[Rotosan1980]

ciao,

What relaoding press (single station) for pistol would you recommend me? Do you have any idea about what cuold be a good reloading starter kit?

thanks..

ciao Gian...

[nelson133]

Loading pistol is less demanding on a press, nothing like reforming rifle brass. I would sugest Lee equipment to start with, they have some good kits, check some of the big internet houses, Midway, Midsouth, Graff and Sons, etc. Check out the www.leeprecision.com site for a long list of retailers.
Their presses are certainly adequate, I stilll use mine, their dies are very good, and most of their other products are good and servicable at worst. The only exception is their scale, in my mind and experience it is a major POS and to be left strictly alone, I have one that is practically unused because I couldn't get good results with it.
RCBS is much more expensive, with a better warranty and is more that any beginner needs. I still use alot of my Lee equipment and am long past being a beginner.

[The Bushmaster]

I'm a Lee man, but you might want to look at the RCBS Partner Single Stage Press Reloading Kit also. www.midwayusa.com

[callgood]

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a288/callgood/press.jpg

I am a "buy once, cry once" guy. The Forster will last a lifetime, is capable of doing anything in the future a single stage press will be called on to do, and once set, the dies snap in and out with no tinkering. I did not buy my other components as a kit, but over time picked up the items I wanted when a seller had them on sale or at a discount to other sellers. It required more study, more time, but it kept me from rushing in and wasting $ on something that was less than optimum for me.

Naturally I do not reload high volume- 150 rounds at a time is about my max. But what I can turn out is as good as what you can get. My shooting is constrained by time, so turning out match grade ammo in the amount I can use costs me no more than others invest to turn out larger piles of "blasting" ammo.

[Rotosan1980]

@ callgood

just for the future... but cuold you form the brass from one caliber to an other one with Forster press?

thanks...

[loadedround]

Since everyone is expessing their views on presses and dies; I have to recommend the Redding Boss press and dies. This small upstate Ny company in my opinion makes the best quality reloading equipment I have used and I have been reloading for over 40 years.

[LAH]

For straight wall pistol cases I'd use a "C" press. It's open on the front and makes it easy to put the case in and out, not to mention seating bullets.

[Ol` Joe]

just for the future... but could you form the brass from one caliber to an other one with Forster press?


I`m not callgood, but I`ve some experiance with the Co-ax.

The press will reform cases from one cartridge to another -I`ve done 260 & 7-08 from 308 and 6.5x284 from 284Win on mine- with the possible exception of the larger Ultra Mags or Nitro cases, the "window" of the press may be too short for them. The press has more then enough leverage and is as smooth a press as one could as for. I`ve heard the micro competition type RCBS seaters hit the yoke of the handle on the Co-Ax but I haven`t used these dies and can`t comment on how much bother it is or if it really is anything to worry about. The press works just fine with std RCBS, Redding, Lyman, Hornady, and Forster dies. It has its own shell holder in the form of a pair of "jaws that clamp on the case rim. This eliminates the need to change shellholders with each cartridge and helps aline the case to eliminate runout. The spent primers are fed down a tube to a jar that keeps the floor and press area clean of ash and debris. They do work best with Forster or Hornady lock rings, but RCBS/Redding can be used.
I own a RCBS Jr, had a RockChucker, have a Lyman Orange Chrusher, played with a old Lee "C" press of unremembered name, and the Co-Ax is clearly the "Caddy" of them all. It is unfortunatly priced accordingly. If you are looking to go "cheap" it may not be your best choice.

http://www.forsterproducts.com/Pages/press.htm

[Matt Dillon]

My vote is for the Lee Classic cast press. Strong enough for .50BMG and less costly than most of the other large presses.

[ball3006]

if they still make them. See them used now and then. Been using one for pistol ammo reloading forever. Can be used for the smaller rifle calibers too. I am not brand specific on dies and use what ever is available. Gotta have carbide dies for straight wall pistol cases though.......chris3

[Rotosan1980]

thanks boys... but i have other few questions to complete my reloading equipment for pistol:)

Powder scale: which mechanical scale could be a good choice also for rifle purpose?

Dies: which one for pistol?

Do you need to trim the pistol brasses?

What do you think about the Lee powder measure? good choice for pistol?

Thanks everybody..

Ciao Gian...

[Ol` Joe]

Powder scale: which mechanical scale could be a good choice also for rifle purpose?

Dies: which one for pistol?

Do you need to trim the pistol brasses?

What do you think about the Lee powder measure? good choice for pistol?


Any of the name brand scales that have a top capasity of 100 gr will work for 99.9% of your reloading. Most will weigh heavier charges then that. I would look at something like the RCBS 505

I use Lyman dies for my cartridges with straight walled cases. I prefer the way thier M-die expands the case mouth compared to other brands. Stay with carbide sizers for straight walled cases, they make life much easier. Most other posters likely will swear by Dillon or Lee.

If you load high pressure rounds like the 44 or 357 mag you will likely at some point have to trim. I have never, however, trimmed a 45 acp case.

Never used a Lee measure and can`t comment.

[LAH]

Dies: which one for pistol?

I've never used any brand of straight wall pistol die that didn't perform as needed.........Creeker

[ball3006]

use carbide dies for your straight wall pistol cases.........I have never had to trim any pistol brass. I don't load hot either. If the case is too long, trim it......I have not used Lee's powder measure. Kinda hard to wear one out. Do buy a Lee's primer tool, get two, one for each size primer. Best primer tool on the market......And, buy a loading manual........if fact, buy two so you can cross ref data........chris3

[Rotosan1980]

which loading manual do you think would be great?

[LAH]

My standard answer is always the Lyman Manual, especially if you're considing shooting cast bullets...........Creeker

[redneck2]

FWIW...I suspect with single stage that it makes little or no difference what brand you get. Ask 10 people and you'll get 10 answers and all will be right. Dude, all you're really getting is an arbor with a moveable ram

personally, I'd try to find a used one (e-bay, etc.) and use the difference in dollars to buy a GOOD scale, powder trickler, etc. The screaming deal is thru Lee. In the back of their book, they have a coupon. A newbie can get a reconditioned press for 1/2 price or less.

For pistol, use carbide dies. You can get steel. No thanks. Wouldn't use them if they were free. I use Lee dies in my Dillon. I'm kinda a snob on shooting stuff but Lee single stage and dies are fine IMO.

[RugerSAFan]

My first press was the Redding Boss. Although I now also have a progressive (RCBS Progressive 2000), if I was going to do it over again, my first press would have been the Redding Turrett T-7.

Appears to be built like a tank.

[BrennanKG]

I am a little overhwhelmed at the options for a beginner's reloading kit/set-up.

Is the Lee Precision Deluxe Press Turret Kit (http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1150146164.2834=/html/catalog/rlpress2.html#DeluxeTurretPressKit) a good place to start? It seems like a resonable price. Any suggestions on reference material?


Thanks,
B.

[Hutch]

Lee equipment is very cunningly designed to be useful and inexpensive to produce. Some of their stuff is the best available, like the Auto-Prime. I think their dies are okay as well. I prefer other presses to Lee. I don't know if anyone else can really help you with the whole price vs. lifecycle cost vs. quality type thing. Some will say "save up some more and buy a XXXXX".

If there's any way possible, hook up with another active reloader and see what they use, and see how well it works. I have nothing but good things to say about RCBS and Dillon, but those are "Ford vs. Chevy" kinds of discussions.

Let us know how this turns out.