Caught the bug

[LI0NSFAN]

I am going to start reloading. I will only be reloading 9mm for right now and then doing .38, .357, and .45. I will probably not get into reloading rifle for a while. As I do in everything gun related I make a pricelist for what I am looking for so if I see it that price or cheaper I stock up. I take the best price I can find and use that as my stock up price. example is if I see non lead 9mm for $20otd I buy at least $100 worth. here are the things I am planning on buying, I just need to know from the reloaders on here if these are the best products for the beginner and what the best price on these items are.

Press- Lee classic w/Lee dies

Powder- Unique

Primers- Federal or winchester

Bullets- Not sure what is a good price. looking for plinking only right now

Tumbler and media- Have not decided (something basic)

Scale- have a Hornady electronic scale (Thanks Tim)

Brass- Have plenty

Is there anything that I am missing?

Edited May 28, 2012 by Lions Fan

[Grunt67]

Reloading manuals + ABCs of Reloading. Must have. Read first.

[gregintenn]

I think you'll need something to trim and deburr cases, and sooner or later, a bullet puller. Grunt67 is correct. The FIRST thing you need is a good reloading manual.

[BigK]

+1 Buy the manuals several weeks before you start buying equipment.

Berry's Mfg is a very economical choice for bullets. You can get 1000 115 gr plated RNs for under $83 shipped. Bullet weights seem to be more consistent than cheap TMJ/FMJ. Cast lead is cheaper, obviously, but there's a few more variables to deal with. Most advice I've seen says don't start with them.

Good choice on the press, IMO.

One more thing...it's an obsession, not just a bug.

Edited May 28, 2012 by BigK

[Caster]

Is there anything I'm missing you ask. HA!!!!!

I've been in this for years, I've sunk thousands into my hobby. I'm missing a ton of stuff!!!

[Guest canebreaker]

Since you're looking at the Lee Classic, look at the Breech load kit. For the price, it has a bunch of little things you'll need. Midwayusa has the Franklin Arsenal tumbler with rotary sifter at a good price. Their bullet puller is good too. Unique powder is hard to meter and it will be a case filler. HP-38 and Bullseye are good replacements.

[R_Bert]

These on-line intros to reloading -

http://www.lymanprod...ToReloading.pdf

and

http://www.redding-r...ading_guide.pdf

will give you additional food for thought.

[Guest Plus1Hdcp]

Calipers

[BigK]

Calipers

Good catch! Most used tool I have for reloading.

[mikegideon]

Since you're looking at the Lee Classic, look at the Breech load kit. For the price, it has a bunch of little things you'll need. Midwayusa has the Franklin Arsenal tumbler with rotary sifter at a good price. Their bullet puller is good too. Unique powder is hard to meter and it will be a case filler. HP-38 and Bullseye are good replacements.

You mean Breech Lock. I have a Breech Lock Classic Cast. GREAT press for starting out!

[Guest pfries]

If you plan on doing any volume I would look into a powder throw or similar.

[LI0NSFAN]

Reloading manuals + ABCs of Reloading. Must have. Read first.

I picked one up last week. That is where I caught the bug.

+1 Buy the manuals several weeks before you start buying equipment.

Berry's Mfg is a very economical choice for bullets. You can get 1000 115 gr plated RNs for under $83 shipped. Bullet weights seem to be more consistent than cheap TMJ/FMJ. Cast lead is cheaper, obviously, but there's a few more variables to deal with. Most advice I've seen says don't start with them.

Good choice on the press, IMO.

One more thing...it's an obsession, not just a bug.

thanks for the bullet info. I have not looked at them yet.

Since you're looking at the Lee Classic, look at the Breech load kit. For the price, it has a bunch of little things you'll need. Midwayusa has the Franklin Arsenal tumbler with rotary sifter at a good price. Their bullet puller is good too. Unique powder is hard to meter and it will be a case filler. HP-38 and Bullseye are good replacements.

I will probably go with the franklin tumbler after looking at them. thanks for the info on Unique, I will rethink the powder.

Calipers

Thanks for the catch, I have a set but I think I will get some new ones.

If you plan on doing any volume I would look into a powder throw or similar.

What would be a good thrower that works with the lee classic.

[Guest pfries]

I am using a Lyman #55 and it meters realy good for my hand gun and rifle loads.

But that is the only one I have used.

[chances R]

Go ahead and start with a barrel tumbler and stainless steel media. You won't be sorry and your rounds will look like new.

[BigK]

I've been told that aside from primer pockets & flash holes, clean brass is mostly cosmetic. I can't tell a difference in the way they shoot, but I don't shoot long range rifle matches either. That being said, I'd recommend spending your money on better calipers and scales than on tumblers, media, and separators. For the record, I still tumble my brass. I'm just saying you can wait and get that stuff later.

[mikegideon]

I just spent a few bucks on this. Haven't tried it yet, but they say it's the cat's meow. I like pretty ammo :-)

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/816895/flitz-brass-case-polish-76-oz-liquid

[BigK]

I just spent a few bucks on this. Haven't tried it yet, but they say it's the cat's meow. I like pretty ammo :-)

http://www.midwayusa...sh-76-oz-liquid

Flitz is good stuff and comes highly recommended all over the place. I'd have tried it by now if I weren't such a cheapskate. I picked up some liquid car polish at the dollar store and some walnut bird cage filler at the pet store. I throw used dryer sheets in during tumbling too. It keeps the media from getting cruddy too fast.

[mikegideon]

Flitz is good stuff and comes highly recommended all over the place. I'd have tried it by now if I weren't such a cheapskate. I picked up some liquid car polish at the dollar store and some walnut bird cage filler at the pet store. I throw used dryer sheets in during tumbling too. It keeps the media from getting cruddy too fast.

I've been using regular Flitz metal polish for awhile (not for tumbling). Read the reviews on the Midway link. I use walnut lizzard litter from the Petco.

[BigK]

It's hard to find 40 people willing to review a product. It's even harder to find 40 that all agree how awesome something is.

That lizzard litter may be the same stuff I use. I thought it was for bird cages, but not sure. I did get it from Petco. It's real cheap compared to reloading media and has little to no dust.

[mikegideon]

Crushed walnut shells. I think they package it for birds too

Edited May 29, 2012 by mikegideon

[LI0NSFAN]

Petsmart has either the bird or the lizzard bedding on sale almost everyweek. I have a friend that has a lizzard and he said with the petperks card, petsmart is by far the way to go. I get the dogs food there so next time I am there I will throw in a bag.

[BigK]

I wonder if they sift out more of the dust when it's for pets than they do when it's for reloaders. The bag I got is nice and course with sharp edges, just like you need. Hope it works for you.

[LI0NSFAN]

I think that it is more sifted for pets. dust is not good for there lungs.

[Guest canebreaker]

I pour up the 10 qt bag into jugs, through a funnel. I didn't see any dust. Looks like good clean media.

[LI0NSFAN]

I went to Petsmart and got me 3 bags and put them in a bucket to scoop out of and I go no dust as well.