Help me with my shopping list - first time reloader

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So whats the dillio on the powder measure? Should I replace the whole thing altogether? Is the primer feeder something I need to replace too?
How does my shopping cart look so far? Do I need a primer pocket cleaner...? Recommend one!

The Lee pro auto disk is a very consistent measure. Some people don't like it because with the disk you are stuck with what it will throw and you can't dial in the exact charge you want. I have always been able to find a good load with the disk. Also the adjustable charge bar will let you dial in any charge you want, just be careful with light loads like 4.5 grains or less. One example is for 9mm I load 124 grain FMJ's with 4.2 grains of Titegroup. The pro auto disk measure will throw 4.2 all day with no variation.

I think the safety prime is great. It will take a little tinkering but once setup it has worked near flawless for me. It will also help you to reach the faster production once you learn and get the hang of reloading.

I think your cart looks good. I don't clean primer pockets in pistol brass. Some times I will for 223 but not always there either. Congratulations and welcome to reloading.

Rusty
 
Rusty's advice about the powder measure is accurate. It works fine, and will work with the four disks included, and the adjustable charge bar. As I mentioned earlier, see if you can upgrade to the "Pro" Autodisk Measure, or the "Deluxe" version--which, IIRC, includes the plated measure base AND the Adjustable Charge bar. If they won't, then don't worry about it and just buy the ACB seperately, as you show.

Typically, you don't need to clean handgun primer pockets, but it is good to have one around. No strong preference.

I think you have covered at least the beginning manuals--You will get the Lee, IIRC, but the first one is The ABCs..., and equally important is the Lyman manual. Since you are starting with handguns, I suggest the Pistol & Revolver version (4th rev / latest), as opposed to the Lyman (49th, I believe is current). A third major-name manual is recommended--for example, I like Speer 14. These three--Lee, Lyman, and Speer will have plenty of load data to work from.

Get a small bottle of spray-on case lube for lubing new cases--they tend to stick in the PTED (Powder-through Expander Die, or #2 die). Note that this is only needed for new cases, strictly speaking.

One last thing I like to have at the bench is a MAX cart gauge. Yes, you can use your cylinder chambers for mostly the same, but having a (Wilson) MAX cart gauge does a bit more, and it can be at the bench whenever you need it.

Finally, do not forget ammo boxes, and a few bins. For load development, I like 100-rd boxes--I will build, for example, 5 sets of 20 rounds each, upping the powder by two-tenths of a grain each time.

The other items that you may want to consider would be the alternate powder scale (a '505') and a set of check weights. Personally, I consider the check weights mandatory; Lee shows how to work without them.

There's a gazillion other accessories you can get, but your list and the few items above will get you started.

Jim H.
 
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