So you want to start reloading, what is a comprehensive list of items you need? The following list of items will provide everything you need to start reloading most common calibers.
For the basics of reloading and a step-by-step guide, see Reloading for Beginners here.
Everything you Need for Reloading Rifle & Pistol Ammunition
1) Reloading Guide
A good reloading manual will explain the reloading process in detail while providing the information you need to safely produce accurate rounds. Questions like, “What bullet and powder do I use for 9mm? How much powder?” etc. will be answered in this manual. This is your Bible for reloading ammunition!
This should really be your first purchase. I like the Hornady Reloading Handbook or Lyman 50th Edition Reloading Manual which can be ordered through Amazon.
2) Reloading Press
Some say to start with a single stage press, I say save some extra money and buy a good progressive loader. Many start with a single stage only to later regret not spending a little more for the progressive. Plan on reloading 200-600 rounds an hour!
Hornady makes great products and everything recommended below is specific to their equipment. I would get a press that will allow you to reload both handgun and rifle rounds like the Hornady Lock-N-Load Auto-Progressive Reloading Press.
3) Shell Plate
Each shell plate is made specifically for a set number of calibers (often for a handful of calibers) and does not come with the press above. This PDF from Hornady tabulates caliber with shell plate size, however I have linked to a few common calibers on Amazon below.
4) Shell Holder
Just like the shell plate, the shell holder is specific to the caliber you are reloading. The Hornady shell holder and shell plate have the same number assigned to make things a little easier. For example, the #16 shell plate and #16 shell holder are what you need for reloading .223 Remington.
5) Reloading Dies
Die sets typically come packaged as 2-die sets for bottleneck cartridges (most rifle rounds, like .223 and .308) and 3-die sets for straight wall cartridges (most pistol rounds, 9mm .45 ACP). The nice thing about dies is that they are made to universally fit between different brands of reloaders.
I’m sticking with Hornady here but there are several great manufactures. Here are links to quality reloading dies for common calibers.
6) Digital Calipers
Digital calipers are really nice to have since they are simple to read and can be used for all kinds of stuff besides reloading. You will need these to check the length of your cases before and after trimming.
7) Digital Scale
I switched from a balance scale to a digital scale decades ago and never looked back. They are a little more pricey, however, you will save a lot of time making reloads. The Frankford scale above is all you need and runs around $30.
8) Lube & Cleaner
In general I like carbide dies which do not require lubing your cases for pistol rounds, however all rifle cases require lubricant. Hornady One Shot Gun Cleaner and Case Lube is great stuff, just spray down your cases prior to sizing and you are done. It can also be used to clean your press and while keeping it running smoothly as well.
9) Case Trimmer
In order to have your reloaded rounds chamber properly in your firearm, the cases will have to trimmed to the proper length. Often times the cases will grow after sizing and have to be cut to length. This is where the case trimmer comes into play.
10) Case Prep Set
After you have de-primed and trimmed your cases you will prep your cases to make sure all the holes are clean and free of debris. You will often want to chamfer the mouth of the case in order to smooth out the rim post trimming. These will also allow you to clean the primer pocket. I like this set made by Lyman.
Other Recommended Reloading Equipment
The Hornady progressive loader above comes with a full set of die bushings required for reloading. However if you want make reloading multiple calibers quick and seamless, having several extra die bushings is very handy, these are the ones you want.
Otherwise you will have to swap out dies that have been carefully set and reset them every time you remove them from the bushings. Having dedicated bushings for all your dies is optional but a real time saver.
Lock-N-Load Die Bushings
Reloading Tray
The reloading tray is helpful for inspecting reloaded rounds and helps with precision powder loading. Something low-cost like this Hornady Reloading Tray is extremely useful.
Bullet Puller
Inevitably at some point you will mess up a round while reloading and will want to remove the bullet, this tool will accomplish that for all different calibers.
Powder Cop
This is smart tool that is installed on your progressive loader after the powder drop to check for double charges (BOOM!). You will still need to inspect your cases carefully however this can prevent an accidental double charge damaging your firearm or injuring the shooter. Check out this Powder Cop made by Hornady.
Powder Trickler
If you want achieve precise load weights, a powder trickler like this one made by Frankford Arsenal allows you to easily and precisely dispense small amounts of powder.Very handy.
Primer Turning Plate
Primer plates will orient all primers in the same direction before putting them into the primer tube. Very useful and cheap, get this one on amazon.
Equipment for Re-using Brass Cases
In addition to the equipment listed above, you will need a few more items if you want to use brass you collected at the range.
Case Tumbler
A case tumbler is used to clean and polish brass cases that have already been fired. Throw your spent cases into the tumbler before depriming and after a while, the carbon stuck to the case will be removed. I like the inexpensive Frankford Arsenal Case Tumbler.
Tumbler Media
Along with the tumbler you will need tumbler media. This material can be made from many different substances like corn cob and walnut shells. Think of the media as the “scrub brushes” during the tumbling. I prefer inexpensive Corn Cob media like this.
Tumbler Polish
Lastly, you will want some brass polish to add to your media while tumbling to polish and protect your brass cases.
The Real Goods
Of course it goes without saying you are going to need powder, bullets, primers and brass (if you haven’t collected your own). Really the best thing to do is look for good deals on bulk-buys, ideally finding something locally for cheap that wont require costly shipping.
However, many online retailers like Brownells offers free shipping (and tax free for out of state customers) on orders over $50. Check their selection of the following items after consulting your reloading manual:
That’s it! Have fun and shoot safe!
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