Ok. I haven't read through all the posts, but here's what I've got:
First, I also started reloading on my way back from deployment. There were people here for me that were really helpful, I love the hobby. Hopefully I can pay it forward.
- Congrats on the LnL. It's a great press. I love mine. The priming system its its weakness. It works fine, but has some problems and is prone to some annoying issues. I still recommend it to anyone who asks, though.
- On the tumbler, I really liked my Frankford Arsenal kit from Midway. I really does come with everything, and has worked like a champ for me. The whole kit probably costs what your Berry's tumbler does.
- On the case prep stuff, especially the case prep center, I don't think you should buy it right away. Up to you. I think a drill is a really nice thing to have in your gun room instead, and with a Lee case length gauge and Lee (or RCBS) trimmer, you can do the trim/chamfer/deburr step all at the same time using a drill. And it costs much less for a decent drill. This is the kind of thing that I think you have a high chance of not wanting. Worth at least postponing the buy.
- For straight-wall pistol dies (including 9mm), I really like Lee dies for two reasons. First, they're less expensive and do a
great job, but they also come with a shellholder, which the other companies sell for ~$8-$10 a pop. This is a no-brainer to me, but you won't go wrong with any brand.
- Why is a shellholder important, you ask? You're going to be on a progressive, after all, what do you need that for?
You may well end up wanting to buy a single stage, or turret press. The reason is that it's really nice to be able to do rifle die sizing on a separate press, and you're doing rifle, and a lot of it judging by your 8lb powder buy. When you size your rifle brass, it's going to exert a lot more pressure than pistol brass. I don't like to muscle my progressive like that, but it's no problem with my turret. I'll allow that .223 doesn't require all that much elbow grease, but if you're planning on doing much rifle, you might want to at least get a decent single stage, which could be pretty inexpensive. Hornady makes a good one that you could use the die bushings with, and it comes with free premium bullets. Or you could get a Lee. I use a Redding T7 turret press, but I do four rifle calibers, and have two other dies set up on it for regular use. If you're just planning on doing 1 or even 2 rifle calibers for the foreseeable future, I'd get a single stage.
But for each caliber, you're going to need a shellholder. Those Lee pistol dies fit a lot of rifle calibers, and each one you don't need to buy because they came with your pistol set will be money in your pocket.
For rifle dies, any brand is fine, but remember to get a shellholder if you don't have one that fits and you didn't buy Lee. I use RCBS and Lee. The dies are definitely a step up with RCBS, but as I said, I use both.
- I bought an electronic scale when I first started. The short story is that I spent a lot of money, it drove me crazy, I then bought a beam scale, and haven't, and will never, look back. The long story is that they can be really sensitive to things like the airflow and even the light in the room, and I can't tell you how frustrating it was for me as a new reloader to throw the same weight in the pan 5 times in a row and get five different readings, all in longer than it would've taken me to get the right readings on my beam scale. I bought a Dillon used for under $50. RCBS also makes a good one. I think they're the same scale. Definitely worth buying.
- You're going to want a kinectic bullet puller, which should cost ~$10-15. This is kind of like your powder funnel. It's really useful, and it's so cheap there's no excuse not to buy it. You're also going to want a caliper (electronic or dial both ok), which should be in the $30-$55 range. I use a Lyman digital, which I like. I think a caliper is an indispensible part of any reloading room, especially given the comprehensive order you're talking about making.
- Wolf primers are good. Give them a try. Only if you can find a reason you don't like them, then try something else. Otherwise, this should be your brand. Last time I checked
Widener's, they had them for a song.
- For my .223 plinkers, I really like
Midsouth's bulk packages of Hornady 55gr FMJs. I like
Zero Bullets for 9mm FMJs. I like
Missouri Bullet Company for any lead pistol. I was wary of shooting lead when I was new. I wish I had looked into it sooner (much like I wish I had started realoading sooner). It's a fraction of the price, and just as good for 99% of what I do. Maybe not for your first buy, but don't put off trying it for too long.
Hope some of this is helpful. Obviously, you know what's most important to you. Have fun and good luck.