This is a new phase for me, so I put together a quick list to follow after some research, and I figured I'd ask the experts here if I was missing anything along the way

So, what am I missing? Or are any of the steps out of order?

1. Deprime

2. Tumble/clean

3. Case Prep
-Evaluate overall condition
--- Primer pocket
--- Shoulder condition
--- Thickness
--- Bulges
--- Cracks
--- Other defects
-Lube up to shoulder
-Size
-Trim if necessary
-Chamfer & Deburr
-Expand case mouth (straight shells only)

4. Prime

5. Powder

6. Bullet
-Adjust seat depth as necessary

7. Test
-OAL
-Chamber fit
-Mag fit

Appreciate any advice!

You got it. You can adjust your powder charges to fine tune the load. Depending on which bullet and cartridge you are loading for will determine your seating depth.

You forgot the chicken blood on a full moon at midnight thing, but you probably can get by without that on the first go-round.

I'm a little different on the steps. My steps on fired cases (new cases would be slightly different):

1 - Clean necks with Krazy Kloth
2 - wipe off with towel (this is when I do a case inspection)
3 - anneal
4 - full length size which includes depriming(you need to lube the whole case unless you are only neck sizing)
5 - wipe off with towel (this is when I do another case inspection)
6 - clean primer pockets
8 - run nylon brush in necks to pull off loose carbon
7 - trim/chamfer/debur/neck turn clean up as necessary
8 - load them

I have stopped using a tumbler for anything...nothing good can happen from cases bouncing around in a vibe or SS tumbler. Unless you are wanting to get them back to bare on the inside (which is not good in my experience) or have oxidation on the outside of the cases.

You anneal every loading?

I tumble first thing just to get semi clean abd inspect before chances of running dirt or something through dies. Wipe and basic inspect coming out of tumbler, I probally handle brass more than I need but I'm not in hurry.

Good luck. Reloading is very gratifying. If your new to reloading, consider taking an instructional course -- nothing beats hands on instruction.

Its not brain surgery, It doesn't really save much money if you are using top components.

I do it for accuracy, not for fun. Its not "fun" (to me any way)it is gratifying when you find the perfect combination.

What makes it easier would be to sit next to someone and watch them reload, or, heck get on YOUTUBE. you will see it all there.



What is your plan? What calibers? Long Range accuracy or plinking?

Budget??

I'm in Lewisville a few time a week, usually at Mamas Daughters Diner, maybe we could get a cup and talk about it.

Love it! In the mid-sixties, I ordered a Lee Loader from their ad in the back pages of Outdoor Life or the NRA Rifleman. I was around 11 or 12 and managed not to blow up my Savage 340 chambered in 30-30 Win, so I suspect the OP is safe. Mom & Dad never knew that I was buying components with my lawn mowing money at a small corner store! The Loader was $9.95, and I splurged by paying 98¢ for the Lee Reloading Handbook. I think I bought the load manual mainly because I had an interest in other types of cartridges as the Loader came with 30-30 Win data.



I still have a Lee Loader for every centerfire rifle I own. Good luck to the OP, you won't need it as you are prepared and know how to ask for help. You will need luck in not getting addicted to the endeavor!

RanchDog, this is greatness, same here but mine was to load 20ga shotgun shells, still don't know how you tell which wads to use

I would tumble/clean before you deprime, that way you're not running dirty cases through your resizer.

Universal deprime die takes care of not running dirty cases through your resizer dies.

I have loaded lots of brass that was never run through a tumbler or case cleaner. If they were shot and never hit the dirt to get dirty no real requirement IMO. Like Judd said wipe them off, the little tarnish from finger oils never seemed to hurt my rifles or dies. I do clean dirty brass and after several loadings but except for annealing at every loading do pretty much as Judd described.

Ranch Dog and Buzz I started with a Lee Loader for the 30-30 when I was 14, still have it as well.

I only tumble if I plan to trim that way I take off any nicks or burrs left from tumbling.
I mainly only stainless tumble .223 and 9mm which runs thru the progressive machines.

I wipe my cases with diluted Ballistol and shop towels.

Your list appears to be well thought out. Looks like you'll be fine. Don't get lube on your primers. Any oil will potentially ruin them and could create squibs. Nothing worse than a stuck bullet. Or worse more than one and a blowed up gun. I clean after lube and sizing.

I have loaded 10k on a single stage Hornady and still learning. Stress relief for me. I'm never in a hurry. safety first!