Starting Plan for Reloading... Sensible or Silly

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heavydluxe

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Alternatively, I could entitle this thread "Checking Myself Before I Wreck Myself".

I've been interested in getting into reloading for some time, starting with loading .223 and, in time, branching out into other calibers (likely 40S&W and .308) as arms are added to the arsenal. I was interested in handloading before, but the ammo crunch and price inflation of the past year or so has convinced me I should start.

I'm on a bit of a shoestring budget, and trying to figure out how best to manage that... I'd love to jot my tentative plan below and get some thoughts from those more experienced. Given the constraints we're feeling, this seems like a good route forward (since the startup costs for reloading are the most prohibitive part of the deal) but perhaps I'm just being foolish.

FWIW, I don't want this thread to turn into a brand war, per se. Also, the use of the pronoun 'we' below refers to me and my slave labo... er, volunteer helper (my 12 year old son). :)

So, any comments welcome...

STEP 1: Buy a cheap single stage press, like the Lee Reloader, dies, lube, and basic case prep tools. That will put me at about a $100-$150 layout and allow me to work on prepping the spent brass that we already have on hand. I have access to several reloading manuals already (recent editions).

STEP 2: About the time we're done slowly reading/studying and working through the brass we have, we'll probably be able to layout another $100-$150 which we could spend on primers, priming tools, and perhaps some powder measure/scales.

STEP 3: Once we've, again, read/studied and primed what we have on hand, we'd hopefully be in a position to put out some money for powder and bullets. At that point, we can finish loading and be (very) modestly setup for

STEP 4: Look to upgrade the press and any other prep tools based on lessons learned... Not sure whether that will lead to a more hearty single-stage, or something like the LCT.


Thoughts? The crucial decision point is obviously buying a bargain-basement press to start... My thought is that I won't feel like I've lost much by getting in the game with the Lee Reloader and then upgrading later (perhaps keeping the Reloader press for decapping or the like).

Anyway, I'd love to hear from you...


PS - Right now, each of these 'steps' represents about a month because of income constraints. With the holidays, there's a chance the timeline can accelerate, but it's unclear by how much.
 
I would strongly suggest that you skip the Lee reloader and make the LCT your first press. IMO it's the best press out there besides a progressive. It's cheap but it works. Once you get going, you can make 100-150 rounds per hour with it. Want a single stage? Just remove one screw and you have it, but better. Manually rotate the turret instead of swapping dies. If you buy anything else you're just wasting money on a temporary solution and setting yourself back in saving up for the LCT.

Keep an eye on the closeouts on Lee's website. I bought my turret as a second there for $60. They don't have anything now, but it could change.
 
Do some reading research such as from "ABCs of Reloading" or Lyman Manual #49. They have a wealth of information that can help you along with some information from the internet.

Read the sticky "Reloading library of Wisdom" at the top of this sub forum.

A good single stage will serve you well. For a budget press, the Lee Challenger is a good one while others will have some upside potential.

A single stage press is always good to have around. There are some specialized tasks that just work better on a single stage. So, learn the ropes on a single stage and keep it when you upgrade.

Lots of folks like turret presses. Personally, i do not see any advantage and they tend to cost more than their single stage cousins from the same manufacturer. But, variety is what makes the world go round.

Reloading is not dangerous as long as you follow good safety guidelines and follow good reloading practices. Haste and shortcuts do make waste in reloading and unfortunately the "waste" could put you in the hospital.
 
I just started reloading a couple months ago, and I started with the Lee Breechlock kit...I'm very satisfied with it, however I'm not doing large quantities. if you want more volume without going to a progressive, go with a turret press. But I would advise you buy some things to make life easier, like a case gauge for trimming, extra breech lock bushings if you go with the single stage, and a decent tumbler (I've been using a vinegar solution)
 
I think you have a solid plan. I started out with a Lee Classic Turret and it has done a very good job over the years on both rifle and pistol ammo. I load for maybe 14 or 15 calibers and it handles them all. I only upgraded when volume constraints were eating into my time...but both presses are still on the bench and get regular use.

Keep us posted.
 
Hi, everyone... thanks for the replies.

One clarification: My main reason for trying to get in the door with the cheap(est) press is that I'm still feeling stung by the last reloading supply crunch/price inflation. About the time I was going to pull the trigger before, everything dried up in the post-CT_shooting run on all things firearms.

It felt like getting a press and all the main tools now would be advisable. Then, worst case, I have 'something' that should last until I the supply chain catches up again.

FWIW, if I had unlimited funds I would either be buying a LCT or RCBS Rockchucker, no questions asked. Being on a tightly limited budget is the main reason driving me to (potentially) start on the cheap.

(PS: I have the ABCs and Lyman books on my bookshelf, and have already read them through more than once. I have ahandloading who has the Hornady and Lee manuals should I want/need to reference them.)
 
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I think you have a good plan there. When I started I "skipped" the Lee Reloader and went straight to a Turret, and now, a year later I'm ordering one. As cfullgraf stated, there will always be a job for a single stage.

I also recommend the ABC's, the Lyman, and I happennto like the Lee Modern Reloading book, it has some good info on setting up your new equipment.

As a matter of fact, Its about time I pay forward the help I got...PM me and I'll send you my ABC's of reloading
 
STEP 1: Buy a cheap single stage press, like the Lee Reloader, dies, lube, and basic case prep tools. That will put me at about a $100-$150 layout and allow me to work on prepping the spent brass that we already have on hand. I have access to several reloading manuals already (recent editions).
Click to expand...

Instead, buy an inexpensive, quality USED press. Pick your brand, RCBS, Pacific, Hornady, etc. Just get a good USED cast iron press.

STEP 2: About the time we're done slowly reading/studying and working through the brass we have, we'll probably be able to layout another $100-$150 which we could spend on primers, priming tools, and perhaps some powder measure/scales.
Click to expand...

Atta boy.

STEP 3: Once we've, again, read/studied and primed what we have on hand, we'd hopefully be in a position to put out some money for powder and bullets. At that point, we can finish loading and be (very) modestly setup for
Click to expand...

Atta boy, with a thought: equipment is never in short supply, components are. So, when you get a little money set aside, pick up some primers, a pound or two of powder here and there, a few hundred bullets. THEN when you have an ample supply, start buying more equipment, etc.

STEP 4: Look to upgrade the press and any other prep tools based on lessons learned... Not sure whether that will lead to a more hearty single-stage, or something like the LCT.
Click to expand...

See my recommendation after Step 1. I can 100% guarantee you that if you buy good used equipment, it will outlast you. I'm using a RCBS Rockchucker that my father bought 40+ years ago. God only knows how many tens of thousands of times that press has been cycled and it's still in perfect working condition. But again, again quality cast iron press will work.

35W
 
I went with the Lee Challenger Single Stage press, I'm happy with it, but I've only made 600 rounds at this point and usually only make 50 at a time. Currently I just make 38 spl's. But as I branch to 9mm and 357's, I might consider something new if my wife lets me.
 
I started with a Lee Classic Turret loader, made it a single stage to start slowly, learning as I go. Got up to speed with the turret press pretty fast.

Cranked out .45acp by the hundreds! Life was pretty good. THEN I saw the Dillon 650!

I was happy making a bullet every 4 pulls, but with the 650, after the first 5 pulls you creat a bullet with every pull! That is awesome!

knowing what I know now, I think starting with the most basic of loaders, then going to the 650 would be the least expensive. Ah well, start with a used single stage, then save your money to get the 650.

So far in the 650 I load 9mm and .45. I have the loader, electric brass feeder, all the parts to switch from .45 to 9mm, dies, etc. so far I'm in about $1200.

The start up cost, costs. But over a little time it will pay for itself.

Enjoy! be safe.
 
I think a single stage is a great way to start out. You learn a lot doing it one step at a time. Sure it is slow but for a beginner is the safest way in my opinion. You get a better feel for how it is suppose to work. Have fun and good luck.
 
Plus 1 on the single stage press. Can't comment on the quality of presses currently offered as I've been using an RCBS rock chucker for 35 years and it will still be working fine after I'm long gone. One thing unmentioned is the importance of acquiring a chornograph especially if you intend to reload for rifles.
Also, a good balance beam scale is a must. I've had problems with electronic scales and no longer trust them, they are a good thing to have around for double checking but I wouldn't use one as a primary measuring device.
Another thing is you would be best served to buy a kit as I think it will prove more economical than buying each component individually. Think I saw an RCBS setup on sale at Cabelas for around $350. not long ago.
 
I started with a used RCBS JR2 back in the late 70's - early '80's and just finished knocking out 100 rounds of hot .32 ACP hand loads yesterday! I still have that single stage and load 32 ACP, 9mm, .45, .38 Special, and .357 Mag with it.

I am telling myself I need a faster/more exotic press but that ancient RCBS single stage is like a true friend. Simple and precise...I'd save a bit of time on a progressive but not enough to justify the outlay based on how much I shoot.

Start with a top end single stage and you'll have it your whole life. Spend the money on the best dies you can get. I just bought new .32 ACP dies from CH4D and they are the best dies I own. I have RCBS, Lee, and Lyman dies and the CH4D are spendy but super.

VooDoo
 
While planning for your press and dies (I have a LCT) you can always pick up brass and grow a stockpile; look for primers and powder on sale (both are starting to show up again in volume, at more reasonable prices); and read up on the process. As for bullets, you can go the "make your own" path with lead bullets, from wheel weights or other free sources of lead, which is cheaper if you make a lot of bullets, after you overcome the cost of the stove and the molds; or you can buy bullets -- plated bullets being the cheapest -- and stockpile them.

You seem to be on the right track, and all of the suggestions sound good, but one aspect of the hobby that cannot be overlooked is the need to build up a good stockpile of components -- to be able to get through the next Big Shortage (we are going to have one here in Virginia when the anti-gun candidate for governor wins the next election in two weeks).
 
The Lee breechlock kit is the only thing available in the price range you're looking at, but it gets nearly universal 5 star reviews. About $99 @ Midway. If you don't want to prime on the press, the same kit is available with Lee's hand primer including shell holders for the primer for ~ $120.

As you want to load bottle neck cases, you'll need to add a case gauge to check length and a cutter to trim, about $12 for both. Also an extra two pack of bushings as the press only has one, about $8. A tray to hold the rounds you're working on would be a nice addition for $7 as would a cheap caliper for $20. Finally a set of dies, $34 for Lee deluxe which includes the shell holder.

As you already have loading manuals, pick out some likely loads, get powder, primers and bullets and go to town.:)
 
Watch Harbor Freight for a sale on their digital caliper. I bought one for 12 bucks to carry in my range box for measuring targets. I later saw it for $10. I though it would be accurate enough for that as it wasn't anything critical. I've found it to give the exact same readings as my much more expensive digital and dial calipers.
 
You will not go wrong with the Lee single stage breechlock. I started with the 50th Anniv kit and later upgraded my operation to the GREAT Lee Classic turret to get the higher volume output that matched MY realistic handgun ammo needs. Buy sufficient breech bushings for each die you have to speed up changes without affecting the setup of each die..

Batch loading seems a good match for rifle ammo, since after the case is sized it should be taken off the press and measured/trimmed to length. Having the good fortune of an eager to help slav///// child could have them doing that first chore to speed up the process. +1 on the Harbor Freight digital calipers - they work great and cost little. A good beam scale is often suggested though I am quite satisfied by my MNM $30 digital.

My source for coin batteries is battmanaz on flea-bay for mere pennies apiece including shipping.
 
Oh lawdy, here we go with the ABCs of Reloading suggestions. Guy above was right about Lyman. ABCs, not so much. (IMO)
 
Vodoun da Vinci said:
I started with a used RCBS JR2 back in the late 70's - early '80's ... <snip> ... Start with a top end single stage and you'll have it your whole life.
Click to expand...

So true. I acquired a used RCBS JR3 in the late '70s and still use it. Since then I have accumulated dies & related equipment to reload over a dozen calibers, mostly RCBS and Lee.

Off & On over the years I have eyeballed the Dillons but never managed to talk myself into one. One of a couple of aspects I could not reconcile is being concerned about the throw-weight of the propellant for handgun calibers, primarily.

As it is, with my Lee Auto Disk setup on my JR3, I still use a digi-scale and a trickler to measure every handgun load because the small volume throw-weights are so very inconsistent. I am sure that there are some propellants that meter better than 700X, 800X and Unique, but I don't (currently) use them. :)
 
Looking at your month apart plan, how much brass do have to prep? I think you will be done in a few days. I would buy a RCBS press first, skip the Lee altogether. As others have said, my RCBS is 40 years old and I wouldn't trade it for a new one. You can always go to a Lee progressive 1000 later for your pistol needs, but it is nice to have a quality press for rifle loading. Good luck.
 
GBExpat,
My rock chucker came with 2 powder dispensing barrels for the powder dispenser, one for handguns and one for rifles. Switching to the rifle barrel with it's larger orifice will help make powders like Unique meter much better.
I learned this quite by accident but it has eliminated the need to trickle charge.
Unique has always been my favorite powder for .44 mag. target loads and .45 Colt but since the component shortage hit I haven't been able to find any.
As a result I've had to dip into my shotgun supply of Universal clays and surprisingly I find it meters better, burns cleaner and provides the same level of accuracy, think you might want to give it a try, if you can find some.
 
Jaxondog said:
I think a single stage is a great way to start out. You learn a lot doing it one step at a time. Sure it is slow but for a beginner is the safest way in my opinion. You get a better feel for how it is suppose to work. Have fun and good luck.
Click to expand...

Actually, I'm not sure about this. I started with a single stage, loaded in batches. Moved to a Dillon 550, and recently added a single stage to my bench. I use it for dedicated tasks, but also for smaller runs of ammo where it doesn't make sense to buy the conversion kits, tool heads etc for the Dillon, just a set of dies.
IMO, it's far easier to make a mistake and under or double charge with a single stage press than with something like the Dillon. I'd really have to go out of my way to do that on my 550.
 
GBExpat said:
Off & On over the years I have eyeballed the Dillons but never managed to talk myself into one. One of a couple of aspects I could not reconcile is being concerned about the throw-weight of the propellant for handgun calibers, primarily.

As it is, with my Lee Auto Disk setup on my JR3, I still use a digi-scale and a trickler to measure every handgun load because the small volume throw-weights are so very inconsistent.
Click to expand...

Don't let you experiences with a Lee powder measure color your thinking about a Dillon. They couldn't possibly be further apart. I have a Dillon 550 I load 9mm and .38 on, and I load .45 Colt on my RCBS using a Lee Perfect Powder measure.

The Dillon, using TiteGroup, WSF and 231 is dead on, throwing 3.6-4.0 charges. It is very consistant. While the Lee is accurate enough with 6.7gr of 231, it's absolute garbage for rifle rounds throwing 66-71gr of Reloader 25. It varies by 10, not 1/10th, grains.

When I load .308 or .223 on my Dillon with Varget, I may get a couple of thousandths variance due to the nature of the powder, but nothing I need to worry about when throwing 44 or 25 grains of powder, to be unsafe.
 
I would start with a lee turret press and the 40s&w myself. Handgun is the easiest to load for and will save you more money than 223. It also allows you to get the most competed rounds for the minimal effort, which I find is important when beginning a hobby. A single stage press is simple, but it is slow, and quite honestly, having to batch things (powder in all, bullets in all etc) opens me up to a lot more chances for mistakes (skipping the gunpowder on one) than making one complete round at a time does on a turret press. And a turret isn't much more expensive than a good single stage. Heck, a lee turret is cheaper than most brands single stage. Reloading rifle is more tedious, requires a few more steps and tools (time and money), and is generally held to higher standards for expected accuracy (opening you up for disappointment with your loads).

Really all you need is the press, dies, and autodisk setup and you could start loading for handgun. The dies come with load data, and the autodisk powder dispenser will drop pretty close to what the data says you should be dropping. If you stay well away from max loads you could omit a scale for a while. As for variations in charge, accuracy with a handgun is not going to suffer much with a little variation. Short distances, shaky hands, flinching, big blocky sights, etc all count for far more than a small charge variation. With rifles using sand bags, scopes, and long distances however, it's a whole different ball game.
 
Get a good cast iron single stage. Move on to a turret or preferably a progressive when you are ready and funds are available. You will always need a single stage for something!
Get a beam scale even if you get a digital to confirm the accuracy of the other one. Zero them together, powder measure mistakes can cost you more money than any equipment!
Use the internet: Watch the use of equipment on U-Tube! You can watch every press described on this forum and other forums and get an idea of what you want to use/what you want to spend.
Most manufacturers have great customer service except Lee. I have some Lee equipment, I use a Lee Loadmaster every week, I'm not anti Lee but some of their products are kinda shoddy and their customer service if you have a problem is terrible. Hornady, Lyman, RCBS, and Dillon are top notch for customer service They will seem to go out of their way to help you. There is lots of brand loyalty with loaders, especially Dillon which has the best/most expensive presses and equipment and usually the most vocal supporters.
You are not going to be up and running with everything you need/want in a few weeks. After twenty years I'm still changing things and trying new equipment. Someday I want a Dillon 650 but I just can justify the$1200+ it will cost to get set up with my calibers.
 
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