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I started reloading about a month ago and have been addicted since. I reload 223, 9mm, and soon 45ACP. I wanted to compile a list of equipment and supplies I got that made my life easier and reloading smoother.
Lee Breach Lock Challenger Press
- Great single stage, but don't buy the kit, I ended up selling everything but the press itself. To be honest, I think the kit may have paid for itself by me selling all of the other pieces.
Lee Die Sets
- Whatever caliber you want to load. Make sure you have at least a 3 die set per caliber and that should include a shell holder, the sizing/decapping die, powder through expanding die, and bullet seating die. For 223 I recommend buying the powder through rifle die, or you will end up hand charging the cases.
Lee Auto Disk Pro
- Press mounted powder dispenser. Does a great job and speeds up charging the cases.
Lee Safety Prime
- Press mounted and takes the hands out of the priming process.
Digital calipers
- For measuring the OAL of the cases and bullets
Digital scale
-Easier to read and set up than the balance beam types. Although the balance beams may be more accurate at times, the digital will do the job and a lot quicker.
Case lube pad and case lube
- The pad isn't necessary but it makes rolling cases in lube easier. Always lube your cases as I find that 223 are very difficult to size without lube and all cases size easier with it.
Loading trays
- Holds bullets during the process. I bought 2 and load 50 rounds at a time. Worth the $4-7 each.
Loading Book
- I bought Lee's and its easy to read and understand, but bottom line, you need one.
Various tupper ware
- Containers for brass during various stages of prep
Case tumbler/media/polish
- I found a great deal on a Lyman on Ebay and I am really glad I did. It really makes a difference in the brass and I highly recommend forking out the $25-50 bucks for one. Look on Ebay. You'll find that you want a polished case so pick up some polish too. I first thought that I would hand clean the cases and skip polishing, but I quickly changed my mind.
Bullet Puller
- You will mess some rounds up so invest in a puller and redo them.
Supplies
-This includes brass, primers, powder, and bullets. Do your research and chose what you want to start with. I bought Titegroup for 9mm/45 and IMR 4068 for 223. I shoot 115gr Round Nose Rainier Leadsafe bullets, and 55gr FMJBT for 223. Primers will be hard to find, almost impossible. I recommend calling everywhere around you to find them and avoid the hazmat charge on shipping. Small Pistol Magnum Primers will work in 9mm, just as Small Rifle Magnum will work in 223. Magnum or not, make sure you buy primers when you can find them! Pick up your brass at the range or buy online. I recommend asking your range if you can pick up brass, just as a courtesy, and pick up all you can.
Extras:
-Reloading crimped military brass requires the primer pocket to be reamed or swaged. This isn't difficult, just time consuming. I would invest in a RCBS or Dillon Swager if you are doing a lot of rounds. I have found that the Hornady Primer Pocket reamer works well when chucked in a drill. Just be careful not to gouge the pockets.
-Ammo cases to hold the finished product.
-Labels so that you can identify the loads on your reloads.
You will end up shooting more. Shooting will become more rewarding. You will become addicted. You will buy more guns. You will not regret never having to buy ammo again.
Lee Breach Lock Challenger Press
- Great single stage, but don't buy the kit, I ended up selling everything but the press itself. To be honest, I think the kit may have paid for itself by me selling all of the other pieces.
Lee Die Sets
- Whatever caliber you want to load. Make sure you have at least a 3 die set per caliber and that should include a shell holder, the sizing/decapping die, powder through expanding die, and bullet seating die. For 223 I recommend buying the powder through rifle die, or you will end up hand charging the cases.
Lee Auto Disk Pro
- Press mounted powder dispenser. Does a great job and speeds up charging the cases.
Lee Safety Prime
- Press mounted and takes the hands out of the priming process.
Digital calipers
- For measuring the OAL of the cases and bullets
Digital scale
-Easier to read and set up than the balance beam types. Although the balance beams may be more accurate at times, the digital will do the job and a lot quicker.
Case lube pad and case lube
- The pad isn't necessary but it makes rolling cases in lube easier. Always lube your cases as I find that 223 are very difficult to size without lube and all cases size easier with it.
Loading trays
- Holds bullets during the process. I bought 2 and load 50 rounds at a time. Worth the $4-7 each.
Loading Book
- I bought Lee's and its easy to read and understand, but bottom line, you need one.
Various tupper ware
- Containers for brass during various stages of prep
Case tumbler/media/polish
- I found a great deal on a Lyman on Ebay and I am really glad I did. It really makes a difference in the brass and I highly recommend forking out the $25-50 bucks for one. Look on Ebay. You'll find that you want a polished case so pick up some polish too. I first thought that I would hand clean the cases and skip polishing, but I quickly changed my mind.
Bullet Puller
- You will mess some rounds up so invest in a puller and redo them.
Supplies
-This includes brass, primers, powder, and bullets. Do your research and chose what you want to start with. I bought Titegroup for 9mm/45 and IMR 4068 for 223. I shoot 115gr Round Nose Rainier Leadsafe bullets, and 55gr FMJBT for 223. Primers will be hard to find, almost impossible. I recommend calling everywhere around you to find them and avoid the hazmat charge on shipping. Small Pistol Magnum Primers will work in 9mm, just as Small Rifle Magnum will work in 223. Magnum or not, make sure you buy primers when you can find them! Pick up your brass at the range or buy online. I recommend asking your range if you can pick up brass, just as a courtesy, and pick up all you can.
Extras:
-Reloading crimped military brass requires the primer pocket to be reamed or swaged. This isn't difficult, just time consuming. I would invest in a RCBS or Dillon Swager if you are doing a lot of rounds. I have found that the Hornady Primer Pocket reamer works well when chucked in a drill. Just be careful not to gouge the pockets.
-Ammo cases to hold the finished product.
-Labels so that you can identify the loads on your reloads.
You will end up shooting more. Shooting will become more rewarding. You will become addicted. You will buy more guns. You will not regret never having to buy ammo again.
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