Opinions/knowledge needed please

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Inquisitor

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Hello, I am trying to get into handloading and could use some help. I want to reload for 7.62x54R and I want to start with a Lee hand press. I'm just a little confused about the dies I need. I start seeing terms like collet dies, neck sizing dies, full length resizing dies, etc and my head spins.

I have read a few manuals and guides but Id prefer to get some answers from those that have been there before. I want to reload millitary brass that I have fired out of my mosin, and well as some unfired brass that a friend gave me.

I guess my main questions is:
What dies do I need (for the type of loading I will do - plinking loads and hunting loads) for the Lee Hand press kit?

this is my prelim shopping list (numbers are item numbers from Lee website):
Lee Hand Press kit 90179
Lee Safety Scale 90681
Limited Broduction Pacesetter Dies 7.62x54R 90731
Cutter and Lock Stud 90110
Case Length Gauge 90147

Your help is greatly appreciated; thanks guys.
 
Looks like your good to go - the Pacesetter die set is perfect for your set-up. You'll also need the Lee Auto Prime - to install new primers in the brass, and the Lee Perfect Powder measure to conveniently meter powder charges, and some Lee Case lube. And a case mouth chamfer tool, primer pocket cleaning tool, and powder funnel.
You may want to consider the Lee Aniversary kit - you get all this stuff, a better press, and a reloading manual. All you need extra is the dies.
You may find the military brass is poorly suited to reloading. Hard to work, particularly with a a hand press, and possibly Berdan primed. (You may want to pick up some Boxer primed commercial brass.)
 
The only change I would make is to get a reg Press. My sugg is a Lee Turret press, they work very well & allow you to leave dies "set-up" in it. Everyone I know that's started out with a hand press quickly gratuates. It's easy to mount a reg press on a board that can be quickly & easily clamped to a table! You will find it much easier to full size any brass that way. :)
 
I will reiterate what Cosmic said about Berdan primers, they are close to impossible to work with, so make sure you can use Boxer type primers.

A bench mounted press is also reccomended.

I watched the EE and Ebay for a few months and picked up what I needed bit by bit for not much $ outlay. Ended up with better stuff than what comes with the Aniversary kit for less money.
 
The handpress is great, everyone should have one. If is, by no means though a replacement for a bench press. I's great for seating and neck sizing, but for FL sizing or nexk sizing with a collet die you really should have a bench press.

I'd also recommend the Lee hand priming tool as opposed to the press operated one. It's about $15, plus about $4 for each shellholder you need.
 
Hmm I may just get the Anniversary reloading kit... thanks for the thoughts.

Is it possible to use the military brass with boxer primers? I have a lot of surplus ammo and I dont want the brass to go to waste.
 
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