kits for getting started?

[hossdaniels]

I am thinking about getting into reloading and have a ton of questions, but I'll start with this one. Is there a good kit for getting started? I would like to reload for .38 spl, .357 mag, .44 mag, .270 win, and 30-06. Is it possible to reload rifle and handgun rounds on the same press? I dont think you can add shotgun too? Looking through some of the catalogs, I quickly become overwhelmed with the "extras" and I'm not sure where to start. So is there a kit to get started with the basics?

 

[SSN Vet]

I'm in the same boat

and researched things for a couple weeks.

I started with the cartridges I knew I wanted to reload for, then considered what I hope to get in the future. Then I estimated how many rounds a month I'd realistically re-load.

It helped me to set a budget and then to see what kind of a set up I could get with that amount of money. My budget was ~$200, but I wound up spending ~$280 for a complete set up (w/ 2 sets of dies) individually picking the components (each one an upgrade from the "kit" level).

I want to spend more time shooting and less re-loading, so I popped for a turret press (Lee Classic). Swapping out turrets and not fussing with set ups over and over again had a lot of appeal to me.

I'll have to disable the auto-index to do my rifle cartridges, but I'm happy to get by with manually indexing the turret. Having the dies all set up should still save me a lot of time.

Good luck......lot's of guys hanging out here who can help you.....I'm just a newby.

 

[RustyFN]

I would start with a turret press. I would buy the Lee classic turret over the turret kit because the classic is a much stronger press and well worth the extra money. A single stage press would be good for loading rifle but it would be slow and boring for pistol. I own a classic turret and shoot a lot of IDPA, GSSF and other matches at the club I belong to and the turret will load all the ammo I need. Here is an example of what I bought to give you an idea.
Rusty

Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure Riser.
Lee Adjustable Charge Bar Auto Disk.
Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure.
Lee Safety Prime Small and Large Primer Feeder.
Lee Classic Four Hole Turret Press.
Lee Deluxe Handgun Four Die Set 9mm Luger.
Lee Safety Magnetic Scale. ( will upgrade as needed )
Total was $207 including shipping and NRA donation.

 

[tbtrout]

You can buy a kit for for the basics, but you will always have to add dies shell holders and the conveniences. I started on a Rock Chucker for rifle and pistol 6 years ago.Served its purpose and taught me alot. Just upgraded to a progressive. I think I know what it felt like to invent the wheel. Alot is going to depend on how much you plan to shoot. Get a couple of good manuals,speer, sierra, hornady, do some reading and check ebay. I have gotten some good deals on reloading equipment

 

[DMF38]

I started reloading last Summer. I got this setup from Midway for about $380.


Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure Riser
Lyman shooter's Weight Check Set
Frankford Arsenal Walnut Brass Cleaning Media
Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure
Lee Chamfer Tool
Lee Case Length Gauge and Shellholder
Hornady One Shot Case Lube
Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner
Lee Cutter and Lockstud
Lee "Modern Reloading Second Edition" reloading manual
Lee Safety Prime Small and Large Primer Feeder, for 2006 and later reloading presses
Frankford Arsenal Electronic Caliper
Frankford Arsenal Case Tumbler, with rotary media separator
Lee Deluxe 4-Die set for handgun (with Factory Crimp Die)
Lee Safety Powder Scale
Lee Classic Cast 4-Hole Turret Press
-----------------------------------------------------------------

I think it's better to buy individual components like this instead of the kit. Because you'd be upgrading and adding to the kit eventually anyway. So I thought I'd rather start out with the great Classic Cast Turret Press and buy the other components separately, and I'm glad I did it this way. For every different type of cartridge you load you'll need a different set of dies with turret. That costs about $35 for each additional type of cartridge you load.

 

[DMF38]

I forgot to mention that with the Lee Classic Cast Turret Press you can reload 200 rounds per hour of pistol ammo.

 

[hossdaniels]

thanks for the replies, how does the turret press work with the rifle rounds? I'm not looking for super accurate, but 1 moa would be nice.

 

[cloudcroft]

hossdaniels,

Even the "hand-job" (!!) Lee Classic Loader Kit will meet those specs!

So ANY press will do the same...it's just the care/steps YOU take when reloading that's the issue.

-- John D.

 

[Wedge]

I started, and still use, a Lee Challenger press. I got the Anniversary Kit, .45 Colt dies, Caliper, Micrometer, Case Vibaratory Cleaner kit for under/around $200.

 

[dcloco]

This is a tough one. No matter brand of kit, you will need to buy other items - case trimmer, tumbler, handpriming tool, and a QUALITY scale.

Best thing - go to a store that has items on display - Cabela's is the only store that I have been in that has the reloading tools on display.

See the link in the accessories page - I bought a larger reloading setup from a person....added a couple items.....and selling it. If you bought the RCBS 10/10 scale alone...that is half the cost of what I am asking.



http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=247330

 

[DMF38]

The only rifle caliber I reload in my Lee Classic Cast Turret press is .30-.30. It works great for that and I can use the auto index with no problem, but it still takes a little longer than reloading pistol ammo. The Auto Disk powder measure works fine for .30-.30, but it won't throw enough powder for larger calibers, like .30-06. So for the larger calibers you need to use a different kind of powder measure. The Classic Cast Turret Press will even load .50 caliber cartridges if you want.

 

[DMF38]

On one of the different threads RustyFN just posted that Cabelas now has a Lee Classic Cast Turret Press Kit for sale. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...hid=&navAction

That's a great deal! I wish they had that kit when I bought my press. :banghead: