what would I need in addition to a Lee Anniversary Kit?

[nico]

Sorry for the newbie question, but I've searched a couple times and haven't really found an answer. If I bought a Lee Anniversary Kit, what else would I have to buy (besides brass, primers, bullets, and powder) to start reloading? Do dies have to be the same brand as the press, and if not, would the Cabelas Reloading Starter kit be worth the money? I would be loading .270 Win rifle cartridges and possibly eventually loading 9mm handgun cartridges. thanks

 

[mparris71]

First you need to read some manuals (If you haven’t already), or get the Anniversary kit with the Lee’s manual include. Other than the Anniversary kit you will need a set of dies, doesn’t matter brand wise. Lee makes very good dies. You will need a way to trim the brass. Lee's trimming system works well cutter and lock ring plus the appropriate trim shell holder and plot (last two come together) and you need a good set of calipers to measure COL.

 

[Dave R]

Dies do not have to be the same brand. You can use any dies with the Lee press.

I think the only other thing you need is a caliper, to measure overall length. And maybe a case trimmer?

Mparris. Beat me, but he's right, obviosuly

 

[Cortland]

You don't need a case trimmer. The kit comes with Lee's case trimming chuck and trimmer head--just get the case length gauge for the appropriate caliber. If you have a little more money to spend you might look into getting Lee's Classic Cast press.

You should also get a kinetic bullet puller. You'll probably want a vibratory case cleaner, too. Ditto on the calipers. Lee dies are excellent (and typically the least expensive); I see no compelling reason to buy any other dies.

 

[nico]

Thanks for the replies.
About how much more would it cost if I got the Classic Cast press and all the other tools that make up the Anniversary Kit separately? Is the

 

[ojibweindian]

My costs to get into the reloading game:


Lee
Case chamfer ~ $3.00
Trimmer ~ $4.00
Case Length Gauge ~ $4.00

Lyman
Primer Pocket Cleaner ~ $4.00
Pro 1000 scale ~ $70.00

That's about what I can remember off the top of my head.

 

[cdbeaver]

If you buy Lee dies, the shell holder is included. Other brands do not provide a shell holder and it must be bought separately.

Hornady, Speer and Sierra sell good loading manuals. Any or all of those will be helpful for a beginner.

 

[Cortland]

I don't know the cost of buying those items w/o the press, but the iron Classic Cast press is something that can stay with you forever. The aluminum Challenger press on the other hand is probably something that will eventually get replaced if you stick with reloading. The Classic Cast is a good deal more expensive than the Challenger at $55, but a bargain compared to other brands' comparable presses.

 

[JA]

The Cabela's kit is not a very good deal.
Lee dies are your best bang for the buck.
The only other tools needed to reload 270 Winchester with the Lee Anniversery kit is a set of 270 dies and the Lee 270 case trimmer gauge. For 9mm only dies as case trimming is really not needed on pistol cases.