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NewbieAKguy
07-26-2010, 12:14 AM
Okay then. My next purchase will be a tumbler; I'm leaning towards Hornady's new cleaner. I'm seeing it selling for $90 or so. So after getting the tumbler, what should be my next purchases? Obviously the conversion kits and dies for each caliber I want, but I'm talking case trimmer, calipers, etc. Oh, and speaking of dies, which ones? I've seen carbide and non carbine. Hmmm, maybe you seasoned pros can make a beginner's list of basic tools/machines needed for reloading newbs to start up? :think:

abpt1
07-26-2010, 01:18 PM
Okay then. My next purchase will be a tumbler; I'm leaning towards Hornady's new cleaner. I'm seeing it selling for $90 or so. So after getting the tumbler, what should be my next purchases? Obviously the conversion kits and dies for each caliber I want, but I'm talking case trimmer, calipers, etc. Oh, and speaking of dies, which ones? I've seen carbide and non carbine. Hmmm, maybe you seasoned pros can make a beginner's list of basic tools/machines needed for reloading newbs to start up? :think:


OK here is some stuff to keep your brain busy for a few days ....


Deburing tool chafing tool flash hole tool or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d81l62J1VmI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaZHeSUqQbk
or maybe

http://www.giraudtool.com/


Make sure to get carbide dies they will not get stuck as easy

make sure to use a good amount of hornady one shot .
Get your self a few extra Decaping pins
primer flip tray
Full lenght case gages http://www.dillonprecision.com/content/p/9/pid/25548/catid/3/Dillon_Handgun_Case_Gages
I like the walnut media IMHO corncobb is shit But its good for last polish to remove case lube .


I like the old 1292 midway tumblers I have two but i think the LG dillon tumbler is my next purchase !

O.S.O.K.
08-03-2010, 02:56 PM
If you want good feedback, then offer specifics.

What are you reloading? Caliber? What kind of bullets?

I highly recommend carbide pistol dies. Otherwise, you'll have to lube your pistol cases prior to resizing. With carbide dies, just having them clean is enough.

If you're going to load lead boolits into rifle cartridges, you'll want a Lee universal case belling tool - or the Lyman version. This flares the case mouth a bit to keep from shaving lead off the outside of the boolits when seating them.

NewbieAKguy
08-04-2010, 02:38 AM
If you want good feedback, then offer specifics.

What are you reloading? Caliber? What kind of bullets?

I highly recommend carbide pistol dies. Otherwise, you'll have to lube your pistol cases prior to resizing. With carbide dies, just having them clean is enough.

If you're going to load lead boolits into rifle cartridges, you'll want a Lee universal case belling tool - or the Lyman version. This flares the case mouth a bit to keep from shaving lead off the outside of the boolits when seating them.

My bad. I'm going to be reloading 9mm, .45acp, .223, .308, and .30-06 for my Garand. I plan on using plated/fmj type bullets for all, no lead bullets.

O.S.O.K.
08-04-2010, 08:59 AM
ETA: I just saw your other post - you got a Dillon 550B - OK, that's done then - look at the kits below - they have all of the other stuff you need shown - that's the basic set-up.

-----------------------------

OK - that narrows it down.

As I mentioned, definately get the carbide dies for the pistol calibers. I have mostly RCBS and have never had any trouble with them. I also have some Lee sets but some of them have been a little wanting...

For the rifle dies, I really like the Hornady die sets.

Remember that with RCBS and Hornady, you need to order the shell holders separately.

As for the way to go with the press, etc. - this is where opinion really varies. Some will say start with a good single stage press and some will say start with an intermediate one like the Dillon 550B and some will say to go right to the progressive press.

I'm one that says to start with a quality single stage press - my pick is always the RCBS Rockchucker. In fact, to make it easy, just get their master handloading kit:

http://media.midwayusa.com/ProductImages/Large/646599.jpg

Here's the link to Midway - they have it on clearance but I'd check around on pricing...
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=646599

That kit has everything you need to start loading accept the dies and components. And its all quality stuff.

If that's too rich for your blood, then Lee's Anniversary kit will also get the job done:

http://media.midwayusa.com/ProductImages/Large/423081.jpg

htthttp://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=423081p:// (http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=423081p://)

Its quite a bit less but has a lot of plastic in the construction and isn't as smoothly operating - and won't last as long as the RCBS stuff - but it loads quality ammo...

As to other additional stuff:

You already mentioned the brass tumbler - along with media
Calipers - I use the basic stainless steel slide calipers for measuring case length, etc.
Extra loading trays
Additional Load Books - Lee's is good, Hodgdon, Hornady, Speer (If you like Hornady Bullets, then get the Hornady - like Speer, then get that - ect.)
Powder trickler - used to help weigh stick powder charges
Powder measure stand - if it doesn't come with the kit you choose
Ammo boxes - by caliber - the Berry's or similar plastic ones work very well
Large adjustable wrench if you don't have one already
Stoney Point bullet seating depth guage and coparitor kit - this is an accuracy tool that allows you to guage just how close you are seating the bullets to the lands in your rifles. I use mine a lot.

There are many many other tools that you can purchase - depending on just how much work you want to put into accurizing your loads...

You mentioned that the 30-06 was for a Garand - be sure and only use the fast to middle burning powders for that - no 4350 or slower powders as they tend to over work the op rod - I's suggest a separate post on just that - loading for the Garand.

Gunreference1
08-04-2010, 09:54 AM
http://www.lymanproducts.com/includes/img/lyman/publications/49th_edition.jpg

NewbieAKguy, just a recommendation from me. Find a copy of the Lyman Reloading Handbook. The latest version is the 49th Edition. The first section of the book gives a very complete description of the basic reloading process as well as reloading data for many calibers. I feel it is a wise investment. Just my $0.02.

Steve

abpt1
08-04-2010, 10:33 AM
My bad. I'm going to be reloading 9mm, .45acp, .223, .308, and .30-06 for my Garand. I plan on using plated/fmj type bullets for all, no lead bullets.
AFAIK no one works pistol brass so 9mm or 45acp should be good rounds to start with since there is very little prep unlike the rifle brass . Unless your shooting a glock .40 then you will need one of these ..http://www.redding-reloading.com/new-products/3-g-rx-push-thru-base-sizing-die

O.S.O.K.
08-04-2010, 01:24 PM
I saw a case sizer kit from Lee that was advertised recently - just tried to find it in the mags but couldn't locate it. Its basically their push-through bullet sizer mod'd to push brass through - they had 40S&W, .380 and a couple others listed - no 9mm though which is strange. I also looked on their web site and didn't find it there....

I have a Khar 9 that needs the brass sized down to factory spec or it won't chamber the rounds. I have a modified (by RCBS) sizer die that gets far enough down on the case to reduce it enough to work but a push-through would be a lot better.

NewbieAKguy
08-04-2010, 10:54 PM
Don't plan on getting a .40 since I'm happy with my 9mm and .45acp. Thanks guys for the info/tips. I've got some reloading manuals at my gramp's since he's loading up some .223 for me until I can get my own going....grampa rules! So I take it other companies' dies can work in the dillon? Wow, looks like I've still got quite a bit to get before I can get started. Which reminds me, I should swing by menards or lowes to see if I can find a decent reloading bench. As for loading for the garand, duke venturino, who writes for guns magazine listed recipes he uses for his garand and '03 springfields a few issues back and I copied the page.

Broondog
08-06-2010, 01:44 AM
i would suggest this book as well as any and all reloading spec books you can find. there is no such thing as too much information.

http://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Reloading-Definitive-Novice-Expert/dp/1440213968/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281076813&sr=8-3

i have the 8th Edition of this book and it served me well when i started out, and continues to do so. it covers damned near everything except how to keep your wife out of your hair when you are working. :biggrina:

O.S.O.K.
08-10-2010, 10:51 AM
Can't have too many load books. Mine are getting "old" and I need to get some updates... for the new powders and bullets now available.

This is definately a hobby that requires that you keep updated.

sisyphus
08-12-2010, 11:23 PM
Hey, if you have a "gramps" that's been reloading for a while he probably has a wealth of info from first-hand experience. The advice given here about manuals, etc. is also good, but having somebody you can talk to that has the answers and can show you hands-on is primo.

Just go slow and soak it all in and follow the safety rules like a religion. It takes a while before you get the feel and habit of reloading but you'll do fine.

az_paul
08-12-2010, 11:42 PM
Probably the most frustrating thing will be when you're rolling along reloading rifle brass and one gets stuck in the die. If you lube up the brass and die enough and learn to stop when you feel something isn't normal, you'll be OK. Good Luck!! Do remember that like anything else in this wonderful hobby, it's addictive.

GunBum
08-30-2010, 10:16 AM
Get a part time job. You'll need it to buy all the gadgets :roflwithfeetcv2:

Seriously, reloading is great way to stretch you shooting money into more shots downrange. Just add a little at a time as the need arises. You'll notice which gadgets you need as load. :coffee: