There's a general "what you should buy, newbie" thread,

[Spark]

... here - http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214
but there doesn't seem to be a similar thread for what brands or specific versions of equipment for the beginning reloader. Why do I ask this? Because I'm interested in starting reloading.

So, what are your recommendations for specific pieces for

Reloading Press
Reloading Dies
Powder Measure / Dispenser
Powder Scale
Calipers
Reloading Manual
Storage Containers
Adjustable Wrenches
Bullet Pullers
Brass Trimmer
Cartridge Gauge
Case Lube
Brass
Powder
Bullets
Way to clean yo brass / bullets

I've been shooting about 3-500 rounds of WWB a weekend recently, and I'd like to shoot more or pay less. Hence, I see a setup in my future. Unfortunately I don't see a consolidated "recommendation" thread on equipment... or did I miss it?

EDIT: For clarity - I'm interested in purchasing a reloader for pistol use now (I'm shooting .40, .45 and 9mm primarily), however with how expensive 5.56 has gotten recently, and how outrageous .308 is now as well, I see one for that in my future. I've been recommended the Dillon XL650, but since I'm ignorant would like to see what you guys would recommend

 

[tlish]

Reloading Press -cheap=lee turret press, expensive=dillon 550b - either of those two would be my suggestion. i went with the dillon and couldn't be happier.
Reloading Dies - lee or dillon (if you get a dillon press)
Powder Measure / Dispenser - the dillon is much better than the disk thing that comes w/ the lee
Powder Scale - go digital - i got the dillon, but there are good offerings from midwayusa.com - franklin arsenal
Calipers - digital is better - any brand
Reloading Manual - abc's of reloading is a must! then, speer, hornady, and others.
Storage Containers - the cheapest plastic ones you can find will be fine.
Adjustable Wrenches - dillon came with the proper ones.
Bullet Pullers - whatever you can find cheap. i got rcbs from midwayusa.
Brass Trimmer - for pistol, you won't really need one. for rifle, it'd be worth it to get a good one.
Cartridge Gauge - 10-11 dollars from dillon
Case Lube - if you are reloading pistol and using carbide dies, you don't need any. for rifle, hornady one shot is super! it can be used for extra pistol smoothness, but not necessary.
Brass - find it for free at the range. winchester is good and easy to find. anything but amerc will be ok.
Powder - see what bullets and caliber you're reloading for first. check your reloading manuals. i use titegroup for 9mm and .45 acp.
Bullets - i like berry's plated - cheap, reliable, and don't lead up my barrel.
Way to clean yo brass / bullets - no need to clean bullets, only brass. get a tumbler - cheapest you can find. get corn cob media from your local tractor supply company or pet store (used for bird bedding). put in a capful of nu finish from wal-mart. get a quality media separator, or you can get a sifter and sift over a bucket. i got a dillon media separator.


good luck, be safe, and have fun! you'll totally love your reloads compared to factory loads!

 

[Vitamin G]

Just as the press goes, I started off with a lee anniversary kit, cause I wasn't sure if i'd enjoy reloading. If i had to do it all over again, i'd get a lee classic turret. Just as easy to learn on as a single stage, and i can put it back into the automode when i'm confident.

 

[Shoney]

First, my qualifications for making reloading equipment recommending: Started loading in 1960, currently have dies for 30 rifle cartridges (actively only load for about 20 of those) and 15 pistol dies (actively load 9 cartridges). Since the internet was not around when I started, with no easy access to other reloaders, I learned by my mistakes, with a lot of scratching of various parts of my anatomy. If a mistake can be made in reloading (exclusive of double charge), I have probably done it. Have owned or loaded on the following presses (listed alphabetically not by preference): Dillon, Herters, Hornady, Lee, Lyman, Pacific, RCBS, and Redding

Reloading Press – presuming that your listed numbers of cartridges fired are pistol, you need either a turret or progressive. If you load any rifle cartridges, you need a single stage press IMHO (not discussed here). I own two progressives, Dillon 550 and Hornady LNL. Today, if you have loaded on both, I can’t understand why anyone would recommend the 550 over the LNL. The 550 is not self indexing, has only 4 die spaces, an inferior powder measure, and is more expensive. The Lee Classic Turret or the Hornady LNL would be the better choice, depending on you budget.

Reloading Dies - for pistol I have some very expensive dies that do not load any better than the Lee carbide sets. For rifle it’s another story.

Powder Measure / Dispenser - if you get a progressive or a kit, one will come with it. The absolute best is a Harrel (but at $200-300), RCBS and Hornady are very good choices

Powder Scale – you should get a good balance to start with, as the electronic scales can have problems (get it later). The RCBS 10-10 is my favorite

Calipers – most US brands are made in China by the same company; get one of good quality

Reloading Manual – you never can have too many, my newest is 10 years old, so I won’t make a new recommendation

Case Lube – Imperial Sizing Die Wax for bottleneck cartridges. None is needed for straight wall pistol

Tumbler – you will need one with the volumes you are shooting, but I wont make any recommendations.

I did not comment on the other categories you posted, because either my equipment knowledge on these is not current, or that a selection would be too subjective.

 

[Dacoda]

Harbor Freight Tools is having a special on their 5lb vibratory tumbler. $39.99
I recently just picked one up, so I can't give much feedback on it yet, but if all tumblers are created equally, then I assume it should serve it's purpose.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93252

 

[RustyFN]

I've been shooting about 3-500 rounds of WWB a weekend recently, and I'd like to shoot more or pay less.

You don't want a single stage press if you are going to shoot that much. With a Lee Classic Turret you can load 500 rounds in three hours or less. With a good progressive you can load 500 rounds in about one hour. I enjoy my reloading time so I'm not in a big hurry. I own the Classic Turret. You can buy one fully set up for around $170. If you go Dillon you are looking at around $400.

Powder Measure / Dispenser - the Dillon is much better than the disk thing that comes w/ the lee

The disk thing that comes with the Lee I have found to be very accurate with the powders I have used and very easy to adjust. I have never used Dillon but from all of the threads I have read they are not easy to use. Most Dillon owners buy a powder measure for every caliber they load just for that reason.


Reloading Press: The one that will meet your needs. IMO the best turret would be the Lee Classic. Progressives would be Hornady, RCBS, Dillon and Lee. They all have their little problems, it comes down to which ones do you want to deal with.
Reloading Dies: I can only comment on Lee dies. I use them for pistol and 223 and have had no problems. My powder drops, OAL and crimps have been very consistent.
Powder Measure / Dispenser:You should get one with the press you buy. That said Hornady makes a very good one from what I have been reading. I have been reading where people are putting them on Lee and Dillon presses.
Powder Scale:I have the Lee scale that came with my press and a Pact digital that I bought. I wouldn't recommend buying the Lee unless it comes with a kit. It is very accurate but not easy to use. Most people prefer the RCBS 10-10.
Calipers:I have dial and digital calipers. I prefer the dial caliper. I can't explain why but I just have more confidence in the dial caliper and I don't have to worry about batteries.
Reloading Manual:There are many good reloading manuals and I'm sure you will buy many over time. Speer #13 is a good one.
Storage Containers:Whatever is cheap. I know people that just throw them back into the box that the bulk bullets came in.
Adjustable Wrenches:I haven't needed any.
Bullet Pullers:Buy a hammer type. they are inexpensive and the first time you have to pull around 100 bullets it will make you pay very close attention in the future. Don't ask me how I know this.
Brass Trimmer:You will only need one for rifle. I use the Lee trimmer. For $10 it is fast and easy.
Cartridge Gauge:I don't use one of these either.
Case Lube:I use Hornady One Shot for my rifle brass.
Brass: I reload whatever I pick up at the range.
Powder:I have used Titegroup, Bullseye and HS-6 for pistol. W748 and BLC(2) for 223.
Bullets:So far I have been using Berry's and Ranier plated bullets. I am going to try some cast lead and Zero jacketed for pistol
Way to clean yo brass / bullets:Don't have to clean bullets. The easiest way to clean brass is a tumbler. I prefer walnut media with 1/2 cap full of Nu Finish car polish and a used dryer sheet cut into about 10 pieces added. The car polish will speed up the cleaning process and make your brass look like new. The used dryer sheet will keep everything less dusty and keep your media cleaner.
Figure out how much time you can spend a week reloading and your budget for a press. I am lucky and have a lot of time to spend reloading if I need to. I figure at 200 rounds per hour I can load 1,000 to 1,200 a week if I needed that much and still not need a progressive. Figure out what your needs are and go from there. I would suggest reading and asking more questions before you buy. Nothing worse than buying a press and wanting to upgrade in a few months. I listened to a few people that recommended the Lee Classic Turret over the single stage that others were telling me to get and I'm glad I did. It has met my needs and I don't see myself out growing it soon. Welcome to reloading and good luck.
Rusty

 

[RustyFN]

Dacoda, I have had the same tumble for about eight months and it has worked well. I have been reading where others have started having problems with them. I have cleaned around 10,000 cases so far. I run it for two hours at a time with about 400 pistol cases and 200 223 cases. I think it is fairly quiet also. I have heard of people setting them on a towel or something to make them quieter. Make sure the bottom stays open so the cooling fan can draw air up through the unit to keep it cool.
Rusty

 

[Spark]

Has anyone tried the KISS bullet feeding system

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

The KISS bullet feed system enjoys a good reputation with those that have tried it. But based on your round count, unless you're time is limited, you don't need a KISS bullet feeder or a casefeeder. You'd be better off with just a progressive and if you have plenty of time, a Lee Classic Turret press (An excellent press for a new reloader and experienced alike. I have one on my bench right noxt to my Hornady LnL.)

As far as recommending a progressive, I'm with Shoney's recommendations for the most part.

But before you buy anything, buy yourself a couple manuals recommended in the beginning thread and read through them a couple times. You'll then have a better understanding of reloading and a better idea of what your needs are both short and long term.

Regards,

Dave