Christmas ideas?

[ChristieM]

First - thank you everyone for your advice and thoughts about a metal detector. Since it turns out that I can get Matt the most inexpensive one, that leaves me needing additional ideas!

He has been reloading for about 6 months, and has all of the basic equipment. Can anyone recommend anything that is a bit indulgent but would be useful? Something that a beginner wouldn't buy for himself, but would love?

Thanks again!
Christie

[BradF]

When I first started, it took me a few years to get a tumbler. If he doesn't have one, that would be a good gift.

[10 Spot Terminator]

I would consider the Hornady OAL bullet comparator set. It is for measuring bullet seating depths to your specific guns chamber and has been invaluable to me for loading for accuracy . If you get one , get the one with the curved rather than straight body as it will cover all rifles . You will note there are specific cartridge cases for each gun for appx $5.50 each and will of course need those for the guns he reloads for . Matt is one lucky fellow to have a Santa like you Dad !
10 SPOT

[stump shooter]

Maybe a gift certificate to one of the online retailers, Grafs, Midway, Sinclair, etc. Heck, even Cabelas has a good assortment of supplies.
What calibers is he loading?

I agree that if he loads for rifle, the Hornady bullet and headspace comparator kit would be handy.

[BigJakeJ1s]

Depends a lot on what he reloads (pistol and/or rifle?), and how much he reloads/shoots (100 rds a year or 1000 rounds a month?), what he already has (progressive, turret, or single stage press, & brand(s) of stuff he has), and what your budget is.

I usually have to tell my wife exactly what I want, but give her several choices so she can still surprise me. Wish lists at places like Cabela's and MidwayUSA come in handy for that. She takes care of coordinating with other family members on which things to get me to avoid duplicates. The only problem is I have to be careful not to buy any of that stuff for myself before Christmas gets here.

Andy

[ammo.crafter]

you can never have enough reloading books form various component manufacturers.

[Dennisp]

I know I would love a RCBS ChargeMaster Combo 1500 Electronic Scale and Powder Dispenser.

[ChristieM]

This is a list of what I could find. I am sure I will screw all of the names of things up :-)

Cabela's tumbler
Digital powder scale
Press
Lyman book
Do-hickey that loads the primers

I think that is everything. He loads for both his hand guns and his rifle. With his rifle he does mostly long range persission shooting - not hunting. Hand guns include a 38, 40 and I am not sure what else. Would a "bullet comparator set" be redundant with what he has or would it be a good addition?

Thanks - Christie

[gspointer]

I didn't see it on his list, but I assume he has a decent dial caliper.

My experience is pretty limited, but, here are a few "extras" I have and like.

RCBS case prep station, about 100.00
Redding competition bullet seating die, around 80.00
Chronograph around 80.00
RCBS chargemaster combo around 300.00
RCBS case trimmer. Around 80.00


Things I want.
Sinclair neck turner
Giraud trimmer
Case/chamber measuring tools. (still deciding exact ones)

[Dr. Strangelove]

Can anyone recommend anything that is a bit indulgent but would be useful? Something that a beginner wouldn't buy for himself, but would love?

Chronograph - don't ask me which as I don't have one myself.

Say....You don't happen to have a sister that's single and in the late 20's to late 30's age range, I suppose?

[B. Lahey]

With his rifle he does mostly long range persission shooting

Lapua brass?

It's slightly indulgent, and something the beginning reloader would probably not already have. Lapua is a manufacturer of the finest brass cases, precision geeks love the stuff.

Find out what rifle calibers he loads for the long-range target shooting and get some wunderbrass from Finland in those chamberings:

http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/?sea..._1-2-4_8-16-32

[RidgwayCO]

An inexpensive Shooting Chrony chronometer will tell him exactly what his loads are doing in the real world out of his guns. I like the basic model that has the remote readout sitting right on the shooting bench (very convenient).

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=688064

Sort of like giving him the gift of knowledge...

[Sam06]

Get him a Shooting Chrony F1 master. Just like the one posted before me. They are great. He will need a tripod to go along with it. It does not need to be a super expensive one but it will need to hold the chronegraph. The Chronograph is the ONLY way you will ever know what your loads are doing other than making holes in paper. I wish I had got one about 20 years earlier than I did. Merry christmas.........

[AF_Reloader]

+1 to the gift certificate idea.

That way he gets what he wants!

[Lilswede1]

Im a NEWBIE too so here'swhat I have found useful.
Bullet puller. $15.00 and up. (Great for screw-ups and u can reuse
all the components)
RCBS Precision Mic Guage (Measures shoulder setback and OAL to create a
more accurate load) $50
Hornday OAL Guage (Measures Overall length of round) $25 -- + need to buy
Dummy cartridges for calibers noted $6.00 ea.
Digital or Manual Calipers $20 (I bought both so I can compare)
Funnel set (Small ones for putting powder from scale into cartridge and larger
ones for other things) $5.00
RCBS Trim Pro $100 (Trims cases to size - a must for reloaders - make sure
whatever u buy has all the shell holder and pilots)
Wilson Case Guage $20 (Quick and efficient way to make sure case is
correct size before reloading. Need separate gauge
for each caliper)
Plastic Boxes for holding ammo $2 - $5
Case Lube $5 and up
Case polish $5 and up (put it in tumbler - cleans up brass and makes it shiny)
Flashhole Debur Tool $10
Primer Pocket Cleaner $10
Neck Brush $5
100 ea.New cases or once-fired-cases for whatever caliper he loads most. $25

THIS IS THE WISH LIST I GAVE MY 3 SONS WHEN I STARTED RELOADING.

[winchester243]

I like the chrony idea too. Been wanting one for a while myself.