Review My Reloading Shopping List

YoungGun92

YoungGun92

New member
So for the the few years I have been reloading, I have done so with a good friend. The majority of the equipment has been his, but I have picked up some items along the way.

I figure it's time to get everything I need to work independently of him.

I already have:
-RCBS Rock Chucker
-Digital Scale
-Calipers on order
-Necessary Dies
-Lee Case Trimmer
-Assorted load books
-RCBS Powder Measure

I'm not trying to spend a huge amount of money to complete the list of needed equipment, but here is what I am considering buying:

*My ever-changing list*

-Frankford Arsenal Quick N Easy Tumbler
-Lee Modern Reloading Manual
-SmartReloader MPT Trickle
-Lee hand primer and shell holders
-Lyman Funnel Pan
-Lee Funnel
-Hornady case prep kit (lube pad, lube, chamfer tool, pocket brushes)
-Hornady Primer Pocket Reamer (For 5.56 brass)

Just curious what you guys think. If you have some good ideas for substitutions or anything else, I'd love to hear it.

Oh and I'm not opposed to used items either, if anyone has anything laying around that'd fit the bill and my price range please shoot me a PM.

Thanks in advance fellas!
 
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I would rather use the RCBS hand priming tool than the auto primer feed. Also I would get a beam scale, not that I have anything against a digital. I have a RCBS 1500 Chargemaster combo. I like the beam scale for a backup.
 
RCBS hand priming tool, way better than priming on the press BTDT, filling the tubes is a slow process. I prime cases while sitting in the recliner. Get the RCBS Uniflow measure as well. I'm no fan of Lee. Hornady One-Shot for case lube.
 
I wouldn`t scratch the Lee Powder measure, but the zip trim
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Reminds me of someone posting long ago, `wouldn`t that be like trying to start a lawn mower..over and over?
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Heck, PM me and I`ll mail you my old makita cordless (the batteries are about shot but they work for a little while).
RCBS makes a nice primer pocket brush if you don`t already have.
I have a couple of multi-cal trays that are ok, but if you load a bunch of .223 Rem. the sinclair cal. specific blocks are nice..so are Satern cal. specific funnels.
 
Thanks for the input so far guys. I think I'll scratch both the Lee measure and zip trim. I actually already have the drill setup for the Lee trimmer, but I figured for 16 bucks I would have tried the zip trim. After more searching it's fairly obvious the Lee measure has some leaking and consistency issues.

It would be nice if somebody made an ok measure for around 40-50 bucks, but I guess that price point isn't reasonable. I think I'll go simple and just dip and trickle till I find a decent measure either used or on sale.

And I'll look into a hand primer. I used a RCBS and a Lee in the past. I honestly wasn't too impressed with either.

Any more suggestions or ideas are appreciated.
 
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I still think for the money, a Lee powder measure works great...much better than dipping...I mean considering you are still going to trickle each one. You will be surprised how good it works.
 
Originally Posted By: YoungGun92

Any more suggestions or ideas are appreciated.



Look on ebay for stuff - there are tons of loading gear there - and for damm good prices.
 
I use a lee perfect measure. It works fine for extruded powders. Pistol powders leak. I haven't seen more the .1 grain variation on it. I always throw low, and trickle the top.
 
hornady hand primer works great...as far as measures go you always need a good scale to double check, but ounce you put down the coin on a dispencer such as a hornady lock and load or a charge master from rcbs you'll wonder why you didnt do it a long time ago imo....
 
Originally Posted By: YoungGun92
-Frankford Arsenal Quick N Easy Tumbler
-Lee Modern Reloading Manual
-Lee Perfect Powder Measure
-Lee Zip Trim
-Lee Chamfer tool I have one I will send you
-SmartReloader MPT Trickle
-RCBS Auto Primer Feed
-Lyman Funnel Pan
-Lee Funnel
-Lee Lube this too
-Smart Reloader Load Tray
-Hornady Primer Pocket Reamer (For 5.56 brass)
+RCBS Primer Pocket brush Small flat head screw driver works better.
+Lee Dipper Set


If your local Walmart sells reloading stuff they have a Lyman tumbler that comes with media for $60. (Saves on shipping)

Also don't see you mention shell holders either?

Spend the money and get sizing wax! Here It will last you a long time. If your really set on the LEE lube I will also send you a tube of that.

The Cham & Debur tool buy one of the ones that is double ended. Like this one Can also be used to remove the primer crimps to save you on the reamer.

If your really wanting to save money you can skip on the trickler also and just use the case you plan to load.
 
Look at a Lee hand primer. Comes with large and small primer trays and a boxof 11 shell holders. Simple and easy to use. I really like mine.
 
+1 on the Lee hand Primer. I have an RCBS as well, but I hate having to dismantle it to change shell holders. The Lee is much more simple. Good luck with the reloading.
 
Originally Posted By: Orneryolfart357+1 on the Lee hand Primer. I have an RCBS as well, but I hate having to dismantle it to change shell holders. The Lee is much more simple. Good luck with the reloading.

I have the RCBS hand priming tool and I don't mind changing the shell hloder but if you don't want to change them, you can get the hand primer with the universal shell holder.
 
Used the lee dippers and an old pacific trickler and RCBS beam scale for many years till this last when I sprang for a RCBS chargemaster. Both methods are to the tenth accurate, but the chargemaster is quicker. Im a IMR powder fan so I can say a powder throw doesn't work the best with extruded powders. Just something to think about. I have both the Lee auto-prime and a hornady hand primer. Have to say I use the Lee over the hornady. Better feel and absolutely wont crush primers, won't say that about the hornady unit.
 
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you wont need the dipper set if you have the powder measure.
It is kind of a throwback to the Black Powder days. And don't buy the Lee measure. Save a few dollars more, and get a Hornady or Redding. DO NOT SKIMP HERE. Also get a good, mag-damped beam scale. Check out gun shows/internet get your bargain, but do not "down brand" on these two items. You are looking for Redding Hornady or RCBS. DO NOT SKIMP HERE either. I have a Hornady (actually Pacific) that I have had for years, and because I know it so well I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Two more places NOT to skimp are a GOOD set of STAINLESS dial calipers and a good reloading library. Usually you can build your library on sale at the end of the year when the new volumes are out. At that point, they cant give the old ones away. Ive seen 40 dollar books go for 8 bucks the week before the new ones are delivered. You can get by on the company printouts for now, but figure on building a library as time passes.
 
Well, I'm still shopping around, but I did find a good deal on an RCBS measure with both the rifle and pistol drums for $61. It's coming in the mail tomorrow.

I've used an older RCBS scale for all my loading up this point, and the digital scale I have is on the money when comparing the two.

I've been looking at the Lyman dial calipers, as well as the Hornady case prep kit which has a lube pad, lube, a debur tool, primer pocket brushes, and a loading tray.

Anybody have experience with either?

Still debating on powder trickle options, but I'll most likely get an RCBS. I've used the Redding one too, but it seems a bit too expensive for my tastes.

I'm pretty well decided on getting the Lee hand primer, but I'm not sure about the new design. Word is the old one was much nicer.

The Lee manual is simply for a read. I'll be buying a few more load books as time goes. Fortunately I've already figured out the pet loads for what I already load for, so those aren't immediately necessary.

As for the suggestion about Walmart; none in my area carry reloading items, so it's all internet order if I want anything cheaper than what Gander Mountain sells it for (they're so high it's not funny).
 
I would definitely look into the Hornady OAL gauge, tool, modified cases and comparator to measure oal. I would also look into a tool to uniform flash holes. A hand primer is very handy, as well as a reloading tray. Did you have shell holders on your list?
 


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