Do I need anything else to get started?

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Onward Allusion

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Dipping toes into the reloading waters. Need to control my own destiny. :)

Just ordered the following (Amazon, of course!). Only planning on loading 38 Special for now. If I enjoy it, I'm getting a progressive ammo plant and will shoot a heck of a lot more.

- Lee Hand Priming Tool Shell Holder Set
- Lee Precision Powder Measure Kit
- Lyman Case Prep Multi Tool
- Lee Precision Breech Lock Bushings (Silver)
- Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-Ez Impact Bullet Puller
- Lee Precision .38 Special Carbide 4-Die Set (Silver)
- Lee Precision Zip Trim
- Lee Precision Breech Lock Hand Press Kit
- Lee Precision Auto-Prime XR
- Lee Precision Cutter with Ball Grip

Already got tons of 38 Spl shells from all those days shooting revolvers. Still need primers, powder, & bullets of course . . . Anything else??? Lube? Holding off on the tumbler for now 'cause all my cases have only been fired once.

Thanks!
 
They have kits that come with most of the things needed to get started. Any reason you're buying it a piece at a time? Which progressive press are you getting?
 
Needed

Expand that to a minimum of two reload manuals(the more the better). They are all good but Hodgdon and Hornady would be my suggestion. You have decided to take the red pill apparently so Lee's manual will suffice as one.Before you generate the first cartridge read the two manuals up to the actual reload data portion for your education and to make sure you are fully aware of the disastrous effects of changes you may consider making to their instructions. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS.
 
Not getting the progressive initially. Just the hand press. If I get it figured out, then I will get the progressive. I'm trying to not be one of those guys that drop a couple grand on the equipment, let collect dust & sell it at a garage sale. Although, I wish some of those guys live around me!
 
I started off with the hand press and quickly went on to the Challenger setup. May I make a suggestion to start with a single stage press. You'll quickly get tired of the hand press and want something easier to work with and much faster.
 
Calipers. Scale. Two case blocks (for surety). I assume you already have a heavy boot to pound it with.

Understand the once-fired. But they will still gunk up your dies. So an el cheapo tumbler.

Decided on powder and bullet?

Second the manual recommendation. Start with the Lee. The book "The ABC's of Reloading" is a must read, IMO. Save you a lot of grief in the long run, which could come sooner than you expect if you don't read it.

Add a fearless thick-skinned commitment to ask questions here.

Oh, and as much protective gear of the Hurt Locker variety as you can tolerate. At a minimum hard goggles. Reloading is dangerous starting out. And it only gets marginally safer with experience. Be careful or you'll wind up borrowing from the sperm bank.
 
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Onward Allusion said:
Not getting the progressive initially. Just the hand press. If I get it figured out, then I will get the progressive. I'm trying to not be one of those guys that drop a couple grand on the equipment, let collect dust & sell it at a garage sale. Although, I wish some of those guys live around me!
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Try all you want to. If you get hooked, well lets just keep an eye on you and see what happens!

be safe, take you time, when looking at brass if, in doubt throw it out.
 
For case blocks you can sub a couple of 44 / 45 ammo trays. 40 might work but I haven't tried them. To this day I haven't bought loading blocks, just repurpose (don't like that word) the trays my factory ammo came in.
 
I think you'd be happier with the Lee Reloader bench-mounted press, and it's cheaper than the hand press. It looks pretty light-duty and I don't know if it will handle lots and lots of large rifle cases, but you're not doing large rifle cases.
 
LivewireBlanco said:
I started off with the hand press and quickly went on to the Challenger setup. May I make a suggestion to start with a single stage press. You'll quickly get tired of the hand press and want something easier to work with and much faster.
Click to expand...
zxcvbob said:
I think you'd be happier with the Lee Reloader bench-mounted press, and it's cheaper than the hand press. It looks pretty light-duty and I don't know if it will handle lots and lots of large rifle cases, but you're not doing large rifle cases.
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Yes and Yes...

The Breech Lock hand press kit has a Retail price of $78 ($47 on Midway) and the stand alone hand press is $47.98. ($33.49 on Midway)

The Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press is only $67.99 and a much better option than the hand held press.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/17...-lock-single-stage-press?cm_vc=ProductFinding

I'm not a fan of breech lock presses, I feel there is no good reason to add to the expense just so you can do a half-turn to install the dies over about 6 turns of the die. The Lee Classic Cast single stage press is a very high quality press and will last you a lifetime or more.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/317831/lee-classic-cast-single-stage-press?cm_vc=ProductFinding ($106.99)
 
I agree with ARCH above although the Breech Lock Classic Single stage press is a fine single stage for just a few more bucks. I would not get the hand press widget thingy.

A GOOD MANUAL, Not the LEE manual (which is OK)

You need a GOOD SCALE. The most important tool in reloading. If your Kit comes with the LEE scale it is next to useless. Yes it will weigh but it is a PITA to use.

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Breech-Classic-Press/dp/B004TABU74

Life will be so much easier and you will have a real press.

Of course before someone else mentions it , cancel your order and buy a Dillion 650:D:D:D
 
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Ease up, guys! There is a clear benefit to starting out stupid! I began with a Lee Breech Lock Hand Press Kit and suffered so miserably that I went straight to a Classic Turret. But that Breech Lock now provides fine service as a decapitator with the universal die. I am sure that the Opie will find a use for the Lee Loader, possibly as an exotic conversation piece paperweight or in his bugout bag. It wasn't me that said it here, cruel but it is true: "Lee's low prices attract reloaders of below average intelligence." That's why most of my stuff is Lee!
 
calipers - yup

scale - yup

blocks - yup - well, actually lots of Styrofoam cartridge holders in 40, 45, & 9

manual - need to get - probably Kindle edition

bench mount press - after I get my first box of 50 count 38 specials made and shot and hopefully still alive :)

Oh, since my bypass surgery, I've been suffering from occasional pump-head (you cardiac people will know what I'm talking about). So, the "Lee's low prices attract reloaders of below average intelligence." really does apply! :D
 
Something no one has mentioned yet, I don't think you will need/use any of the tooling on your list for trimming/brass prep for loading 38 Spl and is a place to save money to get the more important stuff.
:D
 
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You need a GOOD SCALE. The most important tool in reloading. If your Kit comes with the LEE scale it is next to useless. Yes it will weigh but it is a PITA to use.
Click to expand...

PITA doesn't matter if you only use the scale to check your dippers. The Lee will work fine for that. If you weight each charge... you need a better scale, like a Ohaus. (sp?) (and a cheap digital scale is NOT better, it's just easier to use -- that's not good enough)
 
You may reconsider the .38 Special dies and get .357 instead! That way you'll be able to load both .38 and .357 from the same dies.
 
Actually, it's .38 Special dies that will always do both. :) .357 Magnum dies can be too long to flare or crimp .38 Specials. (but most dies now are made to handle both and will be marked something like ".38/357")

That's a good point someone made about not needing trimmers and such.
 
According to the die set, it can supposedly work on 357 cases. Something about a small turn. Anyway, I'm only going to focus on 38 spl for now.

BTW, can someone recommend a brand or two for primers, powder, & bullets? Strictly plinking purposes. Thanks!
 
Tilos said:
Something no one has mentioned yet, I don't think you will any of the tooling on your list for trimming/brass prep for loading 38 Spl and is a place to save money to get the more important stuff.
:D
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Agreed. Some people trim their straight wall pistol brass, or so I hear. Never met one that did it more than once. Spend the trimming money on a bench press.
You will need trimming tools to reload rifle ammo, though.
And Check out fsreloading.com. Their Lee prices are usually the best on the interweb.
 
Onward Allusion said:
According to the die set, it can supposedly work on 357 cases. Something about a small turn. Anyway, I'm only going to focus on 38 spl for now.

BTW, can someone recommend a brand or two for primers, powder, & bullets? Strictly plinking purposes. Thanks!
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Bullseye or HP38, primers whatever you can find, Bullets MBC lead.

http://www.missouribullet.com/

You mention you will get a bench mount press after 50 rounds. That makes no sense. For the few extra bucks get the single stage. Not like you are spending a bundle, If you don't like it it is easier to sell than the Clapper.
 
Okay, you won't need the shell holder set, it comes with Lee Dies. You won't need the zip trim for .38. You will need a scale and a manual or two. I would get a loading block or two. Use any small pistol primer. You can use MBC .358 bullets, plated or lead. You can use 231, HP38, bullseye etc. any of the faster powders listed in the manual for the bullet you choose. You will need a powder funnel. I recommend a bench mount press kit, instead of piecing it together too. Good luck and keep us informed about your progress.
 
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