Finally starting to collect stuff to get started

[chaim]

OK, I've finally decided that it would be a good idea to start reloading so I am starting to collect the equipment I'm going to need. I love shooting and I used to shoot all the time but I recently had a time when I didn't have enough money to shoot much and I hated that (and my accuracy suffered). I will hopefully be going to graduate school next year and I will probably be quite poor during that time period. So I figure that I should get started so I can shoot a little cheaper (well, 9mm is pretty cheap, but with my .357mags and .45acp it will certainly make a difference). I figure that this should make regular shooting more of a possibilty while in grad school (and be an additional way to enjoy my gun hobby). Also, this will make some of the more expensive and/or harder to find calibers that I've wanted more of a possibility (I really want a .45lc but it is expensive and there aren't many loads avail. around here, I'd like a .32mag but I haven't seen even one box in stores around here, I'd like a .44mag but it is expensive and I'd prefer something that is more than .44spl but with less recoil than full factory .44mags).

Right now I am living with my parents (I need to save $ for grad school) so my space is limited so I'm starting with a cheap Lee hand press (ordered it online yesterday) since I can't set up a perminant bench and I don't want to be constantly setting up and taking down a regular single stage or turret press.

How good are these hand presses? For .357mag and .38spl ammo (what I'll be starting with) should it be sufficient to get started?

Next I plan on some carbide dies. I've noticed a huge price difference between the different makers. Lee is about half the price of some of the others locally. With dies would Lee be good enough or is there a compelling reason to spend the extra cash for Lyman, Hornady, or RCBS dies?

What tools are the minimum? I'm a little confused because the Lyman Pistol and Revolver reloading manual I bought has a huge list of equipment they say is minimum, then the various kits (incl. Lyman kits) claim to have all you need to get started and only have a fraction of the equipment.

When I do start school I'll have my own place again so I will be buying (probably soon) a turret or single stage press so I can set up a perminant bench in my new apartment. I've read that a progressive press is a bad idea for a beginner. However, while some reading I've done recommends the single stage for a beginner it doesn't really give any arguement (except for price) against the turret press. As a beginner should I stick with a single stage press or should I spring for a turret press if I can? Again, there is a huge price difference here between manufacturers, but here I can see it making a bigger difference. Are the various Lee presses good enough to get started with? When I shoot like I like to I shoot an average of about 200 rounds a week, maybe a little more. Would the Lee presses last me at least until I got my doctorate (about 5 or 6 years)? Which presses (from all makers) are probably best for a beginner?

Would you try to pick up everything a piece or two at a time (mostly used) or just go ahead and get a kit? Which kits are the best values (quality, volume of stuff, usefulness of stuff, price)?

My leanings are to go with one of the more "budget" oriented new kits with a single stage or turret press from either Lee or RCBS and then add whatever "minimum" equipment that I need that the kit didn't include. I'll probably be buying the bulk of the equipment (either a kit or several of the more expensive pieces) in about a month (maybe as soon as two weeks).

I have done a little reading but I am a complete beginner with this stuff so any help is appreciated.

 

[WESHOOT2]

CONVOLUTED ADVICE / DECIPHERING REQUIRED

Originally recommended to a one-calber reloader; some value (?) in pieces and process............

 

[yankytrash]

Easiest way is to walk through the reloading process in head, writing each step down, then go back and see what equipment you need for each step:

1. Clean brass.
2. Inspect brass.
3. Decap.
4. Size.
5. Measure/Trim.
6. Chamfer/Deburr.
7. Flare if necessary (mostly for pistol).
8. Prime.
9. Measure Powder.
10. Insert powder.
11. Load bullet.
    [/list=1]
    There's your basic loading process. Of course, certain things could be added, but the above list is all you have to do to get started. I'd suggest adding primer pocket cleaning after #3.
    
    So here's what you need:
    1. Tumbler, or simply clean in a soapy solution. Bleach & Water is fine.
    2. Eyeballs. You got eyeballs?
    3. Universal decapper like the one offered by Lee. Nice part is, you'll use it for all future calibers. However, you'll get a decapping/resizing die in the set of dies you buy, so the Lee isn't necessary at first.
    4. Appropriate resizing die that comes in the die set you buy.
    5. Calipers. Don't get a plastic cheapo pair. Get nice set of dial calipers, you won't regret it.
    6. Chamfering tool. I like the Lyman tool myself.
    7. Appropriate die that comes in the set you buy.
    8. RCBS hamd primer, or Lee Load-all.
    9. You can get away with measuring with spoons, but I'd get a scale. Mine's an old Ohaus, but all reloading equipment manufacturers make a decent scale. Don't get a digital, no matter how much you're tempted - too hard to recalibrate, an operation which you want to be able to do as constantly as rechecking your measured powder.
       Later, or if you want to load large btches, you'll want to get a powder measure/dump like the RCBS Uniflow.
    10. Get the RCBS funnel, it's all you need.
    11. Use appropriate die that comes in the die set you bought.
        [/list=1]
        Other than what's listed, you need the press itself.
        
        As a whole, if I were you, I'd go as basic as possible at first, and see what you want as you go. Too much money is spent nowadays on gizmos that are unnecessary for reloading. Most gadgetry don't make reloading any easier, just lazier, and more susceptible to error. Reloading is the wrong time to get lazy.

 

[HSMITH]

The Lee dies work fine. There may be some merit to the others but the Lee dies make good ammo and last. I would go with them, I have 4 or 5 sets and am happy with all of them.

For handgun calibers trimming, chamfering and decapping die is unnecessary IMO. Decapping can be done with the sizing die.

You will need at least one loading block too.

Buy everything with decent quality, but don't spend a lot. Progressive presses and top end stuff are only a couple years away. The stuff you buy now will be for isolated jobs here and there after you buy the stuff you want.

 

[chaim]

Oh, another question. Should I even bother getting a turret or single stage press? Since I'm getting the hand press (it should be here in a few days) I will have a press to use. I will be starting with one and later a couple handgun calibers and rifle calibers will probably come a bit later. While I'm on handgun calibers would the hand press be enough? How hard is it on the hand? My grip strength is pretty good but I am starting to develop either carpal tunnel (sp) and/or arthritis in one thumb and one wrist. Is the hand press going to be durable enough to be a primary press for a year or so?

 

[yankytrash]

Shoot, you want a turret press? If you're in Columbia, and you're serious about reloading, do you get down to northern Va much? I have occasion to get up there on jobs. Might be gettin' up there next week actually.

I got one you can have, 6-hole, and takes the typical Lyman universal shell holders or RCBS shell holders. Might cost ya a 6-pack of Budweiser though. Not the light stuff, I need the weight gain.

Drop me an email if you want it, and I'll keep you informed of when I'm gettin up NOVA way.

 

[HankL]

chaim, I regret having to say this but the hand press will out last your hand and thumb.

Get some medical attention, get through grad school and make enough bucks to purchase most of your ammo.