I'd get 1 or 2 RCBS Pro Melts or Magma Masterpot. I'd get a Star lubesizer to size PC/Hitek coated or uncoated.
Lee bottom dripper, roto lead, PID, Lee S.S. press. I started with a Champion but it's gone now. Accurate moulds, only got one handle. Whatever die set you need. I did get the PC spray gun but don't use it anymore. Put your $ in the real toys.
Whatever!
I wouldn't start over.
I couldn't afford to replace what is lost.
Not only the equipment but the supplies (primers,powder,lead,brass).
Plus in todays climate, it would take a year or more to order in all the replacement hardware. Master Caster, Star Sizer, Dillon 650, Dillon 550 x 2, Case Pro 100 roll sizer, the list goes on and on.
If I were 20 years old and just starting out then I would do the following.
Purchase the following
Dillon SDB - setup in 38 sp - guessing $300-$350
Lyman 45 lube sizer - have to look for one $??
Lyman 4-20 bottom pour pot - $75 Titan reloading
MP MOLDS 9 Or 38-147 RN BB 8 Cavity AL Mold - $110 shipped east coast usa
I picked the MP mold because it can be used for 9mm and 38sp/357 mag
The SDB because its a nice press. Very easy to use and very fast to load.
The two lyman products, well because they work very well.
38 sp is a no brainer. Brass is plentiful. Can be reloaded 100's of times
I too would buy a bottom pour , and a 4-20 and the good ladle .
Gas checks would be in the mix from the start .
I would start NOE except for a couple Lymans that have been very good and the Lee 6 C for 358-158 , 401 175 TC , 452-255 , #4 , 00B and 000B .
I probably would go straight to a lube sizer .
Several different ingot moulds .
I started with Lee moulds and I have cast a lot of bullets with them but I also tried a lot of other bullets and NOE is the best bang for the buck for me .
I was determined to do this with as little out lay as possible and I have successfully shot a bunch of plain base bullets over 2000 fps with acceptable groups , I also have no regrets about learning paper patch . Make it a choice and a personal challenge not part of the learning curve for rifles . Pistols don't bother with checks , maybe the 460 Smith .
Pot for the fish frier , don't get any of that junk in any pot .
Bottom pour should make those big 6s easier to pour .
Ladle and pot because I pour a 3 hole 460-535 plus or minus <1 gr that way .
You will pour different alloys and different ingot moulds are a great way to keep them straight .
Last but not least unless you live on some weird magnetic anomaly don't skimp on a good balance scale even if you have a good digital . The batteries will never go dead , light fixtures and phones don't bother them and a power bump can't fry the pad or mother board .
In the time of darkest defeat,our victory may be nearest. Wm. McKinley.
I was young and stupid then I'm older now. Me 1992 .
Richard Lee Hart 6/29/39-7/25/18
Without trial we cannot learn and grow . It is through our stuggles that we become stronger .
Brother I'm going to be Pythagerus , DiVinci , and Atlas all rolled into one soon .
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |