New to reloading, is $1795 a good price to start?

[GW Staar]

I think instead of going the dillon route, by buying the single stage and the progressive I will learn more. Like I said, I am just in a place right now where I have the funds. If I did not have the funds I would not of gone all out. I went to cabela's and bought some media, bullet cases, and a set of dies that natchez did not have in stock and I still dropped about $100. I am sure if I just started with one caliber, instead of 3, it would of been cheaper. Oh well, either I will learn from my mistake or I will be happy, only time will tell.

I realize this is the internet and not everything is as it is said, but it really offends me when someone questions my honesty about what I did or did not do.

In an internet world, there's no shortage of information. Unfortunately, we have to wade through it all and make a judgment call on what's good info and what's not. I don't think most people intend to offend, but some don't edit long enough to notice that they didn't word things too good.

I think you're going to like what you ordered just fine. These days nearly all of the equipment for sale is good.

When I started out 40 years ago, there was no internet. For that matter there was no progressives in the main stream. Dillon was just getting started with a pretty crude machine (by today's standards). I bought a Rock Chucker Kit (similar to the ones they sell now), a Forster Trimmer, and went to work learning how to reload by studying the Speer Reloading Manual, and a little 12 page "Reloading Handbook" from RCBS. I did just fine, and didn't hurt myself or any of my guns. I expect you will do the same. The "printed word", will be your "bible" for many years. Rely on it more than what you get info-wise here. This forum IS good to help you with stuff that remains "foggy", or if and when the process gives unexpected results. I've never read, "ABC's...", but I hear it's a good basic "bible".

The best advice I can give you, is to pay attention to the details, and never force anything. If a case, or primer, or bullet doesn't do what you want it to smoothly, then something's wrong. Go back an analyze the instructions.

You did good getting a single stage too...as it is extremely handy when reloading rifle...even if you are trying to do it progressively.

Where loading pistol cases can be done completely progressively, loading bottleneck rifle cases, progressively, requires other steps off press to prep the cases. That's where the single stage is handiest.

If you are going to load for an AR or other semiauto military rifle please read THIS.
(also found in Sierra's Reloading Manual)

Relax, don't let anybody scare you, though knowledge is power and will keep you safe, still, it's not rocket science. Have fun!

P.S. I now enjoy an RCBS Pro-2000 progressive....and my 40-year-old Rockchucker is still used as part of every rifle reloading session.

 

[WV_Vizsla]

Hey Gasitman
Look for private message

Enjoy your LNL This forum has some great loaders with vast LNL experience.
Look for solutions in the search... walkalong has most likely solved it before!

Not everyone drinks the blue kool-aid, but I did taste a 550 for a summer.

 

[warnerwh]

Just ask questions and remember there is no such thing as a stupid question. Be sure to read a manual a couple of times before you do anything and above all be exactly sure of what you are doing. You can learn here or come up with your own system to load ammo. I think Skeeter Skelton said to always leave the powder you are using on the bench and NO other powder which are a couple of good ideas imo. I also leave a primer box there too. You will learn to enjoy it maybe as much as shooting like I do. Some guys enjoy it more than shooting. Best wishes on turning out very accurate ammo. It is easier than you think.

 

[Gasitman]

The LNL arrived today, but because of the heat I still have not built my bench. I am hoping to do it this weekend. The single stage and all the items from natchez have not shown up yet either. I hope they get here soon, so I can start. I want to wait on the progressive until I get a few on the single stage done correctly.

The LNL has a dvd in it, I am going to watch it right now.

 

[ny32182]

Deciding to keep the LNL in the box is the best decision you have made so far...

There are two major separate topics you need to learn about:

1) How ammo works.
2) How your elected progressive machine works.

Both are more complicated than you realize now, and even if you are an intelligent and mechanically inclined individual, it is much easier and safer to learn about them sequentially rather than at the same time. The single stage or turret is simple enough so that you can concentrate 95% of your efforts into #1 at first. After you've got a good handle on #1, you will be ready to move on to #2. Plus as other people mentioned, you will still need the single stage for small batches and rifle sizing.

For me, I went with a turret (Redding T7) out of the gate about 2.5 years ago. My initial investment in the press and some quality accessories was about 750. I've since learned about ammo, decided I like loading, know what I will want in terms of volume production ability, and will be getting a progressive to meet my goals soon. Realistically I could have done it sooner, but am just now getting into shooting high volume that requires a progressive. I've got no regrets about this process and, of course, intend to keep the Redding turret for all the operations that are best performed on non-progressive machine.

 

[Gasitman]

Sorry for the crappy pic. This is for the guys who thought no one could spend so much money. LOL

I still do not have my box from Natcheez, but the progressive, single stage, and table is built. I need to get some type of organization down. $1795 was pretty dam accurate. However I have 500 new brass for 45 auto, 10mm and .223 plus 1000 bullets for each caliber. Not to mention media, storage boxes, chamfers, etc. I think I have close to $2000 in it so far

 

[grubbylabs]

Nice looking set up, I would make the bench a little longer but other wise it sounds like you spent your money well. Good luck with your new hobby.

 

[Walkalong]

You will want some bracing on those legs. A bottom "shelf" supported by 2X4's all around will make it much steadier.

 

[Gasitman]

You will want some bracing on those legs. A bottom "shelf" supported by 2X4's all around will make it much steadier.

I guess you can not see it, but there is a bottom shelf. I plan to anchor it to the wall, I just hope the 3/4" plywood holds up to the press.

 

[WV_Vizsla]

Might want to add a Second 3/4 layer on top, glued and screwed. Or an under scab board where the LNL and Lee bolts through. Any wiggle is bad. Bolting to the wall and a load on the bottom shelf help. Poly coat the top to make it pretty and keep the oil out.

My seventh bench will be built to never be moved again by me.

 

[HighExpert]

You could get into a Dillon 550B for less than the grand. Mine has load thousands of rounds of quality ammo. I might be just a little slower than a 650 but not much. Filling primer tubes slows you down anyway.

 

[davidatcs]

Get a dillon 550.

 

[Gryffydd]

Get a dillon 550

Typical Blue Koolaid response--firing off with "Get a Dillon" regardless of whether it's even relevant or appropriate.

 

[WV_Vizsla]

The OP has already stepped to the red by purchasing a Lee single stage and Hornady progressive. Any spent his money wisely. You can always trade up or down later. I expect to find a few yard sale priced LNL, 550 and 650 in a year or two and will add more red to my bench then.

 

[Lee Roder]

Over $1500 is too rich for my blood. A Lee hand press will set you back $20 or so. Add a set of dies and see if reloading works for you. If so, then take the plunge. While I've sold a lot of stuff I bought believing it "useful" (and you likely will too), this little press is among my keepers "just in case".