Ordering My Setup

[blklabs]

Ok Guys,
A while back I posted up about which press to get, and I decided on the Hornady L-N-L Progressive.  I have the 3 shellplates that I need picked.  Now the question before I can order is what other accessories do I need to get started.  I see where Dillon has a starter kit for I think $200.  Would that be my best bet and does it have everything I need, it includes: Lyman Reloading Handbook, Clear Safety Glasses, Dial Caliper, Eliminator Scale, Machine Cover, and Low Powder Sensor.  If that is not my best bet, then what would be.  Also do I need to order the bushings, or will the dies screw into the shellplate?

Thanks for your help gentleman, oh yeah I am also going to order an 8pound jug of unique, should fit the bill nicely for my 41 and 44 ........

blklabs

[goodwrench6710]

I just started reloading this year. As far as the progressive press, I can't help you at all. I can tell you the Lyman 48th handloading manual is a great book that is really packed full of information & isn't biased toward any one bullet manufacturer. It's a must have in my book! As far as calipers, I like the digitals the best (it's alittle faster).
I buy my powder from local shops, the $20.00 hazmat fee is too much & can get a better deal at the shops. I paid $17.99 for a pound of unique.
My scale is a RCBS 505 which I like alot.
If you find need for a case trimmer, the Lyman universal trimmer is very easy to use if you want a manual one.

[Graybeard]

Check out the sticky thread at the top of this forum. It has all the info you need to get going in reloading. I wrote an entire article for it.

[Questor]

Here's what you need to go with that new progressive:
1) A good scale. Mine is RCBS balance scale. Works fine. Cheaper than digital.
2) Digital caliper instead of dial caliper. A great refinement over dial. Mine again is RCBS.
3) A log book for tracking your loading.
4) A toothbrush and canned air and lube to keep the press maintained. Probably an allen wrench set to remove and replace things.
5) No low powder alarm. You can see the powder just fine. Unless you are talking about a die that detects improper charges in the case itself. That would be a good tool to have if you have room for the extra die.
6) A pillow case or plastic bag to cover the machine when it's not being used.
7) A safe place to store the scale when you're not using it.
A bazillion bullets and primers 
9) Trays for staging your bullets and brass. I use steel pie pans.
10) Maybe some extra tubes for filling primers if your machine has such a thing. I have 5 and prepare them all before loading 500 cartridges.
11) A box to store the finished rounds in.
12) A vibrating case cleaner.
13) A tool for separating case cleaning media from cases. I like the RCBS tumbling separator (about $20)
14) A filtration mask so you don't poison yourself when using the tumbling separator.
15) Disposable vinyl gloves for use during reloading
16) Good eye protection
17) Go-Jo with Pumice hand cleaner for removing lead from your hands after handling lead bullets.

[blklabs]

Graybeard,
Thank you for having a site where knowledge abounds.  I read your article and it was very helpful.  I went to Midway USA and compiled this list of products to get.

RCBS Deluxe Scale Check Weights 510.5 grains
10 Pack of Frankford Aresenal Ammo Boxes
Lyman Power Chamfur and deburring set
Hornady Powder Trickler
RCBS Case Lube Kit
Large Hornady Cartridge Catcher
Lyman 48th reloading Manual
Hornady L-N-L AP Dust Cover
RCBS Electronic Caliper
Hornady GS-1000 Electronic Powder Scale 1000 grain
3 - 3pack of Hornady Bushings

My dad has a vibrating case cleaner and media seperator that I am going to borrow for now. 

Can you think of anything else that I would HAVE to have.  The total is allready over $700 and I don't really want to spend too much more ..........

Thanks for the help guys!

[stimpylu32]

blklabs

If your just starting to load you may want to rethink some of the list . The GS 1000 comes with 20 & 30 gram check weights so the RCBS set would be redundent at this point , also the dust cover when you can use a trash bag or pillow case as Questor stated .

As far as the ammo boxes that is a maybe , when a simple zip-lock sandwich bag will work as well for now . you may also be able to find a set of calipers cheaper that will work just as well .

Now for the add list , a small powder funnel is very handy to have , you may also want to look at another loading manuel to go with the Lyman just to cross check your loads and have more data to chose from .

One more thing you may want to do is check the local pawn shops and gun shops for used parts & peices to lower the cost .

stimpy

[blklabs]

Stimpy,
Thanks for the info about the scale weights, that $50 there.  Also, I found a digital caliper from Frankfurt that was almost $20 cheaper, I just thought the RCBS would be a better brand.  I will pick up the frankfurt instead and add a small powder funnel.  You just saved me probably $60. Thanks!  I also have access to my dad's reloading manuals he has a hornady manual and another manual too. 

[goodwrench6710]

My calipers are Frankford & they work just fine, I paid $16.99 for mine! I have the Hornaday trickler & wish I would have gotten the RCBS.

[Graybeard]

Do yourself a favor and FORGET Midway. Check the prices at GBO Sponsor Midsouth Shooters Supply and save yourself some money while support our sponsors.

I agree forget the dust cover. I've been loading close to 40 years and have never bought one yet. Unless you're loading for only one chambering with one set of dies do yourself a favor and get at least the ten pack of LNL bushings. You really don't wanna be moving them from die set to die set. I'd hate to guess how many of the bushings I have. Also agree the check weights are a bit redundant. I use MTM ammo boxes both the 50 and 100 sizes. Again I'd hate to guess how many of those things I have around here.

Use whatever lube method you prefer but I've not used anything other than the RCBS spray lube in about 3 or 4 oz spray bottles in the last 12-15 years. I'll never go back to conventional case lubing again.

If you're using a progressive press what the heck are you planning to do with that powder trickler? I've not used one of those in at least 20 years and I load on single stage loaders. That's one to forget about in my opinion. I mostly just throw my charges from a powder measure regardless of powder type. Benchrest shooters THROW not weight their powder charges and so do I. Volume is really more important than exact weight in accuracy in my opinion. When I need to trickle I use a teaspoon and tap it with my finger to "trickle" a few powder grains at a time from it. Been working for me for over 20 years and I've not worn out that spoon yet.

[quickdtoo]

The total is allready over $700 and I don't really want to spend too much more ..........

I bet you'll be able to trim that bill down a bit at Midsouth, they're prices beat Midway 9 times out of 10 unless it's a Midway sale item, and even then, Midsouth sometimes beats em with their regular price, check em out on some of the bigger items and you'll see. Their shipping is also more reasonable than Midway's, and as Bill said, support them and you're supporting GBO. You can see all GBO sponsors by clicking the GBO logo at the top right hand corner of any page.

Tim

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/

[Questor]

blklabs:

What cartridges do you plan to load on the progressive? I see some things in your list that I take issue with:

Probably not needed - RCBS Deluxe Scale Check Weights 510.5 grains
Not needed if only doing pistol - Lyman Power Chamfur and deburring set
Not needed - Hornady Powder Trickler
Not needed for pistol - RCBS Case Lube Kit
Speer is a better manual because velocities are similar to what you can expect. Lyman definitely is not accurate in that regard, it's only a book of safe loads. - Lyman 48th reloading Manual
Kinda pricey, but it's your money - Hornady L-N-L AP Dust Cover
RCBS Electronic Caliper
Doesn't this come with a check weight?  - Hornady GS-1000 Electronic Powder Scale 1000 grain