first time reloader making shoping list

[IrocGuns]

I took a Lee Challenger press on trade a few years ago, I think I'll try reloading. I want to load cowboy action 45colt loads...would love a shopping list. So far I have just the press and some primer thingers...and brass. Here's what I have.
http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=303474

Thanks!

[R L Suehr]

Number 1, a reloading manual. Lyman 49 is a really good one to start with. Personally I have several around. You'll get good load data from them and almost all have an intro to loading section at the beginning.

Get a decent scale. I'd go with a beam scale at first, even if you upgrade to digital later it's always good to have one around to check on things.

Powder measure, definitely a necessity.

Dies, I like Lee or RCBS personally.

Components. For .45lc, you'll need large pistol primers, powder (I use unique for it) your reloading manual will help with this decision, and bullets (for cowboy loads cast will work well).

That'll get you started. Warning, you'll buy lots of other stuff eventually.

[bamboomaster]

Number 1, a reloading manual. Lyman 49 is a really good one to start with. Personally I have several around. You'll get good load data from them and almost all have an intro to loading section at the beginning.

Get a decent scale. I'd go with a beam scale at first, even if you upgrade to digital later it's always good to have one around to check on things.

Powder measure, definitely a necessity.

Dies, I like Lee or RCBS personally.

Components. For .45lc, you'll need large pistol primers, powder (I use unique for it) your reloading manual will help with this decision, and bullets (for cowboy loads cast will work well).

That'll get you started. Warning, you'll buy lots of other stuff eventually.

BANG-ON ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[ExFlyinguy]

I started with a Frankford Arsenal digital scale but lost confidence in it, and added a RCBS 505 Beam Scale. Now my OCD has me using both, double checking every charge. Yeah it takes me a long ass time to reload.

Haven't bought a Powder Measure. Reviews are all over the place on them, and I guess powder type has a big impact on how they throw, or if they leak like a sieve. Probably be great for Pistol Powders?

Primer, I just use the one that came with my Lee Press. The little hand primer presses with the trays seem handy & fast but more money than I'm willing to spend at this point.

I'm not familiar with the 45LC. For handgun, I reload .40SW & just started .380 I've never had to trim a pistol caliber. I do have a case gauge for my .40's that I use to check them.

[theunrulychef]

Trail Boss powder for Cowboy Action loads. Loading single stage, I would definitely get a powder drop measure - Lee, RCBS etc. For this particular application, accuracy isn't all that important, but you will need a scale to make sure you get the powder measure set up correctly. One of the good things about Trail Boss powder is that you will have a hard time blowing yourself up due to a double charge. You could essentially fill the case & not get to dangerous levels. You can also load down for Cowboy Action (mouse fart loads) and it will still fill a good bit of the case. That stainless Uberti you got from me saw lots of Trail Boss loads with the minimum (5.5 grains or something close).

Lee 4 die set for 45 LC is a good buy. Resize, expand / powder drop, bullet seat & crimp dies.

You will need calipers to check your cartridge length.

Cowboy Action loads can be dirty. You will likely need to get a tumbler at some point to clean your cases. Harbor freight & pet store walnut with a shot of NuShine works great.

Another fun thing is real blackpowder loads!

[R L Suehr]

You will need calipers to check your cartridge length.

^^^^ +1
Forgot that one.

[IrocGuns]

Trail Boss powder for Cowboy Action loads. Loading single stage, I would definitely get a powder drop measure - Lee, RCBS etc. For this particular application, accuracy isn't all that important, but you will need a scale to make sure you get the powder measure set up correctly. One of the good things about Trail Boss powder is that you will have a hard time blowing yourself up due to a double charge. You could essentially fill the case & not get to dangerous levels. You can also load down for Cowboy Action (mouse fart loads) and it will still fill a good bit of the case. That stainless Uberti you got from me saw lots of Trail Boss loads with the minimum (5.5 grains or something close).

Lee 4 die set for 45 LC is a good buy. Resize, expand / powder drop, bullet seat & crimp dies.

You will need calipers to check your cartridge length.

Cowboy Action loads can be dirty. You will likely need to get a tumbler at some point to clean your cases. Harbor freight & pet store walnut with a shot of NuShine works great.

Another fun thing is real blackpowder loads!

Great advice! Your right, those cowboy loads are dirty but fun. I might try real black powder too, but talk about dirty...

Thanks!

[IrocGuns]

Thanks guys! I'm making my list and checking it twice...

[ett]

I took a Lee Challenger press on trade a few years ago, I think I'll try reloading. I want to load cowboy action 45colt loads...would love a shopping list. So far I have just the press and some primer thingers...and brass. Here's what I have.
http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=303474

Thanks!

I started reloading at the beginning of last year. And I also started with 45 colt.
Although modern smokeless; not black powder.

Here's a couple threads I started concerning my initial venturing into reloading:

http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=278719
http://forum.pafoa.org/showthread.php?t=281541

And here is my equipment list:
Sorry, I was not able to cut-n-paste and then format correctly.
But I believe it can still be understood.
And I think we all can agree that I probably went over board.
So pick and choose wisely.

Reloading Equipment Inventory Report

     Manufacturer          Name                 General Use        Cost/Price                  Notes
3M                X-factor safety glasses safety glasses     10.57            $9.97 + tax, Home Depot
Basics            dustpan + duster        cleanup            4.22             $3.98 + tax, Walmart
Basics            stool                   stool              12.6             $11.88 + tax, Walmart
Burnsoft          My Loaders Log & CD logs                   26.99
Cabela's          bullet puller           bullet puller      21.19            $19.99 + tax, Cabela's
Dymo              Letratag                label maker        18.95            $17.88 + tax, Walmart
Dymo              refill                  label maker refill 7.29             $6.88 + tax, Walmart
Frankford Arsenal Electronic Calipers     round measuring    24.99            MidwayUSA
Frankford Arsenal Peel and Stick Labels   labels             8.99             pack of 100, MidwayUSA
Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case         case preparation   74.99            MidwayUSA
                  tumbler master kit
Hillman           No Smoking Sign         sign               2.1              $1.98 + tax, Home depot
Hillman           No Smoking Sign         sign               7.28             $6.87 + tax, Home Depot
Hodgdon           Annual Manual 2015      manual             8.47             $7.99 + tax, Cabela's
Hodgdon           Annual Manual 2016      manual             8.47             7.99 + tax, Cabela's
Home Depot        2x4's                   bench materials    31.83
Home Depot        MDF                     bench materials    31.78
Home Depot        nuts + bolts            bench materials    1.7
Home Depot        nuts + bolts            bench materials    9.42
Home Depot        nuts + bolts            bench materials    11.16            Home Depot
Home Depot        pegboard                bench materials    19.38
Home Depot        T-nuts + rubber cups    bench materials    6.39
Hornday            Handbook of Cartridge manual            31.79            $29.99 + tax, Cabela's
                   Reloading
Hornday            Reload Counter mat    bench materials   21.19            $19.99 + tax, Cabela's
Inline Fabrication Junior Ultra Mount 6" press mount       65
Inline Fabrication Toolhead Storage rack storage rack      20
                   - Lee 4 hole turret
LEE                4 hole turret         turret            12.99            MidwayUSA
LEE                4 Hole turret         turret            12.99            MidwayUSA
LEE                4 Hole Turret Press   press             84.99            MidwayUSA
LEE                Auto-Disk Powder      powder measure    24.99            MidwayUSA
                   Measure
LEE                Auto-Disk Powder      die related       21.57            3x, MidwayUSA
                   measure Riser
LEE                Deluxe Carbide 4-Die  dies              41.99            MidwayUSA
                   set .357/.38
LEE                Deluxe Carbide 4-Die  dies              41.99            MidwayUSA
                   set .357/.38
LEE                Deluxe Carbide 4-Die  dies              41.99            MidwayUSA
                   set .45 Colt
LEE                Modern Reloading      manual            21.19            $19.99 + tax, Cabela's
                   Second Edition
LEE                Primer Pocket Cleaner case preparation  4.19             MidwayUSA
LEE                Pro Auto-Disk Powder powder measure     51               $41.99 + shipping and NRA round up;
                   Measure                                                  MidwayUSA
LEE                Safety Magnetic       scale             24.99            MidwayUSA
                   Powder Scale
LEE                 Safety Prime small +   priming            22.99            MidwayUSA
                    large
LEE                 Universal Shellholders shell holders      27.49            MidwayUSA
Loadbooks           .357 Magnum            manual             7.41             $6.99 + tax, Cabela's
                    Loadbook
Loadbooks           .38 Special Loadbook   manual             7.41             $6.99 + tax, Cabela's
Loadbooks           .45 ColtLoadbook       manual             7.41             $6.99 + tax, Cabela's
Lyman               49th Reloading         manual             30.73            $28.99 + tax, Cabela's
                    Handbook
Lyman               Peel and Stick Labels  labels             4.19             pack of 75, MidwayUSA
Lyman               Pistol & Revolver      manual             18.99            MidwayUSA
                    Handbook
Lyman               pistol case guage      case guage         13.77            $12.99 + tax, Cabela's
MTM                 loading tray           loading tray       16.94            2 x $7.99 + tax, Cabela's
Norcom              Composition Notebook logs                 4.41             3x $1.39 + tax, Wegman's
RCBS                Stuck Case remover     stuck case remover 18.99            MidwayUSA
shipping            shipping               shipping           4.99
shipping            shipping               shipping           10.59            MidwayUSA
shipping            shipping               shipping           9.99             MidwayUSA
shipping            shipping               shipping           16.95
Sierra              Rifle & Handgun        manual             30.73            $28.99 + tax, Cabela's
                    Reloading Data
Sterlite            7-qt latch boxes       brass storage      24.94            12 X ($1.96 + tax), Walmart
WJ                basic Economy vinyl logs             2.53            $2.39 + tax, Wegman's
                  binder

[bamboomaster]

And one more thing: a bullet puller is going to be your new best friend....