Noob Equipment Check List?

[doc540]

I'm considering reloaded as an economical way to shoot more. At present I only need .38 spl ammo for personal defense practice.

I've read much here and on many links, so please point out what I've forgotten regarding basic, "getting started" equipment:

1. Lee Pro 1000
2. powder
3. primers
4. bullets
5. reloading book
6. brass cleaner
7. powder scale (for verifiying automatic powder loads?)

I come fully equipped with safety glasses, plastic boxes, workbench, tools, an understanding wife, patience, and common sense.

What, if anything, am I forgetting here?

(btw: I plan to have an local, experienced reloader walk me through things when I round up all the essentials)

and thanks

 

[ilbob]

depending on just what you are reloading you may need some means by which you can trim cases to length.

 

[dagger dog]

doc,
Case lube or carbide dies, you didn't mention if you bought a kit or seperate pieces, you'll need some way to seat the primers, a case tray to hold 40 - 50 rounds and as ilbob stated a case trimmer.

.38 special is a great round to start on, read your load book for best powder and bullet selection, the lead semi wad cutters give good performance for home defense, and try to choose a powder that give the greatest % of filling the case.Those that do seem to be the most accurate, also the loads in the lower velocity range will save your brass from excessive stretching and trimming, and they are usually the most accurate too.

You will really enjoy this new aspect of you shooting hobby!

 

[RustyFN]

It would be good to have a caliper and a hammer type bullet puller.

I come fully equipped with safety glasses, plastic boxes, workbench, tools, an understanding wife, patience, and common sense.

The understanding wife is the important part. Welcome to reloading.
Rusty

 

[WayneConrad]

max cartridge gauge.

If you're on a strict budget, you can do without it. But I won't reload without running the rounds I make through these. Especially when I was starting out, these gauges caught many mistakes.

Good call above on the bullet puller and caliper. The caliper, especially, is essential.

 

[doc540]

thanks, friends

"Case lube or carbide dies, you didn't mention if you bought a kit or seperate pieces, you'll need some way to seat the primers, a case tray to hold 40 - 50 rounds and as ilbob stated a case trimmer."

It appears the Lee Pro 1000 includes carbide dies and seats the primers, is that correct?

I don't have a case trimmer or gauge (adds to list) but I do have a set of digital calipers.

My initial reloading is aimed at paper punching wadcutters.

My concealed carry is loaded with Speer 130gr Gold Dots for a snub.

thanks again

 

[MMCSRET]

I've been loading 38 special for 45 yrs and have never seen need for a case trimmer for it. I actually have never trimmed a straight wall pistol cartridge case of any caliber. Somebody tell me about this requirement please.

 

[WayneConrad]

Agree, no need to trim 38 special.

 

[Sommerled]

Doc,

Bet you'll enjoy reloading. Buy the best stuff you can afford, it will last a lifetime.

Loading mild loads in 38spl made it so my wife would come out to shoot with me on our farm. She is now my usual shooting buddy. (woe to any intruder that crosses her up)

It made our marriage even better!!! It brings a whole new dimension to an already great hobby.

 

[j0n]

It appears the Lee Pro 1000 includes carbide dies and seats the primers, is that correct?

You can buy the Lee Pro 1000 kit alone or with dies, just make sure you get one that includes the 38 Special / 357 Mag dies.

Like others I'd also recommend a hammer-type bullet puller. Also, you might want to add a fire extinguisher to your list, just in case.

I've been loading 38 special with 148gr HBWC (hollow-base wadcutters), which punches very nice holes in paper, if you use enough powder. I started with the absolute minimum amount of Unique powder specified in the Hornady's manual (2.4gr), and the bullets just kinda tumbled out of the barrel with a weak 'pop' and tore a large hole in the paper target. I was afraid to shoot the rest of them because they were so weak and didn't want a squib round. I shot 6 and pulled the rest, and kept working my way up the chart. It wasn't until around 3.2gr of Unique (listed at 700fps in the Hornady manual) that it put nice round holes in the paper. Lately I've been trying Bullseye and I also have a can of W231 to try out.

 

[jfh]

I think you have the basic list sorted out OK, so I'll segue a bit--

I see you are carrying the Speer PD round--but I'll bet it is the Gold Dot Short Barrel 38+P load, which is 135-gr. If you are using that load, then you can build excellent practice rounds using AA#5 powder and a 140-gr. lead bullet. That setup gives you a round that, at max load, replicates the feel of the factory round and allows you to back up the charge weight to build lighter-recoiling rounds as well.

140-gr. lead bullets are available from chey cast or from mastercastbullets.com.

The recipe details are in Speer 14, the newest manual--and it includes a number of other possibilities as well; I'd recommend you buy that manual. However, they were also available as a pdf file, prior to Speer 14 coming out.

E-mail me if you want a copy.

Jim H.

 

[doc540]

Thanks! This is exactly that kind of information I was hoping to get.

And the mild "wifey" loads are a great idea. Of course, I have all our guns sighted in high and to the right, so if she ever gets mad enough to throw down on me, I'll be running low and to the left.

 

[dagger dog]

I size and trim all my new or range scrounged brass, to make them consistent!