Suggestions before I buy some reloading equipment?

[engineer40]

I've been researching single stage reloading equipment for the last couple weeks. I would certainly appreciate any feedback if you guys have the time to respond. Thank you!

Curious if:

1 - This list is missing anything to get started?

2 - Any suggestions on the equipment I've picked out so far?


===============================


Press $68
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008F5H636/?tag=lrhmag19-20

Powder Measurer $21
Amazon.com : Lee Precision 90058 Perfect Powder Measurer (Red) : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

Powder funnel $4
Amazon.com : Lee Precision Powder Funnel : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

Ammo tray $7
Amazon.com : MTM Universal Ammo Loading Tray Red (includes one tray) : Reloading Supplies : Sports & Outdoors

Reloading Scale $30
Amazon.com : Frankford Arsenal Reloading Scale : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

Impact bullet puller $15
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B7ZB4Q/?tag=lrhmag19-20

Hand primer $30
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N8LCDS/?tag=lrhmag19-20

Powder trickler $19
Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler

Deburring tool $4
Lee Chamfer Deburring Tool

Priming tool shell holder set $15
Amazon.com : Lee Hand Priming Tool Shell Holder Set : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

Primer pocket cleaner $5
Amazon.com : Lee Precision Primer Pocket Cleaner : Gun Cleaning Kits : Sports & Outdoors

Tumbler Kit $65
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TTILBC/?tag=lrhmag19-20

One Shot spray case lube $13
Amazon.com : Hornady One Shot Spray Case Lube with DynaGlide Plus (7 fl Oz Aerosol) : Sports & Outdoors

 

[ShtrRdy]

I haven't tried LEE equipment so I can't comment on that.

You'll want to get a dial/digital caliper if you don't have one already.

If you're loading rifle cartridges you'll need some sort of case trimmer.

 

[RT2506]

Forget the Lee powder measure it is junk. Get an RCBS, Lyman, Hornday or Redding. They cost more but you will be MUCH MORE pleased with them. I am not familiar with the FA powder scale but if it only cost $30 it can't be any better than the Lee powder scale which is junk also. Lee makes a lot of good stuff and I have and do use a lot of Lee stuff but the two powder tools mentioned are JUNK. Your powder handling tools are probably the most important tools. GET QUALITY TOOLS to start with. Cry once and be done with it then you will be able to make good SAFE ammo. Just my two cents worth. Been hand loading 35 years.

 

[scrmblr1982cj8]

Looks pretty complete. I have RCBS, but there is nothing wrong with Lee. The only thing I would have against Lee is that I don't see many Lee products in the reloading stores around here. Walk around a local reloading store to determine what they carry. It is nice to be able to get what you need in a pinch locally as opposed to having to wait on Amazon.

Will you start with new or used brass? New brass shouldn't need as much work as used brass.

What brand of dies will you use?

ShtrRdy makes a great point about calipers. I prefer the digital since I can instantly tell the measurement.

I've got a Hornady case trimmer. It works well but my hand cramps. I prefer my Franklin Arsenal trimmer, but it's more expensive.

 

[gohring3006]

If i was going to change anything on your list for a startup kit. It would be getting a decent balance beam scale to verify charges. And i would choose Imperial sizing wax, or the Lee sizing paste. Also the micrometer is a must. I have had my Lee powder measure for years and it has never let me down. Probably over 30,000 rounds have been charged on that thing. Lee doesn't make the prettiest equipment, but whatever they make, it can reliable and last for years.

 

[FearNoWind]

I'd suggest you get a good quality collet style bullet puller and forget about that inertia puller on your list.
This is what I'd recommend: RCBS Collet Bullet Puller
I'd also recommend the K&M primer seating tool over the one you have listed.
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7439
You'll probably save money in the long run if you buy a set of case care tools at the start:
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7439
This vibratory case cleaning set is less expensive and just as good as the one you have listed:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=02440702&rid=20
Just put the strainer over a bucket you probably already have lying around ...
Last, but not least, this is the case lube I'd recommend:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/519525/imperial-case-sizing-wax-2-oz

 

[Saintsfan1977]

I have a Lee classic cast press, I should have gone with the lee classic turret

I have the Lee perfect powder measure. I researched enough and found that this measure is good enough.

I got a Redding powder trickler

I have a Redding no. 2 powder scale as well as the Frankford arsenal electric scale

I added the Rcbs deluxe scale weight set

All my dies are Lee

I have a brown and Sharpe Caliper and lyman micrometer

Lee deluxe trimmer and hand trimmer
Lyman case tool set.
Lee powder funnel
Frankford arsenal vibratory tumbler
Rcbs bullet puller with collet
Lee ergo hand primer

I had a free $700 amazon card to spend I got from best Western hotel rewards. I spent a few hundred more to get some of this stuff as well as a few items to reload my particular rifle and build a solid bench

You have almost everything you need except Calipers and dies
You can upgrade equipment later.

 

[Saintsfan1977]

Forget the Lee powder measure it is junk. Get an RCBS, Lyman, Hornday or Redding. They cost more but you will be MUCH MORE pleased with them. I am not familiar with the FA powder scale but if it only cost $30 it can't be any better than the Lee powder scale which is junk also. Lee makes a lot of good stuff and I have and do use a lot of Lee stuff but the two powder tools mentioned are JUNK. Your powder handling tools are probably the most important tools. GET QUALITY TOOLS to start with. Cry once and be done with it then you will be able to make good SAFE ammo. Just my two cents worth. Been hand loading 35 years.

He is trickling powder so the measure will work just fine for what he needs. The scale he mentioned is electronic. I own it and it works great. As long as he buys check weights he can't go wrong.

 

[Saintsfan1977]

I've been researching single stage reloading equipment for the last couple weeks. I would certainly appreciate any feedback if you guys have the time to respond. Thank you!

Curious if:

1 - This list is missing anything to get started? case trimmer, scale check weights, and Calipers dial or electronic
2 - Any suggestions on the equipment I've picked out so far?

Lee case lube, and Lee case trimmer depending on how many loads you plan to do at one time. If you aren't loading for a pistol or semi automatic where you will be loading 100 rounds or more then the lee case trimmer, lock stud, and case gauge will do just fine. Otherwise get a lathe type trimmer.
===============================


Press $68
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008F5H636/?tag=lrhmag19-20

Powder Measurer $21
Amazon.com : Lee Precision 90058 Perfect Powder Measurer (Red) : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

Powder funnel $4
Amazon.com : Lee Precision Powder Funnel : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

Ammo tray $7
Amazon.com : MTM Universal Ammo Loading Tray Red (includes one tray) : Reloading Supplies : Sports & Outdoors

Reloading Scale $30
Amazon.com : Frankford Arsenal Reloading Scale : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

Impact bullet puller $15
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B7ZB4Q/?tag=lrhmag19-20

Hand primer $30
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000N8LCDS/?tag=lrhmag19-20

Powder trickler $19
Frankford Arsenal Powder Trickler

Deburring tool $4
Lee Chamfer Deburring Tool

Priming tool shell holder set $15
Amazon.com : Lee Hand Priming Tool Shell Holder Set : Gunsmithing Tools And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

Primer pocket cleaner $5
Amazon.com : Lee Precision Primer Pocket Cleaner : Gun Cleaning Kits : Sports & Outdoors

Tumbler Kit $65
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000TTILBC/?tag=lrhmag19-20

One Shot spray case lube $13
Amazon.com : Hornady One Shot Spray Case Lube with DynaGlide Plus (7 fl Oz Aerosol) : Sports & Outdoors

Get the Lee Ergo hand primer it's better than the XR model.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I like the Lee Classic Cast press. Frankford Liquid spray lube is much better then the Hornaday can spray.

 

[roninflag]

what rifle/caliber are you loading for??

 

[6x6 elk]

Get some type of case prep station like the Lyman, that will campfer ,debur, and clean primer pockets all in 1 station. If you are doing 50 + cases at a time, using the lee hand tools will take forever.

 

[engineer40]

Dang! Lots of great suggestions! I'm glad I decided to post the question and ask you guys. I'm going to look into everything you guys suggested.

I'll be reloading mostly my own once fired brass that I have been saving.

Currently I'll be reloading for 30-06 (x3), 270, 303 British, and 223 match stuff. Although I have a couple donor actions that will most likely get turned into Wildcats of some kind, and hence my restored interest in reloading. But I've been wanting to for a while anyways.

I do have some digital calipers already that I had from a different DIY project. But I did forget to list a case trimmer.

I'm pretty open to who's dies and what press I use. From what I gather so far, most dies and presses are interchangeable?

I like to purchase things with good value. I don't need the "best name" manufactures if someone else does just as good of a job for the same money. At the same time, I'm not broke and I would rather buy good tools to begin with.

I'll throw one other curve ball in here... I also plan to get a progressive press eventually as I have some pistols and a really fun pistol caliber carbine that can go through ammo faster than anything I've ever seen. Knowing that I will eventually get a progressive press also, would that change any considerations on the Press, Dies, equipment?

Thanks again everyone! Sincerely appreciate the feedback and I'm looking into all suggestions.

 

[Rick Richard]

Add Stuck Case tool if you use the lube mentioned or purchase Imperial case lube and not worry about stuck cases.