Spike_akers said:
reloading .45 ... What would the bare minimum be to start reloading? Obviously I'm looking to save money but want the right stuff.
Bare minimum would be:
- Reloading manual (I highly recommend
Lyman #49 Reloading Handbook)
- Single stage press (Any O-ring press would work) or Turret press (I highly recommend
Lee Classic Turret)
- Vibratory case tumbler (I highly recommend
Berry's 400 at $49) and tumbling media either walnut or corn cob.
- Scale (I recommend
RCBS 5-0-2 $72,
5-0-5 $89,
10-10 $143 or
Dillon Eliminator $71 beam scales that are accurate to 1/10th grain over digital scales that are typically accurate to 2/10th grain).
- Calipers (
Frankford Arsenal SS dial caliper for $20)
- Means to prime the case (hand prime or press prime - if you buy the press kit, these will be included)
- Powder measure/funnel or press mounted powder measure like Pro Auto Disk
- Dies (I recommend carbide dies so you don't have to use case lube to resize spent cases)
- Bullet puller (I recommend the
hammer type bullet puller)
- Components: powders, primers, bullets. Check this thread for currently available components/equipment -
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8869797#post8869797
Optional items I would recommend:
-
Check weights for the scale $27
- Nu-Finish liquid car polish to help clean and polish spent brass cases / dryer sheets to extend the life of tumbling media
- Primer pocket cleaner (comes with Lee press kits)
Here's a single stage O-ring
50th Anniversary press kit ($118) that has press mounted priming (You will need to still buy dies, calipers and case tumbler) -
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-50th-anniversary-kit-90050.html
Kit Includes:
- Lee Breech Lock Challenger Single Stage Press
- 1-Breech Lock Die Bushing
- Lee Large and Small Safety Prime
- Lee Cutter and Lock Stud
- Lee Perfect Powder Measure
- Lee Chamfer Tool
- Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner
- Lee Safety Powder Scale
- Lee Powder funnel
- 2 oz Tube Lee Resizing Case Lube
Here's the
Classic Turret press kit ($219) that is very popular with press mounted priming (You will need to still buy dies, calipers and case tumbler) -
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/785993/lee-4-hole-turret-press-with-auto-index-deluxe-kit
Deluxe Kit Includes:
- Turret Press with Auto Index
- Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure
- Large and Small Safety Prime System
- Safety Powder Scale
- Case Conditioning Kit (Including: Case Trimmer Cutter and Lock Stud, Chamfer Tool, Large and Small Primer Pocket Cleaner, Lee Case Sizing Lube)
- Modern Reloading 2nd Edition, Revised Reloading Manual