Finally got everything needed

[AK Gun Man 88]

Just wanted to say I finally got all my equipment for reloading. Please chime with your experiences with any of my equipment and anything I should look out for.

List of calibers. 9mm, 40, .45 ACP, 45 LC, .223, 30-06, 30-30, 7 MM Mag, 7.62 x 54R, and 338 WM

Lee Classic Turret
Lee Perfect Powder Measure
Lee Pro Auto Powder Measure
Lee Safety Prime for the press
Lee dies
Lee Zip Trim
RCBS Dial Calipers
Frankford Tumbler Combo (free shipping from Amazon)
ISonic P4820 Ultrasonic Cleaner w/ heater (Free shipping from Amazon)
Redding Model 2 Scale
40LB of Corn Cob from Drill spot (free shipping, even to Kodiak)

Can't wait till everything gets in

 

[chrt396]

How bout a method and tool to install primers?? I have the bench mounted primer system from RCBS and it is by far the easiest and fastest to use.

 

[AK Gun Man 88]

chrt396...just edited the post...forgot about the lee safety prime on the press

 

[john16443]

You have a good set-up there, no question about it. I've used this for pistol calibers for the past year.

I see you're going to reload for rifle and pistol, so I'll offer a suggestion or two that may make your life easier.

For the pistol calibers, you may find that you'll want the adjustable charge bar for the pro auto disk. Less than $10. With this, you are not at the mercy of the powder drops of the fixed hole sizes provided by the 4 disks you have. The difference in powder drop between adjacent holes can be 0.2 or more grains. If that's going to be a concern for your loads, a charge bar is in order.

Second, for your rifle loads, you may find that you'll need the Lee double disk kit. This will allow you to drop the higher weights of powder for rifle because you'll stack 2 disks on top of each other to allow that much more powder to drop. The kit includes 4 more disks and longer screws for the pro auto disk. With this kit you can stack the disks to get exactly the charge you want.

There are a few tips concerning the safety prime system. The first is that the alignment of the plastic priming dispenser (the PEZ clicky thing) with the primer arm that is resting in the ram is important. Lossen the top bolt on the press to rotate for best allignment and retighten. That should prevent primers from missing the cup on the primer arm.

Second is related to the primer arms themself. You may find that the are not disengaging freely from the shell holders, and they may drop out and fall on the floor. First, make sure that all the edges around the entire primer arm are broken, use some 400 or 600 grit bodywork paper to break these edges. Second is to keep it clean. You'd be surprised at how fast some of the surfaces turn black from the depriming process. A shot of Hornady cleaner/dry lube or equal once in awhile should do the trick. If it doesn't, then place a zip tie around the leg of the press closest to the tab on the primer arm. Locate it just above the arm when the handle is in the upright position. When you begin to lower the handle, the primer are will touch the bottom of the zip tie, drop into the correct position, and not fall out.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Dang dood, with that list of calibers, I'd a been loading long ago!.. and I was with the first one. There's no time like the present though of course. Sounds like you have a fine setup and it's always good to see someone start down the path. Good luck and take it easy.

 

[RustyFN]

You will need case lube to size the rifle brass and also a way to trim it after sizing.

 

[FROGO207]

I have found with the 7.62X54 that it is waay cheaper to buy the steel stuff and shoot it. The reloadable brass and .310 bullets that are most often needed are more costly than the 30 cal counterparts used in other rifles. Then the accuracy of the rifle is usually not so great that reloading gives a big improvement in accuracy. The same thing applies with 7.62X39 for that matter. Just saying for my firearms this is true----Yours who knows?.

Looks like you did your homework and started out with a good handle on things. Happy reloading.