Getting Started-Must Have

Status
Not open for further replies.

Hunterdad

Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2009
Messages
1,873
Location
Syracuse, NY
Just getting into reloading. Basically going to be banging out a bunch of 9mm with the occasional 308, 223 and 30-30. I've already order the Lee Classic Deluxe Kit. While I'm waiting for this to come in, I figured I try and figure out what else I need.
Kit I purchased:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/78...-turret-press-deluxe-kit?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Other thank what's included, what else do I need? Any help is appreciated. Thanks
Adam
 
case trimmer for the rifle brass,tumbler and media for brass cleaning,dial caliper ,Kinetic hammer-style bullet puller,and one more manual at least.I"d recomend Lyman's.
 
A very wise choice. Whoever wrote here that low Lee prices attract reloaders of low intelligence was wrong! I would suggest a sonic cleaner to get more gunk out of the pockets and case innards, a case sorter if you are picking up assorted range brass, a medium grade electronic scale (like MyWeigh, about $120), and a Lee ZipTrim for low cost case trimming. If your kit doesn't have the Lee Factory Crimp die, I would suggest that also. That avoids any compromises between bullet seating and crimping. Enjoy!

Whatever you do, read here for the el cheapo ways to get tumbling media, tumbling polish, case lube, etc. Saves mucho dinero.
 
If you are space constrained, Lee makes a very nice standalone reloading stand that you can trick out with bins all around.

Depending on the powder you use for 9mm, you may find that the Lee dispensing disks don't provide the volume you want. In that case, an Adjustable Charge BAr (basicallY a micrometer dispenser) will fix that up.

Oh, and a Lyman case gauge for quick sorting elongated cases is handy.

Sneaky Lee doesn't tell you you'll need an autodisk riser so the powder dispenser will clear the Auto Prime.
 
Last edited:
Just off the top of my head?

*Dies & shell holder for each caliber. (shell holders come with Lee dies)
*Extra turret plates for each die set / caliber.
*A dial or digital caliper.
*Case length pilot and shell holder for each caliber you will trim.
*Loading blocks to set the cases in.
*A powder funnel (you will need one sooner or later if you ever weigh charges on the scales.)
*Lyman #49 reloading manual. (for an alternate education, at odd's with Mr. Lee's :D)
* Last but not least, a hammer type bullet puller. (Again, you will need one sooner or later!)

rc
 
Last edited:
May as well order a turret for each die set so you don't have to change out, and square ratchet spares, you'll definitely need those, you'll see. Speer manual is also good. And watch the Lee videos, the turret alignment is sometimes off from the factory, and you'll want to know how to change the square ratchets. Cheap is good, but it also has its price.
 
A tumbler and media is definitely not necessary. Especially if you are constrained in space, and a wet cleaner is expensive. A plastic gallon bucket with a big plastic spoon and dish detergent will do the job, drying out in a oven at low temps. I've done a few thousand cases that way and it works fine and expense was less than $5.
Calipers, yep. Forget that Lyman case gauge thingy, it is inaccurate at best.
Lee die sets, they work for me and they are very reasonably priced.
L.E. Wilson/Dillon type headspace gauges for rifle calibers for sure. I use them for pistol also but your pistol barrel will make a great gauge too.
Need to trim rifle cases and the Lee Precision Case Length Gauge method is cheap and it works, if you ever start shooting a lot of 223/rifle it will get old and a lathe type crank trimmer or some other faster method will be desired.
Read up on case lubing, I prefer the pump sprays.
The little hand tools in the kit(debur/pocket cleaner) are serviceable, but not outstanding, you'll not likely be worrying about primer pockets in 9mm anyway. Some primer pockets are crimped, military rifle and sometimes 9mm comes that way, you'll need a way to remove them if you run into some. There are cheap reamers you can buy(a knife blade or screwdriver will work, even), or expensive swagers.

LCT turrets are cheap, an extra or two will be handy.
Get the double disk kit so you can stack them for big rifle powder drops.
The Lee scale is precise, but possibly frustrating to use. If it works for you fine, but if you start hating I'd suggest another beam scale like an RCBS 505, the Dillon beam, or on a budget the Lyman Pro-500(light but a chunk of lead hot glued underneath makes it a great scale, same agate bearings in it as the other reputable beam scales.

Electronic scales make me nervous, I've seen nothing good out of my 'my weigh', I weigh bullets with it.
 
Last edited:
I second the beam scale. The Lee scale is very touchy, I like the RCBS. Powder riser is also a must for the Turret Press. Order an extra powder hopper, sooner or later you'll strip the screw holes or crack the hopper. :uhoh: {don't over tighten the screws}
 
That darn Lee scale is pretty accurate, though! I still use one for loading steel shot.

I tend to like the Lee 2nd Edition manual better for the simple fact that it has his reduced load calculations based on bullet hardness, in case you were to ever decide to cast bullets.

Also, a set of dippers come in pretty darn handy if you ever decide to load rifle. In all reality, look at the ammo you can put out with a Lee whac o matic with very minimal equipment!
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top