shopping list questions

[mr_dove]

I'm getting in to shopping mode for reloading stuff. I'd like to get started soon. I have a few questions about suggested gear though.

Bullet Pullers: Most people say you need a bullet puller but the Lyman Handbook (48th) says nothing about a puller in either required or suggested equipment. What's up here?

Are bullet pullers merely a convenience?

powder measure/trickler do you need a powder measure or tricker with a progressive press? I understand that the press measures that powder charge automatically.

powder scale The Lyman Handbook discusses the use of a powder scale in the context of measuring out each individual powder charge. Again, I didn't think that individual charges needed to be measured with a progressive press. Am I wrong here again?

There are also a few areas where the Lyman handbook suggested tools that I've never seen suggested on these forums.

case trimming tools trimmers and de-burring tools.

thanks for the help.

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

bullet puller is a for sure tool to have if you're using a progressive press... that is unless you have the money to just throw away all the components you go through setting up, or screwing up.... just pick up a knetic hammer type puller for this...

powder measure, if you're buying a progressive press then there should be one included with the press, leave the trickler out unless you're running benchrest quality rifle rounds, which you probally won't do on a pregessive anyway...

powder scale, a must-have... just a good balance scale will do but you can spend as much as you want... use the scale to check setup powder weights, and to monitor charge weight as you load...

case trimmer, debur, only for rifle cases ....

 

[yesterdaysyouth]

do you already have calipers, tumbler, and another manual....

 

[Ala Dan]

All of those listed, would certainly be "must haves"
in my way of thinking. Of course, I'm old fashioned cuz
I still load on a RCBS "Rockchucker" press; and yes I
still weigh each powder charge.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

 

[swifter]

That list is exactly why I firmly believe all beginners should start with a single-stage press, after reading a couple books on the reloading process . But, I reload to make the BEST ammo I can, not to make the most... Quality, not quantity. WHAT a concept!

I use my 550 less every year...

Tom

 

[shu]

Bullet Puller. Won't be too long before you wish you had one, for one reason or another. Besides disassembling the occassional mistake, have used it to dissassemble (for weighing of components and measuring of seating depth) factory ammunition.

Powder Measure: Of course.

Powder Trickler: Have one, used it once. Maybe for benchrest shooters or loading 0.25 pistol would be different.

Powder Scale: You betcha! Cant speak to digital, have an RCBS analog. Won't be long before you want a set of calibration (test) weights to check your scale against.

Case Trimmer: Rifle cases stretch and need trimming. Pistol cases don't. The little deburring and chamferring tool - yeah, why not?

Calipers: You didn't mention them, but how else ya gonna measure bullet seating and overall length? Seated too long may not fit in magazine or chamber. Seated to short may cause pressure spike - kaboom.

Case Tumbler: Get it now or after you try the dish washer, the clothes washer, the coffee can with ajax and cat litter, and some other stuff.

Manuals: I only have Speer #13, which i got and studied through before deciding loading was something i wanted to get into. There is alot of data on the internet (manufacturer's web sites as well as forums) to look at and puzzle over, but yeah, another manual wouldn't hurt.

 

[uglymofo]

When I was on a real tight budget, I put off the bullet puller; I just saved my 'mistake' loads in a box until I had about 100-150 of them--that took almost 2 years to accumulate.

Y'absolutely need a scale, but not a trickler, unless you're gonna try to load for "extreme" accuracy. I agree with the others, a trimmer's not necessary at all for pistol rounds.

As to the tumbler, I survived by cleaning my cases with a gallon of white vinegar. I'd soak them in a 60 second bath (60 seconds works as well as overnight; I tried) and dried them for 20 minutes in a 200 degree oven. They come out very clean, though they look like brushed metal instead of polished--that's what a tumbler can do for you. But a gallon of vinegar, at $1.97, will recycle through 7000 rounds (and still going strong).

 

[mr_dove]

Okay, I'll probably put off the bullet puller until I NEED one or until I find one for a steal.

I was thinking about replacing calipers with case gauges. I'm sure many people have opinions in this area though. Some people say that case gauges are superior to calipers because they check the entire length of the case for bulges rather than just randomly chosen points.

Some case gauges are set up to check OAL as well.

I'd really like an electronic scale but I'll probably end up with a balance scale and do random spot checks of load sizes.

 

[Mal H]

IMX, case gauges are not a replacement for a caliper, they are convenient tools for checking cases. A caliper is used for much more than that, checking bullet diameters, checking case expansion for high pressure, checking ID and OD of barrels/chambers, etc., etc.

A balance scale is fine and will give you good service. You'll know later on if you need an electronic scale.

A pullet puller can wait until you need it. However, don't let the lack of one cause you to practice anything unsafe. Something like, "Hmm, did I double load that one? Can't take it apart now, so I'll just leave it here on the bench." [bad thing to do] Or - "I'll just shoot it, it's probably ok."

 

[Thirties]

Mr. Dove, it sounds as if you would greatly benefit from seeing someone operating a reloading press, either in person, or on one of the several videos available.

That's how I was able to visualize some of the things I had only read in books.

Also, you must decide whether you are a progressive candidate (need to make lots of ammo often). or a single stahe/turret press candidate (make smaller quatities and flexibility to make different experimental loads).

If you fall into the progressive camp, you sure better see someone doing it before you buy.

***********************************************************

ps: good luck to the Denver ice hockey team on their advancement to the Frozen Four at the Fleet Center, Boston.

Denver vs Minnesota Duluth (the West) 12:00 noon April 8 ESPN2

UMaine vs Boston College (the East) 6:00 pm April 8 ESPN2

Final game: UMaine vs ? April 10 ESPN

Go UMaine Black Bears! Go Blue!

 

[gwalchmai]

How will you set your powder measure if you don't have a scale?

Get an FA kinetic bullet puller from Midway - less than $20.

 

[lee n. field]

Bullet Pullers: Most people say you need a bullet puller but the Lyman Handbook (48th) says nothing about a puller in either required or suggested equipment.

I'd say get one. They're not expensive (I got a Quinetics kinetic bullet puller for $15 at Gander Mtn.). I got along quite well without one for years, but I had a pile of mistakes that I could scavange bullets, powder and cases from.

powder scale

Yes you need one. Get check weights too, for paranoia's sake.

case trimming tools

For rifle calibers, yes. I've yet to have a handgun case stretch past maximum length. Get Lyman's case prep kit, and a caliper, and you'll have all you need.

 

[WESHOOT2]

mr dove

You've got mail.

 

[Carlos]

case guages AND calipers for OAL and other measurements are a must.

Harbor Freight has digital calipers at a very good price.

Use both tools. In the Progressive world of reloading, once you have your dies adjusted by using the tools, then you're set for a while.

Always save a sample round that works well for you, when you have to readjust your dies.

 

[Guy B. Meredith]

Most everything has been said.

Might as well do the bullet puller. They are cheap and allow you to immediately reuse the components.

A scale is a must for setting up your powder measure on the press. I am paranoid and do a check every time I begin a reload session despite the fact that I always do the same load and the measure is always dead on. Some degree of paranoia can contribute to good health.

Balance scale is just fine. There is an article that claims they are equally accurate, but I cannot put my finger on it at the moment. Sometimes I think I would like an electric scale as I tend to go crosseyed looking at the balance scale indicator, but that is just a passing notion.

Like the case trimmer, need for calipers may depend on the type of reloading you do. You may do an occassional check on case deformation, but mostly overall loaded length. I use bullets that have a crimp groove and really needn't have spent the money on calipers. Maybe later when I move on to other loads. They were fun to use during the learning process, though, and I like tools.