Getting a reloader- Am I missing anything?

[lightsdarkness]

Hi guys, I'm getting a reloader. I am trying to get away with it as cheap as possible and I'm not worried about speed since I have never done this before. I want to make sure I have everything I need. Let me know if there are any ways I can cost cut, or replace with something better. ALL OPINIONS ARE WELCOME!

Reloading .223 and .40 cal as of now.

The list:

Ordering from www.brianenos.com

Dillon RB 550B with caliber conversion kit in .223 - $419.99
caliber conversion kit in .40/10mm ---------------$43.95
Dillon 1" Bench Wrench --------------------------$7.95
Dillon's 'Eliminator' Scale ------------------------$54.95
RCBS Equipment Scale Check Weights------------$22.50

Total- 549.34

Ordering from Midwayusa.com

Frankford Arsenal Case Lube 8 oz Pump----------$7.79
Lyman "Reloading Handbook---------------------$17.99
Frankford Arsenal Case Tumbler Master Kit with Rotary Media------------------------------------ $73.99
L.E. Wilson Case Trimmer------------------------$38.99
Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 40 S&W------------$36.99
Frankford Arsenal Corn Cob 7 lb Bag--------------$9.99
RCBS Chamfer and Deburring Tool VLD------------$12.99

$25 rebate
$36 shipping
Total: $209.93

Complete total: $759.27

Am I missing anything? Anything that is not needed. Looking to order tonight or tomorrow. Thanks

[electronics]

I'm assuming you are ordering the raw materials (powder, brass, primers, and bullets) at another time. Other than that you appear to have everything you'll need to start reloading. I'd suggest another reloading book as well, to cross-check loads.

[Xringshooter]

On the corn cob, go to your local pet supply place and buy it (or get the crushed walnuts shells), you'll probably find it cheaper, they are in the bedding section. Check the description on the tumbler, it may come with some media and you wouldn't have to buy any for a while.

Do you have boxes to hold your ammo once you've loaded it? Specific caliber boxes are pretty cheap (Frankford or Midway brand).

If you are going to be reloading A LOT of .223 that has been crimped (primer pocket), I would recommend a primer pocket swager, several manufacturers make them. You can take the crimp off with the deburring tool, but if you have a lot of cases to do it is just so much easier to do it with the swaging tool. If you don't take the crimp off, you will have a heck of a time trying to seat the primers.

Otherwise, IMO you have a good start. The only other thing that I would recemmend (I have a RL550B also) is to spend the money on the Dillon Strong Mount for it. I found that it really makes it easier to do everything. Also, if loading a lot of ammo, the roller handle is much easier on the hand than the standard handle that comes with the 550.

[hornady]

I see a couple things on your list you could save a couple bucks on, but get what you are comfortable with, The one thing you may or may not need , you have 40 S&W dies, if this is for a Glock you may need either the Lee bulge buster or the Redding G-RX die, some have problems others don’t, you will know if you do, Brass will peal down one side going threw the sizing die.

[smitty56]

You should add a Dillon Case Gage to test fit the finished round.
http://www.dillonprecision.com/conte...gun_Case_Gages

I ordered nifty blue boxes for ammo from Midway. One was broken upon arrival and the rest of the boxes are fragile. I return them tomorrow. NO Frankford Arsenal ammo boxes! I was buying something else and just auto added some boxes from Frankford Arsenal. I should have read the reviews at the site. I like MTM but I think I like Berry's boxes best.
http://www.berrysmfg.com/products.aspx?c=3

I tried the pet store materials for brass cleaning like walnut shells and corn cob. I have thrown it all away and am back to the prepared stuff from Lyman and others.

Like they said about reloading .40?
You will probably end up needing to fix the case bulge. A good tool to get is the Redding tool. Read this article about case bulge.
http://www.gundigest.com/article/sho...fixglockbulge/

[lightsdarkness]

thanks Just placed the order and can't wait to start.

[Eagles6]

Nothing at all wrong with what you're getting but you could get away with something from Lee for a press, scale and stuff for a lot less.

[Pukindog]

Loading blocks are nice. case length gauges, powder funnel kit, powder trickler for those precision loads when throwing extruded powders, neck lubing brushes are among a couple of things I can think of.

Jeff

[markshere2]

a Bullet puller is used quite frequently here at my bench

Mine's blue plastic kinetic type and says frankford arsenal on it.

it's been in use for 2 years and holding up fine.

[Flash]

TEN BUCKS

HARBOR FREIGHT

DIGITAL CALIPER -- no loading bench is complete without at least one.

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-...per-47257.html

Flash