just ordered my dies

[mekender]

just ordered some 9mm dies so im going to go headlong into trying reloading...

i have about 1500 pieces of brass so far so we are going to start with decapping and priming...

[cu74]

Welcome to the dark side - once you start down the reloading path there is no return. (Wait - why would one WANT to return to buying finished ammunition?)

Hope you enjoy your new hobby as much as I do.

[Fivetoes]

Size before prime. Just easier that way.

[mekender]

how is that?

i was figuring on decapping, then using a hand prime tool to prime em...

i dont have the cash to get all of the loading gear right now so im spreading it out over several paychecks... i just got dies, shell holder, a primer pocket tool, and a hand priming tool... i suppose i could decapp, size then prime if i needed to.

my understanding is that i really dont need to worry about running the cases in a tumbler unless they are full of sand and such... at least for pistol i dont...

[cu74]

Don't know what brand of dies you bought, but the sizing and decapping step is typically done in the same die. With my Lee dies, the decapping pin is in the sizing die - as the case enters the sizing die the spent primer is "punched" out.

EDIT:
Oops! Just re-read your posts and note you haven't bought a press yet. You will need a press to use the dies (unless you are a really strong dude).

[mekender]

i got these as a start, ill probably upgrade to redding dies later

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=140349

[Fivetoes]

Those dies should work, don't worry about up-grading yet.
The die on the left is a sizing- decapping die, the pin sticking down is for knocking the spent primer out. You can use a pin punch and a block of wood with a hole in it to knock out the primers. THen after re-priming you would have to remove the de-capping pin to re-size the brass. Do you have a manual yet?

[Whirlibird]

Your dies are fine, the only thing I'd upgrade is the locking rings.
Definately pick up a manual or two.

Assuming you have a single stage press:

Tumble your brass before doing anything. It removes any crud, dirt and junk that may damage your dies. (Ask me how I know) You don't have to tumble but the dies and brass will last longer and the cases won't get scored and scratched by the die.

The first die is a sizer and decapper. Run the brass through it.

Go to your second die, the expander (powder through die) and expand the cases to just accept the bullet base, do not over expand but a slight bell is acceptable.

Run the brass through the tumbler again. It gets rid of any oil from your hands and at least partially cleans the primer pocket.

You can stop here if you don't want to load them right away.

Check for any leftover polishing media in the primer flash hole.
Next, prime the cases.

Then, charge the cases with powder, the cartridge trays make this convenient and fairly simple. Do 50 at a time so you can see the entire batch and see any obviously low or heavy charges of powder. Check your charges every 5 rounds until you get comfortable with the powder measure, then make it every 10. It doesn't hurt to be careful.

Then seat the bullets to the appropriate depth.

I'd recommend picking up a taper crimp only from Hornady, the Lee 'taper to roll crimp' leaves me hesitant in an autoloader. Crimp and go have fun.

[Netpackrat]

i got these as a start, ill probably upgrade to redding dies later

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.e ... mid=140349

You'll want one of these as well. You can use your bullet seating die to crimp, but having a separate crimping die is the best way, and the Lee factory crimp die is just one of those products that WORKS. Whenever I buy a new set of dies, I almost always buy a factory crimp die to go with it (if available), and have been adding them to my older die sets as well.

[mekender]

ok but the lee site says

LEE CARBIDE PISTOL DIES

We use a solid carbide insert, ground to a special contour that does not leave the objectional belt mark on the case, common to ordinary carbide dies. With a carbide sizer, no case lube is needed, and you don't even have to clean your cases.

No need for a taper crimp die, plus better accuracy with Lee Dies. Taper crimp dies are used to correct the problems caused by the improper expanding plug design or adjustment. They distort the bullet shank and reduce accuracy. Because the Lee Expander flares the minimum amount, consistent with easy bullet insertion, all of the flare is removed with the bullet seating die, thus eliminating the need for a taper crimp die.