Didn't realize everyone here was so ***tight. I didn't say I would absolutely not read any manuals. Nor did I say I will start reloading without knowing what I"m doing. If you guys even knew me, you would know I take firearm safety very seriously, in EVERY aspect.
So, back on topic... after I do my "research", what tools do I need?
Instead of buying a full kit, I would rather buy the individual supplies I need. And since my father has some reloading equipment I can put to use, I would rather not buy things if it isn't necessary.
OK, now you're talking.
I am a believer in assembling one's own kit. The research you put into each equipment pick is good training, too, and a lot more fun than reading.
You have a mentor. Excellent.
Any of us could give you an inventory of the tools we use every day and occasionally, but those lists would be OUR lists. Might not match your needs. You mentioned your calibers/chamberings. What kind of shooting do you do? What goals do you have? (Strictly hunting? long-range accuracy? Casual plinking?) What equipment do you have already available?
You only NEED three tools to load. (Plus the consumables)
Press because fingers are not strong enough to form metal
Dies because fingers are not accurate enough to form metal to SAAMI specs
Scale because eyeballs are not accurate enough to measure out gunpowder
Your research will tell you what else you need. For example, bottlenecked cases require lubrication (or you will wind up with a casing stuck in your die). You can apply with a lube pad, spray from an aerosol can or apply with your fingers, sponge or paper towel. What's your style?
A loading block is convenient, two are even better. When loading in batch mode, I put cases in one to the left of the press and an empty block to the right. As I process each case they move from the left to the right. But I load in batches of 50. If loading in batches of 20, as you might, moving from one end of the block to the other would do. Again, it is a matter of style.
I stay away from electronic scales. Gravity is more dependable than batteries and mechanical scales are not subject to electromagnetic emanations as the cheaper electronic scales are. If you do get an electronic scale, have a mechanical balance-beam scale to periodically verify the electronic's accuracy.
I have come to appreciate Lee equipment. Lee has some ground-breaking innovations and while their stuff is not as well-finished as some of the others, they generally work just as well or better, but some (for me) dismally. Again, your research as you shop around, inspect and handle equipment will inform your decision-making.
A bullet puller (either collet-type or inertial) is handy. It was years before I had one and several more before I ever had to use it, but when you do need to disassemble a round you have made (bullet seated too deep, for example, or suspected incorrect powder charge) you need it.
Case tumbler. To clean your cases. You can use a paper towel. A tumbler is easier and makes your brass shinier. I loaded for 3 decades before I had one. I have one now and my brass is prettier now but shoots just the same.
ABC's of Reloading. It's a good read. A lot more entertaining than textbooks, I guarantee it.
What's your major, by the way?
Lost Sheep