Another reloading question

[Big Ben]

Hey guys. I'm pretty new to reloading, I've read the other thread and it helped some, but I could use some more info.
Here goes. I have most of the stuff, Rock Chucker, powder measure, beam scale, tumbler, hand primer, plus other small accoutrements, even got a stuck case puller like was reccomended on the other thread. Plus a few sets of dies to get started.

What else do I need?
I don't have any brass prep tools, trimmer, deburring things, etc. I know I'll need a caliper of some kind. Can you guys please give some input on this stuff, what you like, what has worked for you. Like I said I'm kinda new to metallic reloading. I think I have pretty good understanding of what to do, just need a little push on the tools.

Thanks for your help.

[howie]

I got a cheap digital caliper off Amazon for $15 give or take, seems to work pretty good. I haven't got them yet, but I'm looking at case trimmers. Once you start trimming, I think you'll have to get a deburring tool, but they're pretty cheap. You should also get a bullet puller, cuz you're gonna screw something up sooner or later. For me, it was sooner.

[Big Ben]

I have a bullet puller.
Do you have to trim cases all the time? Or, I guess, just when they stretch after a while.

[howie]

I don't think you have to trim once fired, but after that you do, or so I've been told. Someone more skilled than myself should chime in.....

[melloman]

Have you acquired and READ a book on reloading yet? Don't go any farther until you do. Lyman's 48th ed. is easy to read and informative.

What are you going to reload - rifle or pistol?

[wgandy]

Big Ben,

I stayed with mostly RCBS stuff. Like mellowman said you need to read a manual on it or if you prefer I bought a DVD, it's "reloading 101" from RCBS. If you will email me your address, if I can find where I put the DVD, I'll mail it to you to watch and then return to me.

Just off the top of my head here are some of the things I think you still need:
Case lube
Case lube pad
Primer pocket uniformer
Case neck campher tool
Shell holder (a #3 for 30-06 cases)
Powder trickler
Reloading manual.

I read a manual first but still wasn't clear on everything until I watched the DVD.

Hope this helps,
Wayne

[melloman]

Vibratory case cleaner with (treated) media and a separator, as dirty brass will wear or scratch your dies. Flash hole uniformer and primer crimp removal die / tool. Primer pocket brush. Magnifying lamp to see small defects up close. Case gages to check loaded rounds for chamber fit and cartridge OAL. Don't forget safety glasses in case something goes boom - maybe an extra pair of boxers too!

[tljames]

Ben if you PM me your address I'll send you a copy of the Sierra reloading manual Suite 5 + the software updates. I sent Howie a couple disc.


Howie have you used those disc yet?

[howie]

Not yet. We've had company, and they took over my reloading room. They're gone now, and as of next Monday I'll be playing bachelor for not quite three weeks. Hoping to get A LOT of reloading done then, among other things.

[Big Ben]

Gentleman Pm's sent. Thank you so much for all the info.

My friend passed away in 2004 and gave me all this stuff a few months before hand, I am just now able to clear a spot for the bench and get it all set up. There were some things that I still needed, hence the reason for this thread.

I do have a tumbler and sifter, case lube pad, primer tray, couple sets of dies with shell holders. I have two VERY old manuals that I've gone through, but they are just about falling apart. As well as 10-12 lbs. of misc. powders.

I plan to reload both rifle and pistol rounds, but will probably focus on rifle for now. I have a butt-load of '06 military brass, so I guess I'll need something for the primer crimp like melloman said. It seems I'm missing case prep stuff, primer pocket cleaner, case neck tools, etc.

Is any one tumbler media better than the other? I believe I have corn cob.
How about a case trimmer?

[Frederick]

Welcome to the wonderful world of reloading! First off I've been reloading for 25 years or more. I do rifle and pistol. Most of my stuff is RCBS and I recomend their case trimmer. If I were you I'd start with the pistol rounds. They are much easier, less steps and cheaper to replace WHEN you screw up. I also suggest you don't reload when you are tired, under the influence or distracted. The books will tell you the same thing but you can't be reminded enough. I know from experience about what can happen if I reload when tired.
If you have anyone who can watch over your shoulder that could be a big help.
If you have any questions feel free to pm me.

[tljames]

Case trimmers, it depends on how many you're gonna work at a time. I have a Lyman manual trimmer
<a href="http://s266.photobucket.com/albums/ii272/ECFD09/?action=view&amp;current=uni_trimmer.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii272/ECFD09/uni_trimmer.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
If I'm doing < 100 rounds of a certain caliber I use it. Now when I'm doing LOTS of brass, like when I loaded our PD 10 K rounds of .38 cal 148 gr wadcutters. I used an RCBS power trimmer. You can do a lot of brass with the Lyman, and regardless of which trimmer you use. It is a long drawn out process! Like I told you in the PM "I'm easily entertained" Thomas