What else do I need?

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overthere

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I decided to start reloading and have ordered (but not yet received) the following equipment. I plan on reloading 223 and 9mm.

Is there any equipment blatantly missing from my setup that I should get in addition to what I already ordered (not counting the components such as primers, powder and bullets :)).

9361 RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press Master Kit which includes:
- Rock Chucker Supreme Single Stage press
- 505 scale
- Uniflow Powder Measure
- Speer Reloading Manual
- Hand priming tool with small and large primer plugs
- Folding Hex Key Set with 0.050", 1/16", 5/64", 3/32", 7/64", 1/8", 9/64" and 5/32" keys
- Universal Case Loading Block, which holds 40 cases in most rifle and pistol calibers
- Case Lube Kit, which includes a 2 oz bottle of Case Lube-2, a case lube pad, 2 case neck brushes for .22 through .30 calibers and an accessory handle
- Powder Funnel for .22 to .45 caliber, including the Winchester Short Magnum calibers
- Chamfer and deburring tool for .17 through .60 caliber

Dies and holders I ordered:
- Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 9mm Luger
- Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set 223 Remington
- RCBS Shellholder #10 (17 Remington, 204 Ruger, 223 Remington)
- RCBS Shellholder #16 (30 Luger, 9mm Luger, 9mm Makarov)
- Lee Universal Depriming and Decapping Die

Brass cleaning:
- Cabela's Case Tumbler Kit 400 TUMBLER KIT (has the tumbler + media)

Caliper:
- Cabela's 6" Economy Electronic Caliper

Is there any equipment missing from this list that you think I must have in order to reload, or that you would strongly recommend that I get?

As additional information I am planning to reload standard loads, not hot loads etc. in case that makes a difference.

Thanks
 
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I do not see a case trimmer either. For the 223 you will need one.

Are you loading for a semi auto (AR) or bolt action? Bolt action you can neck size and not trim very much if at all. Semi auto you full case size and will stretch your brass.
 
how about a primer pocket tool for cleaning before priming
 
You need a champfer and de-burring tool to clean up the case mouth after trimming. Also, a funnel to pour powder into the case mouth's with, and a larger funnel to pour powder back into the powder bottle from the powder measure when changing to a different load. I don't believe I saw a dial caliper on your list, that is essential for measuring case length and OAL length of finished loads. Some kind of powder trickler to put the last flake of two into the case for exact loading, (I made a very little spoon form a piece of aluminum 30 yrs. ago and still use it.)

Be sure to read the loading manual, and also as you progress, you will want to add several other loading manuals. Never throw away the old ones, just keep adding new ones to your library.
 
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thanks

Thank you all for the recommendations.

I am adding a bullet puller and the headspace gage.

I am going to be reloading for both a bolt action and an AR.

Will I definitely need a case trimmer? If so, what would be a good one at a reasonable cost?

Is the primer pocket tool still needed if I am getting the Lee depriming and decapping die?

For deburring and chamfering, the RCBS kit comes with such a tool, will that be sufficient?

Thanks
 
overthere said:
Thank you all for the recommendations.

I am adding a bullet puller and the headspace gage.

I am going to be reloading for both a bolt action and an AR.

Will I definitely need a case trimmer? If so, what would be a good one at a reasonable cost?

Is the primer pocket tool still needed if I am getting the Lee depriming and decapping die?

For deburring and chamfering, the RCBS kit comes with such a tool, will that be sufficient?

Thanks
Click to expand...

The case trimmer I have is the Lee lock stud and trimmer with the appropriate case gauge to match. For thr 223, you will likely need to trim after the third reloading. Just use your calipers to measure and see. Also, I see you git the Lee dies, and shell holders. Most Lee dies (except the RGB series) come with shell holders.

The RCBS tool will be fine for deburring/chamfering. Doesn't take much.

Primer pocket cleaner is needed. For about $3-5 bucks, get it. The decapper doesn't clean the primer pocket. When the primer is pushed out, the primer pocket (or cup) will have carbon build up in it that if left unchecked, can interfer with seating the new primer.

As far as the headspace gauge, I don't use one, I just full length resize and go. The bullet puller is a must.

A small led light is handy. Once all the charged cases are in the loading block, I shine a flashlight down them and visually check to see that all the cases have the same level of powder. If they are good to go, I immediately place a bullet on top of each case and put my powder away, then seat/crimp.

Edit: nu-finish car wax is a great addition to your tumbling media. I added a capful to mine, ran it for 30 minutes to distribute it through the media, the ran my brass through it. The brass came out looking better than new brass and made picking them up off the range easier since I could see them better.
 
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Tapedandtagged, thanks for the detailed response.

I am ordering the following:

- Lee Case Trimmer Cutter with ball grip
- Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner
- Lee Case Trimmer Cutter and Lock Stud
- Lee Case Length Gage and Shellholder 223 Remington

I originally ordered the RCBS case holders separately even though the Lee die sets come with them, I read somewhere that the Lee case holders were not a good match with the RCBS press but perhaps that is incorrect?

I am also ordering:
- Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-Ez Impact Bullet Puller
- The ABCs Of Reloading: The Definitive Guide for Novice to Expert
- RCBS Stuck Case Remover Kit (hopefully never to be used)
- L.E. Wilson Case Length Headspace Gauge 223

Phew, lots of stuff...

Seems like a good initial setup? Or can anyone think of something else?
 
Ended up getting a 'Lee Collet Neck Sizer Die 223 Remington' as well given I have a bolt action...
 
The primer pocket reamer is cheap so might as well. I used one once. I think it's a waste of time. The tiny bit of carbon that comes out is hardly worth the time and trouble, JMO.

The head space gauge also gives you the length of the case, Plop it in and out. It will instantly show if a 223 case shoulder , neck or length is out of spec.

For Bolt action, keep your brass separated(for one rifle only) and then just neck size, You should not need to trim those very often.
 
lmcgust said:
...add a powder trickler (needed for rifle reloading).

For the trimmer, I recommend the WFT trimmer. Very nice and affordable. $69 and runs off a drill.

Best Regards,
Guy -
Click to expand...

A powder trickler is very nice for those precision rifle loads. Set your measure just under the charge you want and trickle up to it.

To save money, for a while I just trickled from an old straight walled case. I just scooped some powder in, tipped it sideways and rolled it back and forth between two fingers. It worked, but was easy to trickle too much if you weren't super steady.
 
The shell holders that come with Lee dies will not work with the RCBS hand held priming tool.

I use Lee dies and if I don't have a RCBS shell holder I prime on my Rock Chucker.

If you have a stuck case, just follow directions that came with the Lee dies to remove it.

Modern Reloading by Richard Lee is also a good read.
 
Best accessory is an experienced friend to help you get started. And all the advice above. I have only been reloading for a couple years, and do not pretend to be an expert. But the knowledgable friend was a big help when I started. Speeds up the learning curve enormously, and made the job a lot safer.

I have an RCBS RC Supreme, balance beam scale, the Lyman powder measure with the flapper thing, Wilson case trimmer, dial calipers, Lee dies, and lots of manuals. I am sure there are better setups. But this works ok for me. I weigh and measure each rifle load, but the Lyman measure works well for pistol loads.

The other thing that helps is to arrange your work in a physical sequence that prevents brain farts when you are loading a lot of pistol ammo on a single stage press. Like forgetting to put powder in the 123rd 9mm case. I have learned to place the components in order of assembly, left to right. It makes it harder to accidentally leave out a step with a single stage press and stuff scattered all over the bench/table. Prepared primed cases, powder measure, scale, trickler, bullets, press, and yogurt container. The cases move through these steps left to right in a straight line. Not a big deal if I am only loading, weighing and measuring 15 rifle cartridges, but it makes a difference if I am loading a lot of pistol ammo.

That is what I have learned in 2 years.
 
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