Spent all of my ammo money

P

Pietro Beretta

New member
....on reloading equipment...

Yup, I spent the cash I had for 1,000 rounds of .45 ACP and made the decision to start reloading.

Luckily, I have been saving my brass for the last few years, I have 3,000 9mm and 1000 .45.


So far, this is my setup: (Love the harbor freight coupons and no sales tax in oregon.)

Harbor Freight Adjustable Height Heavy Duty Workstation #46725.
$22.50
Harbor Freight 6 In. Digital Caliper With SAE And Metric Fractional #68304
$9.99
Harbor Freight Rotary Rock Tumbler #67631
$34.39
Harbor Freight Nitrile Gloves
$7.99
Harbor Freight Dust Mask
$5.99
Blue Coral Wash & Wax Concentrate 100FLOZ
$3.88
STM Stainless Tumbling Media 5 Lbs
$39.95
Powerful Handle Magnet, 100 Pounds Pull
$7.90
Lee Precision 45 ACP Gauge/Holder
$8.49
Lee Precision 9-mm Gauge/Holder
$8.49
Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Puller
$18.99
Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit
$114.99
Lee Precision Carbide 4 Die Set 45 ACP
$37.49
Lee Precision Carbide 4 Die Set 9-mm
$37.49


I did mess up a little, I purchased some Winchester WSF powder - thinking I had bought the wrong stuff.. I went and picked up some Hodgdon CFE Pistol Powder. Turns out there is load data for WSF for 9 and 45 even though its labeled shotgun(noob). So I have some extra powder now.

I got a brick of Winchester Large Primers and S&B Small Pistol Primers as they were on sale.

For bullets, since it was my first time and the pickings were slim I got Berrys 9mm 124 GR RN and Berrys 45 ACP 230GR RN.


Press gets here late next week but the media gets here on Monday, time to break out that dirty brass! I also have a reloading manual on the way.

What did I miss, I am sure I am missing something!!
 
Did you get a scale?
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The kit comes with an analog scale - I was thinking about picking up a digital scale but, since I wanted to keep in budget friendly and already blew an extra 50 on powder I didn't need; If I need a digital scale I have a sportsmans warehouse a couple blocks away.

Would you suggest a digital scale? I am guessing it will be easier to be able to zero quickly.
 
(Kit Includes:Breech Lock Challenger Press, Perfect Powder Measure with stand, Safety Powder Scale, powder funnel, case cutter with lock stud to trim cases, an inside/outside case neck chamfer/deburring tool, primer pocket cleaner, large and small safety prime primer feeders and a tube of premium resizing lube. One Breech Lock Quick-Change Bushing. )
 
I can recommend the Dillon digital scale, it isn't too expensive.

They zero quickly, self-calibrate, offer repeatable measurements, accurate, and are easier to work with. I also feel there is much less probability of an error, only thing to happen is going to be transposing a number, with an analog scale you can not only transpose a reading but have mechanical error as well.

I've got three analog beam or arm scales, I don't think they are nearly as well made as they should be.
 
You will be fine, looks like you got all that is needed. After loading for a while you might want something to make loading easier but you can decide on what, and buy later. You are going to find that there is little to no reason to trim handgun brass.
Enjoy
 
First, congrats on your new press and your new hobby.

It is not necessary to have a digital scale. It can make things go a bit faster.

I'd explain how, but all you have to do is find iraqveteran8888 on YouTube. He's got a complete set of tutorials on how to reload both rifle and pistol ammunition, and in one of them he discusses and demonstrates how to integrate a digital scale into his reloading, while keeping the beam scale handy as a back up. Pretty sure it's in either video 1 or 2.

Presently I only use a beam scale, but a digital scale is probably just over the horizon.
 
All I have to say is that I wish I lived in the U.S so I can get these components for those prices! They charge an arm and a leg for literally everything in Canada. Have fun reloading! I am absolutely enjoying it so far. Their is a lot of stuff to learn, but the payoff is worth it!
 
You definitely need a scale. There are some who think you need to have an old fashioned beam scale around as they don't just quit on you, but I went with two digital scales - chances of both quitting are slim. But one has died at just shy of 1 year old. Both were under $30 each - the Hornady 1500 died. Ordered a $150 gem scale from Old Will Knot Scales - GemPro 250. Lots of reloaders seem to like these.
 
All I have to say is that I wish I lived in the U.S so I can get these components for those prices! They charge an arm and a leg for literally everything in Canada.
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Its ok, since I pay for my own healthcare right now without an employer benefit - I pay $250 a month - its all relative. :eek::p

You definitely need a scale.
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I will take a look at some scales, reliable tends to be expensive - but then again reliable should is what I need be looking for. :)
 
Get a GOOD beam scale, that's about as reliable as it gets!

If you get a digital, be sure and get a set of check weights...
 
You coulda' saved on the tumbler stuff.
Just use your washing machine.
Make sure your better half isn't around when you do.
What they don't know won't hurt them.
 
(Kit Includes:Breech Lock Challenger Press, Perfect Powder Measure with stand, Safety Powder Scale, powder funnel, case cutter with lock stud to trim cases, an inside/outside case neck chamfer/deburring tool, primer pocket cleaner, large and small safety prime primer feeders and a tube of premium resizing lube. One Breech Lock Quick-Change Bushing. )
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If you are like me, you will come to hate the Lee scale. Yes, it works, and yes, it is accurate, but it is a pain in the azz to use. An RCBS scale was quickly added to my list after a month of the Lee one. That was years ago and I never looked back.
 
I know. I'm sitting on 44lbs of EXTRA powder.
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One of my range/reloading buddies is a fireman. He has said if my address pops up as a fire he will keep far away until after everything blows off.
 
Make sure your better half isn't around when you do.
What they don't know won't hurt them.
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What he should have said is, "Make sure your better half isn't around when you do. What they don't know won't hurt YOU.:D

Take your time and set things up right and proper. Only load in small batches and try them out for function and accuracy. Make notes on everything your put together. When you find something you like put a star or similar symbol on the corner of those notes so you can easily come back to it later on.

One other thing you want to look for is a kinetic puller. This WILL come in handy at some point. This is another reason to start slow and load only a few per batch until you have everything going like you want it. Pulling pistol rounds is a pain, but pulling a BUNCH of them is really a PAIN.
 
Never hurts to have more than one reloading manual,
Misprints abound.
Watch the places that sell reloading stuff, they will get small booklets from the powder suppliers, and they are exactly the right price- FREE!
 
Jeff, I'm not a fan of the Lee scale either.
RCBS is much quicker and stands the test of time,
Mines 20+ years old and still accurate.
 
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