What to purchase next for reloading equipment?

[novalty]

Well I've accumulated some Cabelas points and trying to decide what additional reloading stuff to buy. I am currently only loading 9mm & 45acp at low volumes, and the equipment I have now is enough to do the job, but looking to get some input from other on what would be useful. If there is something other that you've found useful to your reloading bench (other than a Dillon), please let me know. Thanks!

For reloading equipment I currently have:
RCBS Rockchucker II
RCBS Automatic Bench Primer
RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure
RCBS 5-0-5 Scale
RCBS Carbide Dies: 9mm & 45acp (2 shellholders each)
RCBS Deburring tool (.17 to .45 caliber) find it a pain deburring .45acp.
Dial Caliper
Lyman & Lee Primer Pocket Cleaners
RCBS powder funnel & Primer Tray
Lyman 1200 Turbo tumbler
Lyman 49th Edition Loading Manual
Loading trays
.45 plastic reloading boxes

 

[Rule3]

Hard to say without knowing what you have already?

You can never have too many primers!

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

Since it is on the poll list I assume you don't have one. Get an inertia, hammer like, bullet puller. They're under $20 and are handy to have around. Don't often use mine, but when I do I'm glad I have it.
John

 

[Rule3]

OK, the poll makes it way easier

Bullet puller and media separator. How do you separate it now?

I use the low tech approach:

Standard Media Separator

The RCBS bullet puller hammer works great, only needs one collet and lifetime warranty.

 

[Maximumbob54]

Most of that list you will find yourself buying at some point, but while we all hate to admit it... That bullet puller is going to get used more often that we should have to...

I don't think you can ever have enough reloading books. I have several and still buy them when I find a deal.

If you buy more lock rings then look at the Hornady brand. They are the only ones I know of right now being made that are the split lock ring type. I don't care for the set screw style even with the bit of lead shot under the set screw.

Dillon has the only media sep device I will spend any more money on. I have bought a few and they were all junk. Wish I had my money still.

I'm still not sold on electronic scales. Lost of variables with them. I have that same 505 and swear by it and check everything on it.

I can do just as well with a Lee dipper as I can with a trickler. I have one and almost never use it.

If anything, I'm glad I bought a universal decapper so I could start depriming cases before cleaning them.

 

[novalty]

Right now for lock rings I just have the set screw type that came on my RCBS--and even though they haven't moved yet, still considering the Hornady lock rings. Right now for a separater I am using the slotted lid on my Lyman 1200 and a trash can. The idea of trickler seems good, but I don't know if I would use it that much, I check a lot of my powder throws from the Uniflow and they are pretty consistant, if they are off I just rethrow and measure again.

 

[sjmjax]

You have a good basic set-up. Not much different from what I've used for many years.

I'd suggest some things not on your list.

* Gloves, disposable nitrile gloves to use while gun cleaning, reloading and during tumbling/media separation operations.

* Respirator for toxic dust particles. Available at Lowe's, Home Depot and such usually in paint department. Wear during loading, unloading tumbler and media separation operation.

*These two items critical to reduce lead poisioning. Dust from tumbling is a major source.

Then the bullet puller hammer.

More reloading supplies.

Later down the road, maybe a turret or progessive press.

PS. I have a trickler. Came with the RCBS kit years ago. Never use it. Find small plastic spoons or similar products faster and easier to use on the rare occassion when I need something like that. Powder dispensers and the propellants I use are consistant enough for my needs to not require "trickling".

 

[Gamer]

I would get the electronic scale. I use the RCBS 750 model and it works well, easy to use and calibrate. Having a second scale will be nice to compare with and the increased speed verifying your loads will speed up your process versus using the 5-0-5. Plus, hand held pullers are fairly inexpensive. In reality, a lot of what I would do depends on the budget.

 

[Rule3]

With the scale you have, I see no reason for a electronic scale. I have a pretty expensive one and never use it. Lock rings? What for? yours should be fine. My Lee "rubbers" work just fine and never loosen. Trickler if you are a bench rest shooter.

K.I.S.

Don't be like Bob .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-zG5U0v3gU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7udQSHWpL88&feature=relmfu

 

[blujax01]

1 and 1A - bullet puller and media separator. I do not think I could live without either.

 

[arjay]

A trickler would come in handy when you are working up test loads or for loading stick powders in the larger rifle cartridges.

 

[novalty]

Lock rings? What for?

Rule3, the only reason I was considering the lock rings were for the seating / crimp dies I have, if I decide to change the bullet I am using for instance 230gr. RN to say 200gr. SWC, and have to adjust the die for crimping, the RCBS rings were frustrating to set. Have heard the lock-ring style like those offered by Hornady or Forster work really well, and would reduce the chance of me damaging the thread on the dies.

 

[HAWKEYE10]

I also like the Lee locking rings. They make adjusting dies so easy. IMO they are the best thing since sliced bread. Well almost. Don

 

[45cal]

Voted other,without a tumbler you will wreck the dies,start loading with clean brass oh and a couple more books.

 

[Rule3]

Rule3, the only reason I was considering the lock rings were for the seating / crimp dies I have, if I decide to change the bullet I am using for instance 230gr. RN to say 200gr. SWC, and have to adjust the die for crimping, the RCBS rings were frustrating to set. Have heard the lock-ring style like those offered by Hornady or Forster work really well, and would reduce the chance of me damaging the thread on the dies.

I have two sets of RCBS dies (which I do not use, picked them up a a reload stuff sale) They have brass allen head set screws. Seems the only way to damage anything is over torquing them. I think I have heard of folks putting a small lead shot between the screw and the die.

If they are not convenient to work with, than sure whatever works best for you.

 

[gwpercle]

Now you need to get into bullet casting... reloading empty cases is phase 1 . Making your own bullets is the next step to becoming a complete reloader

 

[john16443]

I just used some of my Calebela's points to get a free media separator.

 

[novalty]

Now you need to get into bullet casting... reloading empty cases is phase 1 . Making your own bullets is the next step to becoming a complete reloader

Fortunately my father-in-law & brother-in-law cast, and I just brought them a 5-gallon bucket full or wheel-weights that I scrounged up. So I can get some cast leads from them.

I see an electronic scale is a highly recommended item, but any that has a favorable review seem to be out of my price range at the moment. However, I can get a bullet puller, media tumbler and a pack of 6 locking rings and it would only cost me about $3.5 out of pocket.

 

[MichiganScott]

I've loaded for over 35 years and with the exception of a bunch of specialty stuff, you have most of the bases covered.

I didn't notice a case trimmer. I always trim new pistol cases to minimum before they are loaded the first time. Never found it necessary to trim a second time. I dislike trimming enough that I bought all new RCBS X-dies when they brought them out in rifle calibers I was already set up for.

 

[buck460XVR]

For pistol rounds using small charges of fast burning powder, the RCBS Micrometer Adjustment screw for your Uniflow will make getting accurate charges much easier.