Lee reloading kit
- Thread starter Arobbins
- Start date
- Status
OK.
Loading rifle ammo is a little different than pistol ammo. With rifle you basically have two die and to procedures, one die sized the case and one die seats the bullet. A single stage press works great for this.
Pistol ammo on the other hand uses a minimum of three dies and many times 4 dies. With a single stage press you spend a lot of time changing dies and it can be very time consuming.
If you are going to load both pistol (45) and rifle, I would look at the Lee 4 hole Turret kits. It will work well for both. I would also order extra turret heads for each cartridge so you never had to change the dies, just swap out the whole turret.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/78...-turret-press-deluxe-kit?cm_vc=ProductFinding
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/29...hole-turret-press-turret?cm_vc=ProductFinding
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/626633/rcbs-turret-press-deluxe-kit?cm_vc=ProductFinding
Loading rifle ammo is a little different than pistol ammo. With rifle you basically have two die and to procedures, one die sized the case and one die seats the bullet. A single stage press works great for this.
Pistol ammo on the other hand uses a minimum of three dies and many times 4 dies. With a single stage press you spend a lot of time changing dies and it can be very time consuming.
If you are going to load both pistol (45) and rifle, I would look at the Lee 4 hole Turret kits. It will work well for both. I would also order extra turret heads for each cartridge so you never had to change the dies, just swap out the whole turret.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/78...-turret-press-deluxe-kit?cm_vc=ProductFinding
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/29...hole-turret-press-turret?cm_vc=ProductFinding
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/626633/rcbs-turret-press-deluxe-kit?cm_vc=ProductFinding
ddgarcia05
Member
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2014
- Messages
- 114
I just placed an order on midway. Pics show what I bought. I took advantage of there coupon to save $20 for first time member purchases. Still need a book but I just couldn't afford it yet. Bought bullets on xtreme bullets website.
fiftybmg
member
Lee Classic Turret will load everything you need, and is a great first press.
THe Challenger press kit would have been better. As for a turret pressit can not alter the number of operations that have to be done to load a case. I still takes so many strokes of the press ram. A single stage press it the best way for a newbie to start.
You ordered Lee dies. The dies come with a power scoop to measure the powder. The problem is that the scoop works but it is not the optimal scoop. Using the scoops you actually need a set of scoops.
You ordered Lee dies. The dies come with a power scoop to measure the powder. The problem is that the scoop works but it is not the optimal scoop. Using the scoops you actually need a set of scoops.
For someone just starting out, I think that a Lee single-stage press kit is a great way to get over the learning curve. It's very easy for someone like me, who's been reloading almost half a century, to get carried away -both in money and complexity- with recommendations to a newcomer.
Bottom like is that if it's rifle only, the Challenger kit, and if it's rifle and pistol both, either the regular Lee 4-hole turret kit, or if the money is there, bump up to the Classic Turret Kit.
The most important purchase for someone just getting into reloading is liable to be a good book or two. Books that one actually spends time with, and reads thoroughly until the process is understood. Most people react very well to having read "The ABCs of Reloading," which is easily available. Richard Lee's "Modern Reloading" has a wealth of load data, although I've always preferred the Speer manuals, probably because that's what I started out on. Both of the books mentioned can be purchased on Amazon.
Bottom like is that if it's rifle only, the Challenger kit, and if it's rifle and pistol both, either the regular Lee 4-hole turret kit, or if the money is there, bump up to the Classic Turret Kit.
The most important purchase for someone just getting into reloading is liable to be a good book or two. Books that one actually spends time with, and reads thoroughly until the process is understood. Most people react very well to having read "The ABCs of Reloading," which is easily available. Richard Lee's "Modern Reloading" has a wealth of load data, although I've always preferred the Speer manuals, probably because that's what I started out on. Both of the books mentioned can be purchased on Amazon.
The hand press is handy to have, it was the first press I bought. Its main value is portability. You can sit where ever, watch tv etc while decapping. Very handy for spitting out a handful of test rounds.
For doing any quantity at all, it will wear you out. In this regard, I quickly got the Lee Classic Cast press. Much easier on you for sure. So would the Challenger press or even the Reloader press, which is about the same money as the hand press, Challenger a little more. Also have the Lee Classic Turret, which speeds things up short of going full on progressive press route.
You will still find the hand press handy, even after you have acquired other presses.
Russellc
For doing any quantity at all, it will wear you out. In this regard, I quickly got the Lee Classic Cast press. Much easier on you for sure. So would the Challenger press or even the Reloader press, which is about the same money as the hand press, Challenger a little more. Also have the Lee Classic Turret, which speeds things up short of going full on progressive press route.
You will still find the hand press handy, even after you have acquired other presses.
Russellc
fiftybmg
member
The indexing on the turret can be disabled by removing the index rod, effectively making it single stage with the advantage of multiple dies.
I would look at the LEE CLASSIC Turret Press kit.
With it you can load anything.
Suggest getting rid of the scale and buying a better one and get another manual
If all you want great single stage then the RCBS Rock Chucker.
I would jump on this deal. All quality stuff!
http://www.cabelas.com/product/RCBS-reg-Rock-Chucker-Supreme-Master-Reloading-Kit/1324071.uts
With it you can load anything.
Suggest getting rid of the scale and buying a better one and get another manual
If all you want great single stage then the RCBS Rock Chucker.
I would jump on this deal. All quality stuff!
http://www.cabelas.com/product/RCBS-reg-Rock-Chucker-Supreme-Master-Reloading-Kit/1324071.uts
Jlr2267
Member
I think you made a wise choice with the hand press kit. You will learn the basics and it can crank out some ammo. I can do 100 rounds of pistol ammo in about an hour, starting with clean, decapped brass.
One thing that will speed it up a bit is if you get a good hand prime (RCBS Universal is one). Priming with the Lee hand press is not too bad, but you handle every primer and it slows down the process (which may not be a bad thing for a new reloader)
Anyways, I still use mine more than anything else and really enjoy it.
Edit: I also have the same scale and it works fine for a charge measure. Calibrate it with each use (takes 10s) and you will be fine.
Edit2: you'll need breech lock bushings for each die (~$9 for 2 pack) unless you don't mind unscrewing the dies for each change. I bought the extra bushings after my very first reload
One thing that will speed it up a bit is if you get a good hand prime (RCBS Universal is one). Priming with the Lee hand press is not too bad, but you handle every primer and it slows down the process (which may not be a bad thing for a new reloader)
Anyways, I still use mine more than anything else and really enjoy it.
Edit: I also have the same scale and it works fine for a charge measure. Calibrate it with each use (takes 10s) and you will be fine.
Edit2: you'll need breech lock bushings for each die (~$9 for 2 pack) unless you don't mind unscrewing the dies for each change. I bought the extra bushings after my very first reload
Last edited:
I started a little over a year ago with this Lee press kit: http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690304. I really like it and it is a great value. I now load 4 different pistol calibers and 3 different rifle calibers on this press. If you were only loading rifle i would suggest a good single stage, but if you are doing both pistol and rifle, get the LCT. You will not regret it. Some people make way too much out of the opinion that a turret press is too "complicated" or "confusing" for a beginner. IMO if a turret is too complicated, then that person has no business even getting started with reloading. Besides, as someone has already said, remove the index rod and bamm...single stage press.
tyeo098
Member
Heck I have 3 loading manuals now.
You can never have too much information
You can never have too much information
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Since you have very little information on what you need and want I highly suggest you take the time to read the sticky at the top of this forum, the "Reloading Library of Wisdom." http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=649184 What you read there will answer a lot of your questions and also help you find out what additional questions you should ask. You will learn a lot and save yourself a lot of time...
When you read it all come back and ask us anything you're not clear about.
The Lee classic cast turret kit is a great kit. You'll also need dies and trimmer pilots and trimmer shell holders for each caliber you plan to trim. Powder,Primers,bullets and brass. The Lee safety scale is not so good (maybe a digital scale would be ok)and a cheap set of calipers would be good. A small set of scale check weights. A loading block and Lee powder funnel. The Lee kit comes with the Lee loading manual. The Lyman 49th manual would be a great start.
Midway Promo Codes Good through 03/09/2014
$15 off $100 use code FEB15
$30 off $200 use code FEB30
$45 off $300 use code FEB45
Midway Promo Codes Good through 03/09/2014
$15 off $100 use code FEB15
$30 off $200 use code FEB30
$45 off $300 use code FEB45
PJSprog
Member
I started out on a Lee single stage about 25 years ago, and it's the same press I use to this day. Single stage is, in my opinion, the best way to give yourself a solid education in all aspects of handloading. You won't get as high of a volume as you would with a turret or progressive, but that's not always as important as learning to do it right. A turret, though, can be just as good, and Lee equipment is arguably the best deal in the industry, especially for beginners.
Lots of good advice for you here, Arobbins (as usual on THR).
Good luck, and welcome to our addiction.
Lots of good advice for you here, Arobbins (as usual on THR).
Good luck, and welcome to our addiction.
WestKentucky
Member
From the looks of your caliber selection I am guessing you will eventually want bulk along with better ammo. I can knock out around 100 rds an hour on a single stage, more if I'm making huge runs over several days where I'm not changing dies very much...but I'm not an auto loader guy so I typically don't put as many rounds down range. In your case I would do as mentioned earlier. Buy a turret and learn to use it as a single stage. Once you get that figured out you can move up as your knowledge and ability allow. One thing others didn't mention is cost. Lee is good, but others are better and as such have a heavier pricetag. Don't be afraid to spend the money to start with good equipment because 30-50 years down the road when your still using it you won't consider that $50 difference you may or may not have paid.
theslasher
member
I started loading 10 years ago and always bought lee. Ive had a classic turret, a breechlock challenger, the cheap c frame press and last a loadmaster. Finally got tired of the loadmaster in January of this year. It worked well but I didnt like that I couldnt feel the new primer going in. Had 2 very loud bangs. After that, every round I loaded I would bite down hard like pulling teeth at the top of the stroke. So I ordered a Dillon 550 after reading how great they are.. Out of all the new things ive bought over the last few years, cars, appliances, anything... I was truly impressed with the craftsmanship and quality that went into making it.... Point being: Just about any brand of loading equipment has to be better than lee. Fit and finish. Their quality has slipped to new low levels lately since the craze started. Holes in turrets drilled crooked.. Runs in the paint.. You name it. I sold all of it and now own all blue. Except the dies. Even those are not as nice as the ones I bought 2-3 years ago. Looked like they were thrown in the box and rushed out the door. If i were starting new now, I would get an RCBS rock chucker kit...
i would agree you would be happy with the challenger kit. that's what i started out last fall with (50th anniversary kit) and bought it on midway too for around $100. I started with .40 sw and have been very successful. I loaded 1000 rounds and then decided to move up to the classic turret kit.
http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/lee-classic-cast-turret-press-kit
again i got this kit too for about $180 from titan over nov-dec.
as a beginner i think the bench presses as basic as this http://www.midwayusa.com/product/807734/lee-reloader-single-stage-press would serve you better than that hand press. hey, watch some youtube videos on the press and see what people say about it before you buy.
it would be safe to say that if you plan on loading lots or if it really picks up like for me, i would just jump to the classic turret. It's more but the time it saves is worth it. i remember loading up 250 rounds on the single stage one night thinking how it would be if i had the turret press. too bad i ran out of bullets, primers and powder before i could really use the turret press. i was only able to make about 50 rounds with it so far.
http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/lee-classic-cast-turret-press-kit
again i got this kit too for about $180 from titan over nov-dec.
as a beginner i think the bench presses as basic as this http://www.midwayusa.com/product/807734/lee-reloader-single-stage-press would serve you better than that hand press. hey, watch some youtube videos on the press and see what people say about it before you buy.
it would be safe to say that if you plan on loading lots or if it really picks up like for me, i would just jump to the classic turret. It's more but the time it saves is worth it. i remember loading up 250 rounds on the single stage one night thinking how it would be if i had the turret press. too bad i ran out of bullets, primers and powder before i could really use the turret press. i was only able to make about 50 rounds with it so far.
pitbull23
Member
Get the Lee classic turret, reloading isn't that difficult that you need a single stage press to start with. A few good manuals and some patients will pay off big time.
I am not disputing what you say, but that has not been my personal experience. All my Lee equipment has been purchased in the last 14 months and I have had no issues at all with quality. There is no disputing that Dillon makes very high quality equipment, but at a significant price premium. Heck, I would love to have one myself if one fell in my lap. I am fortunate enough that I could buy one tomorrow, but I can't justify the cost over what I currently have with the LCT. Anyone else out there notice a drop in Lee quality? Just wondering.
i've bought two press kits from lee along with misc things like extra turret holes, die cases, and die sets. I have not notice any poor quality in mines. The only thing I have noticed was that some of the dies appear "dirty" like they have been used. all purchased in less than 4-6 months.
- Status
