bare minimum to start reloading .45?

[LiveLife]

- 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. Not strictly necessary. I got by for years just washing cases

- 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) Nice, but not 100% needed

- 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) Or you can just throw the mistakes away

- Components: powders, primers, bullets. Check this thread for currently available components/equipment - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=8869797#post8869797

Not everything on this list is what I would consider bare minimum.

Well, what's on my list was essentially what I started reloading with and for me, that's what I recommend to new reloaders along with check weights.

Feel free to post your "bare minimum" list - that's what this thread is about.

 

[Elkins45]

When I started it was with the Lee whack-a-mole tool. Agreeing that it's not a realistic option, I will substitute a press and dies in the list below of my BARE minimum:

-Press

-Dies + shellholder (agree that carbide is the ONLY way to go)

-Priming tool. I don't consider priming on the press a reasonable option for volume handgun loading.

-Powder scale

-Lee powder dippers or an adjustable powder measure

-Powder funnel

-Good book on reloading, plus access to data (may be in the same book). I separate the two because there is a ton of data from the manufacturers on the web, but that data doesn't teach how to use the hardware safely.

The press you choose is important. If you choose a turret press like one of the Lee offerings you will be able to crank out handgun ammo faster than if you choose a single stage press. This might, however limit you if you want to reload full-length rifle rounds as well. I don't know if the Lee turret presses have enough clearance to load an 06 length round. I have a Lee turret press but I started with a RCBS single stage and so I always use it for rifle.

Do we know if the OP ever plans to load rifle ammo?

 

[35 Whelen]

OP said "bare minimum". Don't think that'd include powder scale, powder measure and funnel when a $12 set of Lee dippers and their application chart would take the place of the three products mentioned.

 

[zxcvbob]

I load a whole bunch of different calibers; relatively low volume most of the time. Thinking about simplifying things by making dippers for my favorite loads so I don't have to mess with a powder measure and scale when I just want to load one box and the measure is already set up for something else.

Using a single stage press mounted to a portable but heavy bench (like a wooden stool) is relaxing if I don't get in a hurry.

 

[Bmac1949]

I started out with the Lee Anniversary Kit. Which was a good move. Your pretty much set up to load, other than dies. I hated the Lee de-burring tool so soon replaced it with the larger RCBS tool and picked up a Wilson case trimmer. The Lee press is fine but after a year or so I wanted a better press so I picked up a Redding T-7 turret press. It's a bit faster than a single stage and you can keep a 7 dies in the turret. As also a good idea to bone up on as many loading manuals as you can handle and read as much as you can stand about reloading before you buy anything. The learning curve won't be so great and you might save yourself some money in the long run. Welcome, good luck and be safe. Btw. I've been loading for about 3 years and which adds up to about 5 lbs of spent primers that I keep in a jar. Notice the word "spent". You wouldn't do this with live primers.

 

[Elkins45]

OP said "bare minimum". Don't think that'd include powder scale, powder measure and funnel when a $12 set of Lee dippers and their application chart would take the place of the three products mentioned.

I wouldn't reload without a powder scale. Maybe that's just me, but I wouldn't do it.