Ok. Yall go easy if I have some dumb comments or questions. I finally got my reloading setup put together. I have a Lee single stage press, Lee carbide dies for the 44 mag, primer pocket cleaner, 1000 Federal 150 primers, a new bottle of 4227 powder, an RCBS 5-0-5 powder scale, powder funnel, good bit of once fired brass, 3 boxes of Hornady 240gr xtp's on the way, and a good work bench.
How important is a brass tumbler? I've read alot about guys cleaning brass by washing in various liquid concoctions, and not needing to tumble polish. Anybody have a good way to clean 'em without a media tumbler? Also, does anybody have a pet load, that worked well using the components I have on hand? Any suggestions for other equipment I "can't live without "? I'm also dying to try some cast bullets for deer season this fall. Has anyone had good results on game and accuracy with beartooth bullets? I do have an older sierra reloading manual , and of course all the online resources for load data, but those myriads of numbers don't come with the experience of folks who have done it for a while. Thanks in advance fella's, I'm really looking fwd to loading my own now.

I've never owned one. Usually just wipe them down, but I have a "concoction" that works well when they need it.

A case trimmer would be a worthwhile addition.

I don't shoot 4227 much so I can't help with a pet load but I would recommend a RCBS hand priming tool vs. using the press to do it but that's just me. I do tumble my brass and when you get one get a big one. They work a lot better than the little ones. I've had a Lyman turbo for decades and just recently bought the big Lyman and it will probably last another 20 years.

Before I got my tumbler I would put my media in a clean plastic bottle with 50 cases and shake em up, while driving to and from work or just around the house. Kinda silly but it works well keep a dirty case and compare as you clean the ones in the bottle you can tell the difference. I haven't had any dealings with your powder or primers. I would strongly invest in a case trimmer and dial caliper, I'd stay away from hornady's FTX bullet, if you do venture to the FTX you definitely will need a trimmer. Good luck reloading has been enjoyable for me and cheaper too. Sites to visit handloads.com /// sixguns.com //// darkcanyon.net <-skeeter skelton.

I've got a pair of Cabelas Tumblers going on about a dozen years each. I run one with walnut and the other with corn cob media. The walnut is more agressive and I use it on really dirty cases. I use the corn for cleaner cases or if I want to make them really pretty after using the walnut. They also have several ultrasonic brass cleaners out now that work well. Before I got my tumblers I used water and brasso to clean them. A case that has been tumbled is much nicer to work with and look at though. You can buy tumblers relatively cheap if you shop around.

I don't think you're supposed to use stuff like brasso on cases. I've read it weakens the brass.

I don't see a powder throw on your list. Do you plan on weighting each load? Get a good one, rcbs, etc. Steer clear of the lee, it is junk. A good one will elliminate weighting each load, you can set it up and weigh every fifth one. Rule number one is read the manual from cover to cover

Bte, hornaday bullets =hornaday manual.

I don't anymore but that's good to know. I had never heard that before.

Actually out of my RCBS, Lyman and two LEE's the LEE's are the most consistent although they are cheapest and almost all plastic.

Being brand new to handloading, I had intended on measuring each load for a while, just to be safe. I got the 4227 powder because it was all that was available, and after reading a little on it, it seems almost impossible to double charge with that type of powder, and it's less "violent than some faster burning stuff. Alot of folks also say its less sensitive to ambient temperature changes. How accurate are the powder throws? I realize I may be overthinking some of this, but if I make an error, I'd prefer to err on the side of caution. Ultrasonic cleaners
are just to $$$ to be honest. I had hoped not to invest
a million dollars in this venture, in case it turned out not to be for me.

Nobody has used beartooth bullets? I figured somebody here had at least tried them. They have a 280gr wfngc with a 340 metplat that I think would allow enough case capacity to get it moving good, and still provide plenty of penetration, regardless of shot angle and bone impact. Also, reading on some cast "boolit" (lol) stuff, I see where folks talk about slugging the barrel and chamber throats. In factory fodder, my Ruger has always produced better groups with .430 bullets than the stuff with. 429. How much oversized is a cast bullet supposed to be? They're offered in .429-.432.

My lee has blue dot flakes caught between the drum and the housing. My RCBS has thrown exact weights with flakes, grains, kernals, short cut, etc. I got burned out of Lee, except I just got a 20 dollar mold that is great! Maybe they have improved over the last 15 years because the Lee thrower that I had sucked.

You are going to need a trickler or some scoops like the Lee set to put at least something close to the correct amount on the scales. The trickler takes forever if you are a few grains off each time. 4227 throws pretty consistent, but you will still need some way to scoop the powder.