Lesson 3

LESSON #3

EQUIPMENT PRICE RANGES AND SUPPLIERS

There are many choices as to where to purchase equipment and components. You will probably find yourself dealing with more than one company, however, there are some who sell everything you need.

Let's take another look at the list of equipment and discuss brands and choices.

RELOADING MANUAL(S)

At least one reloading manual is a must, and the more you can get a hold of the better.

Prices range form $7 to $40

For a beginner, I recommend a Lyman manual because they are impartial. They do not sell powder or bullets so they're information is a little more generic.

RELOADING DIES

Prices range from $18 a set to over $150 a set. If you're just starting out, I recommend working the lower end of the range. If you enjoy it and want to move up, you can always sell the retired equipment. You can even buy used equipment to start out with, but until you know what damage is possible and how to spot it, you may be better off to start fresh and tear it up yourself.

Dollar for dollar, Lee, RCBS, Lyman and Hornady all make good dies at the low end of the range.

PRESSES

Prices range from $25 on up. There are several good single stage and progressives. Again, I recommend a single stage to start out with.

Lee, RCBS, Lyman and Hornady all make fine single stage equipment. There are basically 2 styles of single stage, "C" frame and "O" frame. O frame presses are typically stronger and for larger calibers it would be wise to by a large stout O frame. C frame presses are nice to work with because of their open design and most are strong.

POWDER MEASURES AND SCALES

Prices range from $15 for a set of scoops on up to nearly $200 for a top quality measure. Scales can be had within that range and if you can't do both, buy the scales.

You do not have to have a measure if you have a good scale, but it will speed things up.

Stay within your budget, you will enjoy it more. Again, you can always find a home for retired equipment.

I purchased a used Redding scale and did without a measure for years. I still scale a lot of my loads, mostly because I enjoy the tedious work.

CASE MEASURING

As I mentioned in lesson 2, cases will grow and must be checked before each loading.

A dial caliper works great for this and you should purchase one that is marked in thousandths of an inch .001.

Dial calipers range from $15 to $100 and there are a lot of choices. Personally, I have more confidence in a steel caliper over a fiberglass. I maybe all wet but that is my preference.

A micrometer can also be used but are typically more costly, $40 up.

The plates that I mentioned are simply called case length gauges and run about $10 each and usually cover a group of calibers. The price of 2 plates and you could have a caliper.

TRIMMERS

Trimmers are a must and can be as simple as the Lee hand-held which sells for under $10 complete and ready for 1 caliber. Additional calibers can be added for about $5. Rotary trimmers start around $30 and run on up to around $150.

Again, Lee, RCBS, Lyman and Hornady all make quality products in the lower end of the range.

RCBS, Lyman and Hornady all make quality products up towards the upper end of the range on all of the products as well

Lee makes products that a working man can afford, folks may bad mouth them but I won't. I believe they make a good product for the money and had it not been for their products, I might not have gotten involved as young. It was hard to justify a $50 or $60 press, so I did not, I used Lee hand loaders for over 10 years on a couple of calibers.

SUMMARY

Equipment you need for safe reloading (minimum prices, new)

A Caliper $20
A Scale $30
Die Set $18
Press $25
Trimmer $10
Total $103

One other note; Kits are a good way to go as there are several different packages available from various manufactures. They can contain as much or as little as you want. The RCBS Rock Chucker Master Reloading Kit is complete except for Dies and is a very good setup. Prices vary greatly so shop hard.

WHERE TO SHOP

Midway USA
Load From a Disk For Windows
USA Shooting Supplies

I appreciate the opportunity to present this class to you and hope that you have enjoyed it and maybe learned a thing or two.

Drop me a note if you have any questions or comments on the class you have just taken. Constructive criticism or suggestions are appreciated.

Bill Wade

Lesson #1 Lesson #2