Getting Started Reloading Help Needed - 45 Auto then 6 ARC

[hhudson]

Looking to shoot more for my same ammo budget. I’ll be loading for a full size 1911, HK USP Compact in .45, and a 6 ARC gas gun.

Budget - Cheap but not junk. Not counting components around the $500 range if possible. I’m sure I’ll add/upgrade later. Not worried about reloading speed. Single stage is fine.

Let’s just start with 45 Auto and I’ll add 6 ARC as I get more experienced.

I bought a pound of HP-38 and 1000 Federal LPPs during covid but never got around to getting a press. It’s been kept room temp and dry so I assume it’s fine. I have 250 LPP mixed headstamp 45 brass and 250 PMC Bronze LPP once fired brass saved up. I plan to buy 1000 230 gr ball plated or FMJ bullets and load standard ~800-830 fps loads for paper and steel. That should sort components for now.

My cart is currently:

Lee Challenger press with a free .45 Auto die set. Is there a press significantly better in the $100 range? Link: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1027256656?pid=789024

Hornady M1 case tumbler, 7 lbs of corn cob media, and Hornady brass polish

Hornady One Shot Spray Case Lube

Lyman Chamfer/Deburr multi tool

Lee Powder Measure scoop kit

Lyman Pocket Touch 1500 Powder Scale with pan

Frankford Arsenal Platinum Perfect Seat Hand Priming Tool

22-45 Cal Lee Universal Powder Funnel

Lee Universal Decapping Die

2 MTM Universal Reloading Trays

Frankford Arsenal Inertial Bullet Puller

Hornady 12th Ed Reloading Manual (mainly for their 6 ARC data since they designed it)

This puts me at $465 with free shipping from Midway.

I have a couple pairs of digital calipers already.

Do I need a case trimmer? Powder trickler? Anything else?

 

[redbullitt]

Id skip the hornady lube and use imperial case wax in the 6arc, or wait till then. Wont need it if you use carbide dies on the 45acp. If those dies are not carbide sizer models, strongly suggest you use carbide... dont wanna have to fuck with 45acp lubing.

Youll need to trim the bottleneck cases eventually, but youll get a few firings if setting your sizing die to neck size or set should back just a little. Dont need to buy it right away i figure, but youll need it eventually. Wont need much 45 trimming...

A powder trickler helps for the rifle loads... scoop .5g under, then trickle up to get em all right. Pistol does fine with scoop and go.

That press will do fine. You can check ebay or classifieds if you want better. Ive seen used lee ones like that go for 75 all in within the last year. Ive seen some good deals on nice presses in your ballpark too, but not without hunting them.

You can likely get by without the decapper if need be... i use one and like it, but typical dies can do it while you size if youre running lean and mean.

Likely can get by without the tumbler for a bit too unless you're working with some nasty range brass. Nice to have eventually for sure.

Your hand primer seater is a good choice. Solid and works well, but i prefer the bench or press top mounted ones. Rcbs makes a bench mounted one thats a great value. I like it a lot for what you pay. Worth trying to get a used one or hold off on a few items to get it i think.

Good loading trays are nice, but you can allocate funds elsewhere if handy with a drill and 2x4 for now : )

If adding 6mm arc later, i see room in there for the rcbs bench primer. Youll like it way better than the hand model. Amazon it and return if you wanna go another route.

All that said, you can be loading ammo plenty well with your list. No issues. My suggestions are just modifications... i think helpful but not necessary.

 

[r.tenorio671]

Looking to shoot more for my same ammo budget. I’ll be loading for a full size 1911, HK USP Compact in .45, and a 6 ARC gas gun.

Budget - Cheap but not junk. Not counting components around the $500 range if possible. I’m sure I’ll add/upgrade later. Not worried about reloading speed. Single stage is fine.

Let’s just start with 45 Auto and I’ll add 6 ARC as I get more experienced.

I bought a pound of HP-38 and 1000 Federal LPPs during covid but never got around to getting a press. It’s been kept room temp and dry so I assume it’s fine. I have 250 LPP mixed headstamp 45 brass and 250 PMC Bronze LPP once fired brass saved up. I plan to buy 1000 230 gr ball plated or FMJ bullets and load standard ~800-830 fps loads for paper and steel. That should sort components for now.

My cart is currently:

Lee Challenger press with a free .45 Auto die set. Is there a press significantly better in the $100 range? Link: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1027256656?pid=789024

Hornady M1 case tumbler, 7 lbs of corn cob media, and Hornady brass polish

Hornady One Shot Spray Case Lube

Lyman Chamfer/Deburr multi tool

Lee Powder Measure scoop kit

Lyman Pocket Touch 1500 Powder Scale with pan

Frankford Arsenal Platinum Perfect Seat Hand Priming Tool

22-45 Cal Lee Universal Powder Funnel

Lee Universal Decapping Die

2 MTM Universal Reloading Trays

Frankford Arsenal Inertial Bullet Puller

Hornady 12th Ed Reloading Manual (mainly for their 6 ARC data since they designed it)

This puts me at $465 with free shipping from Midway.

I have a couple pairs of digital calipers already.

Do I need a case trimmer? Powder trickler? Anything else?

FWIW, I'd suggest you check out "www.titanreloading.com" and go with the Lee Six Pack Pro Kit in .45ACP. The kit comes with everything needed to load .45ACP. Just add powder, primers, cases and bullets and go. To switch to 6MM ARC you would just need another shell plate and 6mm ARC specific dies, same as for ANY caliber. Swapping out the plates and dies is a no-brainer. If you want to operate in "single-stage" mode, it can be done by just removing the index rod that actuates the turning of the shell plate. A 1911 can have a big appetite, as can a 6mm ARC gasser, which inevitably leads to a progressive press to crank out fodder. I recently set my son up with one so he could load 9mm, .45ACP & .223/556. I got the bullet feeder systems as well, works great for all the calibers.
Each pull of the handle will create a completed round (after the 5th casing). Many videos out on Youtube that can give you some valuable insights.

Titan's pricing is on par with majority, mostly lower in my experience. They ship fast and shipping cost is whatever the particular carrier charges (USPS, FedEx, UPS).

Edit: At a minimum you should get the following:
- Tumbler (I recommend a wet tumbler, like the Franklin Arsenal, uses wheel roller drive, no belts)
- Digital scale (the small pocket ones, usually comes with a pan) to measure & confirm the charges dropped by the powder measure.
-Lee universal decapper (optional) so you can just deprime your cases before tumbling, but not necessary as sizing die will decap.
-The Lyman multi tool, has LG & SM primer pocket scrapers and primer crimp removers (MIL cases) if you forego a tumbler
- LEE LONG CHARGING DIE (for when you start loading rifle cartridges. I prefer the long to get a better powder drop, rifle kits come with small)
-Lee bullet feeder kit (optional). They are caliber specific.
-Reloading manual

The Lee .45ACP kit comes with carbide sizing die so lubing not necessary, but rifle cases will need lube. You can make your own lube with pure lanolin & 90% isopropyl alcohol, 1:10 ratio in a spray bottle, will last forever, costs less.

Edit #2: For loading trays you can use the plastic ammo trays everyone throws away at the ranges after a session, if you aren't ashamed to pick it out of the trash bins. The .45 ACP trays will also hold the 6mm ARC cases.

Edit #3: NOTE: The Lee pistol kit uses the "powder thru die" that ALSO does the pistol case mouth expanding/belling to allow bullet seating. It CANNOT be used for rifle cases as the interior differs. The rifle powder thru charging die cone in short or long versions. I prefer the long to get a better drop AND better clearance from the other dies in the tool head.