TexasCHLforum.com

NcongruNt

age_ranger wrote:Bullet puller................

Thanks.

I just realized that I'm going to need a chronograph as well.

NcongruNt

Jeremae wrote:Interestingly, since I am unable to afford a Dillon right now, I also am looking at buying the Lee Load Master.

For each new calibre you want to load you will need a set of dies, a toolhead and possibly a new shell plate (most shell plates can be used for more than 1 calibre).

For ball type powders (like win 231), I have found that the Lee AutoDisk Pro powder measure an excellant yet low priced tool for doing powder drops (I have seperate ones for each calibre that I keep mounted on the Expanding die so I don't have to mess with changing disk opening). For rod type powders used in rifle calibres, I would suggest buying a better powder measure system that allows accurate and consistant drops and the funnel attachment on the Expanding die.

For case cleaning, vibratory cleaners work well but are NOISY. Probably best bang for buck would be the Franklin arsenal kit that includes the tumbler and a rotary media seperator that Midway sells. A true tumbler is a little quiter but more expensive, best place to buy would be Harbor Frieght or Northern Lights (who also have vibratory cleaners). For cleaning media, buy bulk corn cob bedding (and/or Walnut shell) from petco or other large pet supply store. I use both, first walnut shell with jewelers rouge (can use bulk lapping compound from auto parts store instead of rouge if you can't find a cheap source) to clean case then corn cobb with polish (NuBrite car polish from dollar store) to polish and shine.

Measurement tools you need include a pair of calipers (don't need real expensive I bought a pair for $7 at Sears) and a good scale. If you know how to use a beam scale the Lee scale is acceptable but there are several electronic scales for under $50 that would work fine.

I keep a small shop vac by my reloading bench that is only used for cleaning up after reloading. I also have an adjustable lamp mounted over bench so I can shine light right where I want it.

Last thing to think about is storage containers for brass (and cleaning media, loaded ammo and other stuff). I use Folger's plastic coffee cans and I prefer the large ones.

Thanks for the tips. I do have a couple of questions.

Explain what a "toolhead" is. I have searched the Lee site, and have not found any reference to this equipment.

Also, for rifle powders - will I be able to replace the powder measure on the Lee Load Master with something more suited for this task, or does it mean that I will have to do powder charging manually? Any suggestions on what to get?

As for shell plates, it looks like Lee handily includes them with their die sets, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Also, for decapping, I don't see that included in the kit, and am a little confused. Does a decapping die fit somewhere on the Load Master when processing fired brass? I'm guessing I'll have to buy one of these separately, and if so - I'll add it to the list below.

I'm going to be initially loading for 9mm, 9x18, and 7.62x54R. Here's what I plan on getting so far:

Lee Load Master kit outfitted for 9mm
9x18 Carbide 3-Die set
7.62x54R Pacesetter Die set
7.62x54R Factory Crimp Die
Calipers
Case Cleaner and media
Electronic Scale
Case Cutter and Lock Stud
Chamfer Tool
Lee Zip Trim

Anything that I'm missing? Once I price everything out, then I can see when it is financially reasonable for me to get my new setup.

Then comes figuring out what to get as far as powders/primer/bullets/etc. That seems to be a whole other rat's nest of information I have yet to dare to venture into.

I'm sure the internets and the kind folks here can help me when that time comes, though.

I'm also going to have to build some sort of brass catcher soon, as my PA-63 has very positive ejection, and spent shells land somewhere around 4:30, 10-15 feet away. 9x18 isn't generally a caliber you come across just scrounging around the range, so I'd like to catch as many cases as I can without having to get on my hands and knees to search for them.

Thanks in advance for all the help.

NcongruNt

age_ranger wrote:Start with a good, heavy loading bench. You'll thank yourself later.....I got this one at Sam's for around $200ish

I'll be building my own in the near future. My German genes and heritage pretty much dictate that anything I build will be very solid and sturdy.

Once I have it built, I'll post pics.

NcongruNt

I'm looking into this stuff as well.

I'm looking to get my first reloading setup here within a month or two. My specific needs are for both handgun and rifle rounds. Specifically, I want to load 9x18, .380, 9mm, 7.62x54R, and eventually .45 ACP and 7.5x55 Swiss. Because of the pistol rounds, I want to get a progressive loader. Yes, I understand a single stage is better for new reloaders... the progressives I am looking at will function as single-stage, and that's how I intend to operate mine until I feel I am competent enough to reload progressively.

What I'm looking at right now is the Lee Load Master. It looks like a setup in 9mm can be had for about $200 from Widener's:

http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm? ... 10|212|237

I am guessing I will need a tumbler and obviously dies for the various cartridges... any thing else I should think of (besides brass, bullets, primers, and powder) when getting a new setup going?

TexasCHLforum.com

Search found 4 matches

Re: Reloading Presses

Re: Reloading Presses

Re: Reloading Presses

Re: Reloading Presses