Recommended Reloading Kit for Beginner

[Skookum]

Wobbly,

Thanks for the tips.  The kids are in college, so they are no longer a concern.

[Skookum]

Wobbly,

Regarding your list above, I have a few questions.

Filing cabinet.  What does one file?

Universal de-capper die.  What does this do?

0-1" Micrometer.  Doesn't this duplicate the calipers?

Chronograph.  Is it common to find muzzle velocity different from that specified in the reloading manual?

[Wobbly]

Wobbly,

Regarding your list above, I have a few questions.

Filing cabinet.  What does one file?

I file my nails every day but April 15. On that day I file my taxes and bite my nails. 

Storage, man. Cheap storage.

Universal de-capper die.  What does this do?

You can de-cap the universe, or you can put it in your single-stage to pop the primers out of any case you pick up. Handy if you insist on de-capping before tumbling.

0-1" Micrometer.  Doesn't this duplicate the calipers?

Micrometers are generally 10 times more accurate than calipers. Calipers are fine for OAL, but if you want to measure bullets or crimps mics can be handy.

Chronograph.  Is it common to find muzzle velocity different from that specified in the reloading manual?

Great question. I've never seen a reciped load measure at the given velocity. Manuals usually report faster speeds. There's just too many variables... and lawyers.

[Skookum]

Filing cabinet.  What does one file?

Storage, man. Cheap storage.

Phew!  I thought there must be a boat-load of paperwork involved.

Universal de-capper die.  What does this do?

You can de-cap the universe, or you can put it in your single-stage to pop the primers out of any case you pick up. Handy if you insist on de-capping before tumbling.

Would not the resizing and de-priming die do that?  Speaking of tumbling, I gather that cleaning brass is optional.  If so, why clean the brass?  Also, would it not be best to tumble deprimed cases?

0-1" Micrometer.  Doesn't this duplicate the calipers?

Micrometers are generally 10 times more accurate than calipers. Calipers are fine for OAL, but if you want to measure bullets or crimps mics can be handy.

Okie dokie.

Chronograph.  Is it common to find muzzle velocity different from that specified in the reloading manual?

Great question. I've never seen a reciped load measure at the given velocity. Manuals usually report faster speeds. There's just too many variables... and lawyers.

Goodness -- where do lawyers come into the process?

I note that muzzle velocities are quoted, but I've never seen a chronograph placed at the muzzle.  It's usually a few feet down range.  Is a correction applied to obtain muzzle velocity, or is velocity at, say 3 ft, deemed equivalent to that at 0 ft?

Thanks for the responses.

[1SOW]

Load data publishers' pressures and muzzle speeds are gained from machines that don't quite resemble pistols or rifles.
Wobbly has one such picture for general reference.  I couldn't find my copy of it. 

[Wobbly]

Load data publishers' pressures and muzzle speeds are gained from machines that don't quite resemble pistols or rifles.
Wobbly has one such picture for general reference.  I couldn't find my copy of it.

That's correct. Test guns are typically a single-shot chunk of steel with a lab-grade bore diameter and an ~8 inch barrel. Velocities are higher with a longer barrel. And please note there is no self-feeding action involved. The recipes you see in your manuals are simply load vs. velocity reports. They make no claim that any particular load will operate your auto pistol, only that the chamber pressure is safe.

Typical test gun for handgun cartridges....

[Wobbly]

Would not the resizing and de-priming die do that?  Speaking of tumbling, I gather that cleaning brass is optional.  If so, why clean the brass?  Also, would it not be best to tumble deprimed cases?

But if you're using a progressive or semi-progressive, then think about where the case is at that point in time. It's all about the "manufacturing process", and so you have to start thinking in terms of "process".

Or what if you pick up cases at a public range and it's a mixed bag of 40, 9 and 38 Super ? All those fit the same shell holder, but not the same sizing die.

I note that muzzle velocities are quoted, but I've never seen a chronograph placed at the muzzle.  It's usually a few feet down range.  Is a correction applied to obtain muzzle velocity, or is velocity at, say 3 ft, deemed equivalent to that at 0 ft?

Since most velocities are measured at 50 yard increments, 10 feet is inconsequential.

[1SOW]

There's my copies now!.

[max it]

HI Ya, Some great stuff here. All I would add is that youtube is now my friend. She taught me everything I didnt know by reading all the manuals and shopping on eBay missed. Go Dillon you wont go back!

Max

[Skookum]

Go Dillon you wont go back!

The Dillon Square Deal looks interesting, but it appears not to reload .32 Auto and 9 Makarov.

[Cesar]

Everybody should start with a single stage.  The kits are a great way to save money and frustration over assembling a setup on your own.  In my experience, you can't go wrong with the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme kit.  That's what I bought and even though I have moved on to a progressive press (Hornady), I still use pretty much everything from my RCBS kit. The scale, powder measure, and manual justify 2/3 of the cost of the kit alone.

NOPE!!!

Go with a Hornady LNL - YOU CAN use it as single stage press any and every time; if you are new or want to.
I've been loading with one for few years, 65K+ rounds loaded, started from ZERO (I got nothing to do with 0bama or his masters/bankers etc).

[Wobbly]

The Dillon Square Deal looks interesting, but it appears not to reload .32 Auto and 9 Makarov.

The Square Deal B ('SBD') is a very compact, and highly specialized progressive. Due to the very limited number of dies (it does not accept 'standard' reloading dies) the list of calibers is very constrained. The lowest denominator "all around" Dillon press is the BL550, which can be "built-out" over time to a 550B with the addition of accessories.

All of the 550 lineup are "manually progressing" presses. This means it's much easier to use as a single stage because the shell holder does not advance with each op handle pull. You can sit there and re-seat 50 times if needed. It's that "feature" than makes the 550 behave as a single-stage. BUT, if you advance the shell plate, then you'll get 1 finished round ejected with each pull of the handle, just like an SBD, 650, RCBS 2000, or Hornady LNL.

Compare that to the Lee Classic Cast Turret which holds one cartridge at a time and and may or may not advance the turret (depending upon the setup) over the single cartridge. So that although you only handle the cartridge once (a great time savings) you still need to pull the op lever 3 times to produce a single finished cartridge.


So once you get into that "semi-progressive" or "fully progressive" type press, then the questions of volume output vs. cost of initial setup questions kick in. While the Lee turret offers a very interesting and HIGHLY cost competitive solution, if your volumes are running something like 500 per week, then you'd do well to remember that the Lee is going to require 1500 lever pulls, while a progressive is going to require 503 to do the same work. If you are of the age that 3 times the repetitive motion could cause shoulder pain, then that should possibly figure into your calculation.

 

[max it]

Dear Friends,
 Although I can't argue with Wobbly's logic and comprehensive list, dont be scared off.  I have not had the luxury of all that he lists as necessary even now four years and many thousands of reloads later.

a Tumbler, a press with Lee Deluxe die set (which includes a few suitable loads on the included set up sheet)  a scale, and a caliper was sufficient to begin. imho.
 And 4 years later; 5 presses, two scales, two casting pots, a lubrisizer, a smelting set up. several other 'necesaries' later i still think the first list would get anyone started. i haven't even considered the chrono rather going with end results; holes in target or steel falling down.

Keep your powder dry,

Max