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?
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?