Wanting to buy used reloading equip

[MaterDei]

I want to start reloading (primarily .45ACP but also some 12 Guage and 9MM) and as a n00b have 2 questions.

1. Can I relaod 12 GA and .45 on the same press?

2. Where can I find used/reconditioned presses? I've searched THR's trading post with no luck. I don't want to start out with a large outlay of cash fearing I won't like reloading.

Thanks in advance for your help,

MaterDei

 

[Steve Smith]

Answers:

#1 Most likely not. Shotgun stuff takes significantly different equipment to reload. Fear not, shotgun presses are cheap!

#2 Try Ebay. Use the search feature here and find out what you really want, then be a picky shopper on ebay.

 

[cordex]

While I recommend and prefer Dillon and regret my Lee purchases (not because they were unserviceable presses, mind you, just that I could have spent that money on components to run through the Dillon I eventually got), Lee does offer inexpensive, reconditioned equipment on their website if you look around.

 

[MaterDei]

Some more details might be helpful.

I probably won't be reloading much more than 500 rounds per month on average and quite frankely I'm not too concerned about the 12 GA. It's cheap anywho given how much I shoot, I just figured that since I could, I would. Know what I mean?

 

[lee n. field]

then be a picky shopper on ebay.

absolutely. Deals can be had on ebay, but you must be familiar with what you're buying (the seller often isn't), and must have a good idea of it's value.

 

[MaterDei]

Seeing as I have no idea what I'm doing yet, I'm going to have a hard time being picky.

Gosh, I wish I had a reloading friend to show me the ropes. Better yet, he would let me use his press to determine whether reloading is for me or not.

C'est la vie

 

[Kamicosmos]

Your best bet is to get one of the kits. I really recommend the RCBS kits. I got one at a gunshow for about $175 a few years ago. I think it sells for 180-200 or so now. I forget exactly what it's called, but I got the more basic one with the Special 5 press.

It came with:
Press
505 Scale
Speer reloading manual
case block
primer tray
case lube
powder funnel
misc stuff...


Altogether, it's the best deal. You get everything you need at once for a good price. Read the reloading book that came with it, and you'll be able to get started on your own if you don't have a friend that knows how to do it.


I was the same as you, not sure if I'd get into reloading as a hobby or not, and I'm still going! The kit paid for itself in about a year of just loading .44 Mag loads.

Don't disillusion yourself too thinking you'll save tons of money by reloading. The equipment will pay for itself, and your ammo will be 'better' and 'cheaper' than what you buy. But you'll shoot more, buy more guns and reloading accessories, etc...before too long you'll be like most of us handloaders, having a dedicated room for your gun stuff!

 

[Steve Smith]

As I said, use the search feature and read read read. After that I think you'll have quite a goodstart on knowing how to be picky.


I wouldn't be surprised if a THR member in the Houston area chimes in and offers you a little local help.

 

[MaterDei]

You clearly don't understand reloading accounting the way I do, Kamicosmos.

The more one loads the more one saves (regarless of what is actually spent)!

Seriously, I just want to be able to reduce my cents/round cost so that I can shoot more.

Thanks for the advice re: the kit.

I'm finding it hard to believe that some of the reloaders on this site don't have some old 'substandard' equipment that they are looking to unload cheap without having to go through the ebay hassle. *hint hint*

 

[Steve Smith]

Some of us have already sold our crap on Ebay.

 

[cordex]

Some of us have already sold our crap on Ebay.

And some of us have given some of it away to Purdue students wanting to get into loading.

 

[Steve Smith]

I wouldn't wish a Lee Slo-1000 on my worst enemy, much less a Purdue student!

 

[cordex]

I wouldn't wish a Lee Slo-1000 on my worst enemy, much less a Purdue student!

They're engineering students. They'll redesign it and find a way to make it work.

Anyway, their single stage presses do enough of what a single stage press is supposed to do that I didn't feel bad foisting it on 'em.

 

[Steve Smith]

Those engineering students would write the following revision notes:

Step 1. Throw old unit in trash.
Step 2. Redesign press.

 

[cordex]

*laugh*
Yeah, but it would give them a real appreciation of a proper press when they got one and plenty of experience in learning the general process.

 

[Gary H]

Reloading kit is a good idea. You can start with a single stage, should money be an issue. Otherwise, I would jump into a progressive press. Take a look at Midway, MidSouth Shooters Supply and Natchez.

 

[SASS#23149]

I would reccomend stqrting with a Lee Challenger press and Lee dies. I started that way and loaded thousands of roiunds of ammo.I still use the Lee press for small runs of seldom shot ammo.
Buyin on Ebauy is ok,but by the time you pay freight on a press the svings will be very small,IMHO.
As someone mentioned,Lee sells reconditioned presses.
I DON'T like their progressive presses,but the turret press is ok....very few moving parts to bind/break/whatever. The turret press allows you to leave the dies setup so the settings don't change when changing calibers.
IF you have gunshows in your area,I'd buy there.....shipping will cut into your "supplies buying" money.
Keep in mind that loading 500 rds on a single stage press requires some time and about 1000 pulls on the lever......1500 if you seat and crimp in 2 operations,which i like to do.
Shotshell loading saves so little I would not do it unless I wanted to tailor my loads for some reason,like light loads for cowboy shooting.
IMHO,the LYman book is the best manual.I use it more than any other I have.
If you have the time and want a new hobby,reloading is one that I sure enjoy.

 

[MaterDei]

Thanks for the advice SASS.

I went to a gun show last weekend here in Houston (the High Caliber Gun Show) specifically to buy a reloading kit, and would you believe they had zero reloading equipment booths. Nada.

Heck, maybe I should become a dealer. Heh

 

[Calanctus]

If you know anyone with a C&R license, you can get a pretty good discount at Midway USA. A friend and I split an order of dies & presses, and it wasn't too painful on the pocketbook. In fact, you'd probably save more than the cost of the C&R if you order a "Starter Kit" from Midway! We went the Lee route, and things have worked pretty well so far. There is a difference in quality between the Lee presses and other lines, but I haven't had any problems with the Turret, O-frame, or even the C-frame press I have set up as a decapping station. That being said, my next purchase will be a Dillon.