Here we go!

[avvidclif]

Hope your garage is air conditioned. I don't think anyone trims pistol brass. Lyman has a little inexpensive kit with a deburr, primer pocket swag and cleaner. I do run that in the primer pocket. Lets you physically check the brass and remove pieces of media that may be stuck. When you do .45ACP it's nice to be checking that primer pocket as there are small and large primer pockets and you need to separate them out.
I have a stainless steel liquid tumbler which I never use but brass looks like new and I have a regular tumbler with corn cob media which I use 99% of the time. I tumble outside though as there is lead dust danger.
Finally you will want a chronometer, a bullet puller (inertia works for me), maybe a balance scale to make your digital is really accurate, safety glasses, a do not disturb sign. Get a notebook so that you can record all of your data for every load you make.
Have fun.

Why do you need a chronometer? What are you timing that needs to be precise???

 

[rotor]

Why do you need a chronometer? What are you timing that needs to be precise???

Should have said chronograph. My bad. Doesn't every reloader chrono their ammo? Maybe not.

 

[avvidclif]

No, went over 50 years without one. Never saw a need and back when I really wanted one it was abt 2 weeks pay to buy it. Nope.

I have one now, Labradar, but that is because I got into precision rifle shooting and was looking for Min SD.

 

[Dawico]

Should have said chronograph. My bad. Doesn't every reloader chrono their ammo? Maybe not.

I chronograph very little of my ammo. I only bought it for precision stuff. The rest I don't care about.

 

[toddnjoyce]

This is essential. I had to pull bullets on 18 rounds of a weak batch I made up and that was more than enough. 500....good grief.

I had a weak batch on a new recipe today. I pulled 7 bullets of my 10 round test batch.

If I had a bullet pulling die, 500 wouldn't be so bad. By hand...not so much.

 

[SQLGeek]

Even with a die that's a lot of pulling.

 

[Deavis]

Should have said chronograph. My bad. Doesn't every reloader chrono their ammo? Maybe not.

They are so cheap that it is hard NOT to buy one. If you are seeking top accuracy, velocity will never matter and published loads will be your guide to find it. If all you care about is velocity then... published loads SHOULD be your guide but everyone wants to stick a big block into a Civic it seems.

The chronograph produces data that are fun to have and talk about but just remember that the sample sizes most people shoot are meaningless. An SD of 5FPS from a 5 shot group sounds great on the internet but means nothing statistically. If that 5 shot group punches sub 0.5 MOA and is repeatable, that's cooler.

 

[CodyK]

Ok, I’m back on the Dillon train. Looking at ordering the 550. I keep going back and forth because I am a cheapskate, but I keep coming back to the Dillon’s. I know I will need a caliber conversion kit and dies for every caliber I want to load. I know what the die set is for, but what exactly is a caliber conversion kit?


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[Dawico]

Ok, I’m back on the Dillon train. Looking at ordering the 550. I keep going back and forth because I am a cheapskate, but I keep coming back to the Dillon’s. I know I will need a caliber conversion kit and dies for every caliber I want to load. I know what the die set is for, but what exactly is a caliber conversion kit?


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The shell plate and miscellaneous parts to hold the shells on the press. It looks like it also includes a flaring conversion for the powder dispenser.

Many cases share a shellholder so you may be able to use one for a few different rounds.

 

[avvidclif]

They are so cheap that it is hard NOT to buy one. If you are seeking top accuracy, velocity will never matter and published loads will be your guide to find it. If all you care about is velocity then... published loads SHOULD be your guide but everyone wants to stick a big block into a Civic it seems.

The chronograph produces data that are fun to have and talk about but just remember that the sample sizes most people shoot are meaningless. An SD of 5FPS from a 5 shot group sounds great on the internet but means nothing statistically. If that 5 shot group punches sub 0.5 MOA and is repeatable, that's cooler.

Is .25 MOA Ok?

 

[Deavis]

Is .25 MOA Ok?

Depends, two shot group?

 

[Charlie]

.25 MOA is a dang good start!

 

[avvidclif]

Depends, two shot group?

5 shot, standard group

 

[Charlie]

What caliber?

 

[avvidclif]

What caliber?

Howa HCR in 6.5 Creedmoor.

 

[Charlie]

Ohh, nice!

 

[CodyK]

I found a store in Houston called 10 ring, that has tons of reloading equipment. I ended up getting a Lee Classic Turret press. Got the press, 9mm and .45 die sets and some powder and bullets for both calibers for around $400. I might kick myself for being cheap and not getting a Dillon, but it was gonna be close to a grand for the press, dies, caliber conversion kit, powder and bullets


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[Charlie]

I found a store in Houston called 10 ring, that has tons of reloading equipment. I ended up getting a Lee Classic Turret press. Got the press, 9mm and .45 die sets and some powder and bullets for both calibers for around $400. I might kick myself for being cheap and not getting a Dillon, but it was gonna be close to a grand for the press, dies, caliber conversion kit, powder and bullets


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Handloading is a relaxing pastime and will save money eventually depending on how much you shoot. It also allows one to find the exact load that a rifle or handgun likes and is the most accurate!

 

[CodyK]

Got it set up, and ran 12 (9mm) to test at range tomorrow. Hoping for the best!! Went by the book and measured every single one.


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[CodyK]

I also decided against setting it up on my workbench in the garage. Got a cheap Harbor Freight work table, and set it up in my upstairs family room. Didn’t feel like dealing with summer!!

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