New to re-loading - no equipment yet

Don't get the Lee Classic Turret (the cast iron one mentioned by TooManyToys in post 24) mixed up with the Lee Deluxe Turret (aluminum, and an earlier design). The Classic Turret is superior in design, function and strength.

Thanks for all the kind and generous compliments on my posts. Don't think I composed them all on the spot. I have saved posts I have written over the years and update them occasionally, so all I have to do is edit them a bit for current use as the apply to threads I find.

Lost Sheep

Lost Sheep,

Your posting of so much information condensed into a single post or two sure saves the rest of us a lot of time & energy finding it.
How ever you do it, your responses are welcome contribution's!
Keep up the good work Sir!

OP, as you can see, people are pretty reticent about putting forth an opinion on reloading equipment.

Here's how it worked for me.

I started reloading 30-30 with a hand Lee loader about 20 yrs ago. It worked and was all I needed to hunt. Then I walked into an estates sale and bought a ton of stuff. RCBS RC press, scale, powder trickler, Ohaus powder dropper, ABC' s of reloading, and a bunch of dies. I tuned into this forum and others, along with buying a BUNCH of reference books. The addiction grew, and I ended up buying an XL 650 to keep up with the handgun loading for my significant other and myself. I currently use the single stage for rifle loads for hunting and sizing cast boolits. Plan ahead. If you would've asked me 10 yrs ago if I was going to be smelting wheel weights under the shade tree in the backyard, I would've told you that you had lost your mind! I have equipment and tooling from Lee, RCBS, Redding & Lyman. Just be smart, safe and enjoy the time doing all this. You cant read too many books about this stuff! Oh yeah, if RC says it, pay heed! Everything I've ever seen him post was right! Have fun, hunt this stuff down at estate sales, flea markets etc.

now hold on there, sig. You forgot an important aspect of your rifle purchase. Y'see, the cost of a new firearm INCLUDES the reloading parts, bits, and pieces to feed it. So, you can see that you're not finished buying that rifle yet!

Lost Sheep

Your post is the most coherent explanation of the practical advantages and disadvantages of single stage and turret presses I have ever read.

Thank you.

I started reloading in 1972. But I learn something new every day it seems. I say I have 1 year experience 42 years in a row!

My general advice is to be extra careful, obviously, and when in doubt of the integrity of a piece of brass or a finished round, don't shoot it.

Welcome to your new addiction! You've come to the right place and have already gotten some good advice. Great advice actually.

I was in your shoes two years ago. I bought a Lee single stage kit, bullet puller, vibratory tumbler, caliper and digital scale along with Lyman #49. Subsequent additions include a RCBS chamfer tool (the Lee version sucks), a Ohaus beam scale, wire pulling lube for bottleneck cartridges, two bowls and a colander from the Dollar Tree and a Lee auto disk powder drop.

For simplicity's sake where dies are concerned, I would say 4 die sets for pistol and 2 die sets for rifle, unless they're going in a tube magazine. Those crimp dies are not necessary, but nice to have.

Be prepared to crush a few cases here and there while you learn. I went through a few, including a couple of expensive ones I can't replace at the moment. It happens.

There are several good videos on YouTube for some reference. Additionally, there is likely someone in your area who would be happy to help you get started.

I would also do those low capacity high pressure rounds (25 ACP) last after you get some experience with more forgiving ammo. 44 Mag using magnum powders is a great place to start. I started with 245 gn lead boolits and IMR-4227. Also did a few rifle rounds to get going as well.

Welcome aboard!

Be prepared to crush a few cases here and there while you learn

Click to expand...

Some of us still crush one here and there. By accidentally sending a case up into the wrong die the other day. Not me of course

sigsmoker said:

Well as it turns out, I went and bought a rifle with the money I was going to go shopping for reloading equipment anyway. I'll have to get back into this down the road but in the meantime, I'll do some reading.

Click to expand...

Bought a rifle? Aww man, that's a downer. Oh well. You'll be back...And when you come back, you'll never leave <evil laugh>

Bought a rifle!
Hey, I understand how that works.

Look at it this way, now you will have time to read at least two
manuals before you buy anything. It will save you money.

I would recommend the LEE and the Hornady. JMO.

Some good thoughts, ideas and people on this forum
but ALWAYS compare to PUBLISHED data.

Good reloading. Better shooting.

I didn't read the whole thread so sorry if I'm repeating. (and I probably am)

Since you are loading mostly handgun cartridges and the 45-70 is like a big handgun cartridge I highly suggest you buy a Lee Classic 4 hole Turret Press.

Carbide dies are a MUST for loading straight walled cases. I use mostly Lee handgun dies because they cost less and come with a powder through expander die which works well with my Lee Pro Auto-Disk on press.

Welcome to reloading, an addiction for which there is no cure. lol

Reloading press.

There's been a lot of responses, and you seem to have narrowed down your options. I wanted to fill out one issue that's not been addressed directly.
I've used a Lee progressive for many years. I only load three calibers: 40, 10 and 45.
It's difficult enough switching between calibers on this press that I made three complete set-ups (including separate bullet feeds) so that I just drop in whatever caliber I am loading. (Still have to change primer size, which takes time.)
Advantages are it's fast and inexpensive. I have no experience with the more costly progressives--and might pitch my Lee if I did--but it served when I had less $ to spend, which is why I started reloading in the first place. I will also load at least 200 rounds at a time, often more, which amortizes the set up time.
It is rather a "semi-automatic" process: I have to constantly watch the primers, the cases and the bullets.
It takes some time to adjust the press. Until properly adjusted it is a pain in the ass (i.e. a bit too much drop in the case feed will knock 'em sideways or get them caught under the press. Certain shapes/weights of bullets require care not to overload. My 230 grain plated bullets are 10 per tube max for smooth functioning--even though the tube could hold probably twice that much.
The locating mechanism on the Lee is a spring-loaded ball bearing, which can and occasionally does kick powder out of the charged cases on their way to receive the bullet. Powder in the primer feed tray is an exceeding great annoyance (especially with some of the greasy powders like Accurate #7 which no vacuum will ever remove). A missed primer in a case will spread powder throughout the shell plate, and necessitate disassembly and careful cleaning.
All my dies are carbide--wouldn't consider otherwise as it eliminates a time-consuming step.
Out of curiosity, I have always wondered how the more expensive (and possibly better designed) progressives like Dillion and Hornady compare. Anyone out there changed from Lee to the others?

NorthernLightsGlass, Skip a line every now and again and your posts will be much easier for us to read. I go cross-eyed when i read pretty easy anyway, and dont need much help with that!

An example of what a clerk does not know was something I experienced TODAY when I bought a couple pounds of IMR-7828SSC. He actually tried to convince me to not buy the SSC version, cause it isn't the same thing as straight up IMR-7828 and won't work for loading 300 WM, not the same at all, as he stated. Before I could even get the words out of my mouth, another customer standing beside me started laughing, and then very quickly put him in his perspective place, I won't elaborate on the content of the verbal tongue lashing he delived.

GS

gamestalker said:

An example of what a clerk does not know was something I experienced TODAY when I bought a couple pounds of IMR-7828SSC. He actually tried to convince me to not buy the SSC version, cause it isn't the same thing as straight up IMR-7828 and won't work for loading 300 WM, not the same at all, as he stated. Before I could even get the words out of my mouth, another customer standing beside me started laughing, and then very quickly put him in his perspective place, I won't elaborate on the content of the verbal tongue lashing he delived.

GS

Click to expand...

In that clerks case there is an old saying that holds true for him. If you don't talk no one will know how stupid you really are.

Sounds like the other customer put on a good show and put the clerk in his place right and proper! LOL

Oh ya, and to put the proverbial icing on the cake, I pointed to the printed statement on the canister that said "Use IMR-7828 Data ". By that time he was very quiet and timid, and a bit red around the cheeks, to say the least. Worth a good chuckle.

GS

I reload many of those cartridges the rcbs pro2000. Couldnt be happier. I shoot around 200 rounds per month as well.

Good choice.


edfardos

Looks like you have a lot on your plate. If you're asking for advice, I would suggest you wait on the progressive press and start with a Single Stage press from any major manufacturer. As long as it doesn't feel flimsy like it might fall apart soon, you should be ok.

I would consider concentrating on one caliber at a time. If .44 magnum is what you shoot most, consider buying the Lee carbide .44 mag/special dies with shellholder and focus on learning that caliber. I would buy 100 primers, 100 bullets, 1 lb. of powder, and not get too caught up in having everything you want right away.

Reloading can be enjoyable if you like to tinker with things and have an eye on organization. Keep notes on everything and don't wait to fill out a note card on what load/primer/powder/date/times fired/etc. because you will forget.
Progressive presses are great to have, especially for semi-auto pistol rounds, but if you start with and learn on a Single Stage it will teach you the required patience and inspection procedures needed for SAFER ammo.

You can always buy a progressive later and you are only out the cost of a Single Stage press that you will always go back to for things. Good luck and welcome to the world of the handloader!

sigsmoker said:

I got two sets of dies today as a gift that I can use. I got a RCBS set of 22-250 ( 2 pieces ) and a Herter's 32 Winchester Spl. 2 pc's and a base plate. I wonder if the dies will work in the same press? They look like they will. It's a good start.

Click to expand...

They should. If they thread in. Most dies have a standard 7/8-14 thread pitch.

Ron

Like Manny said---Lee Classic. I have each round I load set up in a turret just for that caliber. Swap turrets as I go. Up to 12 so far.