starting with only $500

[Dimis]

im looking at getting started reloading id like to do .38special .45ACP and .45LC to start with and work my way into the other calibers i own and sooner or later rifles

i have a budget of $500 to start with not really counting components

im looking at a lee turret press (actualy one of the kits that include a bit of everything you need sans dies)

but what would you folks recomend?

im also looking into lyman manuals and the ABCs of reloading

anything else i should look into to make the learning process easier?

 

[FROGO207]

I would read the post in the stickies above first. Then get the basic setup,dies and some components. If you can swing it is there someone you can visit in person so that you can load or at least help to load first? IMHO it is better to get JUST the basics to start and then add stuff you will find important as needed. Buying used is a good approach if you can wait some. There are some deals in the for sale here at this website. I have a progressive and doing things in batches of say 150 or so I find it just as fast working using my single stage. Think vibratory cleaner and a good beam type scale for upgrades. And yes I really like all Lee products. He keeps the other pricier players down to earth IMO.

 

[bullseye308]

Lee Classic Cast Press is the one you want if you want to go that route. It is always recommended that you start out with a single stage, but lots of folks get along fine starting with the classic cast. Look here for more info. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214 That should cover most of what you need to know.

im also looking into lyman manuals and the ABCs of reloading

Get both and read them, it will help and be a good reference later on.

Lee's site has helpful videos, as does ultimate reloader.

 

[RustyFN]

Lee classic turret is a great press.



Make sure to buy a turret for each set of dies.

 

[floydster]

As Rusty says, you can't beat the Lee Classic Turret, have had mine for three years and over 10,000 rounds, I have turrets and dies for five calibers I load, all pistol. I have a powder measure on all the turrets as well, a great setup.
I have the new Hornady LNL but I still go back to my Classic turret.
Floydster

 

[woodsja]

Lee classic turret over here but I use a hornady powder drop with a case activated throw 'cause I do rifle as well. The pro auto-disk should be fine if you don't want to do more than 40gr of powder. Get a double disk kit for double the fun but you're still limited to the smaller .30 cal rounds. The primer system is great too. Mine even came with the necessary mounting clip to get it on the classic turret.

 

[twofifty]

On a tight budget, the Lee product line is the way to go. Most of their equipment is totally functional, and some performs as well if not better than other brands costing more.

If you don't mind used, try garage sales, the web...

 

[rfwobbly]

On a tight budget, the Lee product line is the way to go.

+1 If you HAVE to buy new, then Lee offers 2 or 3 ways you can go.

However, GREAT reloading equipment has been around since the 1970's and a lot of guys are aging out of the hobby. For ~$150 you can buy one of these guys out, get a top-of-the-line press, dies, powders, primers, tools, bullets, a complete reloading library, etc. Good chance at a bench...in short, the whole works! Ask around at local shooting ranges and clubs. Look on CraigsList.

The guy I bought out threw in 35 dies sets, 11,000 primers, and 16 pounds of powder to sweeten the deal. And he gave my kid 400 rounds of 7.62x54R because he was polite.

Of course, I did have to drive 7 miles.

 

[Bass Ackwardz]

Wish I was that lucky...nice pickup rf...

Bass

 

[Walkalong]

and a lot of guys are aging out of the hobby.

Hey now. Some of us ain't ready to give it up just yet.

Excellent point. Many older (than me) reloaders have some great stuff that their kids will sell off cheap. Study up, know what you are looking at.

 

[jmorris]

Many older (than me) reloaders have some great stuff that their kids will sell off cheap.

Unfortunate, but true.

 

[lgbloader]

$500.00 bucks is a great budget and Rusty's pics show, a great setup is the Lee Classic Turret with all the trimming's. invest in some additional case prep tools, a tumbler and a good scale and your set. If you look around and shop wisely, $500.00 will be more than enough to set up your bench to be proud of.

and a lot of guys are aging out of the hobby

Walkalong says:

Hey now. Some of us ain't ready to give it up just yet.

Just keep yanking that lever, AC

LGB

 

[UltimateReloader]

Personally, I would not rule out a progressive for the type of loading you're going to be doing (handgun).

If you want to see some of these presses in action (you could get a Loadmaster with all of the calibers setup for the budget you mentioned) check out my website. There's plenty of HD videos for common progressives.

Starting with a progressive will be more difficult, but in the long run for pistol I think you'll be happier if you care about efficiency.

Not saying to bag the idea of the turret, but I'd look at both.

Here's some videos of the loadmaster in operation:
http://ultimatereloader.com/?p=632
http://ultimatereloader.com/?p=660
http://ultimatereloader.com/?p=849

 

[jmortimer]

+1 Classic Turret

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I would highly recommend a digital reloading scale. Some of the balance beam scales can be as much as 1.5 grains off. That can cause serious problems if you are working near max loads. A bullet puller is also a good idea, especially when you're still learning the ropes. Cabelas has a nice economical kinetic bullet puller for under $20.

 

[dbb1776]

Can't the lee turret press be used as a single stage? Then with exp. he can ramp up his production.

Whatever scale you get be aware that drafts will cause measurements to vary.
Buy a set of check weights for the scale.

 

[Seedtick]

I would highly recommend a digital reloading scale. Some of the balance beam scales can be as much as 1.5 grains off. That can cause serious problems if you are working near max loads.

That's a new one for me??

ST

 

[Walkalong]

Check weights, and make sure it's level.

Love my Redding balance beam.

I've loaded for many a year without a bullet puller. I pull the odd one or two every year or so with pliers. Check, re-check, check again, then load.

 

[LiveLife]

Ask around at local shooting ranges and clubs. Look on CraigsList.

The guy I bought out threw in 35 dies sets, 11,000 primers, and 16 pounds of powder to sweeten the deal. And he gave my kid 400 rounds of 7.62x54R because he was polite.

Nobody lives forever. If a reloader passes away, who gets the equipment? Often, family members don't reload and want the whole lot cleared from the garage. Estate sales is another source - a quick call to see if the deceased was a reloader.

 

[jmortimer]

I use my Lee Turret Press as a single stage - just de-activate the auto-index. Like the nice pictures from Rusty FN shows, you get your turrets set up, swap them in and out and go. I use the hand held Lee Auto Prime and Lee powder dippers so it is as simple as it gets.

 

[rfwobbly]

I would highly recommend a digital reloading scale. Some of the balance beam scales can be as much as 1.5 grains off.

Everyone knows that gravity started fluctuating wildly due to global warming. It's all George Bush's fault. That's why you've been weighing 5 pounds more since December.

 

[rfwobbly]

Wish I was that lucky...nice pickup rf...

Bass

There was a post on here about a month ago of someone who did even better than me. Had several photos and everything. I can't find it now.

Mine was listed in the Atlanta CraigsList for 3 weeks. I only went to look at it because I felt sorry for the guy. He said about 5 people had made appointments and then never showed up. He was lonely more than anything!

One thing you got to remember.... The big, cast iron, RockChucker "made in USA" top-of-the-line full-blown kit was only something like $78 in 1978. To someone selling that for $100, they're making big money!!

 

[jfh]

At $500.00 w/o components, I think you can do it all

with a Lee Classic Cast Turret, all the die sets, etc., etc.--not counting the bench.

Here is a link to a discussion of building such a setup--about two years old; it needs tweaking to your list, and price updating. Read the whole thread carefully.

For pricing, start with the "kit" put together by Kempf's--Here is the link to that Cast Turret kit.

Build your own list, post it here, and we'll critique it.

And, the advise given here about sources for used gear is good. Whichever way you go, post your questions, lists, etc. here in this thread, and we'll be happy to help. There is no such thing as a dumb question, remember....

Jim H.

 

[shaggy430]

EBAY!

I bought an entire set-up minus dies and components a few years ago for $87.

 

[Jenrick]

$500 can get you a brand new Dillon 550B. Some good shopping can get you everything else (scales, tricklers, books, dies) to fit in under $500. Not to shabby to start off with.


-Jenrick