Is there any reason not to start with a Lee Reloader?

[jaowens76]

Obviously speed, but other than that is there any truly compelling reason not to start with just an inexpensive 90045 Lee Reloader? Unfortunately money is a bit tighter than I would like, and I have a small stockpile of ammo so I do not have an overwhelming need for high volume...yet.

I hear many talk about keeping an SS on their bench for depriming and or rifle rounds, so even if I move on to a turret or progressive the Reloader would still have a use and for 34 dollars at least to my mind seems like a good start. If it is not a good buy or junk please tell me why.

 

[badkarmamib]

Never mind, thought we were talking about the Lee Loader you assemble with a hammer.

 

[Rule3]

No, there really is no reason not to but IMHO it is exactly what you get, a $37 press. I use Lee equipment so it's not the brand it's just you still have to buy all kinds of other things to reload, dies, Scale, powder measure, calipers manual etc etc,

It's worth it to spend a little more and actually be able to reload something.

There are a gazillion threads on starting reloading and no you do not need a Dillion!


http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214

 

[jaowens76]

fair enough, and this is why I asked. Thanks for the info and the link as well.

 

[X-Ring]

With this kit a set of calipers and a set of dies you will have everything you need to reload, at a total price about the same as buying the $37 press and all the extras separately. And end up with a more durable press.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/121744/lee-challenger-breech-lock-single-stage-press-kit

For just a little more this it even better, and you will not need to upgrade for a long time if ever.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/785993/lee-classic-4-hole-turret-press-deluxe-kit

 

[snuffy]

Obviously speed, but other than that is there any truly compelling reason not to start with just an inexpensive 90045 Lee Reloader?

I can't let this post go by without a comment! That press WILL reload ammo, but just barely.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/807734/lee-reloader-single-stage-press

It is a weak "C" type press, the linkage is cast aluminum and is prone to breakage and wear if used for hard-to-resize rifle cases. Now don't get me wrong, I have a LOT of lee equipment, 80% of my bench and casting equipment is lee. That press doesn't even come with dies, another 33 bucks;
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/418312/lee-carbide-3-die-set-38-special-357-magnum

The minimum I would suggest is a lee kit, and some kits come with one die set;

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7877

That kit has the Lee classic cast single stage press, a beast of cast iron and steel linkage that will last for a lifetime. It has a manual, a die sit of your choice and everything else needed to start loading . Except, of course, powder, primers, brass, and bullets.

For $256.00 it will get you going with no regrets. If that's too much $$$$$$, stop, save your money until you can swing it.

 

[JO JO]

If I was you I would save up a bit longer and get the Lee Classic Turret press
kit you can use it as a single stage or a auto indexing turret its a much better
kit and the cost is just a bit more then the Lee single stage kit.

 

[thomas15]

Many will try to argue with me on this point but in reality, to get started in the hobby of handloading without having to improvise at a time when you most likely don't fully understand what it is exactly you are trying to accomplish, will need to allocate at least $500.00

Can you do it for less? Maybe. How much less? Not much. If you know exactly what you are going to do and have a friend/mentor that can guide you in the purchase of items then maybe you can do it for less.

Like many I started with a kit and my kit wasn't the least expensive by a long shot but there are tools that I don't use and there are tools that are not very good and have been replaced. Keep in mind that a wise shopper shops wisely and lives by the rule that you get what you pay for.

 

[judgedelta]

A kit comes with a lot of stuff that you won't need after you get experienced. Just like beginner golf clubs or tennis rackets or skis, but it is good to learn the basics with the hand stuff and the single stage loader, and the beam scale and dial caliper, etc. The "slower you go" the easier it is to catch mistakes. You will make some mistakes. Pay attention, ask questions, be safe, have fun. It's a great hobby.

 

[ajandrs]

"You get what you pay for" is right on. For starters, what cartridges are you wanting to load? Your current volume is low you say but that will likely change at some point. I'm another LEE Classic Turret fan, it's not much more expensive and gives you single stage operation as well as "semi-progressive" operation for when your volume increases. It'll never be as fast as a progressive, but it provides more flexibility and outshines true SS presses IMO. That's not to say there isn't a place for a good SS press, but I don't feel they're a must have, especially with the LCT.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[greyling22]

what caliber?

 

[Woolecox]

No. They are decent presses. They do not over cam like most other presses. So, I think they work best with Lee's own dies. Those are designed not to over cam at the top.

I used to have one but gave it to a buddy who was just getting into reloading.

 

[Reefinmike]

Like many others have stated, you are better off to save a little more and buy a good cast single stage or Lee classic turret press. that $35 lee press will do the job for straight walled pistol cartridges but it is not known to be an extremely durable press. Look around on the buy/sell/trade area on this site or on armslist for a good used press even. I would anticipate paying 50-75% of new depending on condition. Ive sold a few ss presses on there, not because they weren't good presses, but because my lee turret does everything a single stage press will do and more.

 

[thomas15]

To the OP. If that press is all you can afford and you are really serious about handloading, I have one you can have for the cost of shipping from PA. Send me a PM if interested.

 

[Rule3]

If you really want to reload I recommend this "Kit" There is no JUNK it is all good, will last forever and has a lifetime warranty.

You still need dies, calipers, powder, primers

As mentioned above you are looking at close to $500 BUT you are reloading and depending on calibers(s) your pay back is short. Especially if you shoot ammo that is expensive like any of the Magnums.

No need to buy it here either, but it is a good online store, you may find it for less elsewhere. Midway has a good return policy also and fast shipping.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit

 

[splattergun]

you must have a press. You must have dies. YOu must have calipers, a scale and a reloading manual. There are also a bunch of little things like a shell tray, a funnel. This list costs nowhere near $500! Not even $300.

The Lee 90045 will reload ammo. It will also serve as an auxiliary press down the road when you upgrade. But do yourself a favor and take just a few weeks to save just a little more money now and make your first SS press a much stronger 'O' press, unless for some reason you feel you must start loading right now.

 

[Reefinmike]

Op, check your Pms, I saw another generous member offered you the press, I have a lot of the other things you need to get started. most of it I dont want anything for, really just for the dies. Its been sitting around unused for a very long time and I owe someone a pay it foward.

 

[Renton83]

If money is tight get the lee kit that uses the hammer. you can get great results with that. I would recommend a scale though as the scoops they provide are pretty useless since it only works for a limited number of powders and it's only for starting loads.

 

[rjbmjb]

I bought the RCBS rock chucker kit (suggested by Rule3) a set of calipers, dies, and some components (bullets, powder, primers) when I started reloading. I agree with other posters- I have upgraded many of the components over the years as I gained experience. However, as Rule3 noted, the kit had everything I needed to reload rounds for my .308 and my first attempt at reloading was a pleasant and satisfying experience.

If money is tight, the Lee press looks like it will work, but as other posters have noted, you will need to buy more equipment before you can start reloading. If you later upgrade to a better press, the Lee can still be used for depriming and other tasks (you never have too many presses).

 

[PCFlorida]

OP, I think we have all been there, not enough money to get started reloading, or buy a better press. If you are interested I have a Lyman All American press you can have. Good turret press. It works, but will work much better after you disassemble it and clean and re lube it. It has some surface rust on the handle from living in the garage for 30 years but that too will easily come off. Time flies, I used to use this press but now for many years am using a Dillon 650. Anyway, if you are interested PM me and we will get it shipped to you.

 

[Reefinmike]

PCFlorida wow, what a kind gesture.

The only other things that I could think of OP needing would be:

Calipers
Powder measure
Chamfer/deburr tool
Die sets 9mm and 7mm-08
Case trimmer setup for 7mm-08

 

[jaowens76]

Talk about generosity, you guys know how to welcome a new guy.

 

[PCFlorida]

When I was about 25 (1985 those were the days) I lived in upstate NY. I saw an ad in the paper for reloading equipment and went to look at it. There was tons of equipment and power, primers and thousands of empty .38, .357 and .45. The husband had recently died and his wife was selling it for $400, on the condition it would be used. Well I've used it for a long time but it is time to pass some of it on. I have a 650XL now and rarely shoot rifle cartridges. So I will be shipping the press to the OP and he can get use out of it. I'm sure she (the woman I bought it from) has passed on, but I think she would be pleased.

 

[jaowens76]

Our local shop actually has CCI primers and HS6 in stock, I will look and see what other powders they may have but they did not have W231 in either form or 2 or 3 other common 9mm powders that I listed off when I called. I was surprised they had anything since they are such a small shop.

 

[Bama Drifter]

Jaowens76, first of all WELCOME TO THR! I'm sure you'll find this is the best dang gun forum on the interwebs. That said, I've been using the Lee Challenger kit previously mentioned, and if I could do it over I would go straight to the Lee Turret kit instead.
Edited: didn't see you've got a generous member Paying it Fwd.
Again, welcome to the brotherhood of thrifty, frugal, and precision minded shooters (not always in that order). Be sure to get your discount on MBC and enjoy the Cabela's free shipping on $100 orders for primers/ powder. Not to mention Graf's, Powder Valley, and so on. You'll find an 8lb jug of Unique or HP38 will last for a good while on pistols. Same thing goes for Varget in rifles. Be safe & Good luck