I just bought the lee hand-loader,I am wondering what other tools and suppl will I need to get into reloading?
I am just getting into reloading and I read lees 2nd edition of modern reloading and I just bought my first hand press. What other tools will I need just as bare necessities to dive right into this (besides brass,bullets,primers and powder).
Do I need a scale if I have dippers?
DO I need a chamfer tool if I have a case trimmer and lock stud?
Do I need a tumbler?
I just want to reload ammo not supply an army or have shiny brass.
Well, to first answer your questions...
Do you need a scale if you use the dippers? No, but I'd highly recommend one. Dippers work by volume, but smokeless powder is usually measured by weight (a scale). A scale will allow you much more consistant powder charges.
Do you need a chamfer tool? Again, not really, but it makes seating a bullet much, much easier. Like the scale, I'd rank a chamfer tool pretty high on the list.
A tumbler? As a person mentioned, you really don't need one. Dirt on a case causes excess friction. However, this usually isn't an issue. If you are sizing brass that is really out of tolerance (like military surplus brass fired in machine guns), if you don't clean the brass first, it can cause some problems. In over 20 years of reloading, I can think of only 1 time were dirty brass has pulled a die apart on me.
So what else you need?
A priming tool (assuming there isn't one built into the press)
A caliper (this is a measuring tool to measure case lengths, overall lengths, and other precise measurements)
A powder funnel (it makes life a lot easier)
A shell holder. Your reloading press requires a shell holder to hold the brass casing. Lee reloading dies used to come with one. I think they still might.
Case Lube (If you use full length sized dies,you need case lube. I highly recommend the RCBS liquid lube)
Eventually, you will probably need a case trimmer ora trim die. You can usually shoot brass at least a half dozen times before worrying about the case length (some of my brass I've never had to trim)
If you don't use the Lee powder dippers, you probably want a powder dispenser. This will make life much, much easier.
Again, if using a powder scale, you probably want to invest in a powder trickler. This allows you to add powder a granule or two at a time.
Other things, you'll pick up as you go along. Case trays can help keep cases upright and in order if you are not using a progressive press. If you buy brass in bulk, you'll need something to carry loaded rounds in. Sometimes you can scavange factory ammo boxes from a shooting range, but you'll probably need to buy ammo boxes. Reloading labels are nice, but are not really necessary.
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