Is This All I'd Need to Start Reloading?

[Ohio Rifleman]

Is this: http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1187420729.64=/html/catalog/anivers.html

Plus dies and components everything I'd need to start reloading fairly small quantities? If I wanted to reload multiple calibers, I could just buy another set of dies, right? Right now, I'd just be reloading 7.62x39 and 7.62x54R and maybe in the future 7.5x55 Swiss. Am I right?

 

[John C]

Yep, that's everything you need to reload. I use basically that setup to do almost all of my loading these days, even though I have a bunch of other presses, including RCBS, two dillon progressives, etc. The only thing I have different is a digital powder scale, but that's not necessary.

You can load excellent ammo with that setup. I find that the perfect powder measure leaks some powder, but I don't let that bother me. I find it extremely repeatable.

I got into reloading in my early 30s. In my early 20s, when I started getting into shooting, everyone told me to skip Lee and go straight to dillon. Dillon stuff is awesome, but I didn't have the cash. I wish someone told me to get the exact set you show and start loading. I would've done a bunch more shooting. Plus, I actually like reloading!

If you like it, you can upgrade later. You won't really have much to upgrade, though, except to a progressive press.

-John

 

[JR719]

From what I read on the site, looks like a pretty good deal. I will say I am not a fan of single stage presses. I have 2 dillons and won't go back. I loaded single stage with my father when I was a child (and the teen years), but I've now graduated to progressive.

while growing up, my father used an RCBS powder measure. It worked pretty darn good and I have one around here somewhere. There were some powders it seemed to not like, but as soon as found the powder was no longer used. As John said, the powder measure will not be totally accurate with some brands.

In my Dillons, I've found the ball and cylinder powder is most accurate for a repeatable load than flake or disk. Others may have better results from flake and disk. I suggest a good scale and measure all the time on your loads.

I measured every load with my first Dillon as I did not trust the powder measurer. After many rounds, I found a good powder it liked and the loads were consistant. Those were with Accurate ball powder BTW ( I was only loading 9mm, 38, 357, and 40). Now, once I get it set, I check the first 10 loads and every 15 to 20 after that. I've never had to dump a batch from inconsistancies with loads.

The only thing I would argue with John..... I like an "old school" scale. Not a digital fan. I like to see the scale and have all the adjustments. I like to pick a few pieces of powder out of the collection cup so I can get an idea of how much to turn the bolt on the dillon powder measure.

My advise... For what it's worth... Don't settle on a press and setup. Get what you want. If it cost's more, get it if that is what you want. I cannot recomend Dillon enough. You wont go wrong with them. Don't get something that will work for now and then have to upgrade. Get the press that will perform the way you want now, and grow into it if you will.

BTW, be sure to get carbide dies. They will save you loads of heartbreak and time digging out cases, or throwing away cases. Oh yea, I recomend a good tumbler. Gets rid of the gunk inside of the cases. I've tumbled with the spent primer in and without. The only thing I've really noticed is that without the primer I have to shove a toothpick or something to get the grit out.

The hand primer is a joke, toss it. I gave one to my father and it was junk. Save your bucks and get a Dillon.

 

[RustyFN]

Welcome
Yes you are right. That would be a great kit to start with. The outside of the brass needs to be clean before you size it and a tumbler would be the easiest way to clean it. It won't clean the inside of the case but the inside doesn't have to be cleaned. You will also need case lube to lube the cases before you size them. I use Hornady one shot but there are a lot of different ways to lube cases. I just looked at the link again and noticed it comes with Lee case lube. I hear it is good lube but have never used it. A caliper would be a great tool to buy for checking OAL and other things. I prefer a dial caliper over a digital. You can pick either up at a good price at Harbor Freight. I have never used one but most people I talk to say the Lee Auto Prime ( hand primer ) is the best one out there. You will also be very happy if you have a couple of loading blocks. Besides making it easier it will also help with safety. IMO if you are only going to load rifle and small quantities then a single stage is the way to start. Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions.
Rusty

 

[kungfuhippie]

Something to mention. You can get that same kit from other sources for less. Midwayusa comes to mind as does cabelas and cheaperthandirt. Consider the lee turret press kit. That way you can get an extra disk for each caliber and not have to re-setup the press between calibers. You can also run it as a single stage press if you want.

 

[Walkalong]

It would be a great start. Naturally, it won't last, you will want to expand your calibers and get this or that little goodie. Like RustyFN said, you will probably want a tumbler, you will have to have case lube, and I consider a dial caliper a must. I bought this Harbor Freight caliper on sale at a local store and like it a lot. It's easier to read for old eyes. Double check its zero often.

 

[Ohio Rifleman]

The Lee kit comes with lube, and how much would a tumbler cost?

Looks like Cabelas has this exact same thing for $69.99

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...chall&Nty=1&Ntt=lee+anniversary+kit&noImage=0

And what exactly can you do with this?

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...&parentType=index&indexId=cat20847&hasJS=true

 

[O.S.O.K.]

Lee Loader

I just posted about this in another thread.

The Lee Loader will make very good ammo - slowly. Its a good way to try your hand at relaoding without spending much. But it's also great to take to the range - make-up 5 rounds of a particular load, test and then adjust until you get a load that your gun likes.

They are very well made and of high quality.

 

[Ohio Rifleman]

I just might get that $14.99 Lee loader. Too bad the only caliber it comes in that I use is 7.62x54R. If I got that, all I'd need to get started loading would be brass, bullets, powder and primers, correct?

 

[FLORIDA KEVIN]

I think you would be well served with the anniversary kit you mentioned earlier ! better than the handloader .I just finished my first batch of reloads ever and will try them in the morning ! Of the Lee kit i thought everything worked great ! the scale is a little touchy (I had to turn off my ceiling fan it was making the scale swing )but once i got used to it , it worked just fine ! i didnt try the perfect powder measure yet , but everything else worked as described in the instructions ! We willsee in the morning !Good luck with yours!!

 

[chipperi]

Don't forget a good caliper/micrometer set, load books (as many as you can get your hands on), a bullet puller for goofs, tumbler, I don't trust the bar scales all that much you may want to get a digital scale that can be calibrated, overall you picked a good setup. You cant go wrong with a good single stage. I personally don't like having powder and primers in the same operation but if you get the urge to reload in huge quantity you can go progressive one day.

 

[Walkalong]

There is always the Berry's tumbler. Probably my next tumbler.

 

[dmills]

Of the Lee kit i thought everything worked great ! the scale is a little touchy (I had to turn off my ceiling fan it was making the scale swing )but once i got used to it , it worked just fine !

That is going to be true of any beam scale.