Newbie question

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owenbright

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Nov 7, 2005
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I've been reading up on reloading for a while now and would really appreciate some help in getting started.
I'm going to be only reloading .45ACP for now, and *maybe
look into .357 sig/.38special/.40s&w later on.
I will not be doing any rifle reloading in the near future.
I am looking to do around 250 rounds every other week to start with.

So far I've come up w/ the following list:
1) ABC's of reloading and Lee's Modern Reloading books
2) Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press
3) Lee Deluxe Handgun 4-Die Set 45 ACP
4) Lee Safety Prime Small and Large Primer Feeder for 2006 and Later Reloading Press
5) Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure
6) Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure Riser

First of all, I can't decide on which scale to purchase.
I need advice on picking out the rest of the stuff needed to get started.
Actually, I'd also like your opinion on what I've selected so far. :D
I was thinking about spending around $200-250 and so far w/the stuff above
it's at around 160 from Midway (w/out shipping).
Also, what is the difference between the Lee Auto-Dsik powder measure and
the pro version?

I'm pretty sure I'm forgetting to ask some things...
Thank you.
 
First of all, I can't decide on which scale to purchase.
I need advice on picking out the rest of the stuff needed to get started.
Click to expand...

Looks OK. I have no direct experience with most of the Lee stuff you list other than their die sets, but I hear good things about the Classic Turret press, and if you're going to get full performance out of it, you'll need Lee's priming doo-dads. Not sure what it would take to use someone else's powder measure with that Lee press.

Scale? Lee's scale is inexpensive and accurate, but is limited to 100 grains. If you're not going to be weighing any bullets, only powder, it should be adequate. You might want to see if you can squeeze in a check weight set, just for peace of mind.

Speer's reloading manual is inexpensive and a very good deal.
 
Howdy Owenbright, I use lots of Lee reloading stuff. For the most part, it is good stuff. In looking at yer list, I would add the Lee Auto Prime hand primer tool. It is simple, safe and fast to use, and will install large and small primers. I have had no problems with my Lee 4 die pistol sets. I will say that the Lee powder measure is a bit quirkeee. It measures some powders fairly well most of the time, and will not measure others worth a darn all of the time. I'd look at RCBS for a powder measure.... My Lee Safety Scale is a bit quirkeeeee too. Powder can be trickeled into the pan (you should add a powder trickler to your list) and the scale will stay put, then jump a bit. My Redding scale has functioned perfectly for me, and does not seem to have any quirks. A reliable scale is a MUST. As Jim Watson stated, get a caliper...dial or digital, yer choice. Mine is an RCBS digital that I got from Cabela's, and it too works great and didn't break my bank account. You will need to trim cases occasionally, and the Lee trimmer system works good and is just about fool proof. Hope this helps. Regards, NailGun
 
You will probably need a bullet puller. One of the inertial types (looks like a hammer). If you use a pencil you need an eraser, when you reload you will need a bullet puller especially when you are starting out.
 
You won't need the Riser using Lee dies so scratch that off your list. You can use the barrel of your gun for a case guage, so don't worry about one of them for now. With the Factory Crimp die you shouldn't have much trouble in that area anyway. I would stay away from the Lee scales, haven't used one but see lots of complaints about it. No dampening seems to be biggest hassle. If you keep an eye on ebay you can usually find a good deal on 5-0-5 or even 10-0-10 scales. Just decide your max price before bidding, don't get caught up in a pi$$ing contest and you'll snag a good deal. Calipers are a must have item, if you have a Harbor Freight locally you can get a set there for very cheap and they'll do fine. While there they also have some small tumblers that would probably be just right for the number of rounds you plan on reloading. Although you can do without, clean shiny brass is much nicer to work with and easier to inspect.
Here are some Harbor Frieght links, you usually have to bring a print out of the web page to get them to match the online pricing (don't understand why).
$25 Tumbler
$35 Tumbler
$60 Tumbler-better deals elsewhere
$10 25lb Fine Walnut
$20 25lb Medium Walnut
$16 Digital Calipers
$8 Digital Calipers-not enough resolution for reloading

peace.
unloaded
 
thank you for the advice so far.

Do I need the Lee Auto Prime hand primer tool even if I get the Saftey Auto Primer?
 
I just got a reloading setup, everything is Lee. I like the scale, maybe not the fastest but works for me.
A couple of things is in the Lee reloading book he talks about getting media in cases when tumbled and recomends hand cleaning instead and the hand primer (don't know about other Lee primers) says not to use Federal primers.
I just started and reloaded some 32 H&R magnum rounds (40) and they worked fine, just go slowly at first and double check often.
 
You don't have to have the Auto Prime, but it is nice to have. You can run your turret press in two modes. Semi-progressive where you put a case in and run it through each stage until finished, there is also Batch mode where you run a bunch of cases through one stage, then move turret to next stage and run them through again....I prefer the batch style, I can get a bunch of cases ready so they just need powder and bullet and they are done. A bunch of ready-to-go cases(sized, trimmed, primed..) are really handy to have around, specially if you like to experiment with a few rounds at a time or work up loads. This is where the Auto Prime comes in really handy, you can prime cases while watching TV or other things. Also it will do large or small primers, something my Loadmaster won't do without buying a different primer setup. not sure if the turret press does both, does it? Like I said, you don't have to have it and to save money I'd wait to get one if I were you. But I would get one eventually, once you do you'll probably wish you'd got it sooner.

peace.
unloaded

PS: Forgot to add, with the AutoPrime you'll have to buy shellholders to go with it, another expense that can be put off. Another option would be to get the AutoPrime now and the Safety Prime later. Not sure which would be better. Maybe ask folks who've used both.
 
I don't know Lee products, but it looks like you are off to a good start.

Make sure you get carbide dies. The slightly higher expense is WELL worth it to not have to lube cases, although with .357 Sig I don't think you will have a choice. Nobody makes carbide .357 Sig dies that I know of.

These calipers work well for me:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=119623

although these are on sale right now for the same price:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=604242

Media and a tumbler. I use the Frankford Arsenal tumbler and have had 0 problems. Lee recommends cleaning cases by hand?:eek:

You'll spend more time cleaning cases than reloading if you do that.

You'll eventually want something like this:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=183076

I got by picking brass out of my tumbler by hand when I first started out but that gets old real quick.

One other bit of advice. Do not scrimp on a scale. Get a good one.

Congratulations on taking the plunge. I doubt you'll regret it:)

P.S. Maybe get an additional manual from one of "the other guys" so you can cross reference load information. Speer #13 is a good one. You can also get free flyers from component manufacturers that have load data, as well. Good to cross reference.
 
Last edited:
You will probably need a bullet puller. One of the inertial types (looks like a hammer). If you use a pencil you need an eraser, when you reload you will need a bullet puller especially when you are starting out.
Click to expand...

As much as I like Frankford Arsenal products, stay away from their inertia bullet pullers. The plastic collets they use are junk. Mine "stripped" on the 5th bullet I pulled.:scrutiny:
 
Grisly:

Just be sure when you use it you don't have a high primer. On one thread somebody reported that with the high primer the case slipped in the holder and the shock ignited the primer. It can't happen if the primer is set right.
 
thanks for the advices.

I added the following to the list:
-quality scale
-caliper
-bullet puller

:)
 
RCBS

RCBS is worth a look, good quaity not to pricey
THE rockchuker kit plus caliper and a few other things will get you going
GO digital if your not familiar reading callipers.
Read your book and refer back to it. If in dout dont do it. If somthing dosnt feel right, stop! check things out.

If someone gives you a recipe for an awsome load check it with the book.
 
I just placed the order yesterday.. and I think I forgot somethings!!! ARGH!!!
Which shell holder did I need to purchase for .45 ACP for the lee classic turret press?
Thanks.
 
dodgestdshift:

I tried the FA puller with a shell holder, it worked great! For about 20 rds.:(

The blue plastic cap on top came apart. :eek:

I ran down to the local Sportsman's Warehouse and got an RCBS puller. Much much better. It's more sturdily built, the collet is aluminum, and the cap is threaded instead of the "push and twist" scheme the FA puller had.

Thanks for the advice, it got me through a few rounds, anyway.:D
 
when I started reloading, 15 years ago, I also started with the Lee Turret Press. Worked great, and I picked up the reloading steps pretty quickly. I agree with everything thats already been said here. I also used the rcbs bullet puller for those few times when you need to re-do something.

I didn't trust the auto disk power measure, so I pretty much weighed every charge - at least when I was starting out. After I got used to the Lee auto measure, I just "check weighed" maybe one out of every 3 or 4 rounds.
 
If you do batch reloading, some shell loading trays would be nice. MTM makes some good multi caliper ones, and FA makes some nice caliber specific ones, which I think are on sale at midwayusa right now. And everybody is making me glad I started with the RCBS bullet puller.
 
Owenbright,
Your setup looks good. I just bought the same thing a couple of months ago. I am very happy with it.
Also, what is the difference between the Lee Auto-Disk powder measure and
the pro version?
Click to expand...
The pro auto disk is Teflon coated inside. I don't have experience with the other but I have heard it is worth the extra money. I also bought the charge bar and it works good as long as you aren't trying to measure anything to small.
You won't need the Riser using Lee dies so scratch that off your list.
Click to expand...
You will need the riser if you are going to use the safety prime. I have the safety prime and it works very good once you get the hang of it. The auto prime would be good if you wanted to prime while watching TV or something, other than that you probably wouldn't need it.
A bullet puller is a must. I bought the RCBS hammer type. I also bought an extra shell holder to use in the puller. It works a lot better than the shell holder that comes with it. Good luck and stay safe.
Rusty
 
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