KralBlbec

I'm bouncing back and forth between using the dippers or the powder measure. Leaning towards the measure at the moment and you might have just sealed the deal for me :D

As for trays, I got lots of the ones that my factory loads have come in. I've been saving them in part of the "someday ill find a use" box.

Like you, I'll probably end up using it most while watching TV or something. I'm not really the type to go to a "workshop" in the garage (if I had one) for hours :P

KralBlbec

Another idea I had. I have a rock polisher that I got when I was a kid.Its the 45C found here.

Would this work as a temporary replacement for a tumbler? I haven't used it in a long time and if it works, then that saves me another 40 bucks for the moment.

boscobeans

Tumbler should work fine. Just make sure they tumble in the media.

bosco

KralBlbec

Awesome. It looks like I got it all worked out. Gonna hold off a few days to order so I dont have to pay double shipping on backordered stuff. I'm excited to start :D

sgtD

Don't get me wrong, I have dippers and use them from time to time, especially when developing loads where I measure each charge. Dippers are also good if you happen to luck upon one that throws just the right charge. My .223 load is perfect with a 1.9cc dipper, so that's how I charge those. I just dip, level, and dump and it works out to .2-.5 above the start load, which is just around 3000fps. I also found a two dipper combination that throws a perfect charge in my 30-30 loads. Maybe I will eventually find others, who knows? But as a general rule, the powder measure is the way to go. That's why the vast majority of people use them.

As far as making ammo from the easy chair, I don't want to make it sound as if I am too cavalier when doing this. It's great, especially for sizing, and case prep, and even bullet seating once your dies are set, but make sure that you are fully focused on loading when priming and charging cases. ESPECIALLY CHARGING! If I'm watching a movie or something, I pause it or turn it off when charging cases. If it's tv, then I don't charge until the show is over and I can focus fully on what I'm doing.

No distactions during charging or you could make a mistake and overcharge or under charge. That could result in a bad outcome. Just make sure you take it slow and follow all safety precautions, like weighing at least every 10th charge and visually inspecting all of the cases in the tray before seating bullets.

Good luck.

__________________
When you've got 'em by the balls, their hearts & minds will follow. Semper Fi.

Tubby45

Very basics:

press
die set
powder measure (NOT the dippers)
scale
manual or two
calipers

If you can hold off for a few weeks on the tumbler, I will be getting rid of my RCBS tumbler and getting a Dillon tumbler. Send me your address and I will ship the tumbler to you when I get my Dillon one. If you want it, it's yours.

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Freakshow Manufacturing LLC
Ammunition- Retail, Wholesale, Law Enforcement

jfl

IMO a powder scale is a must !
It is also handy to weight bullets, ammo, etc.
I have a Lee powder measure, I still weight every ten loads.
I started reloading 30 ++ years ago, did it by myself, reading all the books I could put my hands on. There was no internet, nobody to ask ...
It is a lot easier than it seems, however you cannot be distracted; depending on the powder you use, a double charge will fit easily in the brass and is really dangerous.
A couple of trays are nice, my first ones were home-made, a thick piece of wood, drilled, glued on a thinner piece ! The plastic ones are now so cheap it is not worth the work

When I have put the powder in all the cases in the tray, I take a flashlight and check the powder level are the same; takes 10 seconds per 50 rds, it is cheap insurance.

Good luck and enjoy !!!

__________________
The first rule of a gunfight: "Don't be there !"

jfl (NRA Life Member/Instructor - GOA - IDPA - GSSF - ex-IHMSA)

boscobeans

"When I have put the powder in all the cases in the tray, I take a flashlight and check the powder level are the same; takes 10 seconds per 50 rds, it is cheap insurance."

+1

The flashlight double check has worked for me for many years and have never had a squibb or double charge.

bosco

Paco

This thread is awesome. My Wife asked me last week if I would be interested in starting to reload, I just might have to consider it.

Other than the list that has been generated for a 9x19, what would be the additional needs for adding other calibers, and is there a different list from handgun to rifle (other than the caliber difference)?

__________________
"Don't hit at all if you can help it; don't hit a man if you can possibly avoid it; but if you do hit him, put him to sleep." - Theodore Roosevelt

If you are not willing to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them!

-Paco

boscobeans

Going from pistol caliber to pistol caliber usually just requires another set of dies and the proper shell plate holder.

RIFLE RELOADING BASIC NEEDS:

1. Going up to rifle calibers you need the new dies.

2. Lubricating your brass should be done before resizing. Easy

3. Necked down cartridges have a tendency to stretch so trimming to size is often another step. Inexpensive trimmers can be found anywhere Easy


bosco