reload kit
- Thread starter zamboxl
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jb27
Member
Do a search for Lee Classic Turret. Tons of info on the forum about them. Kempfs puts together a good package deal on them with everything you need. Very good press at a good price.
Check out the sticky at the top of the forum. See this link.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214
Buy or borrow a copy of "ABCs of Reloading" Lots of good information on getting started.
Lyman #49 has good information.
Reloading books from the major bullet manufacturers, Sierra, Hornady, Speer, etc, have chapters on getting started.
Become educated to make an informed decision on what you want to start with.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214
Buy or borrow a copy of "ABCs of Reloading" Lots of good information on getting started.
Lyman #49 has good information.
Reloading books from the major bullet manufacturers, Sierra, Hornady, Speer, etc, have chapters on getting started.
Become educated to make an informed decision on what you want to start with.
Hondo 60
Member
Start with a reloading manual or 3!
Lyman's 49th Edition Reloading Handbook, ABCs of Reloading and Modern Reloading by Richard Lee are all good "How-To" books.
After you've read & re-read them, then you'll have a basic understanding of the process.
+1 to the Lee Classic Turret - it's a GREAT press for beginners.
Lyman's 49th Edition Reloading Handbook, ABCs of Reloading and Modern Reloading by Richard Lee are all good "How-To" books.
After you've read & re-read them, then you'll have a basic understanding of the process.
+1 to the Lee Classic Turret - it's a GREAT press for beginners.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I agree a Lee Classic Turret Press is a great place to start. My main press for the past 6 years has been a Classic 4 Hole Turret Press. (and I also use an RCBS Rock Chucker)
jleyring
Member
Lee starters kit is a great way to start off. Also the RCBS starters kit is a great way to go also.
Cranky CJ
Member
i started with the lyman T mag kit. nice press. the kit comes with everything you need to get started, along with the 49th edition of the lyman book.
like the others said, read the 'abs of reloading' first, then you'll know how you want to proceed and how much you want to drop on reloading equipment. some guys drop thousands and some only get into it for a few hundred.
like the others said, read the 'abs of reloading' first, then you'll know how you want to proceed and how much you want to drop on reloading equipment. some guys drop thousands and some only get into it for a few hundred.
Hondo 60
Member
RCBS & Lyman presses are good ones, but the Lee Classic Turret is quite a bit more affordable.
Some people here don't like Lee's quality, but the Classic Turret (not the deluxe) is about as good as they come.
Some people here don't like Lee's quality, but the Classic Turret (not the deluxe) is about as good as they come.
Lost Sheep
Member
Lee is a good choice. It is the only turret made today that self-advances the dies. All others require you to advance the turret head by hand. As long as you don't need more than 4 die stations it is my suggestion for anyone wanting a turret press. And spare turret heads are a LOT less expensive than other makers' and swap out much quicker, too when it comes time to change calibers.
The Kemp's Gun Shop Kit lacks a scale. But that is the only essential it lacks. This is a good thing, though, as many loaders don't like the Lee Safety Scale and replace it soon after getting their kit.
The Lee Scale is plenty accurate enough (as accurate as any Ohaus, RCBS, Redding you are going to find). But it only goes up to 100 grains, meaning you can measure powder, but not bullets. It is hard for some people to get the hang of reading. On the other hand, it is inexpensive.
But the foregoing points out the shortcomings of most kits. They are assembled by some marketing genius that may or may not have the same loading "style" or needs as you. What you save in money (by bundling the kit) you may well lose in trading out parts you don't like.
On the other hand, assembling your own kit requires you to think harder about what you are doing. This will take longer, but focuses your mind on the loading process and enhances your education.
Hondo 60 is right about the Lee Classic Turret being superior to the Lee Deluxe Turret. The Deluxe is aluminum, spills spent primers and has a slightly smaller opening (which you may find important when loading your 30-06). Unfortunately, Kempf's is the only seller I know of who assembles a kit containing the Classic Turret. All the other kits I found when I was researching turrets last June (2010) were built around the Deluxe.
When shopping around, be certain of the nomenclature. The Lee Classic Cast is a single stage press. The Lee Classic Turret is a turret press. Lee could use some better naming conventions.
Here is some light reading for you (in addition to the "sticky" thread at the top of this forum already mentioned).
The first draft of my "10 Advices for the Novice Handloader" is on page 2 of this thread, about halfway down.
rugerforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=13543
"Budget Beginning bench you will never outgrow for the novice handloader" was informed by my recent (July 2010) repopulation of my loading bench. It is what I would have done 35 years ago if I had known then what I know now.
rugerforum.net/reloading/29385-budget-beginning-bench-you-will-never-outgrow-novice-handloader.html
Lost Sheep
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rfwobbly
Member
The Lee Classic Turret is certainly a great place to start, and should be on your list. However, choice of a reloading press and accessories is best made based on volume of reloading to be done. For instance, if you shoot Practical Pistol and need 500 rounds of 9mm each week, then you'd be hard pressed (no pun intended) to produce that on the Lee. This even though it would do really well for the 200 weekly 45ACP and 20 per week 30-06 requirements. So the results of your purchase would ultimately be highly frustrating right off, no matter how "nice" the press was.
It's like you telling us you want to "travel in style" to job sites 200 miles away, and we all respond, "Buy the Lexus." But you didn't tell us you need to carry 200 concrete block with you when you go. That one missing requirement defines a whole other vehicle. So, not knowing your full requirements limits us in our ability to help you. Follow?
It's also good to remember that no one single "loading kit" is complete. So don't spend all your money on the kit, when tools like a case trimmer, caliper, case lube, etc are also going to be required extras.
Lastly, good luck on loading the 54R. Most of the common cases people are shooting are not reloadable, and the cost of the special brass to do so may be higher than the savings, especially if the volumes are low. So please look at your "brass" before purchasing a needless $35 set of reloading dies.
Hope this helps!
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