Howdy. I've been reading the reloading forum for some time, and searching through for specific information/reviews/feedback on a reloading setup for a beginner. What I've seen has been mixed information (different opinions), but I've found 3 ways one could start:
- Lee Classic Loader (s)
Pros: cheap. works...works well I hear. portable. "put-away-able." All else you need is a hammer and components. a scale/measure helps, but isn't needed out of the box.
Cons: slow. loud. (whack, whack) did i mention slow?
- Single stage press (Lee Hand Press, Lee Reloader/Challenger, RCBS Partner Press)
Pros: still rather cheap, take dies which can be used in everything else, consistent operation, good to have when upgrading to a progressive, generally available in starter kits
Cons: slow, but not as bad as LCL, need dies and shellholder, possibly scale/measure too. more expensive for a tight budget.
- Progressive press (Dillion SDB, 550B)
Pros: faster, the SDB comes with dies, the 550B takes standard, consistent operation.
Cons: SDB dies non-standard, need dies/shellholder for the 550B. even more outlay on a tight budget.
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Right now I shoot mostly 9mm, 45ACP, and .223. I don't shoot as much as I'd like to, partly due to cost, party time. When I go to the range, I usually use at least 1 box (50rnds) of each kind of ammo, sometimes close to 2, occasionally...like when with friends, 3-4 boxes, especially when shooting Wolf. For me, the SDB would be nice, except I shoot 2 pistol calibers, and it doesn't come in rifle. The 550B is a little much for my budget, especially when starting. Also, I plan to load very small quanties of .243 and .30-06.
I was thinking a good way for ME to start would be a LCL in each caliber (at least .45ACP and .223), plus powder scale and measure, and a tumbler. Then later, get a Lee Hand press (plus dies) to make decapping and resizing easier, and a hand primer of some make to make priming easier. Finally, if I seem to be enjoying it, getting LCL in .243 and 30-06, and a set of dies for 9mm. Finally, once I've done it for a while, and know it's something I enjoy, get either a good benchmount single stage, and/or a 550B or similar, and eventually dies for .243 and 30-06. Then go to town.
How does this plan look to you experienced folks? I know I haven't mentioned the requisite loading manuals, cartridge blocks, etc, but this is the stuff you physically can not load without.