Just got a press, now what?

[drummerdude1188]

thanks for the replies, what is a good reloading manual to get?

[muritku]

Get a lyman 49th reloading handbook. I got mine for $20

[drummerdude1188]

got another question on scales. I was looking at something like this

http://www.amazon.com/Hornady-Electronic-Scale-1500-Grains/dp/B001KZ7JLW

would this be ok or are these electronic scales junk?

[CSACANNONEER]

got another question on scales. I was looking at something like this

http://www.amazon.com/Hornady-Electronic-Scale-1500-Grains/dp/B001KZ7JLW

would this be ok or are these electronic scales junk?

You get what you pay for. I would suggest getting a non electronic scale first. Dillon's is probably the best buy on a new one.

[joedogboy]

Things you will need:

* Powder scale (Dillon makes one that works fine). If you are really cheap, and are just going to use your machine for basic 9mm plinking loads, and never plan to change it, I guess it would be possible to borrow your friend's scale and set your powder dispenser with that. However, it is always good for your peace of mind to check the powder charge every few once in a while.

* Two or more reloading manuals, one of which is the Lyman book. This allows you to compare load information. If you want to go really cheap, and are just going to use your machine for basic 9mm plinking loads, you could just get the Lyman pistol reloading book.

* A bullet puller (I recommend a kinetic - hammer style - bullet puller). This allows you to take apart rounds that you have not reloaded properly.

* Safety glasses. The pair you wear to the range should be fine for this.

* Calipers to measure the overall length of your reloaded ammo. If you are really cheap, you can just do a side by side comparison with factory loads, and not use any handloaded rounds that are not exactly the same length as the factory rounds.


* Tumbler to clean your cases.

* Media separator to remove the media from your cases (usually a cage that spins over an open topped container).

* Media (usually walnut shells). You can get this at reloading suppliers, or at some pet shops, where it is sold as terrarium supply for lizards.

I have included some shortcuts that might impact the accuracy and safety of your reloads. These shortcuts are in italics. They are not recommended, but are possible, if you are willing to take extra risk to save some cash - but look where that got BP and the Gulf. If you use these shortcuts, please only do so temporarily, while you are waiting for the recommended equipment to arrive

Straight walled pistol cases do not need case lube.

You should be able to reload your cases many times - just inspect them for wear, cracking, and deformities before you use them. Do not try to reload steel cases or Berdan primed cases. Some cases have a "military crimp" on the primer edges, which can make it difficult to remove the spent primers. You can damage your equipment by trying to force it to push out a Berdan primed or military crimped primer.

[drummerdude1188]

You get what you pay for. I would suggest getting a non electronic scale first. Dillon's is probably the best buy on a new one.

This one? http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/con...or__039__Scale


I know this thread is turning into a quagmire of Q&A's, but any recommendations for a tumbler? I guess im looking for a medium size, middle of the line quality machine (if such a thing even exists) I dont need the latest and greatest, but not cheap chinese **** either.

[CSACANNONEER]

This one? http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/con...or__039__Scale


I know this thread is turning into a quagmire of Q&A's, but any recommendations for a tumbler? I guess im looking for a medium size, middle of the line quality machine (if such a thing even exists) I dont need the latest and greatest, but not cheap chinese **** either.

Yep, that's the one.

How big of a tumbler are you looking for and where are you located? I might have something that would be perfect for you.

[drummerdude1188]

Yep, that's the one.

How big of a tumbler are you looking for and where are you located? I might have something that would be perfect for you.

Size isnt really that big of an issue, I wont be loading thousands of rounds a month, maybe several hundred a month. Im in LB.