loading press choice

[high country]

I am going to start reloading this spring on handgun cartridges (9mm, and possibly either .357 or .44mag) and maybe .45-70. If I get hooked, I am sure I will eventually start reloading for some necked rifle cases too, but not right away.

Anyway, I am trying to decide between the lee hand press kit and the lee reloader single stage press. Any advice for a beginner one way or the other?

Is one significantly quicker than the other? I have read that sizing rifle cases with the hand press is tough, is that an issue for the little single stage also?

How large of a table does the single stage press need to be mounted to? I have a nice big workbench now, but am looking at a potential relocation this year, so might be more limited.

Thanks in advance for your time!

 

[rcmodel]

Any advice for a beginner one way or the other?

Yes.
Save your money and get a bigger press.

Neither one you mentioned are strong enough.
Or have a big enough frame opening for 45-70 unless you have those tiny hands like the Burger King guy on TV..

Consider a good big, or at least normal size cast iron press a once in a lifetime investment.
Do it right the first time so you don't have to do it again six months from now!

Should you later decide reloading isn't for you, the standard press will have better resale value then the little Lee Hand or Reloader toys

rc

 

[helg]

Either press is good to make ammo on any of the mentioned calibers.

Bench-mounted press is quicker (up to 50 rounds/hour), and requires less force. The force is not an issue for the mentioned calibers. On the other side, the mounted press occupies a square foot on your bench. If you mount it on 2x4 board, which you can C-clamp to a desk only when reloading, the square foot can be taken even from a kitchen desk,and the space should not become an issue.

Bench-mounted press is easier to start. Hand press is easier to take to a range for load development.

If you load for rifle and become hooked by the process, you will end up in cast iron single stage press. If you do mostly pistols, than having better than the above-mentioned productivity will become you primary concern. Turret or progressive press is a way to go. Lee turret press ($75) or Pro1000 ($150) will increase the productivity 3 or 10-fold.

 

[JimKirk]

I'll go even farther, get the Forster CoAx press and be finished buying presses unless you want to go with a progressive type press.... as the others have said save your money and buy what will last you a life time! You can always get most of your money back if you decide to get out ... let me warn you... if you ever start, it's hard to quit! After 40+ yrs., I am still hooked!

Jimmy K

 

[Asherdan]

I have both. The Reloader press is quicker in use as you aren't trying to juggle the press and component in your hands all at the same time. A 2x4 is not quite wide enough for the press base and bolt hole clearance but a chunk of 2x6 is about perfect to c-clamp down to any sturdy surface and get to work.

Here's a picture of my ad-hoc set up during my last move with some 44 mag I was lightly belling.



Works fine with 45/70 for me as well. I don't have little baby hands, either.

If you're not sure about reloading being for you, I'm in the camp of having $25 tied up in a press is better than trying to sell off something you have significantly more tied up into.

And if the bug does bite, it won't be money 'wasted'. A little single stage to de-prime or use a collet puller for mistakes or size cast or...you get the idea. They're handy even if you decide to get some 'real' gear.

 

[ranger335v]

"trying to decide between the lee hand press kit and the lee reloader single stage press. Any advice for a beginner one way or the other?"

Yes. No contest, get a Lee Classic Turret press.

The hand press quickly becomes a chore to use and the otherwise excellant little "Reloader" press is too slow for producing much handgun ammo. And you would also have to purchase a hand priming tool for either but that comes standard with the larger presses.

 

[RVenick]

I use a Progressive press for handgun but, a Lee Breech Lock for my 35 rem rifle bullets. You can get the Breech Lock Anniversary kit from Midway for $85-$90. I has just about everything you need.

 

[ranger335v]

"A" progressive for one caliber is okay... for large volume shooters.

High County is looking at 3 handgun calibers and 1 rifle. Changing calibers on most (ALL?) progressives is too difficult, too slow and too bloody expensive for most of us and not many of us need those volumes anyway. But, changing calibers on a Lee Classic Turret takes only a few seconds and requires no tools.

IMHO, anyone's "quick change" die system is a solution for which we have no problem. How much time can actually be saved in a routine loading session when it only takes maybe 40 seconds to screw a die in and back out? A complete Lee turret head is (I think) less costly than a set of quick change bushings for a three die set of pistol dies with a seperate crimper die.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

I started on a hand press, and while it does work, a bench mounted press is easier, even if it is only temporarily clamped to a table or counter top.

Assuming price is an issue, but you want good quality, get a Lee Classic Cast (iron) press.

If price is not an issue, get a Forster Co-Ax.

Honorable mentions include the Redding Big Boss II, and the Redding UltraMag.

Andy

 

[sonick808]

having a hand press is good to have around regardless for 20 bucks.

i started on the lee hand press, but the repetitive stress injury came pretty quick after resizing 500 pieces of brass in a week.

I use the lee breech lock so i can set my die and use the quick change to pull them in and out. I don't like turrets because I don't trust automation, I want to see each charge etc. I'm still scared of kB! and know that turrets can lead to mistakes. That's MY take on it. turrets may be for you.

I personally recommend you buy both the hand press kit AND a breech lock, and flip between the two to learn.

Between lee carbide dies and factory crimp dies, and basically everything they make has BY FAR the highest return on investment of ANY gear. There's better equipment, but the ROI isn't near as high for a new reloader.

I'd go breech lock (without kit), hand press (with kit, since that comes with a funnel, lube and universal priming die). Carbide die set and a factory crimp die. Autoprime for hand priming. Shellholders for the press and for the autoprime. Lock stud, length gauge, trimmer, chamfer tool, primer pocket tool. Oh, and an extra bushing for the press for your factory crimp die. Oh, slap a lee perfect powder thrower in there also. for 20$ it's good to +- .1 grains if you take the time to tune it and break it in. With all but oddest shape powders (long cylinders, etc.)

I got the lyman twin tumbler for my brass cleaning.

But that's just my humble opinion

Most important: TAKE YOUR TIME

 

[lgbloader]

I would also strongly suggest you get to reading a good reload manual. Lyman's 49th is a good one.
I'd go with the Lee Anniversary breech lock kit. It has pretty much everything listed in the thread above but also includes a powder scale which is necessary. Get your dies for each caliber. You will also need a set of calipers.

LGB

 

[high country]

Thanks a ton for all of the responses. I will definitely go single stage since I am planning to work with a variety of cartridges.

So, is there a lot to be gained by using a lee breech lock over a lee "reloader"? Down the road, if I wanted to do necked rifle cases, like .308, would the lee reloader be a major handicap?

And I will definitely be getting several reloading manuals!

 

[Asherdan]

The Reloader press is not a major handicap, however, it is a light C frame style press and some flex is inevitable. For long term use working with rifle cartridges an O frame style press is preferable. Cross the O frame single stage bridge when you come to it.

(with a Lee $95 Classic Cast)

 

[snuffy]

This is the best value, and possibly the best single stage press made today, NOT counting the forster co-ax.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=317831

For $85.99 you will have just the press. This is made from recycled railroad rails, in other words cast steel. Made right here in the good old USA, not in china like the RCBS rockchucker. Die sets and other necessary equipment will get you started.

 

[flashhole]

I use my Lee Classic Turret for 45-70 and 40 S&W. The pic shows the setup I use for 45-70. I cut down a funnel for manual powder charging. people who own this press have nothing but praise for it. Me included.

 

[flashhole]

I have to agree with Snuffy too. The Classic Cast Single Stage is a fine press also. Lee got it right with both Classic models. I also have the single stage. Nothing but good things to say about both.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

The Lee Classic Turret is available in kit form from Cabelas and somewhere else, but the Lee Classic Cast (single stage) is only available stand-alone. I would get either over the Breech Lock or Challenger.

If you really like the idea of a hand press, get a better one: the Huntington Compac. It is smaller, stronger, and has more leverage than the LHP. And you can mount it to a small (4") circle of wood so that it will stand up by itself if you need both hands for something else for a minute.

Andy

 

[wankerjake]

The Lee Classic Turret is available in kit form from Cabelas and somewhere else

kempfgunshop.com is where I found the best deal on the kit. You'll appreciate the turret press for handgun ammo. It's very easy to learn on as well.
https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=630&category_id=190&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41