If you were just starting out in reloading....

[Rpbump]

First ask yourself what will be loading for. If you shoot a lot (rifle or pistol) a Dillon press might be the ticket. If you are loading for precision bench rest or long range rifle a good single stage press or turret type press would do the job. I would look for a beam scale Ohaus 10-10 or a smaller 500gr unit. LEE dies especially the collet dies work very well. A micrometer seating die is almost a must for rifles and allows for quick adjustments. A Franklin impact bullet puller is also needed. For the beginner Harbor Freight sells decent calipers and micrometers. For wet tumbling Thumblers Tumblers are hard to beat I've used mine for over 35 years. A vibratory tumbler is great for polishing I use a smaller one and have extra baskets for it. There are many quality hand or bench mounted primer seaters from Sinclair or Natchez Shooters Supply, Midwayusa, Brownells, etc. Package deals are available from Lyman, RCBS, etc for basic reloading. Lyman's book on basic reloading and reloading books from LEE, Hornady, Sierra, and various powder manufacturers are highly recommended. Use sites like this to ask questions. Be forewarned as reloading can be as addictive as shooting. There is great satisfaction in shooting a very small group with ammo you reloaded. Good Luck

Rpbump

 

[liveround]

Thanks Rpbump.......I've bought most of my equipment now, the list is about 3 posts back from yours........I'm still wondering about the .260 Remington reloading dies which will need to be more precise......I will be loading for .260, .223, 9mm, .45 ACP, and .44 Magnum.


Here's a recap of what I purchased:
Press - Forster Co-Ax
Powder measure - Lee Perfect Powder Measure
Tumbler - Cabelas Model 400 Tumbler Kit with media
Flash hole uniformer - Lyman Flash Hole Uniformer
Trays (2) - MTM Universal
Funnel - RCBS
Scales - Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Precision Scale with Case
Bullet puller - Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ impact
Trimmer - Wilson Micrometer Trimmer and platform kit
Lyman Case Prep Xpress (115-Volt)
Calipers - Hornady Digital Caliper
Books - Hornady 9th Edition, Lyman 49th Edition
RCBS 3-die carbide .44Mag
Lee Precision Reloading .223 Remington Ultimate Rifle Die Set

 

[waldo1979]

You want a dillon 650 XL . It will cover all the calipers you reload and reloading pistol on a turret press is a pita. Buy CNC'd heads from a third party and they will be accurate enough for all your needs. David Tubbs does this with a 550 for his 1000 yard loads.

A less expensive but slower route would be a turret press. I have a Harold's turret and would recommend it over a redding. It's cheaper and its CNC vs cast, the turret heads hold tighter tollerences. I ended up final fitting mine so that is 0.0005" deflection on my .223 / .308 heads and 0.003" on my .45ACP head. Plus the Harold's is just compact enough to make trips to the ranges (greatly reducing load development time).

For precision .223 and 7mm loads you need to hold +/- 0.1gr charge weights and likely will want to use extruded powders (which meter poorly volumetrically). Ideally you'll want to hold +/- 0.05gr for 600 yard line. So you'll need a fast, accurate digital scale, satorius being the king and a gem pro 250 being an inexpensive entry. A chargemaster will be good enough for inside 300 yards.

If you're going to shoot bench with your 7mm you may want an arbor press. A single stage press is also a safe bet for precision loads and for that I would recommend the hornady Co-Ax.

For brass prep outside of what Dillon offers look at Giraud or L.E. Wilson trimmers. For neck turning 21st century. I'm on the fence about brass cleaning... Still haven't decided which solution I prefer.

For dies Dillon or Lee for pistol and forster for rifle. Forster micrometer seating dies are easier to adjust and read (compared to redding). Whidden dies are also very nice if you have the money. For your .223 die (assuming use in semi-Auto) you'll want to polish the expander ball or just remove it and use a expander die from 21st century. A redding full length sizer with free float carbide expander also works well.

If you're priming without a dillon look at a Bald Eagle for precision loads. Tray style priming tools can be fast but dangerous (e.g. Get one primer in up side down and detonate the tray). Uniform full depth seating is your goal.

For a work bench, you want something higher than your waist and just lower than your elbows. Inline fabrication mounts are great. Get an anti fatigue may as well. If you're at the loading bench for 2-3 hours a week like me you'll end up tweaking your neck otherwise.

Lastly powder storage safety. Don't let your powder unsafely explode in a fire and don't let yourself get arrested. In WA state we're required to keep powder over 25lbs (less than 50lbs) in a 1" wood cabinet (all sides 1"). Locked out of the reach of little hands.

 

[Ruthless4645]

@K22 - "Learn how to size rifle cases properly - lot a misinformation out there"

Care to enlighten a newby?

 

[ZenOhSix]

I just went through this entire process 30 days ago. I have yet to start reloading anything yet, but just about done. I went more for the deep-end sort of style (I am terminally ill, wanted to get everything now and not be in a position later when I need something and I don't have it). Just to note, it has been an expensive month; I have spent a little more than $17,500 on the precision rifle setup...

Many people don't seem to know about TacOps rifles (I think that is because they are not a BR style of rifle), and they are not cheap at all. Yet, I would highly encourage people to check them out!

My purchase list:

{Precision Rifle platform}:
- Tac Ops X-Ray 51 .308
- Initial Remington Action, everything trued/blueprinted to extreme specs
- Krieger Barrel; 20" length, 1:12 RH barrel twist, 3A threaded
- Modified McMillan A5 Stock, Aluminum Bedding with Free Float Channel
- Walter Birdsong T Finish
- Haris BiPod with PodLock
- Anschutz rail

- Vortex Razor HD Gen II 4.5-27x56 Scope with EBR-2C MOA Reticle
- Leupold Mark 4 Steel Rings (34mm)
- Vortex SV-3 SwitchView throw lever
- Horus ASLI Angle Slope Level indicator
- AADMount Flip covers

- TacOps Titanium Suppressor
- 3A thread matched to the Rifle
- Timed to the rifle

- Misc
- ESP Custom fit digital Ear Plugs
- Aegis Arc Protective Eyeware
- Bore Guide
- Cleaning Rod/Pads/Jag/etc
- Pelican 1750 Case
- TacOps Drag Bag
- Sandbag
- TacOps Cheek Pad
- Caldwell Universal rear Shooting Bag
- MILDOT Master
- Impact Data Log Book
- Applied Ballistics fire control software (iPad/Andriod)
- Krestel 4500 (basic one for $325)
- I do not have a Spotting Scope, need to find one!

Reloading Items
Press:
- Forster Co-Ax
- Lee Reloader (Single Stage) {Used for bullet pulling}

Dies:
- Forster Ultra Micrometer Seater Die .308
- Forster Precision Plus Bushing Bump Neck Sizing Die .308
- Forster Bench Rest Full Length Sizing Die .308
- Redding Type S Full Length Bushing Sizing Die .308
- Steel Neck Sizer Die Bushing (.332, .334, .335, .336, .337, .338)
- Forster Cross Bolt Die Lock Ring (package of 12)
- Hornady Cam-Lock Bullet Puller + Collet for .308
- RCBS Bullet Puller + Collet for .308
- Whidden Bullet Pointing Die for .308
- RCBS Decap Die (.27-.45 Caliber Heavy Duty)
- RCBS 90164 Headed Decapping Pins 5Pk

Powder & Scale:
- Lyman Gen 6 Touchscreen powder dispenser
- Omega 2-Speed Trickler
- GemPro 250
- Satern Powder Funnel .308 (x2)

Measurement Devices:
- Sinclair Concentricity Gauge with Digital Indicator
- Hornady Lock n Load OAL Gauge (bolt rifle)
- Hornady Lock n Load OAL Modified Case .308 (x2)
- Hornady Lock n Load Comparator Body
- Hornady Lock n Load .308 Insert
- Hornady Lock n Load Headspace Gauge Kit
- Fowler 6" Stainless Steel Micrometer with 2032 Battery Pack (x5)
- Mitutoyo Wall Thickness Micrometer with 60o modification
- Sinclair Chamber Length Gauge
- Bob Green Bullet Comparator
- Innovative Technologies (Larry Willis) Digital Headspace Gauge
- Ballistic Tools Small and Large Primer Pocket Go/No Go "Gage"
- Ballistic Tools Neck Tension / Case Mouth "Gage" for .308

Case Prep Items:
- Wilson Micrometer Case Trimmer (Stainless Steel) Kit
- Wilson Trimmer Case Holder (.308) for Fired Cases
- Wilson Trimmer Case Holder (.308) for New Cases
- Wilson Chamfer and Deburring Tool
- Wilson Case Trimmer Power Adapter
- Whidden Meplat trimmer kit for Wilson Trimmer
- Wilson Large Primer Pocket Reamer
- K&M Flash Hole Uniformer, Professional - Standard .080
- K&M Expand Iron Complete (.308)
- K&M Large Primer Pocket Correction Tool
- K&M Micro-Adjustable Neck Turner Complete Carbide pilot, Carbide Cutter, shell holder
- K&M Ergo Holder
- 21st Century Primer Pocket Uniformer
- 21st Century Flash Hole Deburring Tool Bushing Style (.30 cal)
- 21st Century Case Holder & Driver for Power Tools

Annealing:
- Anneal Rite Machine II with Cartridge Case Holder (308) + stands
- 750o F Tempilaq
- Tempilaq Thinner
- Bernzomatic Propane Torch (x2)

Case Cleaning + Lube:
- Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Wet Rotary Tumbler (SS Media)
- Dawn Ultra Dish washing Liquid Soap (Original Scent) - 56 Oz
- Lemi Shine, Super Concentrated 36oz
- Forster Original Case Neck Lubricator Kit
- Imperial Case Sizing Wax 2oz (x2)
- Imperial Dry Neck Lube 1oz Powder (x2)
- Remington RemCloth with Moisture Guard
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloth Pack (x3)
- Nesco 1000W Food Dehydrator (case drying)

Chronograph:
- Magnetospeed V3

Misc Items:
- Frankford Arsenal Perfect Fit Reloading Tray 50 Round (x6)
- MTM 50 Round Rifle Ammo Box (x4)
- RCBS Flip Primer Tray
- Brownells Compartment Boxes (11x6-1/2) - 6 comparments (x2)
- MTM Load Labels 50 Pack (x2)
- MTM Chamber Safety Flag
- Lyman Borecam Digital Borescope with Monitor
- Akro-Mils Bench Pick Rack and Shelf w/ 24 Bins

Tools:
- Wheeler Scope Leveling Tool
- Wheeler Firearms Accurizing Torque Wrench
- Dewalt 18v Drill, FlexTorq Screwdriver 40p kit
- Nubee® Temperature Gun Non-contact Infrared Thermometer w/ Laser Sight MAX
- SE MH1047L Illuminated Multipower LED Binohead Magnifier
- Frankford Arsenal Media Transfer Magnet for Stainless Steel Media

Reloading Manuals/Books
- Sinclair Reloading Log Book (Large)
- Lyman 49th ED Handbook
- Lee Precision Modern Reloading 2nd Ed
- Sierra 5th Edition Rifle Reloading Manual
- Hornady 9th ED Handbook

Reloading Materials:
- Sierra Match King 168gr HPBT (500)
- Lapua Scenar 167gr HPBT (200)
- Hornady A-MAX 168gr (300)
- Sierra Tipped Match King 168gr (500)
- Lapua Reloading Brass 308 (200)
- IMR 4064 Powder (16 lbs)
- IMR 8208 XBR (5lbs)
- Alliant Reloader 15 (5lbs)
- Federal 210M Large Match Primers (5k)
- Winchester Large Rifle #8 Primers (2k)

If anyone see's anything I am missing, please let me know.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[ZenOhSix]

Just to note, about 2 years ago I started reloading as a beginner. I started with a Dillon 1050 Super, and purchased every accessory possible. I had a bullet feeder system, auto primer shaker/system, multiple tool heads, trimmer on its own toolhead, etc. etc. etc. I had basically set it all up twice - once for 9mm and once for .223. Then, I was just a monkey - pulling a lever and every so often I would measure oJive OAL.

I produced some 17 to 18 thousand rounds in the two or three months of owning it. I used it to make ammo for my M16 (had an RDIAS) and my M11/9 with Lage gear (takes a crappy M11/9 machine gun and makes an awesome weapon platform!).

Overall, I would say that while I produced more rounds than most people I knew - I knew the least of reloading. The setup was fully automated (which was my goal) at the time to do as little as possible on the prep/reload side. After becoming terminally ill, my wife and I sold everything 1.5 years ago (machine guns, reloading stuff, etc.).

After beating the initial prognosis dates, my wife suggested I get back into firearms. This time, I couldn't do the running around and shooting stuff as I did before (3 gun, sub gun matches, handgun IDPA stuff, etc.). So I blindly stumbled into longer range shooting. This go around, I wanted to actually learn how to reload and not pull a lever like I did before. I can tell you, I am 1000x more knowledgable now in the 30 days of reading, reading, and reading than I ever was with my Dillon 1050 Super.

Whole different game! One I am enjoying...
Thanks,
Mike

 

[hogan]

Would buy Dillon 550b press and get the conversion kits I needed.
Buy a decent scale and check weight set.
Buy RCBS carbide die sets on Ebay or other used source.
For precision, Redding Type S FL and Forster Benchrest (plain) die body seaters

Presume you are looking at components as separate expense items.

Tools you need? Maybe a HD single stage press if forming brass or loading big magnum ctgs.

Would buy Wison Case Gauge or RCBS Precision Mic for rifle ctgs I wanted to achieve precision goals.

Would definitely buy a Wilson Case Trimmer for rifle brass and use their primer pocket reamer if planned to load once-fired mil brass. The RCBS mil pocket tool is also excellent. Dillon 600 is great, but spendy and not as precise.

Dillon 550b will do all you want and the price including quality powder measure is very good.