Finally getting my reloading equipment!

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Rusty Luck

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Alright so I am finally getting my reloading equipment, took a lot longer than originally thought due to unforeseen circumstances. I'm getting into it slowly so I'm buying the Lee starter kit, electronic scale, a variety of reloading books, 300AAC dies, and .270WIN dies.

Is there anything else I "need" or would really be helpful?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Links:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ISVWC6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BDOHNA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
 
Calipers are a "must have." You will also need/want loading blocks. I would suggest getting two. You will also need a bullet puller. I have the impact/hammer type and it works great (mine is Lyman). Just remember to never load a large batch of ammo until you have fully tested feed, function and accuracy, or you will need more than a hammer type bullet puller. If you shoot/load a lot you will probably want a better way to trim brass and chamfer debur. The tools included in the kit will work and get you started though.

Welcome to your new hobby.
 
You already have an inexpensive scale in the Lee kit, why buy another with the electronic one you linked to. Those are not that good. Spend the money on a set of calipers instead.

You will need a good lube for sizing rifle cases. I have found no better than Imperial Sizing Wax. A very little goes a long way, a 2oz tin will last you many years!
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/519525/imperial-case-sizing-wax-2-oz
 
Of course you already have purchased reloading manuals and texts, right? The ABCs of Reloading, Lyman's 49th, and a good manual for jacketed bullets, like the Hornady manual is a good start. :rolleyes:

I have a digital scale like the one you linked, but I use it in conjunction with a good beam scale. Some will "poo-poo" the Lee scale, but if you can learn to read a vernier scale (many can't/won't) you'll not have any problems. I have had one for about 26 years along with 4 other beam scales (can't pass up a deal! :D) and I'll use it sometimes if it's handy...
 
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If youre planning on cutting and forming your own 300blk cases you're going to want the ammunition gauge for the 300blk. I have the Sheridan offering. It's been invaluable in making cases that chamber and don't jam up your action with a hot load.
 
This is gonna sound stupid. But you might want to take a peek in the baking section, whenever you are in the grocery store. If you see a sale on the right size baking pans, grab a stack of them.

I find the pound cake-size pans just the right size for catching brass out the right side of the Challenger, while feeding new cases from the left. And for general sorting of brass and whatnot. And for collecting loaded rounds after seating. And for trimming. And for separating the media. Drying brass in the oven. And for cleaning off lubed cases. And for all the steps in casting and tumble-lubing, too. Pretty much any time I'm reloading, I am using a baking pan or three.

I have finally bought a shallower pan for holding the ready-to-process brass on the left side of the press. Hitherto, I had been using the lids from my Lee die sets for that, and they are a little smaller than ideal.

Baking pans are sturdy, they stack together, they aren't too heavy and bulky, either. They're just right, and they will last a lifetime. But they aren't cheap. So it's nice to catch them on sale. :)

Also, buy some plastic bags, quart size or so, for storing your batches of brass and ammo that are in various stages of processing.

For under $20.00, you can buy a label-maker. I have a Brother that automatically creates a date stamp. This makes it a breeze to label batches of ammo or brass with the date plus a letter. I record the actual data in a notebook. This helps because reloading doesn't give instant feedback, unless you can shoot off your back porch. It helps to have a long memory. If you don't have one, you have to cheat.
 
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Thanks for the suggestions! I already have a set of calipers and about 10 books on reloading. Just wanted to see what all you had found to be helpful and such.
I'm gonna have to look into the baking plates. Thanks.
 
The ony commercial loading block I ever tried found its way into the garbage.

Personally, I have a few of those factory ammo plastic inserts for 9mm and 45ACP which I use for 223 and 308, respectively. Or if doing a bunch, I might just take the top off one of my 9mm/45 ACP MTM 100 rd ammo boxes.

For pistol, can't help you. I have always just used a flat tray with a little lip around the edge.
 
I wouldn't load bottleneck without case gauges, so I know where Im at with my sizing die.
 
Regardless of scale type used, I highly recommend the use of a set of check weights - http://www.midwayusa.com/product/212586/lyman-shooters-weight-check-set?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Vibratory tumbler to clean/polish brass. I use Cabela's tumbler which is made by Berry's MFG. It has larger capacity than smaller units with more powerful motor that runs quieter.

Here's Berry's tumbler for $49 - http://www.eabco.com/Berry's_Brass_Tumblers.html

While the colander type sifter works fine, if you tumble a lot of brass, I highly recommend the kit with rotary sifter (few cranks on the handle and media is separated from brass) - http://www.eabco.net/Berrys-Tumbler-Kit-2--Tumbler-Corncob-Polish-Rotary-Sifter_p_14146.html
 
I like the MTM Universal loading blocks. Inexpensive and they work very well. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s... ammo loading tray&sprefix=mtm+univer,aps,272 Also , I disagree with the above poster on the electronic scale you bought. I've got a lee scale and it is accurate, but slow and touchy. I also have the same Frankford Arsenal scale you bought and it has been working very well for me. You may want to verify the electronic scale by checking it against the Lee scale from time to time. You'll probably need more breech lock bushings if there is only one in that kit. You'll want one for every die you have so that you won't have to re-adjust every time you change out dies. Calipers will also be important, I have the cheap HF ones, they work fine for me. I know there is a big debate about this, but IMHO you don't need to drop a few hundred on calipers for reloading purposes. Don't forget safety glasses! Have fun and be safe while enjoying your new hobby!
 
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I don't know off the top of my head what all is included in the kit, but here is a list of necessary tools of the trade.

Trimmer
Ream / chamfer tool
Caliper
Loading tray
Powder scoops to dispense powder into the scale
Powder funnel
Tumbler
Media & separator
Lube
Priming tool

I would strongly recommend going with a typical mechanical beam scale. rather than an electronic. Electronics can and often do act up, thus being unreliable.

GS
 
also get the shell holder set for the press (I don't see it listed as included in the kit), and an extra breech lock

Mike
 
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