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Posted: 10/5/2015 9:02:37 PM EDT
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So I met a guy that isa manager or something at lee precision. He offered me half off anything they make! So I decided it's about time I get into reloading. I shoot idpa and spend a ton on factory ammo every year. I've also been saving brass for 3-5 years
So I picked out the lee classic turret press kit and some lee dies should be here soon. I'm thinking probably not a bad idea to upgrade the scale to a digital one right off the bat. I bought a caliper. I'm not sure what else I will need. What's the best way to clean the brass? Tumbler and dry media from cabelas? Sonic cleaner? I don't think the kit comes with a tool for removing primers from used brass? I have a bunch of buddies that reload and offered to he'll me get started but I always like checking with you guys! Thanks for your time! |
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A book. A book is what you need first. Don't unpack that press until you have read a reloading manual or three.
Hornady 9, Lyman 49, ABC's of reloading. Those are three good ones to start with. And the dies will deprime the brass. Having friends to help you out is great. Use that resource. Welcome to the addiction. |
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We can answer questions, but cannot type enough to give you all the methodology you obviously (and understandably) need. Read the manual that IIRC comes with the kit.
A digital scale is NOT** an upgrade to a beam scale, unless you are prepared to spend more on the scale than on your entire kit. lol. The Lee scale is an absolute PITA to use, but it works. Use it to get started, and you might want to replace it at some point with any other brand name BEAM scale (Dillon, Hornady, RCBS) since they all are made in Japan now by Ohaus. The quality is all the same. And consider a set of RCBS check weights (about $25) to calibrate your scale(s). They will last a lifetime. ** Why aren't (eg) $30 digital scales an upgrade from a beam scale? They cannot be calibrated near the weights we use (50/100 grams not 5 grains), they lose zero, they react badly to electrical noise and fluorescent lights, they tend to flutter, the programming used to hold zero often precludes trickling additional powder in to hit your charge, they often do not give the same weight to the same object twice, etc. While a $30 digital caliper is a fine idea (digital because you won't misread the dial), a $30 digital scale is not. |
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Quoted: A book. A book is what you need first. Don't unpack that press until you have read a reloading manual or three. Hornady 9, Lyman 49, ABC's of reloading. Those are three good ones to start with. And the dies will deprime the brass. Having friends to help you out is great. Use that resource. Welcome to the addiction. All of what he said. For cleaning cases I'm currently using a vibratory (dry) tumbler, but many people here are going with a wet tumbling process using a rotary tumbler and stainless steel pins. It's probably the better way to go, I just haven't pulled the trigger on it yet. Read a few threads on digital scales (look a few pages back) and decide if one will work for you. I don't have one, I prefer a balance beam. |
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From one of the tacked threads at the top of the page, |
| see if you can have them help with your set up. Whats more efficient for placement of press. Maybe have them with you to watch over and guide you with setting your dies. I wouldn't mess with ultra-sonic first. If you dont go with a wet tumbler, go vibratory. SS Pins are best though Imo . Cordless screw gun and the lee trimmer works good for trimming. Read the die instructions. Case chamber tool for each caliber is not a bad idea, at the least load a few a make sure they function, better this than 100-1000 that wont function. Maybe get a univeral decapping die at some point, its not a necessity but handy. Like de-capping in mass, then the super cleaning so your sizing clean brass. I've made the scale check weights out of mechanics wire thats cut to desired weight, checked with a known scale. Drop them in a med bottle, use when needed. |
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