trickyasafox
Member
i use all lee, i have nothing bad to say about em. its not as good as some other stuff im sure, but it more than satisfies my needs and at a much mroe competitive price
Is Lee the way to go for a beginner?
- Thread starter absolute0
- Start date
- Status
Brasspolisher
Member
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2005
- Messages
- 10
I, too, load with Lee. I have two three-hole presses to load 9MM, .45 ACP, and .38 Special (didn't really need the second since they have interchangeable turrets, but got one for $14 that was jammed up and just wanted a couple of squirts of WD-40), and love 'em. The powder discs don't let you precisely adjust the powder level in each case, but if you have a load that fits, it can crank 'em out while letting you check each round before the bullet is seated. The scale that comes with the Anniversary Kit looks a bit goofy, but it's accurate. I've used RCBS dies for other calibers (they screw in perfectly), but the Lee carbide dies make better ammunition, IMHO.
Ifishsum
Member
I started with the anniversary kit a couple of years ago and I would guess I've loaded well over 1500 rifle rounds and 500 pistol rounds and the challenger press is still working fine. It does have a bit more "spring" in it than other presses I've used, but no noticeable wear or slop has developed. I actually expected to buy another press by now but haven't felt the need. I would say it's a great way to start reloading.
A couple of things (besides dies and shellholders) it doesn't come with that you'll want would be loading blocks and a powder trickler. I like the Redding trickler because it is heavy and stays where you put it.
A couple of things (besides dies and shellholders) it doesn't come with that you'll want would be loading blocks and a powder trickler. I like the Redding trickler because it is heavy and stays where you put it.
BluesBear
member
I have reloaded for 35 years. 15 of those commercially.
I have never nor will I ever recommend that a beginner start on ANY progressive press.
And no matter how experienced you become there will be times when you will be better served by good single stage press.
What I do reccomend for a beginner is a good Turret press such as the Lyman T-Mag or a used Spar-T.
And if you want to produce the best ammunition possible, buy the good stuff.
eBay is loaded with good deals on used but not abused RCBS and Lyman products. You should have no problem getting a good press, scale, powder measure and priming tool for under $300.
I recently helped a friend find an RCBS Rock Chucker press (with Carbide dies), Lyman 55 Powder measure, Ohaus 5-10 scale and RCBS hand priming tool for $210. All on eBay. All he had to buy from a store was a funnel and powder trickler.
Of course it took two months to get them all at such good prices but they're out there if you're patient and persistent. And if you're not then perhaps you maybe shouldn't consider reloading.
I have never nor will I ever recommend that a beginner start on ANY progressive press.
And no matter how experienced you become there will be times when you will be better served by good single stage press.
What I do reccomend for a beginner is a good Turret press such as the Lyman T-Mag or a used Spar-T.
And if you want to produce the best ammunition possible, buy the good stuff.
eBay is loaded with good deals on used but not abused RCBS and Lyman products. You should have no problem getting a good press, scale, powder measure and priming tool for under $300.
I recently helped a friend find an RCBS Rock Chucker press (with Carbide dies), Lyman 55 Powder measure, Ohaus 5-10 scale and RCBS hand priming tool for $210. All on eBay. All he had to buy from a store was a funnel and powder trickler.
Of course it took two months to get them all at such good prices but they're out there if you're patient and persistent. And if you're not then perhaps you maybe shouldn't consider reloading.
I've reloaded over 40 years now and I always suggest a turret type and use it
as single stage until you learn the basics. Always load small numbers at first,
load in stages, go slow.!! read a good manual and when you turn out good
ammo you'll wonder why you didnt do this sooner.
as single stage until you learn the basics. Always load small numbers at first,
load in stages, go slow.!! read a good manual and when you turn out good
ammo you'll wonder why you didnt do this sooner.
Shaun
Member
Lee makes some great Presses I have the pro 1000 and I think by now I have loaded nearly 400K rounds on the mahine. Yes I have actually worn out pieces of the machine and Lee always replaced them for FREE.
You might consider the Lee anniversary kit as it will have just about everything you will ever need including the loading manual.
You might consider the Lee anniversary kit as it will have just about everything you will ever need including the loading manual.
Chris Pinkleton
Member
I am a fairly low-volume reloader, with a Lee 3-hole turret, Lee dies, and Lee scale. I load .38, .45ACP, and .357, with 9mmPARA to follow soon. I have no basis for comparision, but my impression of Lee equipment, aside from the dies (which seem good, at least the equal of the on RCBS die set I own), is that they are the bare minimum required to do a good job of reloading. The scale is extremely flimsy, and difficult to use. The turret is horrible for depriming, as it tends to collect the spent primers in it's nooks and crannies, and the whole assembly has to be inverted to dislodge them. And so on.
Lee stuff works -- just not terribly well. I got my turret, a set of 9mm dies, and a RCBS reloading manual all for $50 -- and I still wish I'd saved that money for a Dillion or RCBS single stage. Don't get me wrong -- the stuff works but as Halvey said
All that being said, I'm glad I didn't try to begin handloading with a true progressive -- it's hard enough to get all the details right while you're still learning. I plan to upgrade to a progessive as soon as funds permit. And as minimal as my Lee Turret is, it'll probably still have a place on my bench for low-volume tasks. Just not anything over 50 rounds or so.
Lee stuff works -- just not terribly well. I got my turret, a set of 9mm dies, and a RCBS reloading manual all for $50 -- and I still wish I'd saved that money for a Dillion or RCBS single stage. Don't get me wrong -- the stuff works but as Halvey said
All that being said, I'm glad I didn't try to begin handloading with a true progressive -- it's hard enough to get all the details right while you're still learning. I plan to upgrade to a progessive as soon as funds permit. And as minimal as my Lee Turret is, it'll probably still have a place on my bench for low-volume tasks. Just not anything over 50 rounds or so.
P-32
Member
Lots of people here seem to think the Lee stuff is OK and while I will admit it will make you some ammo that you can shoot, I have a strong dislike for Lee products save maybe the hand primer and that's shaky.
No matter what the Dillon guys say there is always a place on the bench for a single stage press. The Dillon guys forget to tell you about the high numbers of culls they had while learning to operate the machine. I still feel for the guy who loaded a 1,000 233 rounds on his Dillon then found out he had made a mistake and had to pull down that 1,000 rounds.....not much fun IMHO. Plus you will need a tool head for each different caliber.
I suggest that you buy quality once. Many like the Lee carbides.....not me it's like loading with sand in your dies compaired to RCBS carbides which are only a few $ more. RCBS also has kits which will give you the industry standard in the press, a better powder throw, a better scale and a better reloading manual. RCBS also stands behind their products like Dillon. If you get the Uniflow powder throw, I understand they now come only with the large drum. A call to RCBS as I understand it will get you the small drum which works better for pistol powders.
I must admit I reload lots of match type 223 and 308 as I shoot high power and the pistol reloading is more of an after thought. I do keep pistol brass in different stages of repair. Most of my center fire handguns 38/357, 9mm, 40, and 45 ACP hardly ever see store bought ammo, except my duty pistol. I also have at least one piece of reloading equipment from about all the manf's including Lee. I've been using the same press, throw, scale, reloading block, funnel and RCBS '06 dies since 1983, the same 38/357 and 45 ACP RCBS carbides since 1985. All of my reloading equipment has paid for it's self several times over.
Be sure to keep track of what you are doing by writting it down.
The other thing is buy in bulk anytime you can, bullets, primers and powder......good luck.
No matter what the Dillon guys say there is always a place on the bench for a single stage press. The Dillon guys forget to tell you about the high numbers of culls they had while learning to operate the machine. I still feel for the guy who loaded a 1,000 233 rounds on his Dillon then found out he had made a mistake and had to pull down that 1,000 rounds.....not much fun IMHO. Plus you will need a tool head for each different caliber.
I suggest that you buy quality once. Many like the Lee carbides.....not me it's like loading with sand in your dies compaired to RCBS carbides which are only a few $ more. RCBS also has kits which will give you the industry standard in the press, a better powder throw, a better scale and a better reloading manual. RCBS also stands behind their products like Dillon. If you get the Uniflow powder throw, I understand they now come only with the large drum. A call to RCBS as I understand it will get you the small drum which works better for pistol powders.
I must admit I reload lots of match type 223 and 308 as I shoot high power and the pistol reloading is more of an after thought. I do keep pistol brass in different stages of repair. Most of my center fire handguns 38/357, 9mm, 40, and 45 ACP hardly ever see store bought ammo, except my duty pistol. I also have at least one piece of reloading equipment from about all the manf's including Lee. I've been using the same press, throw, scale, reloading block, funnel and RCBS '06 dies since 1983, the same 38/357 and 45 ACP RCBS carbides since 1985. All of my reloading equipment has paid for it's self several times over.
Be sure to keep track of what you are doing by writting it down.
The other thing is buy in bulk anytime you can, bullets, primers and powder......good luck.
BluesBear
member
P-32 I'd loan you my flame suit, but since I agree with your post 100%, I'm gonna be needing it too.
To me Lee is the Hi-Point of loading equipment.
To me Lee is the Hi-Point of loading equipment.
20 years with Lee
A grateful client gave me a Lee Turret press (3 hole) over 20 years ago. It took a while to get running properly, but worked reliably once I got it going and I still use it, mostly as a single stage press for a few oddball calibers that I load only occasionally (like 45 Auto Rim). I still think the Lee Turret was a nice way to start, and obviously I've not outgrown it.
My main press is a Lee Loadmaster. It too took a day or so to get running smoothly (mainly it was the case feeder that needed some polishing on the sliding surfaces before it worked properly) but once that was done it has been running smoothly for about 10 years now. It goes goofy on me very occasionally and needs to have the shell plate removed and replaced (a 20 second operation.) The primer feed is not reliable when you get below 7 primers in the chute due to its curved track (I have a flexible pusher made from a guitar string that I use to finish out a batch, or else you just add more primers to the tray and keep going.) And while the powder measures are not perfect, they are good enough for all of my handgun reloading (I don't load to maximums.) And it has been an affordable press to own and expand.
A local store has a Dillon 650 on display, and for years I've carressed it fondly every time I'm there. Then I come home and price one out WITH heads, shell plates, case feeder plates and powder measures for 9mm, 38/357, 44 Mag, 45 Colt and 45 Auto and remember why I never decided to jump into that pond. I have the utmost respect for the Dillon equipment, get their catalog monthly and buy stuff from them, but for the money I've saved over the years I've reloaded a lot of rounds with Lee equipment.
For a scale, I've been perfectly satisfied with the Dillon electronic. I've never used my RCBS balance scale since I got the electronic one 8 or 9 years ago.
A grateful client gave me a Lee Turret press (3 hole) over 20 years ago. It took a while to get running properly, but worked reliably once I got it going and I still use it, mostly as a single stage press for a few oddball calibers that I load only occasionally (like 45 Auto Rim). I still think the Lee Turret was a nice way to start, and obviously I've not outgrown it.
My main press is a Lee Loadmaster. It too took a day or so to get running smoothly (mainly it was the case feeder that needed some polishing on the sliding surfaces before it worked properly) but once that was done it has been running smoothly for about 10 years now. It goes goofy on me very occasionally and needs to have the shell plate removed and replaced (a 20 second operation.) The primer feed is not reliable when you get below 7 primers in the chute due to its curved track (I have a flexible pusher made from a guitar string that I use to finish out a batch, or else you just add more primers to the tray and keep going.) And while the powder measures are not perfect, they are good enough for all of my handgun reloading (I don't load to maximums.) And it has been an affordable press to own and expand.
A local store has a Dillon 650 on display, and for years I've carressed it fondly every time I'm there. Then I come home and price one out WITH heads, shell plates, case feeder plates and powder measures for 9mm, 38/357, 44 Mag, 45 Colt and 45 Auto and remember why I never decided to jump into that pond. I have the utmost respect for the Dillon equipment, get their catalog monthly and buy stuff from them, but for the money I've saved over the years I've reloaded a lot of rounds with Lee equipment.
For a scale, I've been perfectly satisfied with the Dillon electronic. I've never used my RCBS balance scale since I got the electronic one 8 or 9 years ago.
P-32
Member
Bluesbear, thanks for the thought and the backup.
Jet22
Member
I have to agree with BluesBear and P-32. The prices are so good on Ebay that it just makes sense to get good equiptment. There is aways a place on a reloading bench for a Rockchucker. Lyman turrets...Spar-t, not progressive...may be had for $60 or less sometimes. All your dies will stay set up that way. A Lyman powder measure with 3 adjustable chambers and a "knocker" will sell for $20-$30 and is an excellant choice for a beginner. And dies? Nobody will even bid on non-carbide pistol dies and they can be had for $5.00 a set! Yes, you have to lube your cases with them, and no, I'm not going to recomend them, but isn't that how we all started? Scales? Try $20 for Lyman (most scales are made by Ohaus so who cares if it is orange or green). For a primer seater I would splurge and buy a brand new Lee with a complete set of shellholders for them ($30 or so total). Now pick up a primer pocket cleaner and a deburer and you are set to run. Down the road you will want to add a trimmer and a set of calipers, but that is usually not a problem with pistol loading. Oh, be sure to get a Lee factory crimp die. It will assure all your shells have a good crimp and will chamber in your gun.The last thing is don't pay too much. Do "completed auction" searches to see what things are selling for. Also go to www.midsouthshooterssupply.com to see what the item sells for new. They have much better prices than other so called discount shooters supply stores and they will not gouge you on shipping. They also ship same day so you don't have to wait a week to get it!
After you have bought all this stuff, are you still going to use it 20 or 30 years from now? Well, a buddy and I just threw together 100 rounds of 300-221 on the exact setup above two days ago!! I have everything from Dillon RL1000's (2) to Stars (3) to Piggybacks (5) and still batch load many calibers.
After you have bought all this stuff, are you still going to use it 20 or 30 years from now? Well, a buddy and I just threw together 100 rounds of 300-221 on the exact setup above two days ago!! I have everything from Dillon RL1000's (2) to Stars (3) to Piggybacks (5) and still batch load many calibers.
BluesBear
member
Having worn out FOUR Lee hand priming tools and after having primed at least 10 times as much on ONE RCBS hand priming tool that is still going strong, I think the RCBS is worth the small differencein price. Besides it uses the same shell holders that your press dose so it will be cheaper in the long run if you load several different calibers.
A good quality set of dies, when used properly will produce ammo that will function just fine.
I see no reason at all to own a Factory Crimp die. Way too many people use them to fix sloppy reloading.
A good quality set of dies, when used properly will produce ammo that will function just fine.
I see no reason at all to own a Factory Crimp die. Way too many people use them to fix sloppy reloading.
Jet22
Member
Ya Bluesbear, you caught me...I'm cheap. I found you can peen the seating rod on the Lee to make it longer and this will adjust the seating depth. That will make the tool last much longer. I guess the only reason I still use the Lee is that they had the primer tray attatched long before RCBS did (Lee probably had that pesky 18 year patent on it or something). That and I have 3 Lees. Hard for me to change once I like something. Must of been hard for you too if you burned up 4 before switching. I if I were to start new I would have a good look at the RCBS primer unit if for no other reason than the shellholders...plus it would match the other green stuff on my bench. Anyway, you agree...a good hand priming tool is a must.
As for the Lee factory crimp die, you are right again...it will fix errors. I can't tell you how many new (and old) loaders I have worked with (not at the bench...at the retail level) that overcrimped their pistol shells and couldn't figure out why they would not chamber. The factory crimp die solves that problem and you don't have to pull down 50 shells to fix them...just run them through the die. Heck, if I had sold them Bullseye in the first place instead of H110 I could have told them not to bother to crimp...but I always kind of hated to send a new guy out the door with shiny new reloading equiptment and a can of Bullseye...scarry.
As for the Lee factory crimp die, you are right again...it will fix errors. I can't tell you how many new (and old) loaders I have worked with (not at the bench...at the retail level) that overcrimped their pistol shells and couldn't figure out why they would not chamber. The factory crimp die solves that problem and you don't have to pull down 50 shells to fix them...just run them through the die. Heck, if I had sold them Bullseye in the first place instead of H110 I could have told them not to bother to crimp...but I always kind of hated to send a new guy out the door with shiny new reloading equiptment and a can of Bullseye...scarry.
curlywolf
Member
If you really want to try Lee products, (I have used a 3-hole Turret for over 15 years to load 6 different calibers and probably will never use anything else), go to www.factorysales.com. They are a full-line Lee distributor, and they have better prices than anyone I have seen. I have ordered many things from them, for several years, and have never been disappointed. If you are on a budget, this is the way to go. I would, however, buy both the turret press and a single-stage. The one that comes with the Anniversary Kit is plenty strong enough, and works smoothly. I would also get the Auto Disk Powder measure as well. IMHO, this is a good place for a beginner to start. Good Luck, go SLOW, and think before you pull the handle.
Curlywolf
_________________________________________________________________
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than ALL my firearms!
Curlywolf
_________________________________________________________________
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than ALL my firearms!
Lee here also, been using Lee for about 9 years now. Use the 4 hole turret press for .357 and .38 loads. No problems whatsoever, never even had to call Lee operations for help! Sure it's a little slower, but it's a hobby, dangit! I've never double charged a load, never had a squib, and by the end of the day, I've made enough ammo to do me for the week! Reloading is a relaxing time and I enjoy it just as much, if not more than range time!
Bob
Bob
jaimeshawn
Member
Lee is great stuff.
eBay is an excellent source.
www.midwayusa.com is excellent for Lee RGB dies, etc. Even better deals than you see on the Leeprecision site; even cheaper than factory seconds. For example a factory second Challenger press (a good starter press) is $32 through Lee - same through Midway plus they'll throw in sizing lube and a powder funnel. A Classic Cast is $67 through Lee, $60 through Midway; A Lee 1000 press is only $55 through Midway. I pretty much concentrate on rifles, so I got a Classic Cast - but you do not have to spend that much to get started.
IMHO: Start simple with a press and a set of dies, and then after you have reloaded enough that your 'savings' would have paid for the gear that you bought, think about adding more. Dial calipers, bullet pullers, powder scales, case trimmers, primer pocket reamers are all nice but not necessary... relax... this is a lot easier than you might think. About the first frill I would recommend would be the Lee loading manual.
Best of Luck!
eBay is an excellent source.
www.midwayusa.com is excellent for Lee RGB dies, etc. Even better deals than you see on the Leeprecision site; even cheaper than factory seconds. For example a factory second Challenger press (a good starter press) is $32 through Lee - same through Midway plus they'll throw in sizing lube and a powder funnel. A Classic Cast is $67 through Lee, $60 through Midway; A Lee 1000 press is only $55 through Midway. I pretty much concentrate on rifles, so I got a Classic Cast - but you do not have to spend that much to get started.
IMHO: Start simple with a press and a set of dies, and then after you have reloaded enough that your 'savings' would have paid for the gear that you bought, think about adding more. Dial calipers, bullet pullers, powder scales, case trimmers, primer pocket reamers are all nice but not necessary... relax... this is a lot easier than you might think. About the first frill I would recommend would be the Lee loading manual.
Best of Luck!
Vitamin G
Member
I'm thinking about the Lee anniversary kit for loading up some .45acp and some 10mm. Would this be a good kit?
I THINK i understand the general idea of the work necessary to reload, but does anyone have a free online video clip of exactly what is needed to reload a round?
I THINK i understand the general idea of the work necessary to reload, but does anyone have a free online video clip of exactly what is needed to reload a round?
Essex County
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2005
- Messages
- 1,247
What has worked for me....
Have been good quality single-stage presses. In my early days I started off with a Lyman Sparten and quickly found out case forming wasn't it's forte. A month later I replaced it with a Rockchucker that served me well for years until I upgraded to a Bonanza Co-Ax. Years later I gave it to my son and it still gives him good service. Now I have a Redding Boss set up and it's fine. My only experience with Lee is a couple of Die sets I realy don't care for. A lot of folks like the Lee equiptment but I think the best Value is an RCBS or REdding package. Most of my dies are RCBS, but lately I've been using Redding. The diffrence in cost will seem small as time passes. Good Shooting,Essex
Have been good quality single-stage presses. In my early days I started off with a Lyman Sparten and quickly found out case forming wasn't it's forte. A month later I replaced it with a Rockchucker that served me well for years until I upgraded to a Bonanza Co-Ax. Years later I gave it to my son and it still gives him good service. Now I have a Redding Boss set up and it's fine. My only experience with Lee is a couple of Die sets I realy don't care for. A lot of folks like the Lee equiptment but I think the best Value is an RCBS or REdding package. Most of my dies are RCBS, but lately I've been using Redding. The diffrence in cost will seem small as time passes. Good Shooting,Essex
I started reloading a little over 2 years ago. Started with a Lee 4 hole turret press bought from MidwayUSA and Lee carbide pistol dies (4 die sets).
I reload .45ACP, 45LC, and .44Mag.
The Lee Autodisk works best with ball or flake powders. When I first started out I measured every throw (I wanted to see how accurate and the std dev for weight). The Lee scale measures to .1 grain (less if you want to interpolate). Over the last two years I've gotten to the point where I check zero on the scale and then every 10th round for 3 checks then I stop checking. After 1000's of checks over the last 2 years (most during the 1st 3 months when I was super paranoid about the powder weight) the average accuracy is +- .05 grs. This accuracy is for ball and flake powders only. I've never tried an extruded powder with the Auto-Disk. There is more deviation between lot numbers of the same powder than there is between throws (which makes sense - lot #'s of the same powder can vary by as much as .2 grains between each other from the same disk hole).
The bullet seating die seats to an accuracy of plus minus .003 for me (which is probably better than factory but I've never actually measured OAL on factory ammo).
The dies have operated flawlessly. I especially like the factory crimp die though with .44Mag it is a little flaky.
One must learn the operation of the 4 hole turret and it's idiosyncracies (for example for the auto index to work right it is imperative that a complete 100% movement of the handle thru its full range be done - no slop - all the way down and all the way up). Once one learns the tricks one can make good quality ammo.
One thing I don't like about the Lee 4 hole is the depriming/priming operation. On deprime the expended primers tend to drop down into the slot that holds the primer holder arm. That jams it up. When priming sometimes the primer flips (but only with Federal primers for some reason).
Another thing I don't like is the stupid O'Ring die lock method. A lock nut would be better or an imbedded hex screw. I've not bothered so since I've only got two turrets everytime I have to switch dies I bitch and moan - ce le vie as the say.
I can make about 100 cartridges an hour - not including set up time. With multiple turrets, set up time is about 5 to 10 minutes and add a bit more for weigh checking 3 powder throws out of the first 30 rounds made.
I am completely satisfied with my 4 hole Lee Turret press. It is definitely worth the money if - and this is a big if - one reloads a limited amount (which to me is 500 rounds a month or less). If one reloads or plans to reload more than that then I'd recommend a progressive. I've researched both Hornady and Dillon and lean towards the Hornady. Currently though the cost is more than I want to pay just to make 500 or so rounds/month. If I ever start reloading more than that - a progressive will be procurred.
I reload .45ACP, 45LC, and .44Mag.
The Lee Autodisk works best with ball or flake powders. When I first started out I measured every throw (I wanted to see how accurate and the std dev for weight). The Lee scale measures to .1 grain (less if you want to interpolate). Over the last two years I've gotten to the point where I check zero on the scale and then every 10th round for 3 checks then I stop checking. After 1000's of checks over the last 2 years (most during the 1st 3 months when I was super paranoid about the powder weight) the average accuracy is +- .05 grs. This accuracy is for ball and flake powders only. I've never tried an extruded powder with the Auto-Disk. There is more deviation between lot numbers of the same powder than there is between throws (which makes sense - lot #'s of the same powder can vary by as much as .2 grains between each other from the same disk hole).
The bullet seating die seats to an accuracy of plus minus .003 for me (which is probably better than factory but I've never actually measured OAL on factory ammo).
The dies have operated flawlessly. I especially like the factory crimp die though with .44Mag it is a little flaky.
One must learn the operation of the 4 hole turret and it's idiosyncracies (for example for the auto index to work right it is imperative that a complete 100% movement of the handle thru its full range be done - no slop - all the way down and all the way up). Once one learns the tricks one can make good quality ammo.
One thing I don't like about the Lee 4 hole is the depriming/priming operation. On deprime the expended primers tend to drop down into the slot that holds the primer holder arm. That jams it up. When priming sometimes the primer flips (but only with Federal primers for some reason).
Another thing I don't like is the stupid O'Ring die lock method. A lock nut would be better or an imbedded hex screw. I've not bothered so since I've only got two turrets everytime I have to switch dies I bitch and moan - ce le vie as the say.
I can make about 100 cartridges an hour - not including set up time. With multiple turrets, set up time is about 5 to 10 minutes and add a bit more for weigh checking 3 powder throws out of the first 30 rounds made.
I am completely satisfied with my 4 hole Lee Turret press. It is definitely worth the money if - and this is a big if - one reloads a limited amount (which to me is 500 rounds a month or less). If one reloads or plans to reload more than that then I'd recommend a progressive. I've researched both Hornady and Dillon and lean towards the Hornady. Currently though the cost is more than I want to pay just to make 500 or so rounds/month. If I ever start reloading more than that - a progressive will be procurred.
BluesBear
member
Vitamin G,
Please go buy the book ABC's Of Reloading I think it's about $15 from Amazon. It will show you step by step, with photos, everything you will need to know to produce god quality ammunition.
Read it cover to cover at least once.
Read all of the chapters pertaining to handguns a second time.
THEN go out and buy your loading gear. And at least two other loading manuals. I suggest Lyman and either Speer or Sierra or Hornady.
Most reloading companies (RCBS, Hornady, Redding, Dillon, Lee) will send you free catalogues in the mail. Just look on their websites. Get the catalogues and compare. Since the company catalogues only list retail prices, after you choose what you like, go to MidwayUSA and get a real price.
By the time you get everything mounted and ready to go you will already know, in your mind what you need to do and what you must not do.
In reloading knowing what NOT to do is every bit as important as knowing what you MUST do.
Please go buy the book ABC's Of Reloading I think it's about $15 from Amazon. It will show you step by step, with photos, everything you will need to know to produce god quality ammunition.
Read it cover to cover at least once.
Read all of the chapters pertaining to handguns a second time.
THEN go out and buy your loading gear. And at least two other loading manuals. I suggest Lyman and either Speer or Sierra or Hornady.
Most reloading companies (RCBS, Hornady, Redding, Dillon, Lee) will send you free catalogues in the mail. Just look on their websites. Get the catalogues and compare. Since the company catalogues only list retail prices, after you choose what you like, go to MidwayUSA and get a real price.
By the time you get everything mounted and ready to go you will already know, in your mind what you need to do and what you must not do.
In reloading knowing what NOT to do is every bit as important as knowing what you MUST do.
BluesBear
member
Matt Dillon
Member
I have used Lee equipment to load >10,000 rounds of pistol and rifle rounds. I have used several of their presses, but the Lee Classic press is the best of them all. It is extremely heavy and the price can't be beat. Their crimping die is excellent for .40 caliber. I have never used a Lee scale, but use an Ohaus 10/10 scale and an old Redding powder measure purchased off of eBay. The only die that I use, that is not Lee is RCBS 7.5 Swiss.
- Status
Similar threads
- Locked
