Author Topic: another newbie (Read 327 times)

stork · « **on:** February 13, 2004, 05:38:40 PM »

I am slowly gathering the components to start reloading. I already have the bare minimum like manual, dies, press, powder, bullets, primers, cases, scale, a way to lube cases, and just about any type of tool used to measure stuff. (measuring tools are my dads) I don't think my press which is over 30 years old has a way to prime cases though. My scale is over 30 years old and I do not know how accurate it is. Also my neighbor is a reloader so he can help some too.Do you guys have any suggestions on other tools I shoud buy or reloading procedures that a first timer should follow.

KN · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2004, 07:32:40 PM »

Get a LEE hand priming tool. About $20 and works really well. You definitly want to make sure your scale is working properly. If not it could be disaterous. You will also need a case cleaner. Midway has some pretty affordable ones. You can clean cases by hand but it will be a real pain in the butt. KN

Jose Grande · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2004, 07:37:26 PM »

RCBS also makes a good hand-primeing tool. What brand scale do you have ? If RCBS, I can tell you how to calibrate it,or you can call RCBS, & they will tell yuh. Mine is RCBS & I've recalibrated it one time in over 25 years of use.

JBMauser · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2004, 12:47:07 PM »

The Lee and RCBS hand primers will do the job for you. The Lee requires it's own set of shell holders the RCBS uses the shellholders you have with your die. The RCBS has a Gate that protects the other primers from discharge if a primer lets go on you. The Lee does not and they do not recomend it for all brands of primers. Hope this helps. ( I bought the RCBS myself) JB.

thecowboyace · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2004, 02:00:27 PM »

Quote from: jose grande

RCBS also makes a good hand-primeing tool. What brand scale do you have ? If RCBS, I can tell you how to calibrate it,or you can call RCBS, & they will tell yuh. Mine is RCBS & I've recalibrated it one time in over 25 years of use.

As jose grande states, implies and will lead you to ASS U ME that RCBS is a scale which is hard to beat! I believe in every word which he has stated about the scale. I got my RCBS 5-10, not the 5-10-5? or is it 10-5-10?, oh well it doesn't pertain to the price of tea in China so, oh well, but it was purchased in '77-78, that is 1977-78. We had a house fire February 17,1989 and we lost a lot of stuff, several guns and such, but the scale, sent it off to factory for a calibration from 'dem, bigboys, was returned and with a grin they ask why I sent it back. Never said if they touched it our not. Still putting it at the forefront, I have a Lee Powder throw, did have a RCBS (fire) that is very precise on both the IMR4895 and the IMR3031. These are rod/tubular in shape and somewhat hard to really get close but I cannot tell the difference in the Lee/RCBS. Try not to buy a powder trickler, just buy some drinking straws that have the ridges in them and just use them.

Now for the primer tool. I started with Lee HandiPrime many years ago and still have them (2). I have one that is set up for small primers and the other for large primers. Lee makes a press - primer tool that uses the shellholder(press fit) which I have used when I didn't have the HandiPrime shellholder for a specific caliber. They both get the job done. Well done.