what to buy next???

[okieshooter]

Should soon have some cash to spend and just wondering what equipment you would buy. Not trying to start my brand better than your brand arguments just wondering after the press and essentials, such as a rockchucker kit, what is next? better powder measure, trimmer, tumbler,etc. and which is nicest to have in your opinion?

[charles p]

Can't have to many reloading toys. 

[buck460XVR]

Should soon have some cash to spend and just wondering what equipment you would buy. Not trying to start my brand better than your brand arguments just wondering after the press and essentials, such as a rockchucker kit, what is next? better powder measure, trimmer, tumbler,etc. and which is nicest to have in your opinion?

the Uniflow Powder Measure that comes with the RCBS kit is as good as most......my suggestion would be if you're just loading handgun ammo to get the tumbler. If you're reloading rifle ammo you'll need a trimmer.......and soon.

[JBC]

Well I loaded for years with a single stage press and I can say that the best purchase I have made is going to a turret press. I have a lyman 6 hole turret press now that I can have all the dies for one caliber loaded and adjusted on, along with my powder measure. It sure speeds things up. Also a couple years back I bought my first tumbler and it also was money very well spent, it sure saves a lot of wear and tear on my dies.......just my $.02

[stimpylu32]

It depends on the amount that you have to spend , a tumbler is a very handy thing to have for both handgun and rifle brass , next would be a trimmer , they all work ( some better than others ) , an extra Manual or two , a Chronograph would also come in handy .

You get the idea , it will depend on the $$s and were you want to go with this hobby .

This would be my list just starting out , after the press and must have items .

1) Extra Manual

2) Chronograph

3) Trimmer

4) Tumbler

stimpy 

[Old Syko]

Without a dollar figure I would suggest juggling Stimpy's list just a bit

1 Extra manuals (plural)
2 Tumbler
3 Trimmer
4 Chronograph

Considering the political climate and depleting availability of some items you might consider investing this extra money in a stockpile of components such as primers, brass, and bullets.

[Glanceblamm]

my suggestion would be if you're just loading handgun ammo to get the tumbler. If you're reloading rifle ammo you'll need a trimmer.......and soon.

Ditto! You might purchase them hand in hand as that tumbler is going to get the grit off of your brass and protect the dies from scratching.

[okieshooter]

november birthday=trimmer
christmas=tumbler
lots of bullets and powder just because it is cheaper to buy now than it will be later. I was blessed with an understanding wife . She understands as long as she doesn't know.

[wncchester]

Oakie, I think you have it right.  Get a trimmer system before a tumbler.  The first is a neccessity, the second is a luxery.  And get a debur/chamfer tool to go with any trimmer.

A case trimmer can be the simple but excellant Lee tool or a hand operated lathe type from Lyman, Forster, RCBS, Wilson, etc.  All are good. Higher cost means a little less hassel in use but there isn't much difference in effectiveness between any of them.

A powder measure is a powder measure, there's not a lot of difference between any of them either.  IF you already have a Uniflow, just get a micrometer head for it.  IF not, get a Redding or Hornady measure that includes the micrometer head to start with.  And get a measure stand so you can mount the thing somewhere other than on your press.  You will also need a powder dribbler to trickle-up dropped charges, the Redding trickler seems to be the heaviest and I think that makes their's the best. (I made my trickler, weighs three pounds and IT'S the BEST but it's not for sale!   )

You really need a reasonably accurate way to measure things.  A micrometer reading in tenths AND a 6" steel dial caliper make a great combo but you can do quite well with just the caliper.  All the calipers sold by our various reloading companies seem to come from the same  plant in China so don't over spend.  MidwayUSA has them on sale from time to time for maybe $20 and Harbor Freight Tools frequently sells the same ones for as little as $12!

Don't get caught up in the digital fad, either calipers or scales.  Stick with simple dial calipers and beam scales for the best, longest lived tools.  And we DON'T need any powder scale check weights either, all we need from our powder scale is absolute repeatability, not absolute accuracy to .1 grain and any of them can do that, easily.

Some way to measure how you are case sizing and bullet seating is also an excellant idea.  Both the RCBS Precision Case Mic and Stoney Point/Hornady case/OAL tools do well for me but I prefer the Mic.  But, I do NOT like the Mic's dummy cartridge that is supposed to be used to find the bullet seating depth to the lands tho!

A chronograph is an excellant toy and I love mine but it's NOT a necessity!  Many of us feel that we just couldn't live without one but almost all of us did quite well, for a long time, without them,! 

Depending on what you are shooting, and in what volume, you may want a neck turning device to help improve your cases.  I have two types and have tried three others.  My favorite for both ease of use and minimal cost is the Forster Hand Held Turner (HOT 100).  It has a cabide cutter that's micro adjustable, making it as good as any and better than some competetor's models.

[BigJakeJ1s]

If you have the standard RCBS kit, you might start with the square tray upgrade to the hand primer tool, or just get the universal hand primer that has the same square tray, but also has universal jaws to hold any cartridge.The square tray is larger and easier to load from the factory primer packages, and it feeds more smoothly from the corner than round trays do. 

There is also the quick change upgrade to the Uniflow PM that lets you quickly change between preset metering inserts.

Hornady LNL adapter is a popular option too, allowing simple die changes with out having to unscrew them from the press. Or for a lot more money, you can upgrade to a Forster co-ax press, with its own floating, quick change die retention system and universal shell holder jaws.

For a trimmer, I heartily recommend the L.E. Wilson case trimmer. Sinclair makes a micrometer adjuster for it that is very nice, but not really necessary.

Andy