Hey, please help out a newbie here!

[Centurian22]

crash32: "I am not going to buy a kit since I am NOT going to "rebuy" or "replace" any items. I want to get it right the first time!!!!"

I'm all for buying things right the first time, but the chance that you will "NOT rebuy or replace ANY items" seems pretty slim unless you get the chance to handle try and use every piece you intend to buy and use, it is quite likely you will at the very least add to if not replace certain items.

Example:
I had researched equipment and thought I wanted to prime "on press" for simplicity. As I was about to order all my stuff I was lucky to get to try priming cases on a press vs using a hand primer. I learned immediately that I preferred priming with the hand primer "off press". This saved me time money and wasted equipment that would take up room on my bench.

Even if it isn't with the specific equipment you plan to use, I strongly sugest you try and find a 'mentor' to walk through some reloading and let you get some hands on feel for stuff. I accomplished this very task through the high road and it was a very enlightening experience.

Best of luck and welcome to the hobby.

 

[918v]

I'm all for buying things right the first time, but the chance that you will "NOT rebuy or replace ANY items" seems pretty slim unless you get the chance to handle try and use every piece you intend to buy and use, it is quite likely you will at the very least add to if not replace certain items.

You are likely to replace the scale, the priming system, the powder dispenser, etc. which costs about $150-200. That can go towards a RCBS Chargemaster or something similar.

 

[Centurian22]

918v,
I made No reference to kits or anything having to do with your post. I was addressing the OP, to simply make him aware that even if he bought all "top of the line" stuff, it is likely that his reloading will evolve at some point and he will replace some piece of equipment. Your retort is pointless as I was in no way addressing or disputing anything you said.

 

[mdi]

Crash; beware the Lee Bashers. They have an unsubstantiated hate of a particular manufacturer (Lee Precision), prolly because it's priced lower than most. I have dealt with/been around these "tool snobs" as a Heavy Duty/Construction Equipment Mechanic for many years (those that think the only tools to buy are the most expensive name brands or the ones used by their favorite TV motorcycle builder and everything else is junk). I don't buy cheap tools, but quality equipment that does the job very well. Lee is prolly the most inovative reloading manufacturer in the business today. Most reloading equipment manufacturers sit on their laurals and manufacture the same old product year after year and some may adapt some of Lee's ideas for their own production.

I have been reloading, off and on, since 1969 (I used a Lee Loader in the early days 'cause I was broke). I've been on the web mebbe 15 years and have never read, seen nor heard of anyone wearing out a Lee Press (including the aluminum Challenger). The only Lee presses I have heard, read, or seen that broke were obviously abused. I believe by your "only wanting to buy once" you will be persuaded to buy a high end ($$$) press and forgo a very well designed tool. I doubt if you would wear out a Lee press in your reloading lifetime, and prolly just buy other presses/equipment "because"...