Newbie at Reloading

[njsportsman]

Need a little help. Want to start reloading and want to get started the most economical way. Don't have a lot of money to get started but know it can be done for pretty cheap. The question is can it be done done with a few dollars and withou the expensive presses? I have been looking at some of the LEE presses. LEE seems to be the way to go if you are me and have small dollars. You can buy a single press for lees than a $100 less dyes http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=423081 or you could go with a turret press with maybe about another $100 with of dyes and accessories http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=622290 then there is a progression set whicch woud also need about another $100 http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=236243 I am leaning towards the turret press I believe I can do it all for about $250 and be ready to go. thanks all recomendations welcome

 

[Walkalong]

Hard to beat a Lee Turret Press Kit to start reloading. Can't go wrong there.

Welcome to THR.

 

[oneounceload]

Look for USED equipment and make your dollar go further

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, njsportsman.

You are on the right track, and contrary to some, you do not have to spend a thousand dollars to get good accurate equipment to reload. I have many brands of dies, and I find that Lee dies are well made, and I have never had an issue with Lee equipment.
Feel free to ask questions.



NCsmitty

 

[billybob44]

Look for USED equipment and make your dollar go further

^^^+1. Also if you can get RCBS tools, they will provide 110% positive customer support. Most Lee products only have a 2 year warranty.
I'm NOT going to start the old war but I like RCBS tools better than Lee....

 

[Doc Savage]

I started about a year ago. Lee pricing and simplicity drove me to them. I've been impressed with most of their stuff. I'm still real basic. Started with the classic loader (save your money, just take the next step). I'm using the hand press and really like that for what I do. I can sit mindlessly at the TV and deprime/size my brass. Do the same while useing the hand primer to prime. However I NEVER load powder and bullets while doing anything else. I tend to do things and batches and that works of me.

Robert

 

[1SOW]

As Walkalong said, for price, it's hard to beat a Lee Turret Pess Kit. The kit comes with most everything you need (including carbide dies) to get started except for a digital caliper.


Look for it on sale -- less than $150

Used is another good option that often includes bonus equipment no longer needed.

 

[azyogi]

The Lee Classic hand loader is all you need to start reloading Midway has them for $22 later add a scale and dial calipers, but for a start you can't beat $22. Ohh get a good mallet, I like the plastic ones with shot inside to dampen the impact. Now you're at $30. Get one for your caliber read the instructions for what weight bullet and type powder, you still have $70 for primers, powder and bullets. I started 9mm with one now i have an O-ring type, a turret, and a progressive. I still keep the Classic in a B.O.B.

 

[RealGun]

The Lee Classic, which really denotes cast iron, is nice but is not a necessary premium for just pistol cartridges. The "Deluxe" in cast aluminum has a nice finish and works fine. It is available both three hole and four hole turret.

Primer collection is way better on the classic but is questionable as being the sole reason to pay that much extra. There are some pretty neat tricks to greatly improve spent primer retention on the Deluxe. You have cast aluminum and cast iron choices in both single stage and turret. Without a need for loading large rifle rounds, aluminum would be fine (and cheaper) on both.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Getting started...

NJ Sportsman--Good on you getting into reloading! It's a nice addition to the shooting hobby!

You have asked about acquiring equipment, but have not mentioned something even more basic--Knowledge!

If you don't have it yet, get a copy of The ABC's of Reloading put out by Krause Publishing, www.krause.com You can order it direct from them, or get it @ yr local sptg gds sto, gun sho, or over the I'net. But get it--and READ IT!!--IT covers ALL the basics and goes 'way beyond them; belongs on every reloader's bookshelf, well thumbed, IMHO.

Krause must be doing it right--The book is now in its 8th edition.

Having read The ABC's, you will be in a much better position to know what you must have for equipment, what you want in addition, and what can wait until later in yr reloading career.

The Lee hammer-it-in kit is how many of us got started (here, too!) and it does work. Back in the '60's it was easy to make better ammo than you could buy, with the Lee kit, but the ammo makers' QC has gotten much better over the years. Even so, you could begin there for a relatively small expenditure, and you will produce good ammo, no question. But The ABC's is really where you want to start.

You'll also need a reloading manual, unless you use the Lee kit (with which your choices are severely limited, but pre-set for you, and for Pete's sake follow the recipe!!) My go-to manual is the Lyman's 49th edition. You will eventually acquire a bunch of loading manuals, which is useful for cross-checking when developing a load. There are a number of good manuals out there. But, I say again, start with The ABC's.

Oh, and welcome to The Magnificent Obsession--Reloading!

 

[njsportsman]

Thanks to all and yes I know I need a beginner book. I am probably a month or two away from getting a kit. Right now I am taking my time posting forums like these getting ideas and trying to figure out the right press for the money. Besides the ones in my original post I am also looking at the LEE pro 1000 seems to be ready to go and they give you a set of dies. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=351321 the basic single stage is $91 but, if you add a die set (which the 100 gives you a set with the kit) your at $125. Makes sense to go with the progressive. I do understand I may need about another $50-$75 in tools but, the add says ready to go so, I assume I would be ready to go with .45ACP out of box. One question about the pro 1000 with the kit as is can I reload pistol and rifle. I understand I need to buy additional dies for the calibers but, what else must I do, if anything to load other calibers. Thanks

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr Sportsman -
Welcome to Reloading !

If you enjoy shooting, then you are making the right move. You'll enjoy your shooting hobby 100 times more when you make your own ammo. That's an undisputed fact everyone here can agree on.

I would never dispute that "price" is a product "feature", and for the most part Lee is your best buy for new equipment. I think Lee fills a necessary niche in the industry and I love that their products are American made. However...

• The Pro-1000 was one of Lee's first progressives and IMHO is not one of their better products. For a new reloader, such as yourself, you will probably be confused and befuddled starting out on a progressive. Add to that the elusive reliability of the Pro-1000 and you have the recipe for heartbreak, kicking the dog, and excessive alcohol consumption.

• In your price range, you should not overlook used equipment. Very high-end equipment has been generally available since the 1960's and a lot of this equipment is becoming available as those before you age-out of the hobby. So you might check your local CraigsList for a chance to buy out someone "lock, stock, and barrel" and get all the tools, dies, primers, powder, bullets, reloading manuals, brass, lubes, shell holders, etc, etc, as well as a well-made press, in one low-dollar purchase. That's how you save money.

Just my 2 cents. Hope this helps!

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Starting out on a tight budget, I would get the Lee single stage kit. It comes with everything you need to get started, minus components.
If you load rifle, you'll need to get something to trim the cases, but Lee has you covered there too for about $10.
Welcome aboard.

 

[RealGun]

To do caliber changes on the Pro1000, aside from dies, you will need a shellplate to fit the case heads and the appropriate size primer feed assembly, large or small. You will have received one size with the press when bought setup for one caliber. There are also two sizes of case feeder parts. If you add the bullet feeder, you will need the caliber fitting for that and the tube size. None of it adds up to much money.

My advice, just do the .45 ACP for now. Don't load rifle until you know a lot more about reloading and about equipment options.

 

[oneounceload]

Craig's list, garage sales and the bulletin board at your local gun club are your best bets to find a decent used press and related equipment. I'm also not going to add to a flame war - I have lee dies for one cartridge, but I found their quality to be lacking compared to the ones I have from RCBS, Redding, and Forster. I use a single stage because I want total control over each step - I went the Dillon route a while ago ans was very disappointed with various aspects of the equipment and its performance - most notably in the primer area. However, that being said, whether rifle, pistol or shotgun, the weakest area in any of them always seems to be the primer area.

Progressives ARE nice - once you settle on one load and get it tweaked and watch everything like a hawk and never want to change. I am, however, ALWAYS tweaking something in my loads, and I find the ease of flexibility of a single stage press to override the quantity output of a progressive when it comes to metallic - YMMV

 

[NCsmitty]

I am, however, ALWAYS tweaking something in my loads, and I find the ease of flexibility of a single stage press to override the quantity output of a progressive when it comes to metallic - YMMV

That's what it's all about. In this day of component overload, I'm always trying something different, and you'll find that nothing is as easy to adjust as a single stage setup. I use two simple single stage presses, one for sizing and one for seating the bullet on rifle loads, and find myself wishing for a third press at times. And it's all good.
I'll be loading some 410 shells later on my Mec, while listening to internet bluegrass out of Galax, VA.
To coin a phrase, it doesn't get much better.



NCsmitty

 

[LiveLife]

njsportsman, I have helped many new to reloading start on the Pro 1000, but as posted by many, it is not for everyone.

If you are patient, details oriented and mechanically inclined, it may work for you. If you are impatient, get-a-bigger-hammer and beat it until it moves kind of a guy, it is DEFINITELY not for you.

I do recommend the single stage or the classic turret press for someone new to reloading, but if you are interested, check out these 9 part videos on Pro 1000. The guy on the video really over do it on the disassembly, but does a good job overall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzaPXj4g8D0

 

[ranger335v]

"if you can get RCBS tools, they will provide 110% positive customer support."

True. Problem is, it costs two to three times as much to purchase. That sorta negates the great customer support! And Lee's support isn't shabby at all.

 

[RustyFN]

Primer collection is way better on the classic but is questionable as being the sole reason to pay that much extra.

I wouldn't say the sole reason. The other advantages the classic has over the deluxe are taller for larger rifle calibers, stronger linkage and a larger diameter ram just to name a few. I agree both presses will make great ammo but I would recommend the classic turret if you can afford it. Check out the kit at www.kempfgunshop.com. All you should need to add are calipers and a scale.

 

[qajaq59]

What calber(s) will you be loading? And check with your local library for The ABC's of Loading. Some libraries do have it.

 

[RealGun]

The other advantages the classic has over the deluxe are taller for larger rifle calibers, stronger linkage and a larger diameter ram just to name a few.

I have both and believe getting the cast without any need to load rifle would needlessly extend the lever stroke and ram travel for pistol. It's overkill. Runs nice though, very smooth.

p.s. the reason I have the cast single stage is so it will accept Hornady LnL bushings. In hindsight, the Breech Lock Challenger would have sufficed.

 

[RustyFN]

I have both and believe getting the cast without any need to load rifle would needlessly extend the lever stroke and ram travel for pistol. It's overkill. Runs nice though, very smooth.

Yes that makes sence if you are just loading pistol. I don't have the deluxe just the classic. From the stories I have heard about the spent primer problems with the deluxe the extra money for the classic is well worth it just for that feature to me. But I do agree both are good presses.

 

[mdi]

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/51

This is how I got started in the 70s. I soon went to a single stage press (used C-H Cast Iron Monster for $13.00) but all the info on getting started is here. BTW I made a lot of good .44 Magnum ammo with my Lee Loader and I play with it occationlly now when I feel "retro".