NEW AT RELOADING

[JP1954]

I want to start reloading....I have a 30-06, 45acp, 9mm, 7.62 x 54R, and a 12 gauge. I was just at a site that offers Lee reload kits for under $ 14.00 each. They claim each kit contains everything needed to load a specific size. In my case I would need 4 kits. I would appreciate hearing from an experienced reloader or five as to if I should go this route or consider something else. I have a shotgun reloader already.

 

[hagar]

If you are talking about the kits you pound with a hammer, don't go that way. Get a Lee hand press, proper dies, a Lee hand primer, a good scale, Lee powder measure, Lee case trimmer, RCBS deburring tool and powder funnel, and you are set to start reloading for less than $150.

 

[Grumulkin]

The Lee Loader, as it's called actually works but it's a bit slow. If all you do is want to load up 20 cartridges on occasion it should be OK for you. It's what I used to start reloading for a 7X57 Mauser when I was in high school. A real press and dies doesn't cost that much more though.

The Lee Loader doesn't come with a case trimmer. If you decide to use one, make sure the cases you load are at or below the maximum allowable length.

 

[JP1954]

Thanks for the input......Btw...I have an old Mec 600 jr shotgun shell reloader that has never been used...Can it be put to any use on rifle/pistol ammo?...My guess is no but I thought I would ask....Thanks

 

[SASS#23149]

;your shotgun press is strictly for shotgun.
How much ammo are you needing to load? the Lee Loaders are as slow as u can possibly get,equipment wise.

 

[DWARREN123]

If you are not going to reload extremly large amounts may I suggest the Lee Anniversary Kit. I have one for 357 mag and 32 mag, good deal for the amounts I reload.
The first thing to do is get some (more than one) reloading manuals. I like the ABC's of reloading, and read them then reread them, it will give you a good starting point.

 

[scrat]

i have a lee classic loader. its a really good kit. you can get them and start reloading i am attaching a link so you can see how it works. At the same time though you need to get the lee modern reloading manual and do some reading. As you can reload the shells once or twice max. then you are going to have to get some calipers. This is important because every time you shoot the cases get longer once they are sized. So eventually like all of us you will have to get some calipers to measure then trim tools and primer cleaning tools. So its best to get the manual to understand what is needed. any how here is the link. Watch it, you will see loading is no big deal, and you dont beat the heck out of the bullet with a hammer.

EVERY PERSON that says you beat the heck out of the bullet with a hammer has no idea how to use a lee loader. Chances are they have never seen one or used one. I HAVE you do not do that. So do not listen to these people. ONe thing for sure though. it is easier to get a small press and a set of dies. however the lee classic loader is one of the best ways to getting into reloading.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bctwbQgjjLo

 

[The Bushmaster]

If you get the Lee kit make sure it is the one with the "O" press. The "C" press is not strong enough to resize/decap .30-06 cases or any other rifle case...

 

[Matt Dillon]

The first thing you need to do is thoroughly understand the process for reloading metallic cartridges. This is a great hobby, but one that does require a good bit of reading before you start out. Go to your library, get the book "The ABCs of reloading" and/or any other reloading manuals you can find, read ALL that you can from other reloading manuals and on-line, and only then begin to consider equipment.
I started very much on a budget; my first press was the Lee C press, and although it turned out some pretty good handgun cartridges, my advice for you would be to purchase Lee's Classic Cast press. I have used Lee's C press, their O press, and now the Classic Cast press, and you cannot compare the latter to the former two. The Lee Classic Cast press will allow you to load up to .50 BMG; is massive, will probably outlast you, and only costs a few dollars more than the other presses.
This is a hobby where you can be penny wise and pound foolish (is that how the saying goes?), buy a bunch of stuff that you don't need, and waste time and energy that could be better put to use making great ammo.
You need a good scale, (I recommend the Ohaus/RCBS 10/10) and when you get one, make sure you get a set of charge weights with which to calibrate it.
I'm sure that others will chime in, but please start out by reading as much as you possibly can, there are many on this board that will be able to help and answer your questions!

 

[KodeFore]

I just got started reloading, I'm sure I have a lot to learn but I mayby my experience getting started can be helpful to you.

In my opinion, the first thing you should invest in before buying any loading equipment at all is the Richard Lee Modern Reloading 2nd edition. I thought this was just a book of load data, but it actually has about 10 chapters of useful reloading information. It does read a little like a comercial for Lee Products. It covers what they offer and how it works and that can be useful to choose the setup you want. Don't overlook other good books like the ones mentioned in the beginners post at the top.

I started with a lee classic loader in 45acp. Honestly it is not really practical to get a lee loader in a pistol caliber. I chose this one because my least favorite gun is a llama 1911 and I figured if I was going to mess something up with reloads, it might as well be that one, and I wanted to "test the waters" without much of an investment. The lee classic loader is slow and awkward, but it does work, and it is neat to have a pocket sized reloading kit. ( You can easily put the lee loader in a pocket, but if you want to include the necesary hammer and components, that turns into a small tool box ) A Lee classic loader makes sence for reloading rifle rounds if it is something you don't need to crank out a lot of ammo for.

My goal for reloading was to get a set up to crank out inexensive plinking ammo for my 38/357. First, when I read the "One pull of the lever cranks out one bullet" I was really excited about getting a Lee PRO 1000. I changed my mind when I read the customer reviews at Midway.com To sum things up, most people seem to think its a great deal for the money, but getting it and running requires some tricks and tweaking, the more expensive Loadmaster Pro has even worse ratings. If decide to move on too a progressive, I think it will be Dillion or rcbs. Next I decided the Lee anniverary kit was the way to go, when I called the dealer, I let them talk me into a 4 hole turret press. I am glad they did. I don't suppse there is anything wrong with the anniversary kit, but the turret press kit doesnt cost much more, works alot faster and can easily be used as a single stage press if you want to. ( you can see it in action at the LEE website ( I after using up my first hundred bullets loading up, I took off the auto index in a few seconds so now I can continue to deprime, resize and reprime until I get some more bullets )

a final note, if you go with the turret press, make sure to get the auto prime kit for it, its easy to put on and works great. I am NOT happy with the Lee Scale, it only goes up to 110, the tenths are very hard to read, and as far as I can tell, its about 4 tenths of a grain off. Next gun show I am hoping I can trade it off on a set of dies or something useful. It came with the kit so I am kinda stuck with it.

 

[Davo]

The lee loaders work but are tedious, I keep each one and its components in its own .30 cal ammo can, works well.
The lee hand press is less tedious and turns out great ammo. I use it because its portable and takes up little room.
If you are going to load more or have the room get a single stage press, they work well.