aerod1
Member
:banghead:
He said for $500.00!!
Quality Reloading Setup For Under $500?
- Thread starter cogun4hire
- Start date
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He said for $500.00!!
Lee Classic Cast for all the reasons already mentioned. I've been using one for the last few years to load .45 ACP, 7 mm Mag, .243, .44 mag, .41 mag, .357 mag, .38 spcl, 10mm.
It's an affordable, efficient, quality machine that generates the volume you're looking for. And caliber changes are cheap...$12 for a turret head then the price of the dies. It takes maybe 5 minutes to change everything. If you're measuring powder by hand then the caliber changes will take maybe 30 seconds...just take one turret off and slap another one on.
It's an affordable, efficient, quality machine that generates the volume you're looking for. And caliber changes are cheap...$12 for a turret head then the price of the dies. It takes maybe 5 minutes to change everything. If you're measuring powder by hand then the caliber changes will take maybe 30 seconds...just take one turret off and slap another one on.
What a idiotic statement.
Oooooooh, now that wasn't nice. Typical Blue Army statement. There are more than a handful of happy Lee owners out there. In fact I bet if you did a study, more people own Lee, than Dillon. Not trying to start a Red/Blue war here. He stated in his OP that the budget was $500 for the WHOLE setup, not just the press. Besides, I believe a progressive is not the first press a new loader should have.
Damon555
Member
This RCBS kit is exactly what you need......plus a few things you don't really need. The quality is beyond question. It's on sale too.
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000449357
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000449357
RustyFN
Member
Should have quite a bit left over.
classic turret $199.95, kempf, comes with Lg & Sm safety prime
pro disk upgrade $8 Much better powder measure
bullet puller $14.95 kempf
Dillon beam scale $55 Graf's
caliper $19 Harbor Freight
tumbler $53 Cabela's tumbler
Total = $350
Dies and turret to add a new caliber is $46.
I agree with the people that recommend the Lee classic turret. I have been loading on mine five years now. It has been a great press. Very easy for a beginner to set up and operate. The safety prime system has been near flawless. The pro auto disk measure will throw consistant charges all day long. In the five years I have had mine nothing has wore out or broke and I have loaded thousands of rounds in four calibers. It is the perfect press for someone that wants to load a couple hundred rounds and change calibers and load a couple hundred and so on. You can change calibers in 30 seconds including the primer system.
cogun4hire
Member
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2011
- Messages
- 27
Thank you all SO MUCH for your insight. Like I said I was really looking for different opinions and that is exactly what I received. I am now heavily leaning towards the Lee Classic. Some of you have stated that I will eventually desire to produce more weekly, this is probably true. Though I figure if I can safely pop out 150 and hour x 4-5 hours of free time a week that will be... sufficient to say the least 
If anyone has any other suggestions, please chime in. I'm sure this thread may help someone else down the road. The high road that is!
If anyone has any other suggestions, please chime in. I'm sure this thread may help someone else down the road. The high road that is!
springer99
Member
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2007
- Messages
- 416
+1 on the Classic Cast Turret kit from Kempt.
Rusty gave you a pretty complete list of what you'll need to get started. Just add a $7.00 cartidge case tray or two to that and you'll be gtg.
I doubt you'll ever wear that press out.
Rusty gave you a pretty complete list of what you'll need to get started. Just add a $7.00 cartidge case tray or two to that and you'll be gtg.
I doubt you'll ever wear that press out.
Damon555
Member
Don't forget to add shipping costs to everything....that might make for a good argument to order everything from the same place.
thorn-
Member
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hornady-Loc...818?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c61be84d2
Lock-N-Load classic single stage press
Lock-N-Load Powder Measure
Digital scale
The 7th Edition Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading
Three Lock-N-Load die bushings
Primer catcher
Positive priming system
Automatic primer feed
Universal reloading block
Chamfering and deburring tool
Primer turning plate
One Shot Case Lube
~ $300 including shipping.
Dies: approx $45/caliber.
Scale (if you dont like the digital that is included above): RCBS 505, Dillon - any quality beam scale. ... $40-50
We're up to around $400. A caliper is about $25, a tumbler for $50, and a bullet puller for $15.
That doesn't include primers, powder, or bullets. You'll really have to skimp on equipment to get EVERYTHING under $500, so I recommend you get good gear FIRST.
thorn
Lock-N-Load classic single stage press
Lock-N-Load Powder Measure
Digital scale
The 7th Edition Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading
Three Lock-N-Load die bushings
Primer catcher
Positive priming system
Automatic primer feed
Universal reloading block
Chamfering and deburring tool
Primer turning plate
One Shot Case Lube
~ $300 including shipping.
Dies: approx $45/caliber.
Scale (if you dont like the digital that is included above): RCBS 505, Dillon - any quality beam scale. ... $40-50
We're up to around $400. A caliper is about $25, a tumbler for $50, and a bullet puller for $15.
That doesn't include primers, powder, or bullets. You'll really have to skimp on equipment to get EVERYTHING under $500, so I recommend you get good gear FIRST.
thorn
budiceman
Member
I'd go for the RCBS at Midsouth Also!
Lost Sheep
Member
Nomenclature. If buying over the web, very important
The Lee Classic is a single stage press. The Lee Classic Turret is a turret press. A single stage press is probably incapable of more than 100 rounds per hour (I rarely exceeded 60 per hour myself). On the Turret Press I loaded 100 rounds in 47 minutes my first time out.
Note also (on Lee's naming conventions) that the Deluxe Turret is far older and inferior to the Classic Turret.
For 200 to 500 rounds a week of a variety of calibers, you can't do better than either Lee Turret (but the Classic is a better press though a bit more expensive). If you only load one or two calibers, a Lee Loadmaster, Hornady Lock'n'Load or any Dillon you can afford might be better. but if you like to change calibers a lot a turret press is a lot simpler in setup and in operation.
Personally, I like the simplicity of a Turret because I don't like trying to watch multiple simultaneous operations. It unrelaxes me.
Operating my Lee Classic Turret, I get "in the zone" and enter a relaxed state of attentiveness that makes it easier to make quality ammunition than I ever could on my progressive presses. (You may be better suited than I. Many are. But I recognize my limitations and am content.)
Lost Sheep
Lee could use some help in its naming conventions. Be careful when you order if you buy on the web.Thank you all SO MUCH for your insight. Like I said I was really looking for different opinions and that is exactly what I received. I am now heavily leaning towards the Lee Classic. Some of you have stated that I will eventually desire to produce more weekly, this is probably true. Though I figure if I can safely pop out 150 and hour x 4-5 hours of free time a week that will be... sufficient to say the least
If anyone has any other suggestions, please chime in. I'm sure this thread may help someone else down the road. The high road that is!
The Lee Classic is a single stage press. The Lee Classic Turret is a turret press. A single stage press is probably incapable of more than 100 rounds per hour (I rarely exceeded 60 per hour myself). On the Turret Press I loaded 100 rounds in 47 minutes my first time out.
Note also (on Lee's naming conventions) that the Deluxe Turret is far older and inferior to the Classic Turret.
For 200 to 500 rounds a week of a variety of calibers, you can't do better than either Lee Turret (but the Classic is a better press though a bit more expensive). If you only load one or two calibers, a Lee Loadmaster, Hornady Lock'n'Load or any Dillon you can afford might be better. but if you like to change calibers a lot a turret press is a lot simpler in setup and in operation.
Personally, I like the simplicity of a Turret because I don't like trying to watch multiple simultaneous operations. It unrelaxes me.
Operating my Lee Classic Turret, I get "in the zone" and enter a relaxed state of attentiveness that makes it easier to make quality ammunition than I ever could on my progressive presses. (You may be better suited than I. Many are. But I recognize my limitations and am content.)
Lost Sheep
This is a great kit to start ... RCBS tools are REALLY good products and its a good option for making rifle match grade rounds ...and think this ... if you deside to upgrade to a progressive you can make a spacer to adjust your dies in the SS one by one and once you have them right were you want you can put them in the progressive without fooling around
Hope this helps!
APIT50
Member
+ 1 for Forster co-ax caliber changes no sweat , clean resizing , has priming ability, low runout if loading rifle eventually
Redneckly33
Member
I agree with what has been said above from the other Guys. My best advice is to start with something simple. I made the mistake of buying a Dillon RL550B right off of jump street. Boy, was that a mistake. There is entirely to much going on, on a Progressive press for the inexperienced Reloader to tackle. I have wished many times, I had bought a single stage press to start on. You will have a better knowledge gained from a single stage than you will get from a Progressive. My Son wanted to get into it and wanted the Hornady Lnl AP. Fortunately, I talked him into a Single Stage first. The Guys on this Forum know what they are talking about, when they say, stay away from the Progressives until you have the experience and knowledge.
Best of luck,
Robert
Best of luck,
Robert
Lost Sheep
Member
Budget Beginning Bench you will never outgrow, for the novice handloader.
Bold subject line, eh? Let me qualify it down. I load for handgun only; 5 calibers, about 100-400 rounds per session and fewer than 5,000 rounds a year. I stow my gear in toolboxes when not in use. If this comes close to describing your situation, you might like to read on.
For the three calibers you name and the quantities you suggest, I believe you can get a truly first-class setup for under $500. I spent $700 replacing almost everything I have collected over the past 3 decades when I finally figured out what I really needed and decided I was too old to compromise any longer.
35 years after starting, I found I outgrew some gear and overbought elsewhere. So, I cleaned house. I emptied my bench and populated it with the best equipment I could find precisely fitting my loading needs. I could have saved a lot of experimentation and waste if I had known back then what I know now (about handloading and about myself).
Informed by my experience reconstituting my loading bench, I compiled a list of the barest essentials that would allow a novice loader to load well and which would still be gratifying in 30 years. (In my opinion and somewhat matching my style of shooting and loading.)
I think it makes an ideal shopping list for the handloader just starting out. I hope you do, too.
Press, scale, dies, a way to measure powder and a work surface are all you need, really. Everything else just makes it easier or faster.
$17 ABC's of Reloading. Ok, it's not really equipment, but tools without knowledge is just dead weight, right?
$10 Loading Data. The "One book/One Caliber" pamphlets are $10 each and are LOADED (get it?) with loading data.
$0 Loading manuals. They cost, but I didn't want to skew the budget; you do need at least a couple. Check the local library if money is tight.
$0 Eye protection. No cost, because you DO already have a pair of shootingglasses, DON'T YOU!?
$85 Press, Lee Classic Turret (Chosen because it is the only turret press that auto-advances at the discretion of the operator.)
$33 Dies, carbide. Lee because it includes a shell holder, a plastic dipper for powder and the "powder through" design.
$5 Work surface. Mount your press on a plank of scrap 2x8 and secure it to a (padded) coffee table.
$0 Dropcloth to catch any spilled powder or lost primers (dead or live). Use an old sheet. Quieter than plastic, less static and drapes better.
$150 plus shipping At this point, you can reload, but are limited in flexibility and speed.
$8 Lee Scoops/Dippers. Cheaper than any powder dispenser/measure and repeatability/cosistency is excellent.
$3 Powder funnel. Lee's funnel fits right in the their "powder through" die.
$161 plus shipping At this point, you are minimally equipped to load well. Not too convenient, but not handicapped to the point of terminal frustration, either.
$22 Lee Safety Prime. You can use your fingers, but this is so much better. Fits on the Lee Press.
$21 Scale, any brand. Lee's, at $21 is cheapest. You can do without, with the full set of Lee Dippers, but better to weigh. For peace of mind if nothing else.
$204 plus shipping At this level of investment, you are decently equipped
$33 Lee Auto-Disk powder dispenser/measure. It mounts atop Lee's "Powder through" die. With this, you may not need the funnel or dippers.
$50 Loading Bench. A folding workbench works fine for me. You can get a kit or build your own, too.
$287 plus shipping Now you are well-equipped as most reloaders, except for convenience accessories or tools you will use only occasionally.
Other stuff:
$20 Bullet puller I never used one for my first 20 years of loading.
$30 Calipers I had none for 30 years. Now that I do, I find uses.
$50 Tumbler Never had one. Got one now. My brass is prettier. Shoots the same.
$10 Loading blocks ($5, if you use, use two). For batch loading. Buy, or make with a plank and a drill.
$25 Powder Trickler - handy if you weigh each powder charge.
$34 misc accessories & tools, (e.g. chamfer tool)
$60 Difference to get a more user-friendly scale than the Lee
$46 Turret and Deluxe Dies for the second chambering
$46 Turret and Dies for your third chambering
$608 plus shipping for all new stuff, misc accessories and tools and I would not be in the least inconvenienced in my loading endeavors.
If you buy locally and shop carefully, you should be able to get by withing your budget.
There are many accessories that add convenience of functionality, but are so highly optional they do not belong on this "essentials" list, or belong down near the end. Besides, if I included them all, the list would be endless.
I chose a turret instead of a progressive because I am more comfortable with performing and monitoring one operation at a time and changing calibers is dead simple. I chose a turret instead of a single stage because it facilitates processing in a "pass-through" mode (much like a progressive) rather than the batch mode of the single stage. But I still do have the option of operating as a single stage in batch mode if I choose.
You could build this list using any mix of brands. I chose Lee's brand because the Auto-indexing is not available on any other press and the Auto-Disk powder measure is the most convenient I have seen, in combination with the Lee "Powder through the Die" design. The Auto-Disk is not convenient to adjust powder quantity, but it is light and compact.
Lost Sheep
P.S.
Thanks to Sue Kempf at Kempf's Gun Shop, and Mark and the guys at Factory Direct Sales and the technicians in Customer Support at Lee Precision.
Bold subject line, eh? Let me qualify it down. I load for handgun only; 5 calibers, about 100-400 rounds per session and fewer than 5,000 rounds a year. I stow my gear in toolboxes when not in use. If this comes close to describing your situation, you might like to read on.
For the three calibers you name and the quantities you suggest, I believe you can get a truly first-class setup for under $500. I spent $700 replacing almost everything I have collected over the past 3 decades when I finally figured out what I really needed and decided I was too old to compromise any longer.
35 years after starting, I found I outgrew some gear and overbought elsewhere. So, I cleaned house. I emptied my bench and populated it with the best equipment I could find precisely fitting my loading needs. I could have saved a lot of experimentation and waste if I had known back then what I know now (about handloading and about myself).
Informed by my experience reconstituting my loading bench, I compiled a list of the barest essentials that would allow a novice loader to load well and which would still be gratifying in 30 years. (In my opinion and somewhat matching my style of shooting and loading.)
I think it makes an ideal shopping list for the handloader just starting out. I hope you do, too.
Press, scale, dies, a way to measure powder and a work surface are all you need, really. Everything else just makes it easier or faster.
$17 ABC's of Reloading. Ok, it's not really equipment, but tools without knowledge is just dead weight, right?
$10 Loading Data. The "One book/One Caliber" pamphlets are $10 each and are LOADED (get it?) with loading data.
$0 Loading manuals. They cost, but I didn't want to skew the budget; you do need at least a couple. Check the local library if money is tight.
$0 Eye protection. No cost, because you DO already have a pair of shootingglasses, DON'T YOU!?
$85 Press, Lee Classic Turret (Chosen because it is the only turret press that auto-advances at the discretion of the operator.)
$33 Dies, carbide. Lee because it includes a shell holder, a plastic dipper for powder and the "powder through" design.
$5 Work surface. Mount your press on a plank of scrap 2x8 and secure it to a (padded) coffee table.
$0 Dropcloth to catch any spilled powder or lost primers (dead or live). Use an old sheet. Quieter than plastic, less static and drapes better.
$150 plus shipping At this point, you can reload, but are limited in flexibility and speed.
$8 Lee Scoops/Dippers. Cheaper than any powder dispenser/measure and repeatability/cosistency is excellent.
$3 Powder funnel. Lee's funnel fits right in the their "powder through" die.
$161 plus shipping At this point, you are minimally equipped to load well. Not too convenient, but not handicapped to the point of terminal frustration, either.
$22 Lee Safety Prime. You can use your fingers, but this is so much better. Fits on the Lee Press.
$21 Scale, any brand. Lee's, at $21 is cheapest. You can do without, with the full set of Lee Dippers, but better to weigh. For peace of mind if nothing else.
$204 plus shipping At this level of investment, you are decently equipped
$33 Lee Auto-Disk powder dispenser/measure. It mounts atop Lee's "Powder through" die. With this, you may not need the funnel or dippers.
$50 Loading Bench. A folding workbench works fine for me. You can get a kit or build your own, too.
$287 plus shipping Now you are well-equipped as most reloaders, except for convenience accessories or tools you will use only occasionally.
Other stuff:
$20 Bullet puller I never used one for my first 20 years of loading.
$30 Calipers I had none for 30 years. Now that I do, I find uses.
$50 Tumbler Never had one. Got one now. My brass is prettier. Shoots the same.
$10 Loading blocks ($5, if you use, use two). For batch loading. Buy, or make with a plank and a drill.
$25 Powder Trickler - handy if you weigh each powder charge.
$34 misc accessories & tools, (e.g. chamfer tool)
$60 Difference to get a more user-friendly scale than the Lee
$46 Turret and Deluxe Dies for the second chambering
$46 Turret and Dies for your third chambering
$608 plus shipping for all new stuff, misc accessories and tools and I would not be in the least inconvenienced in my loading endeavors.
If you buy locally and shop carefully, you should be able to get by withing your budget.
There are many accessories that add convenience of functionality, but are so highly optional they do not belong on this "essentials" list, or belong down near the end. Besides, if I included them all, the list would be endless.
I chose a turret instead of a progressive because I am more comfortable with performing and monitoring one operation at a time and changing calibers is dead simple. I chose a turret instead of a single stage because it facilitates processing in a "pass-through" mode (much like a progressive) rather than the batch mode of the single stage. But I still do have the option of operating as a single stage in batch mode if I choose.
You could build this list using any mix of brands. I chose Lee's brand because the Auto-indexing is not available on any other press and the Auto-Disk powder measure is the most convenient I have seen, in combination with the Lee "Powder through the Die" design. The Auto-Disk is not convenient to adjust powder quantity, but it is light and compact.
Lost Sheep
P.S.
Thanks to Sue Kempf at Kempf's Gun Shop, and Mark and the guys at Factory Direct Sales and the technicians in Customer Support at Lee Precision.
I think the Lee measure is very easy to adjust. Turn hopper to shut off powder flow. Run case through a few times to empty powder from the disk. With the ram up pull up on the hopper & the disk comes out the front. Turn or change the disk as needed & pop it back in. Turn hopper back on & your ready to go. I throw the first 3 drops back in the hopper before I check weigh of the charge. If your useing a charge bar just turn the dial.
steelerdude99
Member
Two things...
1) If you get a Lee, get the "4 Hole Classic Turret Press" and NOT the "4 Hole Turret Press with Auto Index". The non-classic is less expensive, but is cheaply made with a die cast base. Some folks have reported that they broke the base. The classic is good and heavy and has the auto-index as well.
2) The LEE docs are only marginal IF you are not already a re-loader. YouTube videos can help too.
chuck
1) If you get a Lee, get the "4 Hole Classic Turret Press" and NOT the "4 Hole Turret Press with Auto Index". The non-classic is less expensive, but is cheaply made with a die cast base. Some folks have reported that they broke the base. The classic is good and heavy and has the auto-index as well.
2) The LEE docs are only marginal IF you are not already a re-loader. YouTube videos can help too.
chuck
Last edited:
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