How much would it cost to get a basic reloding setup
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Lost Sheep
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Budget Beginning Bench you will never outgrow, for the novice handloader.
You can start with $150 and be minimally equipped for one caliber, and can expand from there as you have the money and feel the need for more tools. But you will have spent nothing on items you will later discard.
$204 will get you up to a really nice setup for one caliber. $287 and you have a really good setup.
$422 and you have just about everything you need to load one caliber, 100 rounds per hour at an easy pace or up to 200 if you are faster than me (and I am slow) on a continuous basis for as long as you want.
(NOTE: These dollar figures are from June/July 2010, but you should still be able to match them if you shop carefully.)
Budget another $100 for miscellaneous small tools plus $50 per additional caliber.
(previously posted on http://rugerforum.net/reloading/293...you-will-never-outgrow-novice-handloader.html
Bold subject line, eh? Let me qualify it down. I load for handgun only; 5 calibers, about 100-400 rounds per session and about 5,000 rounds a year. I stow my gear in 3 medium size toolboxes when not in use. If this comes close to describing your situation, you might like to read on.
35 years after starting, I found I outgrew some gear and overbought elsewhere. So, I cleaned house. I emptied my bench and populated it with the best equipment I could find precisely fitting my loading needs. I could have saved a lot of experimentation and waste if I had known back then what I know now (about handloading and about myself).
Informed by my experience reconstituting my loading bench, I compiled a list of the barest essentials that would allow a novice loader to load well and which would still be gratifying in 30 years. (In my opinion and somewhat matching my style of shooting and loading.)
I think it makes an ideal shopping list for the handloader just starting out. I hope you do, too.
Press, scale, dies, a way to measure powder and a work surface are all you need, really. Everything else just makes it easier or faster.
$17 ABC's of Reloading. Ok, it's not really equipment, but tools without knowledge is just dead weight, right?
$10 Loading Data. The "One book/One Caliber" pamphlets are $10 each and are LOADED (get it?) with loading data.
$0 Loading manuals. They cost, but I didn't want to skew the budget; you do need at least a couple. Check the local library if money is tight.
$0 Eye protection. No cost, because you DO already have a pair of shootingglasses, DON'T YOU!?
$85 Press, Lee Classic Turret (Chosen because Lee makes the only turret presses that auto-advances at the discretion of the operator and the Classic is superior to the Deluxe for several features.)
$33 Dies, carbide. Lee because it includes a shell holder, a plastic dipper for powder and the "powder through" design.
$5 Work surface. Mount your press on a plank of scrap 2x8 and secure it to a (padded) coffee table.
$0 Dropcloth to catch any spilled powder or lost primers (dead or live). Use an old sheet. Quieter than plastic, less static and drapes better.
$150 plus shipping At this point, you can reload, but are limited in flexibility and speed.
$8 Lee Scoops/Dippers. Cheaper than any powder dispenser/measure and repeatability/cosistency is excellent.
$3 Powder funnel. Lee's funnel fits right in the their "powder through" die.
$161 plus shipping At this point, you are minimally equipped to load well. Not too convenient, but not handicapped to the point of terminal frustration, either.
$22 Lee Safety Prime. You can use your fingers, but this is so much better. Fits on the Lee Press.
$21 Scale, any brand. Lee's, at $21 is cheapest. You can do without, with the full set of Lee Dippers, but better to weigh. For peace of mind if nothing else.
$204 plus shipping At this level of investment, you are decently equipped
$33 Lee Auto-Disk powder dispenser/measure. It mounts atop Lee's "Powder through" die. With this, you may not need the funnel or dippers.
$50 Loading Bench. A folding workbench works fine for me. You can get a kit or build your own, too.
$287 plus shipping Now you are well-equipped as most reloaders, except for convenience accessories or tools you will use only occasionally.
Other stuff:
$20 Bullet puller I never used one for my first 20 years of loading.
$30 Calipers I had none for 30 years. Now that I do, I find uses.
$50 Tumbler Never had one. Got one now. My brass is prettier. Shoots the same.
$10 Loading blocks ($5, if you use, use two). For batch loading. Buy, or make with a plank and a drill.
$25 Powder Trickler - handy if you weigh each powder charge.
$34 misc accessories & tools, (e.g. chamfer tool)
$60 Difference to get a more user-friendly scale than the Lee
$0 Turret and Dies for 38/357 (included with basic setup)
$46 Turret and Dies for 45/454
$46 Turret and Dies for 44
$46 Turret and Dies for 45 ACP
$46 Turret and Dies for 9mm
$700 plus shipping To duplicate my entire current loading bench with all new stuff, misc accessories and tools and I would not be in the least inconvenienced in my loading endeavors.
There are many accessories that add convenience of functionality, but are so highly optional they do not belong on this "essentials" list, or belong down near the end. Besides, if I included them all, the list would be endless.
I chose a turret instead of a progressive because I am more comfortable with performing and monitoring one operation at a time and changing calibers is dead simple. I chose a turret instead of a single stage because it facilitates processing in a "pass-through" mode (much like a progressive) rather than the batch mode of the single stage. But I still do have the option of operating as a single stage in batch mode if I choose.
You could build this list using any mix of brands. I chose Lee's brand because the Auto-indexing is not available on any other press and the Auto-Disk powder measure is the most convenient I have seen, in combination with the Lee "Powder through the Die" design. The Auto-Disk is not convenient to adjust powder quantity, but it is light and compact.
Lost Sheep
P.S.
Thanks to Sue Kempf at Kempf's Gun Shop, and Mark and the guys at Factory Direct Sales and the technicians in Customer Support at Lee Precision.
You can start with $150 and be minimally equipped for one caliber, and can expand from there as you have the money and feel the need for more tools. But you will have spent nothing on items you will later discard.
$204 will get you up to a really nice setup for one caliber. $287 and you have a really good setup.
$422 and you have just about everything you need to load one caliber, 100 rounds per hour at an easy pace or up to 200 if you are faster than me (and I am slow) on a continuous basis for as long as you want.
(NOTE: These dollar figures are from June/July 2010, but you should still be able to match them if you shop carefully.)
Budget another $100 for miscellaneous small tools plus $50 per additional caliber.
(previously posted on http://rugerforum.net/reloading/293...you-will-never-outgrow-novice-handloader.html
Bold subject line, eh? Let me qualify it down. I load for handgun only; 5 calibers, about 100-400 rounds per session and about 5,000 rounds a year. I stow my gear in 3 medium size toolboxes when not in use. If this comes close to describing your situation, you might like to read on.
35 years after starting, I found I outgrew some gear and overbought elsewhere. So, I cleaned house. I emptied my bench and populated it with the best equipment I could find precisely fitting my loading needs. I could have saved a lot of experimentation and waste if I had known back then what I know now (about handloading and about myself).
Informed by my experience reconstituting my loading bench, I compiled a list of the barest essentials that would allow a novice loader to load well and which would still be gratifying in 30 years. (In my opinion and somewhat matching my style of shooting and loading.)
I think it makes an ideal shopping list for the handloader just starting out. I hope you do, too.
Press, scale, dies, a way to measure powder and a work surface are all you need, really. Everything else just makes it easier or faster.
$17 ABC's of Reloading. Ok, it's not really equipment, but tools without knowledge is just dead weight, right?
$10 Loading Data. The "One book/One Caliber" pamphlets are $10 each and are LOADED (get it?) with loading data.
$0 Loading manuals. They cost, but I didn't want to skew the budget; you do need at least a couple. Check the local library if money is tight.
$0 Eye protection. No cost, because you DO already have a pair of shootingglasses, DON'T YOU!?
$85 Press, Lee Classic Turret (Chosen because Lee makes the only turret presses that auto-advances at the discretion of the operator and the Classic is superior to the Deluxe for several features.)
$33 Dies, carbide. Lee because it includes a shell holder, a plastic dipper for powder and the "powder through" design.
$5 Work surface. Mount your press on a plank of scrap 2x8 and secure it to a (padded) coffee table.
$0 Dropcloth to catch any spilled powder or lost primers (dead or live). Use an old sheet. Quieter than plastic, less static and drapes better.
$150 plus shipping At this point, you can reload, but are limited in flexibility and speed.
$8 Lee Scoops/Dippers. Cheaper than any powder dispenser/measure and repeatability/cosistency is excellent.
$3 Powder funnel. Lee's funnel fits right in the their "powder through" die.
$161 plus shipping At this point, you are minimally equipped to load well. Not too convenient, but not handicapped to the point of terminal frustration, either.
$22 Lee Safety Prime. You can use your fingers, but this is so much better. Fits on the Lee Press.
$21 Scale, any brand. Lee's, at $21 is cheapest. You can do without, with the full set of Lee Dippers, but better to weigh. For peace of mind if nothing else.
$204 plus shipping At this level of investment, you are decently equipped
$33 Lee Auto-Disk powder dispenser/measure. It mounts atop Lee's "Powder through" die. With this, you may not need the funnel or dippers.
$50 Loading Bench. A folding workbench works fine for me. You can get a kit or build your own, too.
$287 plus shipping Now you are well-equipped as most reloaders, except for convenience accessories or tools you will use only occasionally.
Other stuff:
$20 Bullet puller I never used one for my first 20 years of loading.
$30 Calipers I had none for 30 years. Now that I do, I find uses.
$50 Tumbler Never had one. Got one now. My brass is prettier. Shoots the same.
$10 Loading blocks ($5, if you use, use two). For batch loading. Buy, or make with a plank and a drill.
$25 Powder Trickler - handy if you weigh each powder charge.
$34 misc accessories & tools, (e.g. chamfer tool)
$60 Difference to get a more user-friendly scale than the Lee
$0 Turret and Dies for 38/357 (included with basic setup)
$46 Turret and Dies for 45/454
$46 Turret and Dies for 44
$46 Turret and Dies for 45 ACP
$46 Turret and Dies for 9mm
$700 plus shipping To duplicate my entire current loading bench with all new stuff, misc accessories and tools and I would not be in the least inconvenienced in my loading endeavors.
There are many accessories that add convenience of functionality, but are so highly optional they do not belong on this "essentials" list, or belong down near the end. Besides, if I included them all, the list would be endless.
I chose a turret instead of a progressive because I am more comfortable with performing and monitoring one operation at a time and changing calibers is dead simple. I chose a turret instead of a single stage because it facilitates processing in a "pass-through" mode (much like a progressive) rather than the batch mode of the single stage. But I still do have the option of operating as a single stage in batch mode if I choose.
You could build this list using any mix of brands. I chose Lee's brand because the Auto-indexing is not available on any other press and the Auto-Disk powder measure is the most convenient I have seen, in combination with the Lee "Powder through the Die" design. The Auto-Disk is not convenient to adjust powder quantity, but it is light and compact.
Lost Sheep
P.S.
Thanks to Sue Kempf at Kempf's Gun Shop, and Mark and the guys at Factory Direct Sales and the technicians in Customer Support at Lee Precision.
Last edited:
http://www.1911addicts.com/showthread.php?1846-I-want-to-get-into-reloading...&p=29784#post29784
Sounds like this isn't the only place you go to cause trouble.
For a guy who never had a Lee classic turret, he sure has a lot of knowlege. I have 4 presses and that one is my favorite. It is plainly just a nice press. It is both a single and a semi progressive, all in one.
Like said above, factory sales is the cheapest I have found. I just ordered a couple of molds and had them in one day... (I only live 100 miles away). As far as their warranty, I have yet to pay for anything I have sent them.. regardless of when I bought it.
Like said above, factory sales is the cheapest I have found. I just ordered a couple of molds and had them in one day... (I only live 100 miles away). As far as their warranty, I have yet to pay for anything I have sent them.. regardless of when I bought it.
Lost Sheep
Member
Legion489's way of introducing himself
About Legion489, post #22.
These threads might prove educational
Why I disdain Lee Tools
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=481894
Lee Classic Turret Press
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=481812
Lost Sheep
About Legion489, post #22.
These threads might prove educational
Why I disdain Lee Tools
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=481894
Lee Classic Turret Press
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=481812
Lost Sheep
blarby
Member
Ahhh, yet another newb reloading thread advising them to "go progressive" "right off the bat"
When will this end........
Probably when someone blows his entire arm off with one. or with rounds from one.....then again, maybe not. Someone will place the blame solely on the brand of progressive, or his crappy primers...
When will this end........
Probably when someone blows his entire arm off with one. or with rounds from one.....then again, maybe not. Someone will place the blame solely on the brand of progressive, or his crappy primers...
There is nothing wrong with starting on a progressive. You can run one case at a time until you figure it out. I think it is better to learn on it instead of learning on a SS then having to learn all over again except thinking you know what your doing when you get a progressive. Just run one piece of brass around checking it at each station to learn how each works.
ranger335v
Member
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"I was thrown off HANDLOADERS BENCH for saying this, but Lee pot metal presses are junk! Period. I have not used the CAST CLASSIC Single stage or turret, but the pot metal presses are TRASH!"
It's always interesting to read silly posts stoutly proclaiming Lee's high grade alum alloy presses to be 'pot metal junk/TRASH', etc. Not only does it show a total ignorance of what 'pot metal' is, it shows a total ignorance of alum alloys. You know, that's the "cheap" stuff from which rifle scope tubes, many handgun frames, many shotgun actions and black rifles, outboard boats, motors and propellers, auto engine blocks and pistons, aircraft and military missles and one of the 'armored' personal carriers, etc, are made. All of that being done with 'pot metal' ... to the clueless.
People rarely get thrown off any board just for what they say but they do get banned for discourtesy. And raw stupidity. Who knows, some new guy may actually believe what the dummies spout and that should be unacceptable to those of us actually trying to help people.
It's always interesting to read silly posts stoutly proclaiming Lee's high grade alum alloy presses to be 'pot metal junk/TRASH', etc. Not only does it show a total ignorance of what 'pot metal' is, it shows a total ignorance of alum alloys. You know, that's the "cheap" stuff from which rifle scope tubes, many handgun frames, many shotgun actions and black rifles, outboard boats, motors and propellers, auto engine blocks and pistons, aircraft and military missles and one of the 'armored' personal carriers, etc, are made. All of that being done with 'pot metal' ... to the clueless.
People rarely get thrown off any board just for what they say but they do get banned for discourtesy. And raw stupidity. Who knows, some new guy may actually believe what the dummies spout and that should be unacceptable to those of us actually trying to help people.
Instead of wasting thread space attacking others, especially if you are unable or unwilling to read what the poster said, why not send the post to the person being attacked as a PM or start a thread attacking that person, that would save thread space for people who are actually posting about what the thread is about. This will allow the threads to say on topic and your ignorace will not show to all.
Hope this helps.
Read more at the LegionFiveReportblog.
Hope this helps.
Read more at the LegionFiveReportblog.
Not attacking just pointing out your experience as it relates to your post in these threads. If you read the rules you will see trolling isn't allowed. All of your post have been like this. I would have thought the ones that was removed would have pointed that out to you.
RobZ71LM7
Member
Before you spend money read a book first-you'll need to buy one anyways. I'd recommend a good 3rd party book not written by a manufacturer as some tend to be infomercials. Before you invest in a press determine how often you shoot and how much time you have to reload. This will determine what rate of production you need.
I've owned a Lee classic single stage, Lee classic cast turret, and a Hornady LNL. I now have a Dillon 650 with case trimmer and feeder on order. Buying an intermediate press you will grow out of is a waste of money. Reloading .223 for production is very time consuming and is why I've had to step up my game.
I've owned a Lee classic single stage, Lee classic cast turret, and a Hornady LNL. I now have a Dillon 650 with case trimmer and feeder on order. Buying an intermediate press you will grow out of is a waste of money. Reloading .223 for production is very time consuming and is why I've had to step up my game.
ranger335v
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
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An alternate view; any new guy would do well to start with a single stage no matter what he may want later ... and most of us never want or need anything else. A single stage is easy to use. It lets us concentrate on each step for each cartridge as we gain skill, it's easy to switch calibers or change loads and even if you someday end up with a $1,500 electric powered progressive you will still have plenty of uses for the old single stage so it will never be a waste.
The one exception to that rule is Lee's Classic Turret. It's steel and iron and can be used as a single stage until you learn. Then the auto-indexing feature can be activated to make it work as a sorta progressive that's much faster than a single stage and it's MUCH easier to change calibers than any progressive. But that extra speed potential only matters IF you think you'll ever want to load more than a couple hundred rounds per week; few of us do.
The one exception to that rule is Lee's Classic Turret. It's steel and iron and can be used as a single stage until you learn. Then the auto-indexing feature can be activated to make it work as a sorta progressive that's much faster than a single stage and it's MUCH easier to change calibers than any progressive. But that extra speed potential only matters IF you think you'll ever want to load more than a couple hundred rounds per week; few of us do.
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I started this spring. I've reloaded about 2500 rounds of 45acp so far.
Lee Classic Turret based on online discussions. That's all I know about but it seems to be the right answer for me. I shoot about 200 rounds a month & had to force myself to stop reloading.
I spent about $300 on the Press Kit, dies, tumbler, calipers, and bullet puller.
Joel
Lee Classic Turret based on online discussions. That's all I know about but it seems to be the right answer for me. I shoot about 200 rounds a month & had to force myself to stop reloading.
I spent about $300 on the Press Kit, dies, tumbler, calipers, and bullet puller.
Joel
RustyFN
Member
I agree. I have a Lee classic turret and a Dillon 550. The Dillon is a higher quality press but the classic turret is also a quality press that will last a life time. I actually still use the classic turret as much as I use the Dillon. I can load close to 200 rounds per hour on the classic turret. The big difference is if you are on a budget you can buy the classic turret with everything you need to load those four calibers for under $500. The Dillon set up for those four calibers will cost you $800 to $1,000. I started loading on a classic turret and it met my needs fine for six years before I bought the Dillon.
ranger335v
Member
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"You guys aren't making this easy, lol,"
We could make it "easy" but doing so would require we lie to you.
We could make it "easy" but doing so would require we lie to you.
Lost Sheep
Member
Or be able to read his mind and predict the future."You guys aren't making this easy, lol,"
We could make it "easy" but doing so would require we lie to you.
Picking another guy's reloading setup (or car, dog or gun) is as difficult to do as picking his wife for him.
Lost Sheep
Centurian22
Member
Great info so far! Lost Sheep: thank you for the very descriptive detailed post about the Lee Turret press. I'm also hoping to get into reloading soon myself and have recently leaned more towards the turret in place of the single stage. As has been mentioned the ABC's of reloading is a generally HIGHLY recommended book that I hope to obtain from my library. I will be loading for my .308 for both cost and accuracy. I will then be adding .32 S&W Long for my wife's revolver for multiple reasons, cost and it being IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND on a consistent basis. Next I would be adding 9mm when I get an XD9. Good luck with getting going on this and thanks for posting the question even if it's found frequently elsewhere.
I started on a progressive, no regrets. Honestly I think anyone that's takes a moment of self reflection will know which way to go when starting up.
What helped me decide the most was just research. For months I read and watched all the info I could find. By the time I even decided on a Dillon 650 I had watched the assembly and operation dvd at least five times.
What helped me decide the most was just research. For months I read and watched all the info I could find. By the time I even decided on a Dillon 650 I had watched the assembly and operation dvd at least five times.
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