Besides the press and dies what are some reloading items that you should definitely have on hand and spend good money on and also what items do you "usually" buy for life (ie they don't come up for sale used often if at all. That Frankford arsenal tumbler comes to mind)?
In the spirit of buy once cry once.....
- Thread starter sookie_69
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I'm a "make your mistakes on the cheap stuff" kind of guy. Surprisingly I have yet to replace any of it.
Only thing that comes to my dull mind is that you want a scale that is accurate. Some cheap stuff may be a bit more hassle but still very accurate.
Only thing that comes to my dull mind is that you want a scale that is accurate. Some cheap stuff may be a bit more hassle but still very accurate.
A good, large wet tumbler. It's gonna be usefull no matter if you reload tiny 9mm or large magnum rifle rounds. Heck, even if you don't reload, you can sell your brass and get a better price if it's deprimed and tumbled.
Other than that I'm like yomama. I have no problem spending 50$ on a set of dies to learn the difference between cheap and expensive dies. So far, I'd say cheaper dies are a better bang for your buck. Not much beats the Lee 4 dies pistol sets if you're reloading pistol rounds imho.
Other than that I'm like yomama. I have no problem spending 50$ on a set of dies to learn the difference between cheap and expensive dies. So far, I'd say cheaper dies are a better bang for your buck. Not much beats the Lee 4 dies pistol sets if you're reloading pistol rounds imho.
-Get a good trimmer. I have an RCBS for my AR reloads with a 3 way trimmer and a Lyman universal for all the other calibres.
-A good balance beam scale, I don't trust electronic after being screwed by them wandering, and they are finicky
- powder measure from any of the big names, I use Lyman and RCBS. Lyman is consistent with the knocker and mounts to the bench with a clamp so it is removable and easy to dump out. The RCBS can be had with micro meter measure that is easy to set back to a known load, just write down the setting.
-A good balance beam scale, I don't trust electronic after being screwed by them wandering, and they are finicky
- powder measure from any of the big names, I use Lyman and RCBS. Lyman is consistent with the knocker and mounts to the bench with a clamp so it is removable and easy to dump out. The RCBS can be had with micro meter measure that is easy to set back to a known load, just write down the setting.
hillbros_96
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Forester single stage press, Dillion 650 progressive press along with RCBS Digital dispenser and the FA wet tumbler
RCBS chargemaster, I've found it accurate and repeatable but there is no doubt that you can get more accurate scales. It speeds up the process noticeably.
Labradar Chronograph, will show you how consistent your loads are.
Both are electronic so they are no doubt prone to failure or obsolescence when the newest mouse trap is invented, but will serve the need so long as they continue to work.
Labradar Chronograph, will show you how consistent your loads are.
Both are electronic so they are no doubt prone to failure or obsolescence when the newest mouse trap is invented, but will serve the need so long as they continue to work.
I say it depends on how much reloading you are going to do and what you are reloading for.
If you are looking to get into precision or long range shooting your needs are going to be quite different then say wanting to load a couple boxes of 300 Wby because you don't want to pay 80 bucks a box for your hunting rounds.
I load hunting rounds. I have one of those "Lee everything in a box" reloading kits that I paid about 150 bucks for. It works fine and have never had an issue, but only load a couple hundred rounds a year - so it's "enough for me".
If you are looking to get into precision or long range shooting your needs are going to be quite different then say wanting to load a couple boxes of 300 Wby because you don't want to pay 80 bucks a box for your hunting rounds.
I load hunting rounds. I have one of those "Lee everything in a box" reloading kits that I paid about 150 bucks for. It works fine and have never had an issue, but only load a couple hundred rounds a year - so it's "enough for me".
I've been using Lee stuff for 20 years.. Yet to replace anything and easily do 5000 rounds a year.. All on a single stage.. Lol in fact last night I primed 308 brass before I trimmed.. So ended up trimming it on a bastered file class. Pedestrian in a vice.. Lol
YES!!! I have been saved many times by these 2 items.
Well so far I've accumulated a bunch of reloading stuff without knowing anything or reloading a single round. I've got an xl650 set up that I posted about the other day and a rcbs single stage with 505 beam scale, powder measure, trimmer, auto primer and trickler that I pulled out of a storage locker.
So you basically got a cadillac and a porsche but have no clue how to drive.
There is no bad way to start. Personally I like starting out jn a new project in a simple, inexpensive way, gaining and using my own experience as I go. If you get something that you find doesn't suit you the world doesn't stop, just replace it later - when you have enough personal experience to know what you want without having to have ask somebody what your opinion should be. Talking is over-rated, doing is under-rated.
Get a good balance beam scale and you will have use for it for the rest of your life. Everything else is subjective but keep in mind that most of the internet advice you'll get is from people who learned everything they know on internet forums. A lot of the experts, aren't.
It's only reloading gear, not medical devices. If you want to upgrade later it's easy to sell what you have now. Try not to sweat the details too much. There is no bad choice here.
Get a good balance beam scale and you will have use for it for the rest of your life. Everything else is subjective but keep in mind that most of the internet advice you'll get is from people who learned everything they know on internet forums. A lot of the experts, aren't.
It's only reloading gear, not medical devices. If you want to upgrade later it's easy to sell what you have now. Try not to sweat the details too much. There is no bad choice here.
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I've spent a lot of money on cleaning brass.
Dry media, to ultrasonic to stainless wet tumble. Thumlers Tumbler model B is where you want to be in that aspect.
I've also spent a lot of money on other brass prep. Auto trimmers and such. I've settled on the Frankford Arsenal platinum case trimmer for my semi auto calibers, and a Hornady manual trimmer for hunting / precision rounds. I should have bought the Dillon trimmer for my press, but i'm far beyond that point now.
Dillon 650xl was a lot of crying when that bill came in. Don't regret it in the least now that it's paid for itself.
Dry media, to ultrasonic to stainless wet tumble. Thumlers Tumbler model B is where you want to be in that aspect.
I've also spent a lot of money on other brass prep. Auto trimmers and such. I've settled on the Frankford Arsenal platinum case trimmer for my semi auto calibers, and a Hornady manual trimmer for hunting / precision rounds. I should have bought the Dillon trimmer for my press, but i'm far beyond that point now.
Dillon 650xl was a lot of crying when that bill came in. Don't regret it in the least now that it's paid for itself.
