Reloading Supplies
Reloading supplies are the supporting accessories that make the reloading process accurate, consistent, and sustainable beyond the core equipment of press, dies, and components. Case preparation tools, measuring equipment, cleaning supplies, and organizational accessories round out any reloading setup. Impact Guns carries reloading supplies from RCBS, Lyman, Hornady, Lee, and other quality manufacturers to support every aspect of the reloading process.
Read our Reloading Supplies Guide ↓
Case Preparation Tools
Case preparation is one of the most important and time-consuming steps in precision reloading. Case trimmers (RCBS, Lyman, Giraud) cut cases to consistent length after they stretch from firing — critical for maintaining consistent headspace. Deburring tools smooth the case mouth after trimming. Flash hole deburring tools remove burrs from the flash hole that affect primer ignition consistency. Primer pocket uniformers cut primer pockets to consistent depth — a precision step that improves primer seating consistency and is particularly important for precision rifle reloading.
Measuring and Quality Control
Precision reloading requires precise measurement. A digital caliper measures overall cartridge length, case length, and bullet seating depth — essential for safe and consistent reloading. A powder scale verifies powder charge weights. A bullet comparator measures from the ogive rather than the case mouth for more consistent cartridge overall length measurement. A case gauge (Lyman, Dillon) verifies finished cartridge dimensions will chamber in your specific rifle — particularly important for progressive-loaded rifle ammunition.
Case Cleaning
Clean brass loads more consistently, protects dies from abrasive grit, and is essential for quality reloading. Rotary tumblers (Lyman, RCBS) with corn cob or walnut media clean the exterior of brass efficiently. Ultrasonic cleaners remove carbon from inside the case and primer pockets — producing a more thorough clean than tumbling. Wet tumbling with stainless steel pins (Frankford Arsenal, RCBS) produces the cleanest brass of any method including the interior and primer pockets.
Frequently Asked Questions: Reloading Supplies
What reloading supplies do I need to start?
Beyond press, dies, and components, the minimum starting kit includes: a digital caliper for length measurement, a case trimmer if reloading rifle calibers, a deburring tool, a powder trickler or measure check weight, and a case tumbler for cleaning fired brass. The RCBS or Hornady starter kits bundle many of these items at a discount over individual purchase.
Do I need a case trimmer for pistol brass?
For most pistol calibers (9mm, .45 ACP, .38 Special), case trimming is rarely needed — pistol cases stretch much less than bottlenecked rifle cases. Check case length periodically and trim if cases exceed maximum length, but most pistol reloaders go hundreds of reloadings without trimming. Rifle brass in high-pressure calibers like .223 and .308 requires trimming after every firing or every few firings.
See Also: Reloading Equipment • Reloading Dies & Presses • Primers & Powder • Brass • Bullets