You won’t regret it
I offer my canned response regarding what a new reloader needs to get started (with my recommendations):
First, read lots of books and manuals:
The ABCs of Reloading
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1440213968Also available on iTunes
The Beginner's Guide to Reloading Ammunition
http://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Reloading-Ammunition-Apartment/dp/148207379XLyman 50th Edition Reloading Manual
http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-50th-Edition-Reloading-Manual/dp/B01N76GD2FLee Precision - Modern Reloading
http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Modern-Reloading-Format/dp/B000N8OKAUAnd watch videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmith/videos?flow=grid&view=0&sort=dat=58s
And conduct other research:
http://rcbs.com/Resources/Introduction-to-Handloading/Step-by-Step-Reloading.aspxhttp://ultimatereloader.com/Equipment: Start out with a single-stage press. A single-stage press will force you to focus on each step. You should master each step before you attempt to combine them into a single-pull of the lever. Further, turret and progressive presses add complexity and points of failure that single-stage presses don’t have. You will always have a use for a single-stage press on your reloading bench, and you may find that you never need anything more than a single-stage, so get a good one.
The Bare Minimum:
□ Books & manuals (You can never have too many books and manuals)
□ Reloading press* (Single-stage - RCBS Rock Chucker)
□ Scale* (Balance beam scales; pref. Ohaus, RCBS, Lee, etc.)
□ Priming tool* (Rcbs hand primer)
□ Case lube* (Hornady one shot)
□ Funnel*
□ Calipers ($10 eBay Stainless .001")
□ Shell holders (rcbs)
□ Dies (for the specific cartridges you will be loading)
□good accurate chronograph is a must
□ powder trickler
Near Essentials:
□ Bullet puller (Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Impact Bullet Puller)
□ Primer crimp remover (Lyman)
□ Case trimmer (rcbs trim pro)
□ Chamfer/deburring tool*
□ Case headspace gauge (Hornady)
□ If loading .223/308 for AR platforms: Small base sizing die(s).
Note: If you need them, you need them; regardless, highly recommended, particularly if reloading for semi-autos.
Very Nice to Have:
□ Powder measure*
□ Loading block*
□ Plastic cases for your loaded rounds
Other stuff to make your job easier:
□ Hornady Lock-n-Load bushings (adaptable to many presses)
□ Digital powder measure (RCBS Chargemaster; 1500 or Lite)
□ Brass tumbler (Rotary/wet: Cheap - Harbor Freight Dual Drum; Best - Extreme Rebel 17. Once you go wet, you never go back)
- [ ] Hornady aol gage
- [ ] Hornady bto comparator set
* Included with most starter kits (RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit)
Note: The RCBS Rock Chucker is probably the best-selling single-stage press ever made. The other tools in the kit are also top quality and, no matter how far you “advance” in the reloading game, you will always be able to use every component in the kit and they will outlive you. It is a little more expensive than some of the other kits but remember that this is a lifetime investment; it is not money wasted but a solid foundation to build on. RCBS customer service is as good as any.
