New to reloading and some questions

[Averageman]

My freind and I spend a lot of time shooting and it is to the point where it would be cost effective for us to go in on a reloading set up that we can share the expense on.
Looking to reload rifle and pistol ammo.
Whats the best set up for each?
Thanks for the sticky's above, thats helping alot.

 

[medalguy]

There is no "best" setup. There's personal preference and that varies. You need to research each line (red, green, blue) and decide for yourself which works best for you.

I would highly recommend starting with a single stage press until you get very familiar with the process and why each stage is done the way it is. Only after you're very comfortable and really need the volume should you look into progressive or turret presses. They load a lot of ammo quickly, but they create a lot of unsafe ammo very quickly that needs to be torn apart as well.

I'd also recommend reading a lot before buying anything. The ABC's of Reloading is a good place to start, then move on to several good manuals, probably put out by the manufacturer of the bullets you want to load. And ask questions here. If you've read the stickys that's a good start.

 

[David Wile]

Hey Averageman,

I agree completely with Medalguy. Just to emphasize the idea of starting with a single stage press, I would like to point out that one can always have a need to do things on a single stage press even if they have also added a progressive press. Never get rid of your single stage press. Some reloading jobs are just not done well on a progressive. Have fun.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[David Wile]

Hey Averageman,

One more thing - I would highly recommend getting a recent edition of the Lyman Reloading Manual and start reading it from the front of the book. There is a wealth of information in it. I have a bunch of reloading manuals, but I really think the Lyman manual is the best "first" manual for new reloaders. Medalguy mentioned the ABCs of Reloading, and I think it would be my suggestion for the new reloader's second manual.

Best wishes,
Dave Wile

 

[Averageman]

Hmmmmmm, okay.
Since there are two of us and generally the price of a single stage is cheaper two might be nice.
I will pick up the ABC's tomorrow.
Thanks.

 

[ImjinScout]

Just another thought here, you may just want to buy a progressive press to start with, if you plan on loading in volume. Good advice on what the others have said, but you can use the progressive just like a single stage until you are ready to move a little faster.

 

[Nutbustd]

Averageman, Do you have someone you know who is knowlegable in reloading? My son and I spent many hours with a very experinced reloader and got the basics down pretty good. Then after trying various equipment so forth we started to buy what we liked. Started with a single, worked up. We started to get our manuals, gear, supplies and set it up the way we liked. Every reloader's bench is different and suited to their needs. You will do the same. But having someone knowledgeable really helps. Use the High Road, there is an ocean of great reloaders here who can answer about ANY question you post. When you are starting to produce your ammo post some picts. Welcome to reloading, It is a great hobby.

 

[mdub]

I'm in the same boat. Want to get started. I am reading the abc's of reloading now.

Is the lee hand press kit worth looking into?

 

[rcmodel]

No.

Buy a good, big bench mounted press & dies.

The Lee hand press will wear you a new one resizing bottleneck rifle brass.
And it's too small to be convenient to use, even for handgun calibers.

rc

 

[accrhodes]

I agree with rc.

Do not buy the hand press - you will not enjoy reloading. If you are on a budget the lee cast turret press is a very nice press for the money.

Personally for single stage stuff I'm a fan of RCBS and Redding.

Its all a matter of personal prefrence.

 

[jfdavis58]

Reading is just part of the solution. The real crux of making any press work is reading and following the instructions--all of them. If you are the type to read AND FOLLOW instructions then any press will do.

Check with the major manufacturers (web sites), grab the manuals for the machines of interest and have at it. Start with the unit that has the best instruction set for your abilities. Buy everything you need for basic operations and sink any remaining money into a strong sturdy work bench and good lighting.

I started with a progressive and now have a dozen or so. Along the way I acquired several single stage presses for good measure. There are all the amenities as well and three large benches surrounding two big tables. The most cared-for and cherished items: a big notebook full of manuals, an even bigger notebook full of 35 years of load data and notes.

 

[J_McLeod]

If you shoot a lot, buy a turret or a progressive. Or better yet, get both. For economy get a Lee classic turret. I agree with the others that say don't get the hand. I started with a single stage and got a turret after 100 rounds.

 

[James2]

My freind and I spend a lot of time shooting

In looking to start reloading, I would look first at how much ammo a week you are needing. It is much easier and quicker to shoot them than reload them. Do you have the additional time required to load them too? Loading 200 a week is pretty easy with a single stage press in your spare time, but if you need more than that, you might want to look into a progressive. I am still loading with a single stage and liking it, but I don't shoot as much as some of the others on the forum.

 

[Blue68f100]

Don't over look the progressives if you will be shooting ammo in volume. SS are good to learn on but Progressive can be operated as a SS. With a SS your output will be around 60-100/hr max depending on whether it's for rifle or pistol. A progressive will produce 1 round/stroke once the stations are full. 300-600+/hr. You need to figure how much free time you have to reload. If your spending all of your free time loading it no longer becomes fun, it a 2nd Full time job.

 

[kingmt]

You didn't say how much of what cal you shoot. I prefer to load rifle on a SS but handgun forget it. i bought a Pro1000 & as soon as I got it I wished I'd bought the Loadmaster. As said above a progressive can be used to load one at a time & will teach you more then a SS because one is like eating a apple to see what a orange taste like.

 

[4895]

With two of you loading, a couple of single stage LEE presses might work out just fine.

 

[budiceman]

With 2 of you get both, single stage and progressive! I've got both and use both!

 

[Lost Sheep]

Help us help you.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for asking our advice.

Tell us something about yourselves and we can be more helpful.

My freind and I spend a lot of time shooting and it is to the point where it would be cost effective for us to go in on a reloading set up that we can share the expense on.
Looking to reload rifle and pistol ammo.
Whats the best set up for each?
Thanks for the sticky's above, thats helping alot.

How much will you be reloading per month and how often will the sessions be?

What calibers/chamberings?

What is the distance between your home (and where would you be loading) and where will the gear be stowed?

What are your shooting goals? Supreme accuracy at long distance? Casual plinking?

Buying one press at a time is probably a good way to go. If you find you don't like the way it works (doesn't match your style, for example) you can get a different press for the second one. But, in the interest of no hard feelings between you, decide who gets the "lemon" before you buy it.

Lost Sheep

 

[benzuncle]

My freind and I spend a lot of time shooting...

Some are suggesting you begin with a single stage press. A single stage press will teach you how the process works. But as you mentioned a lot of time shooting, that implies a lot of rounds. For that reason I would recommend you consider the Lee Classic Turret Press. You can begin using it as a single stage press if you so choose but can increase your production whenever you decided you are ready. I personally skipped the single stage press and began with the Classic and have zero regrets. There is a lot of help available on the forums, plus videos on You Tube that will help you. Regardless. You will find satisfied loaders for all makes and models of reloading equipment. Lurking on this forum will be of great value to you. Good luck in your research and decision.

 

[wingman]

I suggest you both purchase a turret type press and share knowledge the community tool idea usually does not work. The turret is simple easy to learn more versatile then the single stage.Read manuals, take each step slowly,load only a few rounds at the beginning perhaps no more then 10. Don't let a sales person talk you into more equipment then you need, go with basic required tools and then add as you learn.

Usually a new reloader will select poor components to start so best to purchase those in small quantities, powder, bullets, primers.

Once you get the hang of it and if you enjoy it becomes another part of the sport of shooting then your hooked buying more stuff and you need more benches to put your stuff, etc.

 

[RandyP]

+1 on the Lee CLASSIC (not Deluxe) 4-hole turret. Figure 150-175 rounds per hour output at a relaxed but still diligent pace. IMHO it is the best bang for the buck going in reloading.

HOWEVER...... the smartest money is spent on reloading hardware that matches your realistic ammo needs and of course your budget. If you are going to be shooting 1000 rounds per week? A single stage (50-75 rounds per hour) or turret press will require you to spend some hours at the bench to keep up. Not that that is a bad thing -= reloading is a fun hobby. But, high volume shooters will most always use a progressive, with Dillon being the Caddy of the lines, carrying a matching price tag.

 

[Win1892]

I bought a RCBS Ammomaster to load 50BMG. That is the first round I ever loaded. I load all rifle ammo on it. I have since acquired a RCBS Partner press and later added a Dillon 650. I use them all.

If I did not load 50BMG I would have bought a Turret press. I would buy the Redding, but it is expensive.

Before buying a lesser press, consider this...presses last a lifetime.