Reloading 9mm. Please critique my shopping list.

[TonyB.]

I want to get into reloading my own 9mm and have compiled the following shopping list. I'd like advice on any subsitutions or point out anything I've forgotten. I already have calipers and a digital scale. Primers, powder and lead will be another topic and strongly based on availability

Lee turret press kit. Should I get 3 or 4 hole press?- http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lee-...et+press+kit&WTz_l=Header;Search-All+Products

Lee 9mm dies- http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision...8&qid=1363983207&sr=8-1&keywords=lee+9mm+dies

Tumbler- http://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Ars...&qid=1363983330&sr=8-1&keywords=brass+tumbler

Media- http://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Ars...&qid=1363983330&sr=8-8&keywords=brass+tumbler

Reloading tray- http://www.amazon.com/MTM-Universal...=1363983422&sr=1-14&keywords=reloading+manual

Hornaday reloading manual- http://www.amazon.com/Hornady-Editi...d=1363983422&sr=1-2&keywords=reloading+manual

 

[BUFF7MM]

I'd get the 4 hole if you're going with the turret.
And books, books, books. I don't think you can have enough.

 

[jimbobborg]

4 hole press, get the powder thrower for it, get your media at Petco (Lizard Litter), tumbler at Harbor Freight, and get at least one more manual.

 

[TonyB.]

Jim is this it?
http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision...4021&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=lee+powder+thrower

 

[jimbobborg]

Jim is this it?
http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision...4021&sr=8-3-fkmr0&keywords=lee+powder+thrower

Yes, get the AutoDisk riser, too. http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Auto-Disk-Riser/dp/B00162LR6W/ref=pd_bxgy_sg_text_y

ETA And this http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Safety-Primer-Large/dp/B00162POP2/ref=pd_sim_sg_1

 

[TonyB.]

The press kit I linked to includes the auto disk powder measure.

So the new list. I think I'm going to forgo the kit since I wont use the balance scale anyway.

4 hole press
Auto disk powder measure
Auto disk riser
9mm dies
Hornaday reloading manual
Harbor freight tumblr
Lizard litter media
Reloading tray

 

[Mark C]

That powder measure comes with the kit you linked, but I'd suggest you get the auto disk pro upgrade kit. Check out prices at https://fsreloading.com, good prices on Lee stuff.

 

[HarCo2ANewb]

Titan Reloading sell a bunch of Lee items and is a great place to check for in stock items pretty regularly if you are having trouble finding them. Also really good place to get extra parts if you need them. I have the Lee 4 hole press and load 9mm and .300blk on it. If you ever want to load for something else, just get an extra 4 hole turret(like $12) to put the other Dies into and it takes 5 seconds to switch out.

 

[Maryland Hunter]

The Hornady manual is great, the Sierra is my other favorite. Modern Reloading, by Richard Lee, has a lot of useful info in it too. I believe it was on Midway recently for around $18. You can't have enough manuals. They all present the information in a slightly different way, one may be easier for you to understand than the other. You also will want to compare loading data as your recipe components may vary a bit from the books.

Hope this helps.

MH

 

[Traveler]

I strongly recommend a balance scale, not digital. I followed that recommendation and have been very pleased. Digital scale can be a pain, and accurate ones are anything but cheap. I do like digital calipers.

http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Dig...1?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1364002343&sr=1-11

http://www.dillonprecision.com/cont.../7/Dillon__039_s___039_Eliminator__039__Scale

 

[Traveler]

A lot of people including me, like the walnut media. Cheap at your local pet store, lizard or cat bedding. A cap of Flitz polish while the tumbler is on, BEFORE you put in the brass. Give it a few minutes.

 

[TonyB.]

I strongly recommend a balance scale, not digital. I followed that recommendation and have been very pleased. Digital scale can be a pain, and accurate ones are anything but cheap. I do like digital calipers.

http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Dig...1?s=industrial&ie=UTF8&qid=1364002343&sr=1-11

http://www.dillonprecision.com/cont.../7/Dillon__039_s___039_Eliminator__039__Scale

I'm a machinist and engine builder. I have very accurate, certified and frequently calibrated instruments.

 

[TonyB.]

Thanks for all the info guys. Now to find the stuff in stock somewhere

 

[Wheaton Hills Sportsman]

I like the Midway overall length and diameter catridge gauge. It is quick to use and assures you that you are good to go. You can gauge them to set up the tools and can gauge all the complete rounds to make sure they chamber in commercial chambers.

 

[Traveler]

Food for thought, I have found measuring the same load across many rounds in a session is quicker on a balance scale. Many here have commented on the common issues with digital scales, including sensitivity to emi / rfi from nearby electrical devices, and even light breezes. I don't have to continually zero it and wait for it to settle. A search of the forums can give you more details.
To each their own of course. Just wanted to share my personal experience.

 

[HarCo2ANewb]

One of the main issues I hear with digi scales is auto-zeroing that can really slow you down, I have only ever used that Lee Beam scale and I haven't had a single complaint about it.

 

[boxingfan302008]

Not at all to sound like a jerk here, but isn't 9mm cheap enough that reloading is a little bit pointless? I could see .45 ACP's LC's .454, etc etc. IDK, I just always heard a lot of guys who did reloading say that doing 9mm wasn't a big difference in price from buying new... BUT, i'm cheap so if every little bit helps that's cool too

 

[HarCo2ANewb]

My 9mm reloads are about .13 and the cheapest in stock rounds on ammoseek or gunbot are .70 per round. Even if you can find some WWB 100 pack in Walmart it is still about .25 per round.

 

[Mark C]

Think of reloading 9mm as a "gateway" cartridge. Great way to start a new hobby because the components are all cheap and (usually) readily available.

I've loaded about 500 rounds so far, at $0.13/ea, for a total of $65. How close can you come to that with factory ammo? :-)

At the moment I've got a year's supply of components stashed, while my buddies have nothing to shoot. Now is a great time to load 9mm!

 

[Pinecone]

I'm a machinist and engine builder. I have very accurate, certified and frequently calibrated instruments.

In grains?