new to reloading is this Lee kit a good deal??

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K_Dubbya

K_Dubbya

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http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1228701352.5599=/html/catalog/anivers.html

hello,

i have been wanting to get into reloading for some time and with Christmas coming up what not a better time? i would like to reload for my .223 or 5.56, 8mm mauser, .303, 7.62x 54r, and for my pistol round a .40 s&w i read the forum post for new reloaders and i plan on getting both the ABC's of reloading and metallic cartridge reloading. is there anything i should know before attempting to get started ammo is getting just too expensive so i intend to remedy the problem. Thanks for any help.

Hans
 
It's ok. The press, dies, and priming tools are keepers, but other pieces can be upgraded for better quality. The powder dipper was the first thing to be replaced with a powder measure. Second, I replaced the scale with an RCBS 505.

You will also want to get a tool for trimming the cases, cleaning the primer pockets, and a tray to hold the cases while you load them. I went with the Lyman trimmer, RCBS Trim Mate for cleaning the primer pocket and deburing after trimming, and MTS loading trays. I also updated the priming system to the Lee Autoprime II and still have thoughts on purchasing a handheld priming tool.

Over time I also invested in a case tumbler and media separater. Having clean cases makes it easier to find flaws in them when reloading. And having pretty cases makes me feel better too!:)

Just a few thoughts from someone who started with the Aniversery kit.
 
awesome thanks, are there any good step by step books out there for reloading as i will be doing this by myself. i dont know anyone with experience.

Hans
 
Hans, keep researching before you buy. There's plenty of great info to be had from a lot of "loaders" with plenty of experience. Experience= hindsight. Lurking will give you a lot of info. That's how I got started. I lurked, afraid to ask stupid questions. Just lurked. A lot of answers came my way without typing a single byte! A single stage was my first thought as you learn each step by repetition. But after all was said and done, I moved to a semi-progressive before I purchased. It will build rounds faster but can still be used as a single-stage if and when you care to. And change-out from one caliber to another is quick and easy. A four-hole turret press, like the Lee Classic Turret Press can be bought for a very good price in kit form from a number of places. I found what I was looking for at Kempf Gun Shop; I found them listed along with a number of other reputable vendors on the Lee Precision site. I chose Kempf because they had everything I wanted without having to wait for backordered items. I've been loading with it since Jan. 08 and have built a lot of 45acp and 380 rounds with it. I am looking to expand to another caliber shortly. The beauty of the turret is all I will need is another 4-hole turret ($10) and a set of carbide dies ($31). Good luck in your lurking, researching and purchasing. I hope you will let us know how you fare. Happy Holidays!
 
Hans1944, A current Speer Reloading manual is an excellant manual for a reloader. Also, the NRA Guide to Reloading is informitive, in my opinion.
 
The kit you linked to is a good sturdy press, and you can load just about anything with it. You will need to buy dies for your individual calibers.
I have a lot of Lee reloading equipment, and have no complaints about it. (I have RCBS stuff too, and no complaints about it, either!)

Have a look at the Lee turret press before you decide. I also have one of them, along with the single stage type you are looking at. I use the single stage the most, but the turret press makes changing calibers very quick. I believe the turret press can be converted to a full progressive when you're ready for that kind of thing. I used a Lee Pro 1000 when I shot NRA pistol matches, which is basically the turret press with an auto shell advance and feed. Still have it, and loaded great gobs of pistol ammo with it. Never wore it out.

Most reloading manuals have a good instructional section. Get a few of them when you have the extra money. Actually, the more you can afford, the better. You definitely need at least one to start with.
 
+2

"It's ok. The press, dies, and priming tools are keepers, but other pieces can be upgraded for better quality. The powder dipper was the first thing to be replaced with a powder measure. Second, I replaced the scale with an RCBS 505."

Allow me to second that opinion. The Lee presses and dies are great, while the Lee accessories are fairly basic. The kit will do adequately for your rifle shooting. For accuracy you'll probably want better powder metering and measuring.

If you plan on shooting a lot of handgun (~500+ per month), the single stage press may seem slow after several months.
 
+1 turret, i can load up 100+/hr using it only for seating/crimp and flaring mouth.... im still using my "calibrated" dippers for powder, hand priming and using a lee single stage press to resize/de-prime. if you do go for the single...go in batches ex,- deprime/size 50,change die, prime 50, flare/powder charge 50, change die, seat/crimp 50, etc...
 
I just started loading myself, and I have asked PLENTY of stupid questions on here. So don't be scared to ask. I have more stupid questions coming.
 
Most any of the Lee equipment can be had for much less than their website pricing. Ebay, Midway, Cabela's, etc.

The turret is a worthwhile upgrade for a beginning loader - it saves some of the tedious steps needed with a one holer press but will not interfere with developing safe loading habits.
 
I started out with that Lee kit and I'm glad I did! It helped me learn everything I needed to get into reloading. And you can always use the extra single press later on.
 
The kit you provided the link to if just fine! The "breechblock" feature is a real time-saving innovation that...as far as I know...is shared only by the Hornady Lock-N-Load presses. Each die is screwed into a removable locking collet in the toolhead...once you adjust the die, you don't have to do it again...simply remove the collet with a quarter of a turn, and store it with die mounted for the next use...slip it into the press head, turn a quarter turn to lock, and start loading. Makes it extremely fast to set up next time.

The kit includes a Lee case-trimming cutter and lock stud...another innovation, and the least expensive means of trimming cases...can be used either by hand or power drill. All you need for each cartridge you want to trim is the stem and case holder...only $4/cartridge. It's so simple and accurate that I now use that for trimming most of my cases instead of my Forsters.

I've found the Lee die sets to be of excellent quality, and the case holder is included free...an added purchase item for other makes of dies.
 
thanks to everyone who helped out i appreciate it and i should be chucking out rounds really soon.

Hans
 
I have the same thing igot rid of the scale do to it was terrible at keepin it set.replaced it with a better scale as for the rest of it works for what i do
 
Doc2005, I started with one of those 30+ years ago and still use it today.
As a matter of fact I got another for my Nagant.
I did get a press sometime later on. (Lee)
 
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