First equipment purchase - please review

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docrice

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I've been shooting 9mm and .45 ACP for a year now (my shooting experience so far is about 6000 rounds with my Springfield XD-9 and Kimber 1911) and have decided to reload due to rising factory ammo costs. My primary interest is home defense; not much of a shooting junkie at all (sure, it can be therapeutic, but the motivation at this point is to reduce my cost-per-shot considering that I may soon start rapid-fire practice at a nearby range). Ammo fine-tuning may come in time, but right now I just need to be able to afford to practice. And I don't have a lot of spare time to reload on single stage, although I may consider it if I ever shoot rifle in the future. I've been reading this (and other forums) on equipment and have gone through ABC's of Reloading and Lyman's 48th, as recommended by DaveInFloweryBranchGA's sticky. I'll probably also pick up Speer #13, etc..

That said, I've compiled my "to-get" list and, like other people have done, am looking for a once-over by the veterans here to make sure I'm not overlooking something obvious. Here's what I have planned for purchase soon:

- Hornady LnL AP
- Hornady dies: 9mm (Luger) and .45 ACP (Hornady item no. 546515 and 546554, respectively)
- RCBS lockout die
- Shell plates: 9mm and .45 ACP (#8 and #1)
- Hornady LnL die bushings (10-pack)
- Frankford Arsenal tumbler / media separator kit (and some Nu Finish)
- Frankford Arsenal digital caliper
- RCBS 505 scale
- Cartridge catcher (Hornady item no. 480038)
- Frankford Arsenal impact bullet puller
- Misc plastic ammo boxes

(ammunition components such as bullets, primers, and powder will be a separate research)

Due to lack of garage space for a permanent bench, I'll probably mount the press on some plywood and C-clamp it to a folding table. I know I'm jumping into this head-first, but I figure that if I can manage computer networks for a living, I should be able to handle setting up a "collapsible" reloading bench. Am I missing any dies in my list (I'd have five stations, after all)? Where does one get check-weights for the scale? I didn't see them in the thick Midway catalog. Anything else I should consider?

I'm actually thinking about going in this with a nearby friend of mine who shoots the same calibers, so I thought I'd double-check with you folks before I do something potentially short-sighted.
 
Midway item number

On Midway's website, the weights are listed under Lyman Scale Weight Check Set, item number 612694, price is $30.99. I have a set and they're worth the money.
Daryl
 
A Hornady crimp or Lee FCD die...crimping in the same die as seating is never satisfactory.

Also, don't the dies come with a bushing? In which case you don't need a 10 pack...
/B
 
First of all welcome docrice and cdrt. Docrice it sounds like you have done a good job reading. I don't have any experience with the Hornady but your list looks pretty good. Dave and others here use the LNL AP and swear by it so I have no doubt that it is a fine press. In case it wasn't in the sticky you can buy walnut and corn cob at the pet store or feed store. Harbor Freight also has a good deal on walnut. I think the only advice I have to offer you right now besides be safe is take your time and don't make to many rounds until you know they work. It is no fun pulling 93 bullets with a hammer type bullet puller, don't ask me how I know this. :banghead: Again welcome to the addiction.
Rusty
 
Portable loading bench - You might consider a Black and Decker Workmate. I use one as a base for my sliding compound miter saw. I made an H-frame base to which the saw is bolted. The base then gets clamped into the Workmate (verticals resting on the table, horizontal of the H being sqeezed between the two table top halves).

Plastic bins - I found a package of 14 stacking shoebox-sized clear plastic boxes ($18) at Costco that work well for sorting brass of various sizes and categories.
 
I would suggest NOT getting the #1 shellplate and get the #45 instead direct from Hornady. I find the #1 loose for 45ACP. At the same time, I would recommend getting the pistol metering insert and rotor combination, as well as, one additional standard pistol metering insert (also only available directly from Hornady). I would get a lockout die for each caliber you plan to reload. In order to use them you will need the Hornady .355 and .451/.452 powder through expanders. I would also get one additional powder die. That will elimate the expander die and allow you to use the RCBS lockout die. I would also get a shellplate spring case retainer to be safe.

To summarize:

Replace #1 shellplate with #45.
.355 Powder through expander
.451/.452 Powder through expander
Additional RCBS Lockout die
Powder die
Pistol rotor & standard metering insert
Pistol standard metering insert
Spring Case Retainer

You could elimate the additional powder die and lockout die but adding those will substaintially speed up your caliber changes. Oh yeah, I don't think you need the cartidge bin as it comes with one. Lastly, I'd recommend finding a good bench for it. I have one of those metal benches available from Lowes with a bunch of brass in ammo cans on the bottom shelf. The bench still moves when you use the press. I do not believe a portable table will suit your needs.

--AJ
 
i like the RCBS 750 digital scale myself.
i'd go w/ a collet puller over the inerta puller
i also like dial calipers over the digital ones
 
ABC's of Reloading and Lyman's 48th, as recommended by DaveInFloweryBranchGA's
Click to expand...

That sounds like good advice to me! Nothing seems to beat having someone walk you through the fist few loads. I would buy manuals from the bullet and powder companies you use
 
Thanks for the advice, everyone.

Safety googles.
Click to expand...
I'll be sure to Google for safety goggles. Actually, I already have those cheap workshop goggles. I'm assuming that's enough.

As for the scale, I'd much prefer a digital scale, but since everyone's "old reliable standby" always seems to be a beam scale, I'll probably go with that. I'm curious why the Dillon beam scale is hardly ever mentioned. Maybe it's just another re-branded scale? They all seem to look the same to me.
 
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