And back to the op:
When I went through the same thing some time ago I decided to go the RCBS route, simply because the kit seemed to offer the most useful selection of gear form a quality manufacturer as well as the biggest saving compared to buying everything separately. However, that was then and this is now so you will have to your own homework in the present and see what gives you the best selection of gear for your money. I discounted Lee at that time due to advice given to me by reloaders who reload for accuracy. One guy said: look in the Sinclair catalog, if it's in there it's pretty good. I see Lee now feature on their website so that might tell you (and me for that matter) something.
All my dies are Forster or Redding. I like bullet seating dies with a spring loaded cartridge holder as offered by Forster and Redding. The one exception to this is my Lee universal decapping die, which is used to remove the primer so you can clean the brass before you size. You can decap as you size but I prefer to clean my brass before I put it through my dies.
I ultrasonic clean my brass. It simply does a much better job inside the case and in the primer pockets than vibratory tumbling does, but doesn't leave the brass all shiny. You don't need a shooting specific US cleaner, there are loads on Evil bay and Amazon. There also hundreds of brews you can use to do the cleaning using things like White vinegar, and Citric acid to get good results. Google is your friend but here's a start: http://www.accurateshooter.com/techn...case-cleaning/ Stainless media tumbling is the future:http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/ It's quite expensive to get started so will have to wait until my US cleaner breaks or I run out of other things shooting related to spend on. If you go the STM route 1967Spud is the UK importer.
As for other stuff I would recommend an OAL gauge http://www.opticswarehouse.co.uk/pro..._GAUGE&cat=354
And modified case http://www.opticswarehouse.co.uk/pro..._CASES&cat=354 If there isn't one for your cal don't fret, an old cartridge can be modified easily with a lathe and the appropriate tap.
These will allow you to measure your chamber and set the bullet jump to the lands when used in conjunction with a vernier caliper.
This is also a good idea:http://www.opticswarehouse.co.uk/pro...RT_SET&cat=354 To allow you make the measurements to the bullet ogive instead of the meplat.
You will also need a case trimmer of some kind if it doesn't come with the kit, as it didn't when I bought my setup. If your military brass has crimped primers you will need a primer pocket crimp remover.
There will be a ton of odds and ends you "need" but will become apparent as you go. Whatever kit you get should come with a reloading manual, all I have seen have a step by step guide for reloading so that manual will become your best buddy your first few times behind the reloading bench, and an information resource for the rest of your reloading career.
Well that's a boring long post! I hope it's of some help.
ATB
Glenn
***EDIT***
I forgot to mention the easiest/cheapest way of getting an accurate charge of powder is to set up your powder thrower to throw a slightly light charge in to the pan of your scales, then use a powder trickler to top up the charge until your scales measure spot on.
Thanks for the reminder James!
Last edited by grim_reaper; 27-09-2014 at 06:29 PM.
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