Cheapest/simplest way to get into reloading

I have to go with the Lee Classic turret kit as well. I started with it a year ago. Add the bullet puller and dies. Read the included book and you're ready to roll. Looks like you'll be doing straight walled cases and it doesn't get any easier than that. I love my LCT. It works for both my pistol and rifle rounds and at this point really is perfect for me.

I have the Lee turrent press and really like it. (not the classic one unfortunatly, they did not make those when I bought mine) I have the Lee hand prime device. I took the auto index part off my press and move the turrent by hand. I deprime the brass clean it then prime it all with the hand primer then load.

I think the turrent (or Clasic turrent) is it is a good value and is faster than a single stage and would serve you well.
I load 9mm Mak, 9mm, .38/.357, .45 APC, .223 and even some 7mm Rem mag on mine.
I don't feel it's that much harder to load lead bullets.
I use a lot of Missouri Bullet works bullets for the pistol rounds. Good price and they ship in a flat rate box so shipping on 2000 is $14.
If you look on this site there is a 5% discount code available

I've not messed with reloading for a very long time. What time i did spend reloading with the older gents we were around pretty much just had single stages. I am looking to get back into the mess again and while the old rockchuckers and lee single stages are fond memories still ( the knock to the ear from Uncle Myron if I was about to screw up are fond memories too. RIP old fart). I plan on shooting around 400-500 rounds a month or two weather permitting of both .45 acp and .223/5.56 and am going to go with the lee classic turret. I don't do competitions or anything like that so the numbers stated would be my high range.

What i am saying with this bit of nostalgia and rambling is from my limited experience the press you go with should match 1: how much you shoot and 2: how much time you want to spend reloading. I am not a person that likes being around people much unless the wife wants to go out to the movies or something so spending several hours reloading at a medium pace works for me. Now to get the stuff i can't build.

I am looking to get back into the mess again and while the old rockchuckers and lee single stages are fond memories still ...

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Baronthered,
You know RCBS makes and add on to convert those old rock chuckers into progress/turret presses?
Might want to check out and see if it will work for one of the one you have.

DavidB2,
There is another thread on here with ideas for a reloading bench. It's a picture thread.
I would suggest taking a look and see if something there might help or give you ideas.

DavidB2 said:

Thanks for all the suggestions. I shoot about 100 rounds every month or so. Depending on family and work. My biggest concern is finding space in my duplex.

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I shot around a hundred rounds a month, too... Until I started reloading.

At only 100 rounds per month, I think you might want to assess how long it would take you to recoup your outlay for reloading equipment (press, dies, prep tools, scale, calipers) and components (powder, primers, bullets). For the volume of shooting you do, it *might* be more economical to just keep using factory ammo and just make an investment to stockpile a little as supplies allow.

Ultimately, that's your call to make. FWIW, my low shooting volume was one of the reasons I went with the cheapest press I could. I couldn't justify the higher outlay of cash for such little 'need'.

Also, at those volumes, I think you could get by easily with a single stage press. Don't get me wrong, I *love* the looks of the Lee Turret (and will probably upgrade to one down the line)...

If you *do* decide to get into reloading, I can tell you that you don't need a ton of space. We live in a duplex, too, and my reloading bench is quite small. I decap/resize downstairs on the press, do all my case prep and priming upstairs. My prep usually happens at the dining room table, after everyone else has gone to bed. I work over a cheap plastic bin to catch the brass shavings and residue from the primer pockets. Then, I head back downstairs to charge with powder and seat a new bullet.

Go for the RCBS kit reference earlier. You'll not only get a press that will last you a couple of lifetimes, but the rest of the stuff in the kit is quality stuff that won't need to be replaced any time soon.
The Lee kits are a little cheaper, and their Classic press is good quality, but the rest of the stuff in the kit borders on junk compared to the RCBS offerings. You'll likely end up replacing the them with quality offerings, probably RCBS, sooner than you think.

Buy once, cry once.

Dudedog - <>I don't feel it's that much harder to load lead bullets.<>

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It's not the physical process as much as what components to buy and from whom, sizes, hardness, the best dies, etc.. It amounts to advanced loading in my opinion. You have to tune everything until you get reasonable or no lead removal chores and effect on pressure and accuracy. You also have to troubleshoot why effectively undersized dies (meant for jacketed standards) are creating problems. You have to learn to eliminate or compromise your crimp, ream out your cylinder throats, etc.

The title does include the word "simplest".

Hexhead - The Lee kits are a little cheaper, and their Classic press is good quality, but the rest of the stuff in the kit borders on junk compared to the RCBS offerings.

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The difference comes at a price, with RCBS having lofty notions of what their stuff is worth. A good sale deal is one thing, but I wouldn't consider the full street price. Lee and new reloaders are a natural fit. It takes awhile to comprehend what this endeavor really costs. Unless bought with personal fun money, it is a hard sell to wife and family without some notion of cost justification. One is also better to wait until committed to reloading. It doesn't always stick.

Hi newbie here also. Read everything here you can and get a manual and read it a couple times until things start making sense to you. There is a lot to absorb in reloading but once you make sense of it it's not that difficult. I went with a Lee ctp and glad I did instead of a single stage just be cause you don't have to mess with changing dies. I have the rod out and run it manually so I can check things as I go. The kit is a little over $200 plus dies and I think is a good way to start.

Getting in CHEAP is probobly not the correct way to do it....
CHEAP would be purchasing Factory ammo and then yer set..

Re-Loading is more of a hobby and a way to expand the Hobby for additional enjoyment and Fun...

Now you can get into Loading cheaper by the press and tools you buy... Single Stage vs Progressive or Turret... etc Etc Etc


Personally I would look at why do you want to Load... What are your Goals...amount of ammo you want to shoot/load a month...and what is Best way to accomplish this..

Even a single stage Press... and Die's for 2 calibers will be well over $300 plus all the Xtra Tools and Components you will need..

anyways... i started for a couple reasons saving money wasnt one of them... but shooting MORE ammo a month WAS one of them... I didnt go CHEAP but didnt get a Dillon either....


Lots of good info and tips here at THR.... Good Luck and be safe

One advice. Even if you start small like single stage - start with getting decent scale and other accessories. One thing is to "advance" by getting into turret, progressive and another thing is "I wish I bought better X.."

Nice to have good stuff, but is there really a kit with scales that don't work? Every upgrade costs money.

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-50th-Anniversary-Reloading/dp/B00162RM3E

I started with this kit and a 3 die set of 9MM. For $155 + components you are making ammo.
$20+/- for a pound of powder,
Primers, ~$4 for a 100 if you want to keep it "cheap" (paying more per unit but laying out less cash)
Bullets... Depends on caliber.
Saved brass cleaned with a citric acid solution $3.

Making ammo for $200+/- but that's only going to make you 100 rounds or so before you run out of primers and bullets.

Don't let the desire for a $1000-2000 progressive press setup keep you from getting hands on experince. I wanted a much nicer kit but... $$$$

ldlfh7 said:

Reloading is a money pit

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Pretty much...

I look for something to buy every week. Whether I need it or not. Can't hurt to buy it and throw it in with the rest, in case of panic.

RealGun said:

The difference comes at a price, with RCBS having lofty notions of what their stuff is worth. A good sale deal is one thing, but I wouldn't consider the full street price. Lee and new reloaders are a natural fit. It takes awhile to comprehend what this endeavor really costs. Unless bought with personal fun money, it is a hard sell to wife and family without some notion of cost justification. One is also better to wait until committed to reloading. It doesn't always stick.

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Good post Real.

Only 100 rds per month

Unless your just looking to start a new hobby or kill time, I would stay factory. 100 rds per month, I think I read that right, is not worth jumping in if you ask me. What is 100 rds of factory, 30bucks maybe?

Lets see...100rnds per month and space issues... Look at the Lee handpress kit. You'll still need a die set, a few extra bushings, scale and calipers. Depending on choice of scale and calipers, and assuming Lee dies, this setup would be quite inexpensive and would fit in a small box which you could store under the bed. It's obviously portable, so you don't have to have a dedicated loading bench/area.

Further, I would recommend a balance beam scale along with a set of standard weights. The beam goes along nicely with the portability, and so many people seem to have problems with battery powered digital. Dillon Eliminator or RCBS 505 are nice (same units actually).

<edit>Also suggest a loading block or two for each caliber</edit>

"My biggest concern is finding space in my duplex."

Where there is a will, there is a way.

I loaded, including casting, in an AF barracks.

When space is an issue, the Lee Hand Press is a good solution. I can fit all of my reloading equipment in one tool box.

Another vote for the Lee hand press if space is at a premium. When I only had one set of dies, one powder and one little box of bullets, *everything* except the reloading manual fit in one 6" x 9" x 13" cardboard box.

That was using dippers for measuring powder, which was excruciatingly slow. Now that I have a powder measure, it "only" takes about 100 minutes to load a box of 50.

Great replies here, I'll just add that I started with the Lee Anniversary kit and added an RCBS bullet puller hammer, 10-buck Harbor Freight calipers and an Frankford Arsenal electronic scale from Midway. Well under two hundred, excluding consumables.

I like the Frankford Arsnel electronic scale I have and use it (as well as my 505) but the eletronic one I have does get cuckoo when its batteries get low. The big plus is it is lots faster than the 505. Got mine on sale for about $25. I also like the Frankford Arsnel perfect fit reloading trays. Midway has both.

Reloading does not save me any money but I enjoy it and can shoot 3 times as much for the same cost. Not counting my time I would guess I can load a box on 9mm for $6-$7. Ditto for light-medium 357 with lead bullets. Bullets for the .45 apc are more so I would say around $9 a box for that. So instead of 100 rnds a month you could (and if you are like) shoot more, more, more... for the same price

Those paper targets are tuff, I have to shoot them lots of times with my reloads

I know your interested in reloading, inexpensively, but never think of CHEAP.

This is after all something your going to do, and then load and fire in or right next to your hand.

You just cannot afford to go CHEAP. Educate your self, look for sales, but stay away from crappy equipment, cast aluminum, blech.