a basic list of reloading equipment?
- Thread starter bluearmy
- Start date
1. what calibre(s) are you wanting to reload?
2. bulk, hunting or match grade?
3. budget?
first thing i would do is get a better powder scale, lee's is not the best in the world. i would also pick up some manuals for loads and learning, the abc's of reloading, lyman 49th, etc. Yes to tumbler and bullet puller.
2. bulk, hunting or match grade?
3. budget?
first thing i would do is get a better powder scale, lee's is not the best in the world. i would also pick up some manuals for loads and learning, the abc's of reloading, lyman 49th, etc. Yes to tumbler and bullet puller.
Get a better scale and buy a cheap CT digital vernier. Sooner or later you will want to get a case trimmer, but you will need the vernier to know when to trim.
Chamfering tool and a bullet puller will get you started. And as mentioed above, a couple reloading manuals.
Chamfering tool and a bullet puller will get you started. And as mentioed above, a couple reloading manuals.
The scale will do for now, but you will want to upgrade. Definitely get the CT digital calipers, a good manual(or two or three). Case trimmers will be needed sooner rather than later, but the Lee trimmers are great!
...oh ya, lots of powder.
Tight groups!
...oh ya, lots of powder.
Tight groups!
After having a digital caliper, I switched to the good old fashioned DIAL. I find it easier to see the differences in bullets etc faster as oppose to different numbers. I found mine at Wholesale for about $40 (Hornady) and it seems to work quite well. I think Lee Valley sells the same caliper minus the brand name for $30 (found out after)
I would second the Lyman manual, since they don't make bullets they give you a variety of load data using multiple brands.
If you haven't found a case lube yet, try the Hornady Unique brand. It is a wax lube that is super easy to apply, powder safe, and water soluable to it washes off your hands or equipmend easily.
Evan
I would second the Lyman manual, since they don't make bullets they give you a variety of load data using multiple brands.
If you haven't found a case lube yet, try the Hornady Unique brand. It is a wax lube that is super easy to apply, powder safe, and water soluable to it washes off your hands or equipmend easily.
Evan
Good manual. (I like the Lyman 49th)
Shell holder block.
Lee case gauge for the included trimmer.
Dies
Primers
Powder
Bullets
RCBS collet bullet puller.
Lee quick change bushings.
Digital calipers
The scale will work ok for you if you take your time to figure out how to use it properly. Upgrade it when you have the money to do so. BUT be aware that the cheap digital scales suck. They rarely give repeatable measurements of the same item.
Shell holder block.
Lee case gauge for the included trimmer.
Dies
Primers
Powder
Bullets
RCBS collet bullet puller.
Lee quick change bushings.
Digital calipers
The scale will work ok for you if you take your time to figure out how to use it properly. Upgrade it when you have the money to do so. BUT be aware that the cheap digital scales suck. They rarely give repeatable measurements of the same item.
Ditch the standard lube kit and buy a small tin of Imperial Sizng Die Wax. Much less messy.
Get spare decapping pins and a stuck case remover. Total cost is maybe $15 and everybody, but everybody, winds up needing them (generally after the stores close).
Notebook.
Get spare decapping pins and a stuck case remover. Total cost is maybe $15 and everybody, but everybody, winds up needing them (generally after the stores close).
Notebook.
Lyman is the best IMHO, and you can always consult this online:
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/
RCBS makes great stuff, and their warranty is unbelievable!
Unfortunately can't say the same from Lee's junk.
Ditch the Lee scale and get an RCBS 505, it's a simple question of safety, because the Lee scale doesn't hold the adjustments!
Well at least this thread went two pages before the RCBS fans start slinging the mud. Lee's warranty is just as good as RCBS. Broke my decapping pin on my universal decapper (my fault), contacted Lee and they sent me a replacement with tracking info the next day. I have both Lee and RCBS equipment. Both work well.
