Girlfriend and friends bought me a press... (she's a keeper)

[mjchapman]

So first off, I want to say I have a lot of technical and detail oriented experience. All of the measure twice and cut once isn't an issue. Here is what I have so far.

Lee Breech Lock challenger kit (not the anniversary kit)
ABC's of reloading

I have been making a list of items I will need to get started

Reloading Manual and a log book
Stand - Lee stand due to lack of space
Bullet Puller - Kinetic
Calipers - have a machinist friend who says i shouldn't skimp on tools and i agree
Dies for calibers to reload
powder, primers, bullets, brass
Bins, Labels and cases

additional add ons

lee power trim
quick release bushings

I will be starting to reload 9mm, 45 acp, 223 and possibly 300 BLK. Is there anything that all of you old hands here(and even new hands) can tell me to watch out for?

 

[Potatohead]

Welcome to the forum, glad to have you. You might want to expound on that "detail oriented experience", that could be cross stitching ya know:0 Just kidding-


FWIW Ive got the Lee Reloading stand too. I like it, it wears a pair of my socks and I just slide it around the house (hardwood floors) if I want to move my work area. I also built the little extension that Lee includes instructions for. The little "wings".

 

[Milt1]

I didn't see a powder measure but maybe it's in your "kit"? Perhaps dies are also in your kit and you'll need some cases for your reloads.

 

[hanno]

Welcome to the forum.

Since you got the Breechlock press you will need extra quick change biushings for your dies.

In place of the Lee stand, you might want to consider he Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Reloading Stand. One of the big benefits of this stand is that it is height adjustable.

The stand is stable as is but to further improve it, I cut a 2 X 6 to lay across the lower supports then put 2 ammo cans containing bullets (total weight 100lbs) on top of the board.

The stand folds up to a small footprint and will store nicely in a closet. It has worked great for my needs and may work for you.

http://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-Platinum-Series-Reloading/dp/B00HTN98X6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417537107&sr=8-1&keywords=frankford+arsenal+platinum+series+reloading+stand

 

[Potatohead]

That's a sweet looking table doesn't look sturdy enough though.

 

[moxie]

Recommend the Speer and Lyman manuals.

 

[dbldown74]

I thought this was all you need for reloading. Bring your own hammer.
This is for .308win. Was I just young, stupid or both.
Still have all 10 fingers.

 

[splattergun]

owning Lee breechlock presses, I can recommend that you use these locking quick change bushings instead of the standard ones. They'll save a lot of aggravation.
https://fsreloading.com/lee-precision-lock-ring-eliminator-90063.html

 

[jcwallace84]

Awesome!

From lessons I learned, I now strongly recommend a case gauge (Wilson, dillon, etc) for checking case to shoulder dimension (headspace being the mirror image dimension in the gun's chamber) for bottle neck rifle rounds. The calipers will be a needed tool to use with these gauges.

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

Everybody has skipped over one detail.... The Girlfriend....

Forget if the stuff even fits together.... She's a keeper!

 

[Drop45]

Watch out for primer and powder and buy it every chance you get.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I didn't see any universal loading trays on your list. You will want at least 2.

I highly recommend you read from the "Library of wisdom" at the top of this forum section. There is A LOT of very good information in those threads which will answer a lot of questions that will come up. Read the threads and then come back and ask about anything that's not clear to you.

Welcome to the forum and to reloading. (an obsession for which there is no cure)

 

[TfflHndn]

I'd get a digital scale if you don't have one. The balance scale can be too slow if you are hand measuring loads (such as for target/competition). Definitely get the carbide dies for pistol. A powder trickler can be handy, but is not a necessity.

 

[Bullseye25]

Welcome. I would suggest getting as many reloading manuals that you can get your hands on. One book will never have every combination of powder, caliber, and bullet that you will be looking for. I have 3 and that's barely enough. There's lots of recipes online, but you have to be careful of the source. Books/reloading manuals are the safest way to go, especially in the beginning. Take your time and read a ton before you start. Good luck!!! It's a fun and immediately rewarding hobby.

 

[BullRunBear]

Welcome to the forum. A couple of suggestions. I have the Lee loading stand. To increase stability I slide a suitable cinder block into the brackets underneath. I prefer to hand prime cases and use the Lee priming tool (strictly a personal preference). I use a beam/balance scale, RCBS. Not as fast as a digital but reliable and I have had inconsistent results with digitals.

Hope you enjoy reloading. Many find it to be almost as satisfying as shooting.

Jeff

 

[blue32]

No, no, no. Your future wife bought you reloading stuff!

 

[mjchapman]

For all of you that have offered advice... Thank you! I have gathered notes and saved them

For all of you that noted the person giving the gift... Thank You Very Much! She is very special to me and she is spurring me on to opening a store with my FFL.

I will send pics and updates when I purchase the items needed.