Newbie Questions - Considering Hornady Lock N Load kit - What else do I need?

[quikcolin]

Hey everyone,

I'm so new to this I don't even fully understand the terminology of the different dies, etc.

I'm considering buying a Lock-N-Load from Hornady (let me know if there is a better option?). I'd like to reload 6.5 Creedmoor, .223 and 9mm. Do I need to purchase those "dies" separately? Anything else that doesn't come in the kit? I literally have no clue.

I think I need to get a tumbler to clean the brass, right? Replace the scale it comes with? Do I need a trimmer (for when the brass is a bit too long?), anything else?

PS - is there such a thing as a tumbler that won't drive my neighbours crazy and make my wife want to shoot me? I understand they're annoyingly loud and need to run for hours.

Any advice to someone looking to get into reloading is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[yomomma]

First thing...get this moved to the reloading section.

Second thing...get into casting bullets and come back

 

[ted_dent]

Hey everyone,

I'm so new to this I don't even fully understand the terminology of the different dies, etc.

I'm considering buying a Lock-N-Load from Hornady (let me know if there is a better option?). I'd like to reload 6.5 Creedmoor, .223 and 9mm. Do I need to purchase those "dies" separately? Anything else that doesn't come in the kit? I literally have no clue.

I think I need to get a tumbler to clean the brass, right? Replace the scale it comes with? Do I need a trimmer (for when the brass is a bit too long?), anything else?

PS - is there such a thing as a tumbler that won't drive my neighbours crazy and make my wife want to shoot me? I understand they're annoyingly loud and need to run for hours.

Any advice to someone looking to get into reloading is appreciated.

Thanks!

Yes, move this to Reloading for more answers but in the meantime:
1. it will work fine for 6.5 Creedmoor, .223 and 9mm but you will need separate die sets and shellholders for each of those calibres. Probably a good idea to get extra Lock n Load bushings for each die set as well. The 6.5 Creedmoor and .223 won't be bad as you won't be shooting them by the hundreds but reloading 9mm or any other high volume handgun cartridge gets old real fast on a single stage press.
2. vibratory tumblers are fairly quiet but won't get the brass (especially the primer pockets) as clean as noisier steel pin tumblers. This is not a high priority item right off the bat, however.
3. if you're reloading rifle cases a trimmer is a must. Not needed with most pistol brass, however.
4. Looks like the LnL kit comes with an electronic scale. It will probably do but some people like the manual scales more. Try it and see if you get consistent charges (will need another scale to compare them to).

Lots of knowledgeable people on this site to help you out. Tons of YouTube videos available as well. Do lot of reading & viewing before you start. Reloading is fun, economical and very rewarding but there is the potential for serious accidents if you don't follow all safety precautions (checking for multiple powder charges, bullet seating depths, etc.).