I was pondering the myriad choices in reloading equipment the other night and made a decision. I am going to start with a Lee Classic Loader in .45 ACP. I am going to start slow and learn every step slowly and completely before I buy a more automated system. I am going to reload for 3 reasons...1. I love everything firearms related 2. It will be a great hobby giving me a chance to have some alone time 3. Make shooting a little more cost effective. I know I really won't save any money but I think I can make a more accurate bullet because I have all the time in the world.
Starting slow and learning every step is the smart thing.
While I don't want to second guess your decision about the Lee Loader but I will anyway because I think a press will serve you better. Though either will let you learn the steps, the press lets you see very closely how it is loaded and with conditions even more controlled than with the Lee Loader.
The mallet driven tool requires you have a sturdy work surface and be away from other people who will be annoyed by the hammering. The hand press can be operated quietly seated in front of a card table. (Though, the scale I recommend needs to be on a more stable surface.)
The Lee Loader is perfectly adequate and probably as fast as the Hand Press. And is an investment commensurate with 20-40 rounds . For about $25 more, you can have a much quieter tool that is not unnerving to onlookers waiting for the explosion (said explosion is virtually impossible, but EVERYONE thinks about it - probably from watching old cartoons).
Check out these videos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-LA2G_Sy4I Lee Loader
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6IoNCtFHwUhttp: Lee Hand Press the Lube is convenient, as is the funnel, but neither is necessary.
The continuum of convenience and speed goes up from there
If your shooting goes up past 50 rounds at a session, you might find yourself thinking a press actually mounted on a tabletop would be convenient. It is. And faster than either the Lee Loader or Hand Press. But the price starts to climb past $100. Maybe up to $200. But that is barely 7-10 boxes of ammunition.
Lee makes a $30 single stage press that is an EXTREMELY basic setup, but the Challenger or Classic Cast single stage will last your lifetime.
If you want more speed, a Turret press and some accessories will get you up to 100-200 rounds per hour rather than the 30-50 available with the simpler tools. But the bench-mounted single stage press or the turret is no more complex in operation than the hand press. You are looking at $250 for the setup.
If you still want MORE speed, a progressive press can give you 100 to 1,000 rounds per hour. But they are more complex and will cost you some serious money. $200 to $1,000
Food for thought.
Lost Sheep
