Newbie reloading equipment questions

[clrems77]

Just getting into reloading and am looking to pick up some equipment to start my own set up. Please excuse the lack of knowledge if i ask a silly question!
First of all, I will only be reloading .308 for now. I will be using Hornady Amax bullets with once fired Hornady brass, varget powder (If i can ever find some) with winchester primers. . Ill be using a RCBS single stage press. Ive read docs sticky on reloading 101 which provided much knowledge and have purchased the Hornady reloading manual 9th edition. The rounds will be used mainly in my AIAE MK3 and once in a while in a POF semi auto.

Looking at die sets, there are so many options! I know i need a full length die set and may possibly want a neck sizing only (Bushing or collet set?) die for my AIAE. When it comes to seating dies, is it best to just purchase the competition Micrometer style or can i get away with using a basic seating die?

Crimping: Using the above mentioned equipment, ive been crimping the bullets with a Lee crimper die. Is this necessary if used only in a bolt gun?

Scales: I would love the RCBS auto measuring scale, but i dont have $300 to dish out right now. Can anyone recommend a basic digital scale thats been good to them? Should i even be using a digital scale? I dont mind taking the time to trickle powder in and out to obtain the perfect weight!

Calipers: Whats the average reloader using? This can also be a pretty expensive tool if the right one is purchased.

Thank you in advance for your help!

CJ

 

[mdmp5]

Dies: go f/l sizing alone. Don't bother with a neck die for now. The f/l die will do all you need. As for a seater, I use a redding comp seater because I try to keep my seating to an exact length, which means that I am constantly making adjustments. You cannot do this reliably with an ordinary seating die. So you have to determine how important seating depth variation is for your needs.

Scale: go digital. Mind you that a decent digital scale will be around 150$, so it might not be a bad idea to just get the chargemaster now. But if you are price sensitive for now, you can go with something simple like the Dillon eliminator scale.

Calipers: I use mitutoyo calipers as well as a micrometer, both digital. But you can get a decent digital caliper for about 40$ or so, most likely made in China. I used one of these for a while, and had no issues with it, but upgraded because I had a lot of amazon points. You can get very good dial calipers for cheaper than the digitals, just as long as you are comfortable reading the dial.

 

[mdmp5]

Forgot about the crimping: don't bother unless you are using cannulure bullets. Only crimp for pistol rounds otherwise.

 

[clrems77]

Thank you guys! I was able to locate a very good digital scale through a friend who had an extra lying around. Ill use this until i can get the charge master! I will also look into getting a competition die.

Another question i had was if there is a difference between a flash hole reamer and flash hole deburring tool or are they the same.

Thanks!

 

[witchhunter]

Flash hole deburring tool is for the inside the case hole through the primer pocket. Flash holes are punched through and need to be cleaned up on the inside. Primer pocket uniformers are for the primer pocket to uniform the pocket. two separate tools. You will need a case trimmer too. I like the caliber specific powder funnels by Satern. They are nice. Redding comp seaters are nice too. Good luck.