Rocky Mosasaurus
NES Member
Can someone recommend first time reloading essential items for a beginner? I'm looking to capitalize on a Bday pricing deal courtesy of Larry P.
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What did you do in the reloading room recently?
- Thread starter DW357
- Start date
A press, dies and a reloading manual are the core essentials. Measuring tools (calipers, micrometer, powder measure, scale) are next essential items. Deburring tools, primer pocket cleaners/trimmers case trimmers (primarily for bottle-necked rifle calibers) are helpful.
Many like to clean/polish their brass with a tumbler; I've never used one, so it's optional for me. Brass should be clean and free of debris, but shine isn't essential, IMO.
R.M., I don't know where you are in MA, but if you're down my way, stop in and sit at my bench to roll a few. You can test-fire onsite.
Many like to clean/polish their brass with a tumbler; I've never used one, so it's optional for me. Brass should be clean and free of debris, but shine isn't essential, IMO.
R.M., I don't know where you are in MA, but if you're down my way, stop in and sit at my bench to roll a few. You can test-fire onsite.
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1500 165g extreme bullets arrived. The mail man might start hating me.
Will reload a few tonight with N320. Max is 3.1g, so I will load at 2.8, 2.7 and 2.6 ... I think the min is 2.1, need to check the website.
I will compare them against the Bayou cast .358 and .357 this weekend.
Plated .356
Cast .357
Cast .358
Will reload a few tonight with N320. Max is 3.1g, so I will load at 2.8, 2.7 and 2.6 ... I think the min is 2.1, need to check the website.
I will compare them against the Bayou cast .358 and .357 this weekend.
Plated .356
Cast .357
Cast .358
Might be limited in what you can get from Big Larry. Looks like a lot of out of stock.
Do you have a price threshold?
This might cover everything you need if you have to have it right now-
Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press Deluxe Kit
The Lee 4 Hole Classic Turret Press features a proven design which utilizes turrets that lock into a solid steel ring allowing the reloader to quickly...
www.midwayusa.com
Looks like a lot of the other stuff is "Back order OK" if you don't mind waiting and spending a little more.
Edit to add- Looks like the dies are separate, so be sure to grab those too.
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That is a great press, not only for beginners but also for experienced reloaders. I use it as a single stage for large calibers that I reload 100 or so at a time.Might be limited in what you can get from Big Larry. Looks like a lot of out of stock.
Do you have a price threshold?
This might cover everything you need if you have to have it right now-
Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press Deluxe Kit
The Lee 4 Hole Classic Turret Press features a proven design which utilizes turrets that lock into a solid steel ring allowing the reloader to quickly...
Looks like a lot of the other stuff is "Back order OK" if you don't mind waiting and spending a little more.
Caliber changes are super easy, takes a full 10 seconds. And they are very cheap.
That's not too bad. When I order hitek bullets I usually max out the shipping box limit, which is about 65 lbs. My mail carrier, a woman, usually just backs up to my garage and I take them off the truck for her. She has asked what I get that's so heavy, and i tell her it's lead for experiments. She gives me the deer in the headlights look, says "oh", and moves along.
Rocky Mosasaurus
NES Member
Thank you for the recommendation. For now I just grabbed the press I want to go to SO2 and grab dies and other items soon.Might be limited in what you can get from Big Larry. Looks like a lot of out of stock.
Do you have a price threshold?
This might cover everything you need if you have to have it right now-
Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press Deluxe Kit
The Lee 4 Hole Classic Turret Press features a proven design which utilizes turrets that lock into a solid steel ring allowing the reloader to quickly...
Looks like a lot of the other stuff is "Back order OK" if you don't mind waiting and spending a little more.
Edit to add- Looks like the dies are separate, so be sure to grab those too.
I was just looking through the w.t.s to see if there was anything in there.
You can probably pick up a box of primers for 1 testicle. Doesn't have to be yours either, thats the best part.
Just out of curiosity, what are you loading for? Or what Caliber I should say.
Rocky Mosasaurus
NES Member
I’m going to be completing a layaway purchase sometime in October that’s chambered in 44 mag and 50 AE. So ideally both of those calibers since they’re the most expensive per round of any of the other firearms I own; pistol caliber (9mm, 10mm, 45 ACP) long gun (12 gauge, 7.62x39, .223/5.56). But I want to eventually move to reloading for those calibers as well.
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38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
Nice.
Saved a ton on .44 mag and spl when I loaded for it.
Good luck.
Saved a ton on .44 mag and spl when I loaded for it.
Good luck.
kerryman71
NES Member
Check the reloading supplies section under the classifieds here. I bought the majority of my reloading equipment from multiple members that way.
Shit to clean brass with, cheap vibrating tumbler, some media (walnut, or corn) a bottle of nu finish car polish.... digital calipers, beam powder scale (non digital),
etc. Kinetic bullet puller. (lyman, etc) A copy of whatever the latest Speer manual is.
Obviously you will need a press, etc, but sounds like you got that covered.
ETA: Probably a media separator as well to strain the shit out of the brass. The RCBS plastic job works fine, keeps the toxic dust down, too.
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kerryman71
NES Member
Don't forget a couple decent clamps so you can clamp your reloading station to the dining room table. What, you guys don't reload at the dining room table?
greencobra
NES Member
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this is a most generous offer and @Rocco Mozz you should take advantage of it. short of taking a class you'll see what's going on and get a visual of the stuff you may need plus get a hands on. beats having several people yelling "get this, get that."
Rocky Mosasaurus
NES Member
Currently messaging each other as we type!
What? He won't need that! He'll never make a bad round.
Seriously, that will be an essential down the road, but for starters, you can toss your rejects into a bucket, until you procure a bullet puller.
A sturdy bench or mount is a definite plus, for sure. I started with a hand-held Handi-Press, so I often figure the bench is optional.
It's a whopping 20 bucks or so. He will want it sooner rather than later.
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
I like to sprinkle my duds throughout stores and restaurants during my week.
xtry51
NES Member
Not school playgrounds?
Range box.
Gives the old buzzards at the club something to do during the week.
kerryman71
NES Member
The thing would sink six inches into the ground before anyone is allowed to use the playground in this state.
greencobra
NES Member
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mine have been recently going to the neighborhood kids to keep them occupied during the covid lock down. "here kid, when your dad gets the bbq going, toss a few of these on top of the coals."
Nice! You'll save a crapton reloading 44 mag. One of my favorite calibers.
Definitely want a tumbler to clean your brass. I was going to recommend the Berrys tumbler kit for $102 shipped - I've got 2 of them. Great value. BUT they're sold out. Berry's Bullets - Plated Bullets, Reloading & Shooting Supplies
I like the media separators that are completely enclosed to limit the amount of lead contaminated dust being released (but I tumble and separate media outside). Looks like Larry P has tumblers and media separators in stock but none like the Berrys. Oh well, can't be too picky.
Jim (EddieCoyle) has a whole article on what you need to start reloading
Rocky Mosasaurus
NES Member
Bookmarked thank you!
Mike 53
NES Member
Fishing sinkers...
Lol, I blame my girl, I say "she makes some weird arts and crafts. Yesterdeay she bought 2K popsicle sticks for something she is making".
She hates it. When she goes out to get the mail and its a box of brass that sounds like nails the guy will say something like "buying nails for your arts and crafts?".
38ExtraSpecial
NES Member
Hahahahaha. That’s awesome.
pastera
NES Member
This - it helps keep the urge to think a round isn't all that bad.
