaded everything from blasting pistol ammo to 0.3MOA precision rifle ammo.

All I've wanted or needed from my scales is excellent precision; I have never needed more accuracy than is already assured by the scale's mechanical design.

edwardware said:

I'm genuinely curious; what are you able to do, because you have check weights, that you couldn't without?

I've been reloading for ~15 years, and never used a check weight. Loaded everything from blasting pistol ammo to 0.3MOA precision rifle ammo.

All I've wanted or needed from my scales is excellent precision; I have never needed more accuracy than is already assured by the scale's mechanical design.

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You should verify every session that your scale is calibrated. You don't have to buy check weights , but you need something with a verified weight to use.
All of my digital scales and measures came with a check weight for calibration.

edwardware said:

I'm genuinely curious; what are you able to do, because you have check weights, that you couldn't without?

I've been reloading for ~15 years, and never used a check weight. Loaded everything from blasting pistol ammo to 0.3MOA precision rifle ammo.

All I've wanted or needed from my scales is excellent precision; I have never needed more accuracy than is already assured by the scale's mechanical design.

Click to expand...

Peace of mind. For less than $40, I can double check when I load up to max, I'm not going over. And when I go light, it's not too light.

Starting out with that Lee Loader will allow you to appreciate the soeed and versatility of a single stage press. With the way things are presently patients is a good trait to have. Looking to the used market for everything reloading will save you some serious coin. The trick is to see what is available and if it ts actually something you can use now or in the future.
Watching some videos on the net is a good idea but some are downrite scarry. The manufacturers and the likes of Midway USA have safe and easy to follow instructional videos for their products, some others are to be taken with skepticism at best. Over time you can filter out the bad stuff. Lots of good suggestions on stuff needed above as everyone has their pet tools. Most reloading tools are meant to be lifetime purchases and as such are good quality to begin with. I like Lee stuff and own many products of theirs. I also own some items from every brand of tool out there, even some from defunct manufacturers that still work as designed more than 75 years later.
My ad vice is to read as much as you can and watch any videos that are from reputable manufacturers, watch ones they recommend. Don't be afraid to ask a question if you still dont understand something after researching here. Everyone wants you to become a successful reloader.
Those calibers like 223, 9MM, etc. will be less cost effective to reload but I can reload and shoot as much as I want today because I stocked up on components and did load workups before trouble caused problems in supply chains. Research what bullet, propellant, and primer you want and put it on a list you can refrence quickly. Then when on line ir at your LGS or an auction there is no doubt what you can use. And finally welcome to the often fun and challenging world of reloading.

Definitely a bullet puller.
Quinetics makes one of the best
https://www.quineticscorp.com/products/kinetic-bullet-puller
And their ‘shim fit’ will work on other makes of kinetic pullers
https://www.quineticscorp.com/products/uni-chuck-shim-fit-combo

1. Redding case lube
2.lyman multi tool for chamfer. Debur and pocket cleaning.
3. A weight standard... check weights
4. A size standard.... I like a 358 Guage pin you would want a .458 or a .355
5. The Lyman 4th casting manual. It adds a huge amount of lead load data and expands your knowledge base.
That's my top 5....

kcofohio said:

Notes! A must! Keep a dedicated notebook for logging details. By cartridge. I have a habit of lying to myself that I will remember what I did. Not good.

Keeping logs of every detail that you can. Powder charges, bullet OAL, seating depths, etc. It may save you from having to redo a load workup.

Click to expand...

Definately a notebook. Don't think "Oh I'll remember" because you won't. Maybe for your first cartridge, but then you start trying different bullets, powders, seating depth, etc.. and it all goes out the window. Next comes multiple calibers and so on. I also keep an index card file with what I call proven loads. These are loads that work for me in my guns. Some are good and a few are great.

My starter kit had everything I needed to load for pistol except dies, shell holder, and components. The only thing I had to add for rifle was a trimmer. My kit did not have calipers or a tumbler, but you don't have to have those to get started although they sure are nice.

One thing I had a problem with was static buildup on my kit's plastic funnel. My solution was an aluminum funnel. Not necessary to start but may be worth looking into at a later time. They can be expensive but for me were well worth the cost.

And welcome to the wonderful, confusing, and addictive world of reloading.

chris