Advice on new setup

[atomd]

I've experimented with reloading in the past and I sort of know what I want but I'm not sure about the best way to do it. What I know is this:

1. 45acp is #1. I will buy a set of .45acp dies first and only .45acp to begin with because I shoot at least 10x more of that than anything else.
2. I want a press that will be easy to use but still teach me a bit along the way. I don't want to have to tweak it and mess with it on a weekly basis.
3. Cost is a HUGE factor. I don't want to try something out only to find out I don't like it or I don't want to invest a lot in something that I'm not 100% up on. I do not want to buy a Dillon 550 or 650 or anything that costs 2-4 times what I am looking at only to find out that I use it here and there. I understand that you get what you pay for but if I learn the basics of reloading while spending $70-$100 on a kit....I think it's worth it for the learning experience. I think that Dillon and RCBS are great (yes I have used some belonging to others) but not for me at this moment. Someday...maybe.

A turret press seems to be what I want but I'm not 100% on it. A single stage press might be ok too though. I could buy a Lee Anniversary kit for 69.99 and a set of dies and at least be able to try my hand at it. If I don't like single stage I can always use that press for other things and move on to something better. Should I get a 3 die set or a 4 die set? Is the factory crimp die REALLY needed? Can I get around using that die without using calipers to get a correct setting every time? Will I want that powder measure and scale in a year or 2? I don't want to have to keep tweaking dies to get the seating corrected, etc.

On to the turret press. Should I buy just a plain old Lee 4 hole turret or 3 hole turret and just a set of dies and use the scoops, etc while saving the money for a nicer digital scale/powder dispenser and accessories to purchase later on? That seems pretty reasonable. $60 or $80 for a lee 4 hole or a lee classic 4 hole and then slowly upgrade? I'm leaning towards this. Just use some tried and true loads with just the old school scoops and work my way up...but still have a press that won't annoy me as much in a few months.

What do you guys think?

 

[Robert Farrar]

Hi Atomd,

Hand/reloading is great. I'd suggest a good single stage press, beam scale, powder measure, a set of check weights for said scale, and at least 2
manuals such as Lyman's 48th and one from a powder manufacturer for comparison purposes. I recommend that you read the manuals at least twice.

That said, reloading is not a speed event. It is a process to make safe, potentially more accurate ammunition for your individual firearms, and to save a bit of money. Read the manuals and understand the processes before starting.

Basically, you should avoid progressive/turret presses for now, due to the simplicity of the single stage. You'll need a single stage press for working up loads from minimum to just under/up to the maximum published. This allows you to gain experience handloading, solving problems along the way, and developing safe habits. After some experience you can go on to other types of presses, etc.

Bob

 

[WildeKurt]

Maybe a Turret

I went with a turret press. Removed the index rod and had a single stage press of sorts. Did all operations seperately: Great way to learn. I found after a few sessions, putting the index rod back in and had at it. Very glad I didn't spend the money on a single stage press only to discover that it was too slow.

 

[RustyFN]

I have to agree with WildeKurt. A Lee Classic Turret Press is the best way to go. It has a hole through the ram so the spent primers are collected in a tube that you can empty, no mess. I used mine as a single stage without removing the indexing rod by just not lowering it enough to let it cycle. It is a very easy press for a beginner to set up and use. Once you get the hang of it you will be able to make 200+ rounds per hour. You can buy the kit at Cabela's or Kempfgunshop.com as a kit and get everything you need to start for around $200.
Rusty

 

[distra]

I've only been reloading for 9 months now and I opted for a Dillon 550B. If you shoot any volume at all, you will not regret the 550. I picked it up used on Ebay with all the goodies for ~$600. Several caliber conversion kits, scale, 2 powder measurers, 4 tool heads, etc. I started only wanting to load 45, but the press came with 9mm, 38/357, 7.62x39 dies soooo, you guessed it, I load those now too. The 550 was easy for a beginner to setup and as far a tweaking goes, no matter which press you get, when you change bullets you need to tweak the press. Even the same weight bullets from different manufactures will be slightly different and require you check the seating and crimp. I QC my rounds for length and crimp, a caliper is not optional equipment when it comes to loading. My $0.02 for what it's worth.

 

[redneck2]

IMO, a single stage for reloading pistol is an exercise in futility. Everybody wants to get by cheap, but it's really foolish for pistol. At the very least, get a turret, a decent scale, check weights, and the other basic stuff you need.

I've got a 550. While it seems hard to cough up the cash, look at the savings. It takes about $500 to get totally set up really well for a given caliber with a progressive. If you shoot .45 acp and save $12-15 a box, it takes 30-35 boxes to pay back the cost of the press.

More importantly, if you get a Dillon, if if you don't like it, you can sell it on e-bay for 90% of what you pay. If you don't believe it, go to e-bay and try to buy Dillon presses.

The biggest mistake you can make is to try to buy cheap. Get a good set-up and you'll never look back.

I don't want to have to tweak it and mess with it on a weekly basis.

Now, I know the guys with the Hornady's like their powder measures because they can change inserts instead of buying the whole set-up. Each has it's advantage. I have 5 complete quick change kits for my Dillon. It costs maybe $50-60 each, but I can slide one tool head out, slide another in (and swap a shell plate), and I'm ready to load. No adjusting, measuring, just load.

I just had the son of one of my friends here this past week-end. I had him swap tool heads and load some 45 LC's. His comment was "I can't believe how easy it is to reload".

A few hundred dollars makes a world of difference in how easy and fast reloading becomes. I'd take a hard look at Dillon and Hornady.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

The Lee Classic Cast Turret press is a good way to go. Unless you're shooting very large quantities, the turret can be used single stage as pointed out above, is reasonably fast at 200 rounds/hour and is very affordable to setup.

If you think you might shoot enough to justify the expense of a progressive, you might want to read this comparison done by a fella who owned all three of the popular progressives. Frankly, if the Lee Classic Cast turret press was out when I bought my Hornady Lock N Load, I would never have needed to buy the Hornady. 200/rounds per hour is more than enough for most folks. That said, here's the review. Note: You can buy a Hornady LnL without a casefeeder for about what you'd have in a Dillon 550 and when it comes to adding other calibers, you'd be money ahead.

http://www.comrace.ca/cmfiles/dillonLeeHornadyComparison.pdf

Regards,

Dave