Welcome to the world of 9mm reloading! This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential equipment you'll need to start reloading your own 9mm ammunition, saving you money and ensuring consistent, high-quality rounds. We'll cover everything from the basics to advanced tools, helping you choose the best equipment for your needs and budget. Reloading 9mm is a rewarding hobby that can significantly reduce your shooting costs. Let's dive in!
Essential 9mm Reloading Equipment: The Foundation of Your Setup
Starting your 9mm reloading journey requires a solid foundation of essential equipment. Investing in quality tools from the beginning will save you headaches and ensure safety.
1. Reloading Press: The Heart of Your Operation
The reloading press is the central piece of your reloading setup. It's the workhorse that performs the crucial steps of sizing cases, priming, and seating bullets. There are three main types:
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Single-Stage Press: Ideal for beginners, single-stage presses allow you to perform each step of the reloading process individually. This slower method promotes precision and careful attention to detail. Examples include the Lee Classic Cast Reloader and the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme.
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Progressive Press: For high-volume reloaders, progressive presses automate multiple steps in a single press stroke. While faster, they require more skill and practice. Popular choices include the Dillon RL550B and the Hornady LnL AP.
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Turret Press: A compromise between single-stage and progressive presses, turret presses allow you to perform multiple steps, but each step is completed individually for each round. This offers a balance of speed and control. The Lee Auto-Drum is a popular option in this category.
Choosing the Right Press: Your choice depends on your reloading goals. Beginners should start with a single-stage press to master the fundamentals. High-volume reloaders should opt for a progressive press.
2. Case Preparation Tools: Ensuring Clean and Consistent Cases
Before you can reload, your cases need to be prepped. This crucial step involves cleaning, resizing, and de-priming spent cases.
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Case Tumbler: A case tumbler cleans your brass cases by removing dirt, debris, and carbon residue. Vibratory tumblers (like the Frankford Arsenal Platinum Series Vibratory Tumbler) are popular for their speed and efficiency, while rotary tumblers (like the Lyman Turbo Case Tumbler) offer gentler cleaning.
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Case Trimmer: Cases often vary in length, impacting the consistent functioning of your ammo. A case trimmer (such as the Lyman Case Trimmer) ensures uniform case length.
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Case Resize Die: This die resizes your spent cases back to their original dimensions, making them ready for reloading. Choose a die appropriate for your specific brass.
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Primer Pocket Cleaner: A dedicated primer pocket cleaner (e.g., a Lee Universal Decapping Die equipped with a decapping pin and swaging tool) ensures primer pockets are free from debris for optimal priming.
Essential Tip: Clean and prepare your brass thoroughly. Consistent and clean cases are crucial for accurate and safe reloading.
3. Powder Measure: Precise Powder Dispensing
Accurate powder charges are critical for consistent performance and safety. A quality powder measure is crucial.
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Powder Measure Types: There are various types of powder measures, including volumetric powder measures (e.g., Lee Perfect Powder Measure) and automatic powder measures (e.g., Dillon Powder Measure). Automatic powder measures are great for high volume reloading while volumetric measures give you more control over the powder dispensing process. Always double-check your powder charges using a scale.
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Powder Scale: Regardless of the powder measure, always verify your powder charge with an electronic powder scale (e.g., RCBS Chargemaster Lite). This essential safety step prevents undercharging or overcharging—critical safety factors in reloading.
4. Bullet Seating Die: Precise Bullet Placement
The bullet seating die aligns and seats the bullets into the prepared cases.
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Die Selection: Make sure you get a seating die that works with your specific bullet and case.
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Seating Depth: Accurately seating bullets to the correct depth is critical for optimal accuracy. Always consult bullet manufacturers' data to ensure proper bullet seating depth.
5. Priming Tools: Safe and Reliable Priming
This step is critical!
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Manual Priming Tool: For those who value accuracy and control, a hand-held priming tool is a smart option.
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Automatic Primer Feed: If speed and volume are your focus, an automatic primer feeder connected to your press can speed up the process significantly.
Safety First: Always exercise extreme caution when handling primers.
Beyond the Basics: Enhancing Your 9mm Reloading Setup
Once you've mastered the essentials, consider these upgrades:
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Case Length Gauge: This tool measures the length of your cases to ensure consistency and identify any out-of-spec cases.
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Bullet Comparator: This ensures that your bullets are consistent and meet the necessary dimensions.
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Caliper: A good caliper allows you to measure the critical dimensions of your cases and bullets for precision.
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Bullet Puller: If you ever need to remove a bullet from a cartridge for any reason, this tool helps you do so safely.
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Safety Glasses and Ear Protection: Always wear safety glasses and ear protection when reloading.
Case Study: Building a Budget-Friendly 9mm Reloading Setup
You don't need to break the bank to get started. A good starting setup can include a single-stage press like the Lee Classic Cast Reloader, a Lyman case trimmer, a Lee Perfect Powder Measure, an RCBS Chargemaster 1500 powder scale, and necessary dies. This combination provides excellent value without compromising quality.
Conclusion: Enjoy the Journey of 9mm Reloading
Reloading your own 9mm ammunition is a rewarding hobby that can save you money and enhance your shooting experience. By carefully choosing your equipment and following safety precautions, you'll be able to create accurate and reliable ammo for years to come. Remember to always consult reloading manuals and follow safe reloading practices. Happy reloading!