Am I leaving anything out?

[dandechino]

I have been reading The ABC's of Reloading and getting excited. I am still in the process of learning but am beginning to look at equipment. Here is the list I am beginning to build for a simple, on the cheap, beginner's reloading setup:

Essentially a simple cheap hand press because I won't have a workbench and the dies to go with it.

Lee Hand Press Kit
Lee Reloading Manual
4-piece carbide 9mm die set
7.62x54R die set

ETA: a video that sold me on the hand press!


Anything else you might recommend I pick up that I might need?

[racky]

-hand primer
-tumbler
-scale

i know you said you don't have a workbench but i recommend you save an extra 50 bucks and get the single stage bench press instead of the hand press. you can mount the single stage on any stable table.

[ireload]

Your hand press already has a ram primer kit already. A decent caliper to measure over all lenght of your loaded round, a kinetic bullet puller, primer pocket cleaner.

That's how I started reloading. I reloaded that method for 8 years before getting a RC. The neat thing I had a plastic tool box that I use to store all of my reloading equipment when I lived in a apartment.

Just a side note, even though your 9mm die sets have a carbide resize die (I'm assuming) use the tube of Lee lube that came with the press on the 9mm brass. Just dab a little and spread it with your fingers. You'll see why if you don't. That press does not have enough leverage to make the 9mm brass easy to resize even with a carbide die.

To speed thing up in the future when you gained a bit of reloading experience, pre-prep the fired brass way before you reload them. I use to pre-prep my brass a week before I do my actual reloading. It cuts down on time a bit. But always focus on "quality". Have fun on your new found addiction per say.

[stphnman20]

Do you seriously want a hand primer? If I were you, get the Lee anniversary kit. It's a single stage kit. Where you have to do each stage separately. The kit comes with everything you need except for the dies.

I don't have a reloading bench also. I simple month my turret press on a 2x8 and clamp it on my computer table. It's simple.

Also get yourself the Lyman 49th edition reloading book.

[BigBronco]

Dan, For a few dollars more I will make you a good deal on a used Lee 3 station turret with auto index. Way better than the hand press.

[dandechino]

I don't have a table that I can use, otherwise I would buy a standard press.

So revised thus far for cheapest possible start:

Lee Safety Scale
Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner
6" dial calipers
Lyman Reloading Manual #49
Hand Press Kit
4-pc 9mm carbide dies
Reloading Tray

Total startup cost minus powder, primers, brass, bullets= $148.03

[SanPedroShooter]

You dont have a table? Any table? I live in a six hundred square foot box (killer view of the harbor though), with two cats and a wife, i still got my lee anniversary kit set up. I mounted the press to a 2x6 and i clamp it down to the coffee table. My wife wont let me permanently mount the press to the table...
I think it was 99 dollars and came with everything but the dies. I also bought some calipers and loading blocks (a must) and few other lee tools. Dont forget the bullet puller!

[Enter_the_Dragon]

Bullet Puller

a kinetic bullet puller

Ditto

[Cowboy T]

Eye protection. You want eye protection if a primer goes pop during the reloading. Same reason why you wear eye protection when you're shooting.

[shinbone]

If you dont have a table, goto Home Depot and buy an 18 dollar wooden saw horse.

[dandechino]

If you dont have a table, goto Home Depot and buy an 18 dollar wooden saw horse.

How would you mount the press? Just right in the middle?

[shinbone]

I have my single stage on the horizontal beam almost touching the right leg, and my powder dispenser off to the left.. between the 2 thats the work area I use for my balance beam or plastic trays. I also have a small fan clamped so it directs air out the window that I work near.

[iareConfusE]

You might have a little trouble reloading rifle cartridges with a hand press.. Like others have said. Spend $20 and build your own table like I did if necessary. Then purchase a single stage Lee Anniversary kit.

[dandechino]

Went with the Challenger 50th Anniversary Press Kit. Thanks to all for the input.

[iareConfusE]

Good choice.