my wife bought me this kit along with a set of 30.06 dies. the box sasys this kit contains everything i need to load minus the dies. im wondering if theres anything else i should get to use with this kit or if this kit does in fact contain all the items ill need or if any part of it should be upgraded? i know the scale is a basic one and people say to get a good digital one but that will come with time.
lee breech lock challenger kit, what else do i need?
- Thread starter uchi
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You need the .30-06 case length gauge from Lee to use the included trimmer for your cases. Also a set of digital calipres to measure lengths and safety glasses. The Lee Modern Reloading manual (or Lyman or any other manual).
After this theres tons of stuff you can buy but don't have to have.
After this theres tons of stuff you can buy but don't have to have.
A powder trickler is nice to have as well.
The scale is a basic scale, however, if used correctly it is more accurate than a lot of the digital scales out there. Even the RCBS Chargemaster is only accurate to +/- 0.1 gr. So, if you have your load set at 44.5 gr it will actually vary between 44.4 and 44.6 gr.
The Lee scale can be a little tedious to use at first, but once you get used to it and develop a rhythm it's not too bad.
The scale is a basic scale, however, if used correctly it is more accurate than a lot of the digital scales out there. Even the RCBS Chargemaster is only accurate to +/- 0.1 gr. So, if you have your load set at 44.5 gr it will actually vary between 44.4 and 44.6 gr.
The Lee scale can be a little tedious to use at first, but once you get used to it and develop a rhythm it's not too bad.
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+1 on the powder trickler and digital scale. The press itself is superb, but the scale is rubbish. I suspect it was perfect way back before digital scales, but there are better options now.
Some extra breech bolts are also handy. I can't remember what they're actually called; they're the bit your screw the dies into. I've got a dozen of them; immensely useful to have extras when you are reloading for a number of different rifles.
Some extra breech bolts are also handy. I can't remember what they're actually called; they're the bit your screw the dies into. I've got a dozen of them; immensely useful to have extras when you are reloading for a number of different rifles.
I don't know what the kit contains and I don't feel like looking it up, so here is the minimum I would suggest as a starting point, and you can fiugure out what you are lacking:
1. press (plus die adapters if required, such as lock'n'load, breech lock, etc)
2. dies + shell holder (lee dies c/w holder, most other makes do not)
3. lee case length gauge and cutter
4. magnetic dampened beam scale
5. powder funnel
6. digital or dial caliper
7. case prep set - (deburring tool and large/small primer pocket cleaners)
8. case lube (not needed for straight wall pistol cartridges resized with carbide dies)
9. primer seater (i think your press comes with a tool)
10. Reloading manual(s) (Lyman Reloading Manual, 49th Edition).
11. powder measure and trickler (you can get by without these but get them anyway)
I would say those items are a minimum setup, after that it's up to you.
I would recommend DO NOT buy a bunch of fancy electronic scales and such to start with - learn the basics without unnecessary distractions and then when you have a good handle on that you can start looking at upgrading the periphereal tools. Electronic scale is nice if you're loading a lot, really more trouble than it's worth for loading 20 rifle cartridges at a time. Depends on your volume. Weigh every charge until you really get a handle on things.
Brass tumbler is nice, but optional - you can clean cases very well with soapy water and an old towel.
1. press (plus die adapters if required, such as lock'n'load, breech lock, etc)
2. dies + shell holder (lee dies c/w holder, most other makes do not)
3. lee case length gauge and cutter
4. magnetic dampened beam scale
5. powder funnel
6. digital or dial caliper
7. case prep set - (deburring tool and large/small primer pocket cleaners)
8. case lube (not needed for straight wall pistol cartridges resized with carbide dies)
9. primer seater (i think your press comes with a tool)
10. Reloading manual(s) (Lyman Reloading Manual, 49th Edition).
11. powder measure and trickler (you can get by without these but get them anyway)
I would say those items are a minimum setup, after that it's up to you.
I would recommend DO NOT buy a bunch of fancy electronic scales and such to start with - learn the basics without unnecessary distractions and then when you have a good handle on that you can start looking at upgrading the periphereal tools. Electronic scale is nice if you're loading a lot, really more trouble than it's worth for loading 20 rifle cartridges at a time. Depends on your volume. Weigh every charge until you really get a handle on things.
Brass tumbler is nice, but optional - you can clean cases very well with soapy water and an old towel.
excellent thanks for the help guys, ive got both a digital and dial caliper in my shop so that isnt a problem. were making a trip ove rthe boarder for cheap supplies in the next week or so and ill get the couple things you guys mentioned. also for now ill only be loading 30.06 but eventually 9mm as well but those are still fairly cheap to shoot and i havent decided if theyre worth the time to reload. thanks again for all the help guys
+1 on the digital scale!!! The scale i got with my kit had no white lines on the marks, kinda hard to see if it got no white lines
...unacceptable!!! I painted the very fine lines with my wife's white nail polish but still hard to see. If you are loading for more than one caliber, get yourself an extra set of quick change bushings. You will very much appreciate them in the end!!! As stated above, get your self a case length gauge for your specific caliber(s) and you will need the dies for them as well. For a starting kit, I just picked up the Pacesetter dies and they worked fine. They come with full instructions, decapper/full length sizer, bullet seater, Lee Factory Crimp Die, dipper, shell holder, and instructions for your caliber. If you plan to load up in high volume, get yourself a good case trimmer. The one that comes with the kit works excellent but after 50+ cases of trimming, your hands will start to hurt. Most of the other stuff is already covered by the guys above.
...unacceptable!!! I painted the very fine lines with my wife's white nail polish but still hard to see. If you are loading for more than one caliber, get yourself an extra set of quick change bushings. You will very much appreciate them in the end!!! As stated above, get your self a case length gauge for your specific caliber(s) and you will need the dies for them as well. For a starting kit, I just picked up the Pacesetter dies and they worked fine. They come with full instructions, decapper/full length sizer, bullet seater, Lee Factory Crimp Die, dipper, shell holder, and instructions for your caliber. If you plan to load up in high volume, get yourself a good case trimmer. The one that comes with the kit works excellent but after 50+ cases of trimming, your hands will start to hurt. Most of the other stuff is already covered by the guys above.
Uchi, Just some friendly advise; reloading supplies, ie; brass, powder, primers, & bullets are export restricted from the U.S. This means that you have to have an export permit to take them out of the U.S. Border Services do make spot checks on vehicles leaving the U.S. (I have been stopped & checked) & would like nothing better than to snap on the rubber gloves . Reloading tools are ok to bring across.
George
. Reloading tools are ok to bring across.George
good to know, ive got a buddy that i shoot with that works for the boarder so ill trust his judgement as to what he is willing to bring back with me, but he helped my wife get the press and got her a good deal on it so ill be going over to get a few other items listed in here with him.
my wife got the 30.06 dies with the press but the quick change bushings are a must as i wanna reload 9mm in the near future as well i think.
thanks for all the help guys
my wife got the 30.06 dies with the press but the quick change bushings are a must as i wanna reload 9mm in the near future as well i think.
thanks for all the help guys
hes up to speed on that and i wont try and get him to break them, dont wanna risk his job over something like this.
what are the rules on exporting ammunition from the u.s? i wouldnt mind getting some cheaper 30.06 rounds if i could to add to my brass collection
what are the rules on exporting ammunition from the u.s? i wouldnt mind getting some cheaper 30.06 rounds if i could to add to my brass collection
If your buddy works for the border patrol, you'd better ask him because he probably knows best! See link
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238177
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238177
