Newbie reloader advice on dies ect. - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

Snal · 12-22-2007, 08:16 AM

My son has inherited a Lyman single press, CrusherI I pressume, and we'd like to get into reloading together. After printing out a manual for it, it seems to be missing the plastic shroud (whatever that does) and any priming attachments, basically just the press and handle.
I know nothing about reloading, but this appears to be something decent to get us started.
We have a tumbler, and the press, but need everything else. We'd like advice on best brand/type of dies to invest in for loading .357/.44mag/.40SW/.45lc/9mm. Also recomendations for case trimmers, digital scales, books, ect. I prefer to buy quality stuff within reason, as we'll likely get more serious about loading as we learn. Also, would a hand primer suffice?
Thanks!

zac07 · 12-22-2007, 08:22 AM

I have used many different brands of dies and to be honest I cant tell a difference between lee and others so I have started buying lee for all my new calibers. They are cheaper but they work great and you can use the money for more components.

Bidah · 12-22-2007, 08:36 AM

I will second the Lee dies for what you are looking to do. Yes, you can use a hand primer. For scales, you can get a digital if you want, but unless you are doing some sort of match reloading, a beam scale will work fine. I loaded .45ACP for a number of years with no scale and just the Lee dippers. Get yourself a good powder measure as well. You should get a case gauge as well to check your rounds.

For tumbling media, you can get corn cob, untreated, at the pet store cheaper. You can also use rice. Get some Nu-Finish car wax to add to it and you will be good to go for clean cases.

fredj338 · 12-22-2007, 11:27 AM

All dies manuf. will fit the Lyman press. The plastic "skirt" is a spent primer catcher. COntavct Lymna, they probably have one that fits. You'll need a powder scale, I like digital, the Dillon is great. A powder measure, RCBS, Redding or Hornady, helps speed things up (use the scale to set the measure). A loading block or two to hold the rounds. The Lee hand primer is actually a pretty good piece of kit & easily prefered over priming on a press. Dies, for your handgun rounds, always buy the carbide dies, always. The extra cost is worth the time saved in not having to lube cases & remove lube. Brand, I perfer RCBS or Redding but some guys like Lee & Hornady, it's a Ford/Chevy thing. They all do the same thing. I wouldn't worry much about a case trimmer w/ handgun rounds. They stretch very little & you are likely to lose the semiauto cases before they need any kind of trimming.
Get at least two good handloading manuals There are several good sections on loading steps. I like the Speer & Hornady. The ABC of Reloading is classic starter reading & covers all handloading from pistol, rifle & shotgun (for future use). Pay attention & follow instruction, it's pretty easy.

KEVWYO · 12-22-2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bidah

For scales, you can get a digital if you want, but unless you are doing some sort of match reloading, a beam scale will work fine.

While beam scales work the ease of a digital is worth the money.

Riflemanz · 12-22-2007, 02:58 PM

The lee 4 die carbide die sets are great.I like Lymans #48,Nosler #5 for load books.I use the rcbs hand held primer tool for loading primers.Saves alot of time.I use the rcbs trimmer.

12-22-2007, 08:16 AM	#1
Snal XDTalk Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NC Posts: 50	Newbie reloader advice on dies ect. My son has inherited a Lyman single press, CrusherI I pressume, and we'd like to get into reloading together. After printing out a manual for it, it seems to be missing the plastic shroud (whatever that does) and any priming attachments, basically just the press and handle. I know nothing about reloading, but this appears to be something decent to get us started. We have a tumbler, and the press, but need everything else. We'd like advice on best brand/type of dies to invest in for loading .357/.44mag/.40SW/.45lc/9mm. Also recomendations for case trimmers, digital scales, books, ect. I prefer to buy quality stuff within reason, as we'll likely get more serious about loading as we learn. Also, would a hand primer suffice? Thanks! __________________ Ruger Vaquero(s) .357 Ruger Single Six Ruger GP100(s) S&W 422 Taurus 941 Taurus 94 Glock 17 Ruger SP101 Ruger SR9 XD40 XD45 Ruger Old Army

12-22-2007, 08:36 AM	#3
Bidah XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Isolated, Montana Posts: 685	I will second the Lee dies for what you are looking to do. Yes, you can use a hand primer. For scales, you can get a digital if you want, but unless you are doing some sort of match reloading, a beam scale will work fine. I loaded .45ACP for a number of years with no scale and just the Lee dippers. Get yourself a good powder measure as well. You should get a case gauge as well to check your rounds. For tumbling media, you can get corn cob, untreated, at the pet store cheaper. You can also use rice. Get some Nu-Finish car wax to add to it and you will be good to go for clean cases. __________________ -Bidah “The very powerful and the very stupid have one thing in common. Instead of altering their views to fit the facts, they alter the facts to fit their views...which can be very uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that needs altering.” The Doctor

12-22-2007, 02:58 PM	#6
Riflemanz XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 236	The lee 4 die carbide die sets are great.I like Lymans #48,Nosler #5 for load books.I use the rcbs hand held primer tool for loading primers.Saves alot of time.I use the rcbs trimmer. __________________ NRA Member Menomonee Falls rod&gun club member I Reload .338wm,45-70,.308,.270,.223,45acp,44mag, fisherman, bowhunter,deerhunter XD45 acp

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12-22-2007, 08:22 AM	#2
zac07 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: West Texas Posts: 1,070	I have used many different brands of dies and to be honest I cant tell a difference between lee and others so I have started buying lee for all my new calibers. They are cheaper but they work great and you can use the money for more components.

12-22-2007, 11:27 AM	#4
fredj338 XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1,189	All dies manuf. will fit the Lyman press. The plastic "skirt" is a spent primer catcher. COntavct Lymna, they probably have one that fits. You'll need a powder scale, I like digital, the Dillon is great. A powder measure, RCBS, Redding or Hornady, helps speed things up (use the scale to set the measure). A loading block or two to hold the rounds. The Lee hand primer is actually a pretty good piece of kit & easily prefered over priming on a press. Dies, for your handgun rounds, always buy the carbide dies, always. The extra cost is worth the time saved in not having to lube cases & remove lube. Brand, I perfer RCBS or Redding but some guys like Lee & Hornady, it's a Ford/Chevy thing. They all do the same thing. I wouldn't worry much about a case trimmer w/ handgun rounds. They stretch very little & you are likely to lose the semiauto cases before they need any kind of trimming. Get at least two good handloading manuals There are several good sections on loading steps. I like the Speer & Hornady. The ABC of Reloading is classic starter reading & covers all handloading from pistol, rifle & shotgun (for future use). Pay attention & follow instruction, it's pretty easy. __________________ EVERY GOOD SHOOTER SHOULD BE A HANDLOADER! Last edited by fredj338 : 12-22-2007 at 11:29 AM.