New reloader Q's

[walksbyhimself]

Howdy all, I'm getting into reloading, and have a couple of questions. I will be reloading pistol only for the time being, specifically 9mm Mak, 9mm Luger, and .45 ACP. Looking to do 150-200 rds per week.

First, can I use the same shellholder for the 9x18 as the 9x19? Lee apparently doesn't make one for 9x18.

Lee autoprime or ram prime die; pros/cons? Other priming tool?

Going with Lee carbide dies. Thoughts?

Thanks for helping out a new guy!

 

[2popfire]

You are in the right place I'm just starting myself and the info here seems to be on the up & up.

Sorry I don't know the answer to your question, but somebody will be right along to help.

Welcome aboard.

Joe

 

[Sunray]

Buy a copy of The ABC's of Reloading. Your local gun shop or Amazon.
"...same shellholder for..." Yep. The 2 thou difference in case head diameter won't matter.
Line drawings with dimensions can be had here. http://stevespages.com/page8d.htm
"...Going with Lee carbide dies..." Carbide for sure. Not having to lube makes loading a lot easier.
"...Lee autoprime or ram prime die..." The Lee Auto-Primer uses different shell holders. Using the press is a matter of technique. It's all I've ever used for any cartridge.
I don't use any Lee kit either. Not that there's anything wrong with Lee kit. Warrantee isn't as good as RCBS though. RCBS will fix any problems, forever, even if you buy used kit with a phone call. Lee's warrantee is 2 years. RCBS kit is more expensive. Redding kit is the same quality and less expensive. Been using a Redding press for 30 plus years.
No roll crimp for any of 'em. Taper crimp only. Not such a big deal for 9mm, but .45's tend to feed better with a light taper crimp. 9mm Parabellum doesn't need a crimp.
Remember that help is here for the asking.

 

[walksbyhimself]

Sunray, many thanks! I plan on picking up the ABC's as soon as i can, I just got Lyman's 49th ed. today as well, seems to have some good info...
I'm not using a kit either, it just seems that way 'cause I've got a lot of lee components. I'm buying most of this used from various guys I shoot with, and this is just what I got the best deal on/suited my needs best. The dies I'm buying new. Eventually I'll upgrade to either an RCBS or a Dillon, but that'll be a while.

 

[Sunray]

Hi. Sorry. I keep forgetting that not everybody, Stateside, speaks CF Army. 'Kit' means equipment. As opposed to 'a kit'. It's a CF/Brit military term. As in, "YOU! Get your kit and fall in or I'll have your guts for garters." I'd have passed out laughing if any Senior NCO had ever said that to me though. Officer, so I was.
"...suited my needs best..." Nothing wrong with buying used 'kit'. It takes a great deal of abuse to damage modern reloading stuff.
"...just got Lyman's 49th ed..." That'll do instead of the ABC's book. Save you about $30. The how-to chapters are excellent. The Lyman manuals are far more versatile than any powder or bullet makers books. More loads using more bullet weights and powders than any of the powder or bullet makers books. Friggin' things are expensive up here. A local shop wanted $50Cdn for the 48th Edition. In any case, read the how-to chapters and you'll be fine.
"...The dies..." The taper crimp die is usually sold by itself. You can set it up as a seating die too.

 

[Walkalong]

The seater in 9MM & .45 die sets will taper crimp, but of course crimp only taper crimp dies are sold as well. No need to seat and crimp separately in 9MM or .45 ACP.

 

[Vacek]

Yes, they are the same shellholder. In fact back when Mak brass was hard to find some made their brass by shortening the 9mm. Regardless, if you buy the die set from Lee it will come with its own shellholder. You will get one for the 9mm, one for the Mak and one with the 45ACP. With the other brands of dies (all good) you have to purchase the shellholder separately. I have the Lee pistol die sets that run around $40 and include the resizing die, powder through expanding die, bullet seating die, crimp die, shellholder, scoop and directions all for the one price. That is hard to beat.

 

[jmortimer]

The Lee Precision Auto Prime is an amazing value. Get a Lee Classic Turret Press and the Deluxe 4 die carbide is the way to go. I use my Turret Press in single stage mode with the auto-index deactivated. I like "Modern Reloading" by Richard Lee especially if you use Lee Precision equipment and most people recommend Lyman's Manual. I always recommend reading the customer reviews/comments on Midway USA ands Cabelas which will tell you a lot about the equipment you are considering. I also like using the Lee Powder dippers because I hate scales. You need a scale but only once when you start to check how much powder the dipper is dumping. Read the reviews and I am confident you will see how much value there is in the Lee Classic Turret Press.

 

[jcwit]

I know Lee advertises a 2 year guarantee. I've only EVER had trouble with Lee as I broke a Lee "C" press sizing 30/06 brass. My fault as I failed to lube case properly. Took press apart ant sent it to Lee with a letter stating it was way past warrenty and what I had done wrong. Less than a week later I got a new press complete, no charge.

Sounds as good as RCBS to me.