Beginner reloader setup

I'm looking at getting into reloading, and these are some main bits that I'm thinking about getting and their approximate costs:

Lee hand press ($150)
Lee Carbide dies ($90)
Frankford Arsenal DS-750 Digital Scale ($115)
Frankford Arsenal powder trickler ($70)
Lyman case prep multi tool ($80)
Lee cutter & lock stud and case length gague w/ Shellholder ($40)
Hornady Digital Caliper ($110)

What do you all think about the components mentioned above?
Are there certain items where I could get something better for a similar or slightly higher price?

buy a manual dial calliper and a manual scale probably get a lyman hornady or rcbs on here for same money and no batteries electrics to f up all the rest will see you started

What volumes are you looking at loading? Will also need to think about case cleaning at some point, walnut in a vibrating tumbler.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by m101a1

buy a manual dial calliper and a manual scale probably get a lyman hornady or rcbs on here for same money and no batteries electrics to f up all the rest will see you started

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Agree. Any half decent dial caliper. Mine come from ebay. Beam balance is best, also consider Redding, im happy with mine.
You can do without a trickler initially, just half fill a cartridge with powder and use that.

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....g-tools-98589/

Your list looks good.

Why Carbide dies? Are you planning on reloading a handgun calibre?

Something to add: Bullet puller(kinetic hammer type will do)

Depending on the calibre Id spend more on a sturdier press.

What calibre(s) will you be reloading for?

Fujiwara digital calipers can be had from AliExpress for around $50, and are equal quality to the Hornady ones, which are probably made in China anyway. I’ve been using them for years. Much better value for money and will suit most home reloaders.

If you are buying a number of items at once, take a look at what Brownells or Grafs has in stock. Even with shipping from the US, it will still be cheaper than buying many of these items in NZ. Especially for numerous items that will fit in a small box, such as dies, Lee case gauges, deburring tools etc.

I'd been thinking about possibly going with the hornady dial one, and it's basically the same cost, but I wasn't set on either digital or dial calipers, so I just put one down here.

For the scale I saw a pretty good comparison on here where someone did testing against the RCBS charge master, and it seemed to have pretty good accuracy results, so that's why I was interested in that scale. Here's the accuracy test:
https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....on-test-93971/

I'd be reloading for my 30-06.
I saw in my relaoding manual that the Carbide dies for handguns didn't require case lube, and I thought that might also be the case for rifle rounds but wasn't quite sure (I thought I'd find probably find out from this post).
I'm not married to the ideal of getting Carbide dies though, just thought that it'd be convenient for the hand press if no case lube was required.

I didn't mention a specific bullet puller here as I didn't think there'd be much of a difference between each of them, so it wouldn't be a purchase that I'd need to put a whole lot of thought into, but I may be wrong.

Join the, https://www.nzha.co.nz/ they have all the gear required and do a course on getting started. Heaps of old crusty bastards, more than willing to help newbees.

One thing I'd add to your list is a stuck case removal tool. :thumbsup:

But only if you use that hornady spray lube , cant beat imperial wax or old style lyman / rcbs lube in a tube on a pad

Yeh, all you need is RGB Lee dies.
Lube, there is more BS in forums about lube than a cattle yard.
Gear box oil, used it for years. Currently coco nut oil for 30.06 and 223. Works fine for FLSing. Just put some with cases in a zip lock plastic bag, good shake and rub, good to go, dont forget a bit inside the necks too.

Cheap bullet remover. Lol

The issue with One Shot is people don't give it time for the IPA or whatever they use, to fully flash off.
Watched F Class John do a big run of FLSing using One Shot. No issues whatsoever.
I used to use it for neck sizing but have long given up neck sizing. It was good for that as you can spray at an angle to lubricate inside the neck.
I use Imperial Wax (relatively slow) or a stamp pad with Lyman lube impregnated in the pad. I can usually roll 5 at a time on the pad. Still need to lube inside the necks if using the expander ball.
I avoid all the snake oil lubes as some then require tumbling to remove them.

Botton line, get a tin of Imperial Sizing Wax, it will last a lifetime. You will always have it. Use whatever other lube you decide upon but you’ve always got the Imperial for anything more difficult.

Whats the plan for priming?

Hand primer?
Hammer and punch? ;)

In 57 years of handloading I have only ever had a one case stuck in a die.
That was after 9-11 when aerosols and anything solvent based couldn't be shipped.
I foolishly tried a water based spray lube and immediately had my first ever stuck case.
I was able to remove it by drilling out the primer pocket, taping the hole, and using a bolt and a small socket as a spacer.

Here is an example. I used a 1/4" whitworth tap and a 3/16" drill. But metric eq will work fine.

My one ever stuck case jacked out easily. Cannot remember if I held the die in a vice, proabaly did.
Recently did a case removal for a mate. Dunno what he had done but I had to really heave on the allen key. I thought I was going to rip the thread out of the case. Classic lack of lube or incorrect "lube".

RCBS chargemaster in the buy sell section. Pretty good price for mint condition model. Plenty accurate enough for the average user.

Tacitus hasnt mentioned his budget

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tacitus

I'm looking at getting into reloading, and these are some main bits that I'm thinking about getting and their approximate costs:

Lee hand press ($150)
Lee Carbide dies ($90)
Frankford Arsenal DS-750 Digital Scale ($115)
Frankford Arsenal powder trickler ($70)
Lyman case prep multi tool ($80)
Lee cutter & lock stud and case length gague w/ Shellholder ($40)
Hornady Digital Caliper ($110)

What do you all think about the components mentioned above?
Are there certain items where I could get something better for a similar or slightly higher price?

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Have a look at Lee Breech Lock Challenger Kit Reloading Kit at Gunworks.
It would get you going with the addition of the dies you'd need.
https://www.gunworks.co.nz/shop/item...ding-kit-90030

Just a thought on measuring devices such as verniers and scales, you will pay a premium price for any tool that is related to reloading companies. The same device without the name association will work just as well.

Both methods of removing stuck cases.

https://youtu.be/EFW9URitdAU?si=VinGjv-QJnQ-IgHi

And, yes, you pay a premium for brand names.

Ive seen on youtube thede FLS 308 OK. Not sure about life span tho.

Here you go, 30.06.
https://youtu.be/Y7tjDJQop-w?si=IEmJhMX_dndCJFEJ

All that stuff you have listed will get you going the only thing id change is get a press. Never had a stuck case in my life and I usually use that lee case lube that everyone complains about dunno what I'm doing wrong there.

Some of the higher priced dies have tighter tolerences, and some lubes are better than others, I have got the odd case stuck.
Recently showing a mate how good my press is, a torret press set up for the two calibours I loaded a 223 with a 308 case holder. :pissed off: was able to show how to remove a stuck case.

Since you are starting reloading and also high power calibers, may I suggest a few things.

1. Get the Lyman manual and read the early chapters 3 times. You need to understand the variables of pressure, velocity, case capacity, powder charge, bullet weight etc. This is complex and exponential. BE SAFE.
2. Get the Hornady headspace and bullet seating comparator. It will help size cases and seat bullets accurately and repeatably. I cannot praise the merits of this tool enough. It completely eliminates so many errors that can creep up in reloading. Get the case sizing, case length trim and bullet seating right first time and you have high quality ammo every time.
3. Nothing wrong with Lee gear. Ignore the people who rubbish Lee. Lee products used to be very popular with target shooters
4. You don't need a powder tickler. My Hornady is virtually unused for 15 years. You can have it for $15 and shipping
5. I use a cheap $30 digital scale that I check with the Ohaus balance beam regularly. Makes reloading real easy