just got some gear, need help

[dirtybob]

hey all this is my first plunge into reloading my own ammo. i just traded a guy for a scale, press, dies, and powder. on the sacle it says OHAUS 5.0.5, is this any good? the press is red, it saus "lee" on it, i assume that is the maker. it has a plunger type deal on it that when you pull it down the place where the round sits goes up to where the dies go, i think. on the top it has 3 threaded holes, for dies? and the powder is HODGDON H4350 Rifle Powder, 1lb jar. the dies that came with the setup are for .300 win mag, i dont shoot that round so i guess i dont need them. so now that you know what i have, what do i need? i know where i can get all the brass i want for free(puplic range) but i know i will need bullets and primers and dies for the respective calibers i plan to reload. but what else? im sure there are alot of things that i need, things i dont need, and things that will just plan make doing this easyer. i plan to re-load .223 .270 .45 to start. and if i like it i will expand to other calibers as my gun collection grows. thanks.
DB

[TheBigCA2x]

Poodleshooter just about covered it all.

You should buy LEE Carbide dies. Better than the steel ones, and they allege you don't need to lube cases. However, I do anyway. Will make things last longer. You'll need a neck sizing die as well for rifle. LEE has a universal one.

I would suggest buying the LEE manual. It's well written and reads fast. ALWAYS FOLLOW A RECIPE! We don't want to have to start calling ya STUMPY!!!

[Bret]

I would also advise purchasing several reloading manuals. I got started with the Lyman Reloading Handbook. It gave me a real good idea of what to do. I have since purchased Speer, Hornady, Nosler, and Lee manuals. Each one has offered me some insight that the others didn't.

I would also advise that you not use brass that you find at the local range. You don't really know the condition of what you are picking up. It might have already been reload several times or have some other unknown problem. I buy new factory ammunition and then just pick up the brass after I shoot it. You can also just buy new brass. It's not too expensive when you consider that you can reload it several times.

Also remember that when it comes to reloading, the only dumb questions are the ones that should have been asked. Everyone is happy to share their experience, so don't hesitate to ask any question.

- Bret

[dirtybob]

http://www.midwayusa.com/online/prodsearch.exe/BuildLink?SaleItemID=282576
this is the press that i got yesterday. but mine does not have the little peice in front, that little bent doo-hikee. dont know what its called or even what it is for. do you all think for the first time loader it would be best to buy new pre-primed brass? would i have to trim it? how much more expencive is it than just un-primed brass? and what are some good sorces for manuals, dies, powder bullets and brass? i like to do a one stop shop type deal. thanks
DB

[ 04-10-2001: Message edited by: dirtybob ]

[whb99]

midway ought to have everything you need, and their prices are usually very good. first thing to do is READ READ READ!!!!!

reloading is 1 thing that keeps me from being a true ak fan, cause i'm always trying to keep up with my brass! even though it's steel and berdan primed, i'm still looking for it.... i guess you know you're hooked on reloading when you shoot a deer, and the first thing you do is look for the case!

[Poodleshooter]

Alright, lots of questions, here goes:
Ohaus are reputed to be good scales, but I've never used one myself.
Lee presses are considered the entry level models. I load on a rather simple Lee 'C' press and I've been loading for about 10 years. It sounds as if you have a Lee turret press, or maybe a Loadmaster. Got a picture of it? Get a good manual and read through it completely before reloading! Those holes are indeed for dies. It is set up so you can put all or most of the dies for a given caliber onto the press to speed up your operation. H-4350 is a fairly slow burning rifle powder. It may be good for heavy bullet loads in your .270, but you'll probably need to get at least 3 different powders-one for each caliber you plan to reload.
Here's a list of everything I can think of besides dies, and components and the scale:
-MANUALS notice I specified more than one. These will teach you how to reload. It's dangerous as hell if you don't know enough.
-trim kit for each cartridge (trims the cases to proper length)
-priming tool (priming on the press may be an option for you, but I don't know what kind of press you have) It's always nice to have a seperate priming tool anyway
-a set of shelholders for your press (these hold your cases in place and fit a certain series of cartridges)
-a set of shellholders for the priming tool
-primer pocket cleaning tool
-case neck deburring tool (after you trim, you clean the burrs off of the case neck)
-case lube (the spray on stuff is the fastest method. You won't need to do this for pistol cartridges if you buy carbide dies)
-powder dispenser (either a simple set of dippers, or a real powder measure that dispenses charges quickly)
-powder funnels (may or may not be necessary)
-cartridge trays (blocks to hold the cartridges upright while you load and sort them.
-caliper (measures case length and lots of other stuff)
There's probably a shitload of other stuff I forgot.
Here are some guys to buy stuff from: www.wideners.com (http://www.wideners.com) www.midwayusa.com (http://www.midwayusa.com)
order their catalogs. These have lots of good pictures that will help educate you.

Get those manuals first and read the introductory info on reloading.

Also, the reloading forum here is visited by about 10 people, so try visiting the relaoding forums at www.thefiringline.com (http://www.thefiringline.com) and www.loadyourown.com (http://www.loadyourown.com)
good luck

[TheBigCA2x]

Prime your own. Resize and trim always. You want all rounds you load to be uniform. MidwayUSA doesn't charge shipping, so they're your one stop shopping source.

[ 04-11-2001: Message edited by: TheBigCA ]

[Poodleshooter]

Midway's cool, but if you want more than $100 worth of stuff, Wideners often has better prices and free shipping on orders over $100. They also have free shipping on several of their individual items. They usually beat Midway then.
dirtybob-you have the turret press. The doo-hicky on the front is their priming arrangement. Get the Lee AutoPrime tool. Priming on the turret press is a big PITA-you have to manually place each primer in that little aluminum 'T' shape that stick out of the front of the base. Your press is pretty good, and if you use the autoindex, can be pretty quick. It would be faster if Lee had a better priming system. The AutoPrime II may work on the turret, but I'm not sure.....
As for brass. I shoot pickups all the time. Just sort them by headstamp and toss stuff with defects (any good manual should have pictures of bad brass). Best thing to do is just shoot factory ammo and reload your own brass. Bum it off people at the range, or trade a target or two for their brass. Scrounge the garbage cans for full boxes of good brass. I picked up a full box of shiny new federal premium 30/06 brass a few weeks ago. Buying brass is one of the most expensive parts of reloading. I try to never do it if I can.

[TheBigCA2x]

Dirtybob:

How you doing on all this???

I was thinking about doing a little loading today.

[JA]

http://www.reload-nrma.com/ has step by step text and pics on how to reload. Also a downloadable video showing how to step by step.
The best bang for your buck in reloading equipment is Lee. Lee dies come with a shell holder for a 1/3 the cost of other brands of dies. The cost savings in Lee dies is done by the lack of a nice outside finish of them not the quality of the ammo they produce.
The Lee case trimmer is cheap and very easy to use. The Lee handprimer is very good and holds 100 primers. I have a friend that is a commerical reloader and uses several of them for priming rifle cases while on road trips to pickup/deliver ammo and supplies.
If you have any questions or problems feel free to email me at j.a.freeman@worldnet.att.net anytime.

[Gremlin]

Reloading is real safe if you just limit your destractions relax and take your time. You will probably find it to be relaxing. When you get a rythem to it you will be suprised how fast you just loaded a cuople hundred rounds. The scale you have is a good one. I have one of the same I use for larger stuff. For powder I use a Lee Saftey Scale. Since it only weighs up to 105 grains I is extremly accurate for weighing powders. For reloading tools go to
www.fmreloading.com I havent found lower prices on Lee dies any where on the net.