Reloading Kit

[MakAttak]

Alright, my girlfriend has gotten completely frustrated because she can't find what she's looking for as my gift so she has asked me to take a more active role.

She wanted to get me a reloading kit to get started on reloading. I suggested one of the Lee kits but she talked with some of our friends that have more experience and they suggested she get me an RCBS kit.

As such, where is the best place to get either of those- I'm trying to keep it near $100 because I don't want her to spend too much one me.

I'd love suggestions on:

What to get?

Where to get it?

Which is the best for the price?

(Keep in mind, I don't expect her to get my the dies or anything, just a basic starting kit).

Thanks in advance.

 

[K3]

Nothing wrong with a Lee kit. Nothing at all. I've loaded a lot of good, accurate ammo in the last 6 months with the Anniversary kit that has the Challenger press.

 

[VARifleman]

If it's the cast press it shouldn't be a bad setup. That one will set you up for a few more things than the challenger (LNL bushings for instance).

 

[MakAttak]

VARifleman,

Can you be specific on that- I know what the challenger is, but which is the "cast press"? (Keep in mind this will be my start into reloading so I'm still learning terms)

 

[jenrob]

Lee is the only kit that you will get for the amount you give. Nothing wrong with Lee it's just not the cadillac of presses. RCBS kit will be in the $260+ range along with Hornady Right now the Hornady kit is on sale at cabelas for $289 minus $20 of on orders over $150 and you get 500 rounds of bullets from Hornady approx. $180 so it is almost like giving $89 for the Hornady. Give your girlfriend the difference and go that way
you can also get the Redding big boss kit for $259 through Midway and later upgrade it to the Big Boss II

 

[K3]

It's the aluminum frame, but I've loaded some pretty hefty rifle ammo on it with no issues. I do have a classic cast press sitting in a box that I haven't touched yet.

For starting out, the Challenger is bueno.

 

[MakAttak]

Give your girlfriend the difference and go that way
you can also get the Redding big boss kit for $259 through Midway and later upgrade it to the Big Boss II

I'd love to, but she's been insistent that she's getting it :-D

 

[jenrob]

go buy her something nice and tell her how much you love her

 

[lee n. field]

RCBS? Not for a hundred bucks. It's good stuff, but it won't be anywhere near that cheap.

 

[RB98SS]

Mak,

I've just started reloading recently and went thru the same process you're going thru now. In the end I bought the Lyman T-Mag II kit and couldn't be happier. It comes with everything plus a case trimmer to boot. The turrets aren't cheap ($30) but having the turret press now I just couldn't see using a single stage press. It's built very sturdy and is as inexpensive as the RCBS Rock Chucker.

I load .44 mag, .45ACP, 50AE, and .30-06. I have a turret for each and it's a snap switching.

Check it out.

Good luck, Gary

 

[RustyFN]

Well you didn't mention what calibers you were going to reload. If you are going to reload pistol then I would suggest the Lee Classic Turret press. You would be much happier with it than a single stage. You can get one at http://kempfgunshop.com/ for around $150. It is a very sturdy press. It is very easy for a beginner to set up and operate. I load 9mm, 38/357 and 223 on mine.
Rusty

 

[GaryL]

If I was just getting into reloading now, that Hornady LNL would be hard to pass up. Normally I wouldn't pay what they say their bullets are worth, but you would be getting a good press at a good price, and not having to buy a nice batch of quality bullets does add significant value to the purchase.

 

[Shoney]

Which press you buy should be determined by the number of rounds you burn per day, week, month, year. Give us a better Idea of what you are going to reload, and the quantities you plan to shoot. The forum can give you better information based on your needs. Please list which cartridges you will be loading and the quantities.

Buying complete setups of used equipment can save you a ton of money.

A word of warning, once you start loading, you will most likely increase your shooting by quite a bit. BEWARE THE DISEASE ! ! !

 

[GaryL]

A word of warning, once you start loading, you will most likely increase your shooting by quite a bit. BEWARE THE DISEASE ! ! !

QFT

The worst thing is finding yourself with a bunch of brass, for something you don't have or shoot, and then going out and getting the equipment to use and support that caliber just because you have the brass and it seems such a waste to sell it off and not make use of it.

 

[CZ57]

The Anniversary kit from Midway has gone up slightly in price because LEE has recently upgraded the Challenger press. It now uses an interchangeable bushing system for your dies, much like the Hornady Lock-N-Load system. It also has the ability to add the safety prime system later, if you want. Still a bargain at under $100. With shipping included, you'll spend the C-note.

The only problem is that 3 bushings are included and if you want to use a 4 die set, you'll need to order an additional bushing. They're sold in pairs.

 

[XD-40 Shooter]

The Lee standard turret kit is great, they are like $85 on Natchez's website. I've loaded 10,000 rounds on mine, 357 mag and 40 S&W, no problems whatsoever, its a solid, sturdy press. For the money, it can't be beat. I just lube mine up with CLP about once a month, keeps it going real slick.

 

[jenrob]

GaryL
The worst thing is finding yourself with a bunch of brass, for something you don't have or shoot, and then going out and getting the equipment to use and support that caliber just because you have the brass and it seems such a waste to sell it off and not make use of it.

Nothing bad about that Free brass and an excuse. Hunny I have (found 5 pieces) some 454 brass need to go buy a gun to shoot it in. Oh gotta Order some dies and bullets and the powder I have I don't think it's the best for this round and sense I'm allready putting in an order I could use these items to. "I'll get a break on shipping if I get it all at once, wouldn't want to spend any extra Love ya hun"

 

[mike6161]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=325446
this should help