Getting Started (9mm)

[Wynder]

So, I've been doing a bit of research into getting started with reloading 9mm, but I had a few procedural questions since, most of the stuff I've found usually picks up in the middle of a process. So, might the process go like this:

1) Collect spent casings.
2) Clean them in some manner? (best way?)
3) Resize (manually or with a press?)
4) Remove old primer (how)?
5) Re-prime.
6) Add powder, bullet and press.

If I'm missing or, if someone can expand upon these, please do.

Also, in terms of getting equipment (for 9mm), what's my best option. If I have a budget of, say, about $150-$200 to get started in terms of just getting equipment... what are some suggestions there.

[fredj338]

The basic concept is correct, but you need to do a bit of reading before you buy equip. The ABCs of Relaoding is a good place to start. Buy at least (2) relaoding manuals, they also have guidelines on metallic reloading. I like the Speer & Lee or Hornady.
For $200, you can get a single stage press setup form Lee. I think their stuff is marginal but it is cheap & allows you te get your feet wet for little money. Single stage presses are cheap but slow. Speed/volumn cost money. Expect to do no more than 50rds an hour on a single stage, maybe 100 on a turret press & upto 600rds+/hr on a progressive.
Get some reading material & then you'll have a better idea of which way you want to go.

[Wynder]

So, something along these lines? The turret presses don't seem that expensive...

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/cat...rretpress.html

or am I missing added costs there?

These manuals you're refering to... are they manuals for the actual presses or something else? Couldn't find anything on Amazon with the names you listed (found the ABC's, though).

Edit: Looks like you can get a four hole turret press and dies for around $170-$180 from Lee... Not sure what else would be missing.

[NWXD40]

if all you want to do is pistol ammo then the lee pro 1000 is a good press.
have dies already. all you need is powder,scale,brass,primers and bullets and some good info and you are ready to load.

[Wynder]

What's the scale used for?

Edit: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...equestid=77750

134 bucks. Very nice.

[fredj338]

You've got to get a book & read. Besides a press & dies you'll need:
Powder scale; to measure the powder by weight
Calipers; to measure the over all length of the loaded round.
At least one reloading manual.
Here is a site that has alot of stuff to look through. Your first step is a good reloading manual &/or the ABCs of Reloading.
http://www.midwayusa.com/
There are other thigns to get but not NEED:
Case tumbler; to clean the brass
Powder measure; to charge the case w/ powder. Use the scale to set the measure & then just operate to dispense a powder charge.
Loading block; safe place to put the cases as you go through the loading steps. Not needed if you go progressive, which I don't recommend, especially the Lee. Many people have startup problems w/ the Lee progressives. Better to focus on the steps to make safe ammo instead of fumbling through progressive problems, JMO.

[NWXD40]

The lee 1000 was my first press and had no problem except for leting the primer tray get too low.but that is a well known problem.

I ahve loaded thousand of rounds on it. if you can follow instruction and are mechanicly inclined you should have no problems.

always weigh the first few loads to be sure its right and then once in awhile check again.

[wJAKE19]

save your money for a while longer and get a dillon SD-B. they come all set up for the calliber you order, ready to load right out of the box. and if you have any questions, call dillon and they will help you out, even the smallest questoins they are glad to help you out.

you may find a used one for a little less than 300, or a new one for a little more..
good luck

[redfish]

This is something I have wondered about as well. Lets say you often shoot a 9mm, .40, 38spl and .45

Can you get one good loader to cover all three and do you actually save money doing it?

[fredj338]

The Dillon SD is a good press, the only downside is you have to use Dillon dies, but they are high quality. THe Dillon SD is pretty straight forward to use & makes fine ammo in high volumn for a decent price. Do you cave money? Sure, if you buy oyur powder, primers & bullets in bulk. Even w/ todays high component prices, you can load any of the service rounds for about 8c-10c per round/$4-$5/50. Start saving your brass now so you'll have a good supply for handloading if you ever decide to go that route. Cases are good for a min. of 10 reloads.