Going to start putting reloading cave together

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hcso617

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I've been lurking around the forum for a long time now. This forum has been a wealth of info and I'm glad Don Williams pointed me here. Ok, with some research and good info from the forum I'm going to start reloading. Here is a list of equipment I've put together. This doesn't include powder, primers, brass and bullets. Please let me know if I'm missing something and if you have any suggestions.

Book's
The ABC's of Reloading
Speer Manual
Lyman Metallic Reloading Handbook

Lee 4 hole turret press with auto index Deluxe kit
Lee 4 hole turrets (1 each per caliber)
Lee auto disk powder measure riser
Lee auto disk adjustable powder charge bar
Lee safety prime small and large primer feeder
Lee die set (1 each per caliber)
Lyman 600 tumbler
Frankford bullet puller
Frankford calipers
L.E. Wilson cartridge gauge (1each per caliber)
Imperial case sizing wax
 
+1 on the scale and caliper. Measurements are critical for the weight of powder and several places on the physical cartridge.

Thoughts...
• Unless you plan on using a lot of Speer bullets, the Lyman reloading manual is going to answer all your questions. It's not that the Speer manual is bad or anything (in fact it's a wonderful manual), but it only covers Speer bullets.

• The newer Lee XR might be a better priming tool than the Lee Safety Prime, and save you ~$3.
 
plus another bazillion for the scale. If you feel more comfortable with a turret, then get one. Personally, I like to reload my metallic in batches on a single stage had the Dillon, didn't like the powder or primer issues - I can load in batches faster than I can doing one complete round at a time. Otherwise, allow yourself TWICE as much room as you think you'll need - make yourself a separate area for cleaning/working on your guns separate from the reloading area. If you are not a well-organized person, get whatever bins/storage devices necessary so you can easily keep thing organized.

If doing rifle bottleneck cases, a trimmer of some sort, case de-burring tool, etc. are necessary as well.

Reloading is neither difficult or complicated, but it IS repetitive, so distractions need to be a minimum when doing so

Good luck
 
What wobbly stated about the Speer manual, goes for the Hornady manual as well - it seems they've only included their components, whereas the Lyman manual uses components from all across the spectrum, including commonly used cast bullets. Once you get the calipers and scale, Enjoy! It's quite addictive...
 
Great info, I should have mentioned that the deluxe kit came with a scale. I'll keep refining my list. I was also thinking of a Frankford electronic caliper.

Flash, I thought they were the same just packaged with more items?

Thanks for the quick responses.

Matt
 
Flash, I went back to the Lee site and you are absolutely correct, the classic is a different press I thought their turret presses were the same. I'll check into this more. Thanks!!
 
+1 on Flash's Classic Turret Press recommendation. I load 3 calibers with it and have nothing but good things to say about the LCT. I also use the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure along with the riser. The charge bar works very well with charges 4gr and up; forget about using it under 4gr.
If you are going with the Lee Press, you might also consider Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd edition book. It is relatively inexpensive and has load charts in the back half of the book that have value.
Some of the good contributors didn't notice that you listed the Frankford calipers, but their advice should be heeded. And the scale is an absolute necessity. Whether you choose a balance beam or electric won't matter as much as having one or not.
You make no mention to the calibers you will be loading. That would help in perhaps giving you specific advice.
Good luck hcso617. Let us know how this all turns out.
 
Thanks again for all the good information. I will be re-loading 45 ACP to start but will also, once I get the hang of it I'll be re-loading; 380, 38/357, .40, .223, 7.62x54r and 45-70 gov't. I get a dealer discount at Midway (I have a C&R FFL), but a lot of lee products are on back order right now.
 
Welcome to you new addiction! I started a little over a year ago, and I use Lee equipment primarily. I have gotten a lot of my stuff off ebay, from this seller specifically http://stores.ebay.com/the4sportsmen I have had nothing but great experience with them. They pack and ship fast, combine shipping, and get it right the first time every time. Also if you get the MidwayUSA monthly sale flyer, always check the bargain page in the inside cover. They usually manage to get some kind of order from me every month with that thing......
 
Chalk I have purchased a 7.63x54r single reload kit from them (4sportsmen) in the past, good price and fast. I have been looked at there ebay site a few times today. Midway seems to have a lot of Lee products on B/O.
 
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Get a couple of them, very valuable if you're OCD like me and keep a place for everything.

Get an extra decapping pin or two also, always start cursing up a storm when I break one and don't have a spare on hand.

Case prep tools

You can probably get away without a primer pocket cleaner unless your brass is ungodly dirty after tumbling or your OCD is worse than mine and you need to see zero black stuff in your primer pockets. But the Chamfer tool is totally worth getting, no compromising on this one, get it.

Don't forget ammo cases for your finished rounds
 
W. E. G. said:
Progressive ("auto-index") presses have their place.

That place is not on the loading bench of a novice.
Click to expand...

Sometimes that's the best place for one. A novice isn't as inclined to "know everything" and take shortcuts. They often are the only ones that actually read the instructions and start out slow.
 
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