Minimum equipment recommendations for loading/reloading .38 Super and 9x23

[Harold Mayo]

As in the title...

I am NOT an overly-experienced reloader. Have done a fair amount of reloading on equipment owned by friends but everything was pretty "cut and dried". I have an engineering degree, work in a numbers-intensive job and can read and follow instructions and heed safety warnings. I can also gather data and adapt as needed.

I am thinking of jumping into the world of the .38 Super and 9x23 cartridges and it looks like my best bet, especially in regard to the latter, is to reload.

What is the minimum equipment that I would need? What is recommended beyond the absolute minimum?


AND....if it matters...

I'm thinking about getting into handloading for .308, also. Any common equipment between handgun and rifle that I can include and still get away (relatively) cheap in terms of capital invested in equipment?

 

[ReloaderFred]

Harold,

You can load with a good single stage press, a shell holder, a set of dies, scale, a loading block and a powder measure. Of course you will need a loading manual, but I would suggest at least two. The Lyman Manuals are very good, and any from the other bullet or powder manufacturers would do just fine. That would get you started and I would recommend an RCBS Rockchucker, since it will wear out after you're gone, or if it wears out sooner, RCBS will replace it, no questions asked.

There are many other tools and gadgets, but the short list above will get you started.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Smokey Joe]

Information

is what you need, BEFORE you attempt to get yourself embroiled in which equipment to buy. (Although Reloader Fred has some excellent suggestions.)

But first you oughta get, and read, a copy of The ABC's of Reloading put out by Krause Publishing www.krause.com

This book is a how-to and more importantly why-and-why-not-to kind of book, rich in information for the beginning reloader, but also having much excellent advice for the more seasoned.

Next you'll also need a reloading manual (kinda like a recipie book) of which there are a number of good ones. Most reloaders end up with several different manuals. My go-to book is Lyman's 48th edition, but I have abt half-a-dozen others--No, looking up at the bookshelf, more like a dozen others at least. One manual can't possibly cover all the different combinations of cartridge case, powder, primer, and bullet, which exist.

But buy and read The ABC's first. Having studied that, you'll know what is YOUR minimum equipment list, and what you want to add on later.

Enjoy. Remember that the journey is part of the destination.

 

[Clark]

I handload 9x23mm with 9x19mm Luger dies.

 

[only1asterisk]

A single stage press, a scale, a set of calipers, dies, shell holder and lube. This will get you started, but weighing out power charges will get old. A powder measure is not something I want to be without, nor is a priming tool (assuming I'm loading on a single stage press).

David

 

[grendelbane]

Welcome to the wonderful world of reloading .38 Super & 9x23mm Winchester!

The 9x23mm is a strange animal. Like Clark, I use 9x19 dies to reload it. Reloading manuals won't help a whole lot, because most of them don't list it. There is very little support from the manufacturers for this cartridge. I think of it as an orphan. Winchester has a little data listed on their website, but not much. One powder they list is 231, which is too fast for good results, and the other is WAP, which is out of production, (though there is supposed to be a fairly equivalent powder available from Ramshot).

The picture is a little bit clearer with the .38 Super. Lots of data out there. If you are going to shoot both, I highly recommend only moderate level .38 Super loads and save the hot rodding for the 9x23mm. I have blown a case head in a .38 Super, and it is not a good experience!

Many times I have used a Lee hand press and Lee hand primer to load .38 Supers. I do have a powder measure and scale, but for lower level loads one could use the Lee scoops or a home made substitute. (I would still want a powder scale to verify the measure, though).

If you want to skip the carbide dies, use green soap as a case lube, it will wash right off with hot water. This trick is my favorite when loading 357 SIG.

Have fun!

 

[Brian Williams]

Get a Dillon Square Deal in 9x19 and adjust it to 9x23, then get a Lee single stage in 308 for the rifle stuff.

list
manual
Dillon SD
powder scale
powder funnel
cartridge block --- use empty holders from range
lee reloader
dies for 308