new to reloading

[bigcim]

I know that you guys probably had this question a million times before. I want to buy a reloading set and I already took the advise of getting a book and reading it.Im looking in cabelas to make my purchace just becuase it was easy to see choices. What do you think would be better the rcbs starter kit $249 or the Lyman starter kit $279the lyman seems to have 6 threaded holes on top of it. I dont know the quality of the brands. Its mostly going to be for my rifles 7mm rem mag and 338 win mag. So i think a single stage would be better. I have also have a 45acp and a 357.
thank you

 

[cloudcroft]

Either of those kits would do fine. The Lyman turret press would be slightly faster due to the 6-hole die setup. But both are quality.

Actually, ANY American branded reloading equipment company makes quality stuff...especially the older ones no longer in business, their presses and such you can still find here and there. Lee is at the lower-end of the quality market in terms of materials used (and it's products are therefore cheaper) but it works and lots of people buy their stuff. I do, too.

I think the Lee Classic Turret Press (use it as a single-stage or a semi-progressive) would be more than suitable...then, just add the other items you'll need to it and make up your own "kit."

Don't know much about Cabelas because I order from Midway mostly...partly because the latter is usually cheaper, they ship promptly and any problems are taken care of promptly. I'm sure Cabelas is the same except for the price issue.

-- John D.

P.S. If you haven't already, read this: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

While those two kits would probably do fine to start with, you'd probably save a good bit of money by shopping around. Also, when you buy in kit form, you often get things you don't need or things that don't do the job all that well, so you end up with stuff you don't want and can't use.

For example, the case lubricator pad that comes with RCBS kits has just about the nastiest lube you could imagine using. It's about like STP motor oil treatment. You'd be much better off using Imperial sizing die wax or Hornady One shot or a variety of other products, but that's what you got in the kit.

So were I you, I'd go the slightly more time consuming route and buy individual items. You will find you'll end up being more satisfied overall and I agree totally with what cloudcraft is saying about the Lee Classic cast turret along with making up your own kit. When you order from a company where you select individual items, it arrives as a "kit" at your house, since it's shippped together. Just make sure it's in stock when you order.

Regards and welcome to the boards,

Dave

 

[JMB]

Shop around

Save yourself some money and check out Midway, Mid-South Shooters Supply, Graf & Sons, and Natchez. Cabelas is a bit pricey on reloading supplies in their catalog. And the last time I was in their Dundee, MI location I had more powder at home then they did in their powder locker.
Can't go wrong with either Lyman or RCBS. If you're going to be loading more than one caliber on a regular basis you may want to get the turret press. That way once you have your dies set-up for a certain load you can leave them set and just change out the turret head. So you might want to buy an extra turret head for your other caliber. This is the advantage of a turret press over a single stage press.
I have also found the spray on lube to be easier then any of the others.

 

[DogBonz]

Shop around

Being new to reloading myself, I can under stand what you are saying about Cabelas being easy. You can see everything in nice big pictures. But definitely shop around I think that midway has some of the best prices, but the dies that I needed were more expensive there, so do a little homework, and it will save you some cash.

 

[P0832177]

I would highly recommend that you makea list and contact John Walton at www.gunstop.com. He is great guy to deal with.

 

[YoPedro]

Any kit will do.

When I got into bullseye pistol, I bought a used 1911 target gun for $750 to see if it was something I wanted to do. 18 months later I coughed up $4400 for a primo ride. I approached reloading the same way. I shopped around and found a complete rig for $150. Less than a year later I spent over $1000 on a progressive ammo factory and I've never been happier. I sold the original set up for $150, because I wanted the next reloader to have the same experience. You've got to shop smart though, and good used reloading equipment is a rare find. Also, many used systems are way over priced.

Any kit you buy new is going to be great. Reloaders are like typical car enthusiast; Mopar is better than Chevrolet is better than Ford, (they're all better than the alternatives)! But let's be realistice, how long will a company stay in business turning out bad products? In our modern world of instant feedback via the internet, inferior products have very little chance.

As for getting too much unneeded crap with a kit? Who cares? Sell it on Ebay!

 

[bigcim]

The Lyman is a single stage right? I don't know what the 6 holes on top is for. Some one told me to get a single stage because progressives have a hard time when your resizing the whole case don't know how true that is. I appreciate the tips guys especially where to buy cheaper units thanks.

 

[benedict1]

Lee Classic Turret Press and another possible supplier

If you want some personal attention and good advice try Kempf's Gun Shop--they are a Lee dealer and their website is linked to Lee's

http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products/reloading/leeprecision/index.html

Their prices are pretty close to Midway's and their shipping and handling is very reasonable.

Sue Kempf knows all there is to know about reloading and helps people get started all the time. She will not try to sell you something you don't need.

Go for the Lee Classic Turret Press--you will not regret it. It was my first press 6 months ago and I love it. Sue helped me pick out everything I needed and steered me away from some things that I didn't need.

I now load 5 calibers for pistol on it and a Lee Load Master. I saved big $$ by not going with other vendors and got quality, easy-to-use and easy to set up gear.

 

[bigcim]

The Lyman is a single stage right? I don't know what the 6 holes on top is for. Some one told me to get a single stage because progressives have a hard time when your resizing the whole case don't know how true that is.

 

[JJE]

These are all single stage presses. Turret presses are single stage presses that let you mount a bunch of dies at the same time, then just turn to the die you want. With a basic single stage, you have to screw each die in and out every time you want to do a different step. I think a turret is a big time-saver. RCBS makes a 6-station turret kit, too - that's what I have. Some turrets have 4 die stations, others have 6.

 

[bigcim]

cabelas was cheaper than midway for the lyman t-mag expert kit press, plus the cabelas kit comes with a digital scale

 

[bigcim]

and a trimmer

 

[shadowalker]

Keep an eye on Ebay as well, I got a new RCBS scale for 1/3 normal the normal retail price.

 

[bigcim]

I found some to sell me a lyman starter kit still in box never used for $100 should I get it