Hey guys I picked up a Lee 50th anniversary reloading kit and a set of dies and a reloading book today. What alse should I be picking up. A set of calipers is a must have Im pretty sure. Anything alse that you guys can think of ? This is my first time reloading.
Reloading Supplies
- Thread starter GDavies
- Start date
punkrockboy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Eastern Bantario!
I dont think the 50th anniversary kit has the lee hand prime tool, you definitely want that ( I think its called the Auto-prime . ) It is so much easier for priming. Another suggestion would be a tumbler for cleaning your brass. As well, you may want something for trimming the brass, depending on what you are reloading for.
-Case trimmer and pilots;
-Calipers;
-Primers/Powder/Projectiles;
-Case lube pad
-Tumbler and polishing media sooner or later (you can hand-polish or not polish for the first while; up to you).
That'll get you started on things for some 'bare bones' reloads at the moment... Some additional 'creature comforts' can be added later, such as:
-Better scale;
-Powder trickler;
-Loading blocks;
-Cartridge boxes;
-Primer pocket uniformer;
-Flash hole deburring tool;
-Bullet length comparator;
-OAL gauge (e.g. Hornady) - you can make your own OAL gauge if you've got a good touch with a collet die.
I know I'm forgetting a few things, but the top short-list should have you in pretty good stead with the 50th Anniversary kit.
-M
-Calipers;
-Primers/Powder/Projectiles;
-Case lube pad
-Tumbler and polishing media sooner or later (you can hand-polish or not polish for the first while; up to you).
That'll get you started on things for some 'bare bones' reloads at the moment... Some additional 'creature comforts' can be added later, such as:
-Better scale;
-Powder trickler;
-Loading blocks;
-Cartridge boxes;
-Primer pocket uniformer;
-Flash hole deburring tool;
-Bullet length comparator;
-OAL gauge (e.g. Hornady) - you can make your own OAL gauge if you've got a good touch with a collet die.
I know I'm forgetting a few things, but the top short-list should have you in pretty good stead with the 50th Anniversary kit.
-M
Mount Sweetness
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Ontario
Just get the Lee Hand Primer and a cheap set of calipers, you'll be good to go.
i would recomend that you get a vernier, its a must for case inspection. if you are going to use the safty powder scale, you will need a trickler, that scale is accurate but annoying. you will need a lee "case length guage" for the caliber you will load, an auto prime is handy but i dont use mine. if you do go that route, be sure to get the shell holders. to get started, you will need a drill or lee zip trim. and if you can buy patience, do so aswell.
so now ur shopping is done, be sure that you read your manual at the same time you are loading. i recommend that you read the procedures through fully once and then get to hands on with the book in your third hand. loading is pretty brand universal, meaning that if u load with rcbs, hornady, lee or whatever it is pretty much the same. however i can help you with any lee specific stuff, and in general. pm me if you would like.
good luck. remember, take your time.
so now ur shopping is done, be sure that you read your manual at the same time you are loading. i recommend that you read the procedures through fully once and then get to hands on with the book in your third hand. loading is pretty brand universal, meaning that if u load with rcbs, hornady, lee or whatever it is pretty much the same. however i can help you with any lee specific stuff, and in general. pm me if you would like.
good luck. remember, take your time.
calipers, and the appropriate case length guage for the case trimmer that came with your set, one for each caliber you are reloading. also a cartridge tray, and probably a cartridge case. obviously brass, primers, bullets, and powder once you select a recipe.
i would get all these things before buying an autoprime, the safety prime works great once the sizing die is set correctly, if its set too deep it will drop the primers in crooked.
the brass can be cleaned in a bucket of water and mean green soap, or dish soap and dried in the oven on low heat for now if you are cheap/budgeted like me.
i would get all these things before buying an autoprime, the safety prime works great once the sizing die is set correctly, if its set too deep it will drop the primers in crooked.
the brass can be cleaned in a bucket of water and mean green soap, or dish soap and dried in the oven on low heat for now if you are cheap/budgeted like me.
blacksmithden
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Besides tools, you'll need bullets, powder, and primers. I haven't tried to buy any lately, but if things are like they've been for the past year, good luck with the primers. If your local reloading supplier has them, buy 1000...not 100 or 200...buy at least 1000. They'll disappear quicker than you think, and they're never in stock when YOU need some.
