Poor noobie to reloading.

[Matt 357]

Lee Hand Press

I have a Lee Hand Press instead of a benchmount. It is pretty convenient. I process about 100 rds at a time. I can do decapping, resizing, and expanding while sitting on the sofa watching TV. Gives me something to do during commercials. I do powder weighing and bullet seating at a table. I reload 357 so it is worth the effort. For 9mm you need to look at the economics...

 

[jcwit]

The Lee Loader was my introduction to reloading way back a long time ago. It, a plastic mallet, a bag of bullets, pound of powder and some primers and I was in business.

While is certainly was the least expensive way to reload, it was also slow. Reloading a hundred rounds a week was pushing it, time-wise.

If you are just looking to reload fifty rounds every couple of weeks and money is really tight then the Lee Loader can't be beat.

I know for a fact that I could reload a hundred rounds in alot less time than 2 hours using a Lee Loader. With that said it really depends how one is measuring the powder charges.

 

[RandyP]

Also a complete reloading kit, Lee's very good single stage Anniversary is $82 at Factory Sales - everything you need less a caliper, dies and components.

https://fsreloading.com/html/xcart/catalog/anivers.html

Save up to get at least that for starters. Otherwise Wolf, Tula and Herter's sells rather low cost steel cased 9mm.

FWIW 9mm is the hardest caliber to really save $$$ on - since it is so common and available on sale most always.

 

[jcwit]

Keep an eye on E-Bay too.

I picked up 2 Lee Loaders in the past 3 weeks, 1 for $17.00 and the other for $18 bucks shipping encl. in both cases. $17 dollar one was .30 carbine and the $18 dollar one was 38 spec.

Keep an eye out for the used stuff.

 

[Vacek]

I am going to weigh in for the Lee Loader. If the new reloader wants to learn the basics of reloading 1 step at a time and volume (less than 50 / hour) is not an issue then the Lee Loader is a great start.

The biggest issue is that the Lee Loader doesn't fully resize the case but if you are using brass from your own gun you will be fine. Also I have found about 50-60% of other brass works as well. The way to know (pre-sizing) is to take out your barrel and drop in case. If it easily goes all the way into the barrel (correct headspace) then you will have no problem.

Also if you stay with the Lee instructions for powder relative to the scoop you will end up with very functional low/midrange loads.

A Lee Loader is a good way to start. You will probably upgrade soon, but you will still have a very functional kit.

 

[35 Whelen]

small, if I may suggest, the FIRST thing you should buy, even before any equipment, is a reloading manual, and then read it. Any decent reloading manual will tell/show you exactly what equipment you need. The most recent Lyman manual, the 49th Edition is a very comprehensive manual, but then again, most are.

35W

 

[4895]

Don't do it

If you shoot 9mm, just buy your ammo at the store. Reloading is a dark path that will soon have you blind to any common sense!

 

[smalls]

Thanks for the inputs.
I'm gonna go with a single stage press. It'll cost a little more, but I think I can justify it.
I plan on staring to shoot .45 next year, too, so a press seems to be a good idea.

 

[jcwit]

Then go with the turrent by Lee, you won't regret it. Beats changing dies all the time.

 

[Josh45]

I have to agree with JCWit on the turret. You can just buy another turret and place your dies in that one and switch out in less than 5-7 seconds. Of course, You would need to change shell holder to.

If your gonna get the Single Stage anyways, Its still not that bad as long as you do it in batches really. They work just fine and will get you where you want for plinking and such.

 

[Steel Talon]

This is a better option for you and under $40.00 at midway

http://www.midwayusa.com/Product/624416/lee-hand-press-kit

 

[icanthitabarn]

Def. get the Lee classic turret.

 

[Master Blaster]

FIRST, Buy a reloading manual.

NUMBER 1 most important thing is having an idea what you are doing.

Read the manual. Lyman 49 is a real good one. READ IT.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Budget Begnning Bench you will never outgrow

At the risk of repeating myself,

I started reloading the same week I started shooting. 36 years ago.

Single stage press
Scale
Dies
Manual

And added accessories as I found the need or desire for them.

Last year I saw the light, repopulated my bench to be the ideal setup (for me) and got a Lee Classic Turret and some other stuff. It suits my needs admirably. It may suit your needs too, or may be overkill or inadequate. But I urge you to consider it.

http://rugerforum.net/reloading/293...you-will-never-outgrow-novice-handloader.html

On the other hand, almost every handloader I know of has a single stage in addition to any other presses they have.

Good luck

Lost Sheep