Old Shooter Seeks Reload Advice

[Schuarta]

I am recently retired, with considerable shooting experience. I carried for years as a security agent, and carry now as a civilian with a CCW. I only ever reloaded 12 ga. as a semi-competitive skeet shooter, back in the 1960's and 1970's. In the past I bought quality "carry" ammo, and found reasonable surplus or reloads to buy for practice ammo (.38 spec., 9 mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP).

Now, I have just purchased my first "cowboy" gun, a 5-1/2" Bisley design in .45 LC. As you know .45 LC is an expensive caliber. I am considering a small bench, simple press, single caliber set-up to reload .45 LC (only). Would anyone care to suggest a "minimal" selection of equipment for this purpose? Press manufacturer suggestions appreciated as well - reasonable quality/reasonable price. Speed is not essential and my output would be low volume. Cost is a factor now that I am retired.

Thanks in advance for your response.

 

[Vacek]

Based on your volume and price........


My first choice would be a Lee Classic Turret with the Pro Auto Disk Powder measure and the 4 die Deluxe 45 LC die set.

Second choice would be the Lee Challenger Breechlock with the Auto Disk Powder Measure and same above die set.

Red Dot shoots real smooth in those 45 LC's with a 200 - 250 grain cast bullet. Also Red Dot is not expensive.

 

[dsm]

One thing you can do is keep an eye on Craigslist for your area. You can find some good deals from time to time.

 

[rfwobbly]

Schuarta -
The trick is to think about the future. With a cowboy action gun, it won't be long before you're walking around in chaps and 10 gallon hat on Saturdays. If that happens you might need a lot more ammo than you think.

Since nearly all reloading setups ($100 or $1000) pay for themselves within a year if you shoot to their optimal capacity, the trick is then to match the press to your needs. That way you don't have to sell everything in 2 months and buy the next larger version. (You'll loose doing that.)

If you loaded shot in days gone by, then the practices and safety procedures are pretty much the same. You might consider by-passing the beginner kits and go for a small "progressive press" designed for handgun ammo.

In no particular order your choices are:

• Lee Loadmaster
• RCBS 2000
• Hornady LockNLoad AP
• Dillon Square Deal
• Dillon 550B

(IMHO the Lee 1000 and Dillon 650 are not in your league.)

You can see most of those in action RIGHT HERE. Remember cost is not a big factor because you'll be using it for 25 years, and it will be paid for by the savings within 1. So study the quality, the warranty and the ease of use. Then do some calcs on your realistic weekly ammo consumption.

Hope this helps!

 

[kennedy]

I load .45 colt with a lee turret press and lee auto disk powder dispenser, works great, in fact going out tomorrow to shoot some.

 

[winchester1886]

Or you could use a single stage press Lee H or C for a small amount of money.Lee has kits that are pretty cheap and will work just fine.

 

[GW Staar]

Lee Classic Turret Press $100

Lee Beam Scale $26

Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure $39

Lee 45 colt carbide deluxe 4 die set (includes powder thru expander die, Factory Crimp Die, & shell holder. $41

Total $206 plus $4.95 flat rate shipping fee at Grafs.....or $210.95

The die set has some suggested loads included in the instructions.

If you want Pretty shiny brass add:

Grafs tumbler (Berry's) $57 and their Separator $28.

That adds another $85 with no change in shipping.

Total now $295.95

For just one pistol caliber one of those numbers is all you HAVE to spend. The Press quality is excellent, the dies are what many of us use, and powder scale and measure are adequate for a single pistol caliber recipes, and the result is going to be addiction, sir.....and probably more investment in the future.

I use RCBS equipment...a Rock Chucker for 40 years and a Pro 2000 for 3 years, but if I were starting today on a limited budget, I'd do it with the equipment above.

 

[Schuarta]

Gentlemen:

Thank you for your immediate and factual replies. I had been "shopping" on several of the manufacturer's websites, resulting in more confusion than clarity. Your assistance is much appreciated.

 

[RugerBob]

I would get the Lee Anniversery kit. Usually get everything for under a 100 bucks. I load lots of 45LC with mine. I have a turret and progressive also. The turret is set for 45acp only.

 

[Hagen442]

Reloading

I faced the same situation when I retired a few years back.
I only wanted to Reload 45 ACP, to shoot a few Rounds.
Now I am Shooting SASS Cowboy 1 or 2 Matches every weekend and 3 Thursday Night IDPA Matches every Month.
I burn Smokeless and Holy Black Sub.Powders.
Current Reloading to keep up with my Match Shooting:
Cowboy - 45 Colt,38Colt Short & 12Ga Holy Black
IDPA - 45ACP,9MM Smokeless
All of us have or Likes and Dislikes as far as Reloading Stuff.
Based on a lot of Wasted Money I have found the following to produce a Good Quality
Round with very few Issues at a Reasonable Cost.
Here Is My Choices:
Dillion 650 With Powder Check and Power Case Feeder.
2 Lee Classic Singles for Messing with new Stuff.
Mec Sizemaster Shot Shell Reloader
RCBS Digital 750 Electric Scale
Frankford Arsenal Tumblers, Bucket Rotary Separator , Polish ETC.
If I had done this when I started I would not have made Boat Anchors out of a couple of Presses and created a lot of Junk Rounds . Not countting the Wasted Money.
My Old - Been There and Done That Experience.
Hagen

 

[howlnmad]

Kempfs gun shop has a kit for under $200 and comes with everything but a scale and your components. The contents are listed in a thread below titled "lee classic turret press". So even with the addition of a good beam scale (not Lee), you can get started for around $250. You can start even cheaper with a single stage kit but it just goes a little slower.

 

[Hondo 60]

I like GW Staar's setup except the Lee beam scale.
I have one & hate it.

It's very tiny numbers are difficult to read.
I bought a Cabela's 1500 electronic scale & like it very much.

 

[Schuarta]

Thank you for the additional info. I'm getting more and more informed, I let you know what I finally buy.

 

[mookiie]

Schuarta - when i was laid off I bought the lee challenger deluxe kit for 100ish bucks, and got a digital scale to weigh charges for 34 or so from midway that is almost all you need then get a tumbler and media for about 60 and you are set.

well actually you will also need dies and trust me once you start you just get more and more equipment but the above will do you for a while.

 

[ironhead7544]

Lee Turret. Best for new guys. Can put out ammo fairly quick for a hungry pistol.