reloading

[mike6161]

Hi
Im thinking about getting in to reloading on a budget what do you think about lee reloading kits. does it have the stuff I need to reload 38/357 or should I get something else like RCBS or hornaday
I can only spend 150 at first but by the summer I could spend up to 300 can I get started with 150.
I do not need to have a progressive press but I do shoot about 1000 rounds a year I m not doing this to save money I just need a hobby. I do not shoot enough to really save that much.
Could you tell me what you started with or tell me about some other company that make reloading stuff.

Any help would be nice thanks

 

[kingpin008]

Might want to check in over at the "Reloading" forum here. Lots of good folks there ready to help out.

 

[dmftoy1]

If you can find a deal on some used stuff you can probably pull it off for $150 but it'll be tough to do it new. If I was starting out on a budget I'd wait until I had a coupon for Midwayusa for $10 or $15 off of a $150 order and give it a shot. Here's how I'd do it: (.357)

Lee Classic Cast Press - $71
Lee Carbide 3 Die .357 Set $22
Frankford Arsenal Caliper $19
Frankford Arsenal Case Tumbler $39
$151
That would get you going BUT you would be using the powder measure in the lee die set so you couldn't weigh/verify your charges. I personally would want at a minimum an RCBS 505 scale which puts you $70 over your budget. Figure you'd probably also want a powder measure and loading bloacks and I'm thinking your close to $250. I think $300 would be a better budget and might even get you some of your components for the first attempt.

That being said, if you can find someone with a used press or that's getting out of the hobby you can easily pick up what you need to start for $150. (Estate Sales, etc. )

Good Luck,
Dave

 

[Texastbird]

The Lee Anniversary Kit is a great way to get started in reloading. I still use the Challenger press that came with mine. The scales work just fine for checking your load weights, and the powder measure is decent enough. Get a set of Lee carbide dies (3 die set is fine for 38s) and a reloading tray for the 38s and then all you need is the components you plan to load to get started. You can spend a lot more, but this will get you started with your first reloads.

 

[Im283]

I am far from an expert but I do not think you HAVE to have a case tumbler.

I do not tumble cases and have no problem with my .357's. I have a buddy that has been reloading for a while and he does not tumble cases either. He is reloading 9mm and .45 acp.

Using the ala carte menu a few posts earlier then will put you under 150.

 

[GaryL]

I do not need to have a progressive press but I do shoot about 1000 rounds a year I m not doing this to save money I just need a hobby. I do not shoot enough to really save that much.

Reloading changes all that. Be warned, once you step into this world there's no turning back....

 

[CZ57]

Get the best you can afford. My preference is REDDING, but that won't work for your budget.

Texastbird, probably has the best option. I just ordered the LEE kit for my B-I-L to start loading. The price at Midway has gone up because the Challenger press has been updated. It now uses a quick change bushing system similar to the Hornady Lock-N-Load, and the safety prime system can be added as an option later. The kit comes with the Autoprimer. I was favorably impressed with the upgrades and the kit is still under $100.

 

[230RN]

. I do not shoot enough to really save that much.

You will.

Sooner or later.

You won't need a case tumbler or calipers at first. (ETA: I see someone else above agrees with this point.)

There are other peripherals you'll need at first, like deburring/chamfering tool, powder funnel, two case blocks for holding partially-finished loads (one to the left of the press, the other to the right), and a couple of other little goodies for less than US$10.00 each. Press, dies, handy little tools, powder, primers, bullets, is all you need and you can prowl your local Mom n Pop shops for used stuff. This kind of "hunting" is kind of fun anyhow. And you can put the word out that you're looking at ranges, clubs, etc. They'll come to you.

Somebody else is probably looking to upgrade and wants to get rid of his startup stuff.

For a startup kit, you want a single-stage press. Too much room for error in a progressive one.

And if you're sly and devious, you can introduce someone else to shooting so that when he/she is ready to start reloading, you've created your own "customer base" for your old stuff.

Oh. And you'll need a vacuum cleaner to pick up the spent primers which escape.

They do.

 

[Shoney]

mike6161:
BEWARE THE DISEASE! ! !

You will undoubtably shoot more once you start reloading. And there goes the savings. Down range.

You will not require a progressive IMHO, I have 2, until you are shooying 500 per month. I loaded on a single stage for over 30 years. Then about 17-18 years ago; I bought a used Dillon 550 for $75 at an estate sale. It cost me over $25,000 in the long run LOL.

BEWARE THE DISEASE!

Since I could load pistol ammo so quickly, I shot more and became more proficient at pistol shooting. I decided to see how good I was, so I needed to shoot competitively. In order to be competitive, I needed better pistols, and in order to have even more fun, I needed to compete in several divisions (more pistols).

Next, I needed a more versatile and higher capacity press, so I purchased the Hornady LNL Auto (still load one cartridge with 550) and lots of extras to go with that LNL. I buy powder by the 5 to 8 lb jugs in 4-6 jug lots, bullets by 10K to 20K, and primers locally by 10K or more batches, and feel obligated to be well stocked on all components. BEWARE THE DISEASE!

 

[230RN]

Shoney: Wise words indeed.

Laughed out loud, cried out loud.

(LOL, COL?)

 

[jfh]

For under $100.00, either the Lee Challenger Kit or the Lee standard turret kit would just about get you started. $150.00 would do it, carefully spent. There are even some of us here who probably have spare used gear we could sell--once you decide what to buy new.

I'm going to assume you will double your shooting--but that is still only 125 rounds a month or so average. With that in mind, and including the observation you are loading for a handgun, I would unquestionably recommend the cheaper turret package. I updated my standard turret this year, and I loaded 38/357 development sets on it the last seven months, plus tasted .223 rifle reloading. I can readily reload 180 rounds per hour on the turret, and you can use it as a single stage to learn the reloading process.

Here's a link to the turret kit. You still need the die set, about $30.00, and a caliper. So, $150.00 will do it, and the next item to save for would be the tumbler package.

Components, in rounded off numbers:

200 pcs brass--$20.00
1 lb powder--$20.00
1000 primers--$22.00
1000 cast bullets--$60.00

At the end of 1000 rounds, you'll still have the brass to use if you don't shoot full house loads. Effectively, you'll have spent $.10 a round, or $5.00 a box of ammo. Since reloads cost at least $12.00 a box--and maybe $15.00--you'll have saved about $200.00, and shot better ammo to boot. You'll have paid for the kit you with the "savings," and with the extra $100.00 you can buy the second round of components--and you'll have gotten on the merry-go-round.

Have fun!

Jim H.

 

[CZ57]

Mike, I should have mentioned that the "New" Anniversary kit comes with 3 bushings. If you plan to use a 4 die set, you'll need to order two more bushings. That's how they're sold.

I can't remember what Midway sells their tumbler for, Frankford Arsenal, but that, dies and a dial caliper will give you what you need to start, except for tumbler media. There are numerous recommendations in the archives that will save you some money, or just add media to the order.

LEE's carbide 4 die set will come with the shell holder. If you order another brand of dies, you'll also need to get the appropriate shellholder.

 

[Walkalong]

Lee is a great way to get started and it will load great ammo. As time goes by you may or may not want to "upgrade". Most folks can't keep from buying extra "goodies" over the years.

 

[Starter52]

+1 to everyone who said the Lee Anniversary kit.

And I agree with IM283 that a tumbler is not a needed item when you're first starting out.

Brass tumblers weren't available when I started reloading in 1972. I managed without one.

 

[mike6161]

I like the lee CHALLENGER PRESS KIT but my dad said that lee was junk. He was a big reloader back in1982 and he used RCBS
However, I cannot spend that much on reloading.
Is lee junk can it hold up to 6years of reloading before I can buy some nicer stuff. I just need to reload because ammo is 16.00 for 50 rounds of 38 and I will be shooting more this year then last maybe 2000 rounds or so. so what do I need to reload dose the challenger press kit come with all the stuff or will I have to buy more
Thank for the advice

 

[CZ57]

Add dies and you're ready to go. I would get a dial caliper ($20), but the tumbler, you can add later.

I was also using LEE in 1982, but it was the hand tool. Things have improved since then. The Challenger press has a good track record. The new press that uses the bushings looks to be a very good value for the $ and the kit is just over $90. For a first press, you'd be hard pressed to find better.

 

[Sport45]

Keep an eye out on eBay for used presses. Search "reloading press", "lyman press", "lee press", "rcbs .... you get the point. There are some good deals to be found.

Here's one.

Here's one that sold with .357 dies not too long ago.

The others are giving good advice. Lee is not junk, it costs less and may not be as "heavy duty" as the others, but it gets the job done. Get into it a bit at a time. On a shoestring, you can use Lee dippers and you won't need a scale. Keep the bullets in their original boxes so you don't have to guess about their weight. Never have more than one can of powder on your workbench and there will be no worries about mixing powders when you dump the powder measure back in the can. Label everything.

Lee is good stuff, but I think the best bang for the buck right now are the used Lyman presses.

 

[dmftoy1]

Lee's are not built quite as strong as some of the others but if you bought classic cast I don't think you'd ever wear it out. For the others mentioned I think they'd get you through your first six years and even if it only got you through your first two you'd have saved enough that you wouldn't even hesitate to pick up/upgrade some of your equipment.

I started out my second go round with an RCBS JR3 that someone had traded to the local volume reloader for ammo . .it wasn't pretty but it was $30. After I'd loaded enough to know I was going to keep on going I sold it to a buddy for the same $30 (but a nicer paint job. ) and bought a used RCBS RockChucker off of Ebay for $65. It took me probably 3-4 months of watching the site in the evenings to find that deal but you can do it.

My advice would be to just get started since you seem to enjoy shooting . . . .you can load what you want easily on Lee equipment and after loading for awhile you'll have a better idea of what you like/dislike.

 

[Texastbird]

I don't have a picture handy, but my Challenger press has loaded thousands and thousands of pistol rounds and is still going strong. I remember when I started reloading, all the big boys were bragging about their RCBS and other more expensive setups, but being of modest means, I went with my wallet and the Lee stuff hasn't let me down. Remember we are advising a fellow with a bare bones budget. Not everyone can afford to start out with a Dillon. But he can load a box of 38s or 357s with a Anniversary Kit and they will shoot just as well or better than some loaded on the high ticket equipment. He doesn't even really have to have a caliper, since most 38s are crimped on the cannalure anyway. Once Mike catches the fever, he will eventually upgrade with some more sofisticated stuff, ha,ha.

 

[armoredman]

Lee is OK, go for the Challenger kit. Everything you need except dies. I use Lee dies exclusively.
Welcome to the addiction!



[whisper] Is it too soon to mention the fun of casting your own bullets??? [/whisper]

 

[gunsmithgirl]

I would recommend RCBS. When I began reloading I was on a budget too. I found some used RCBS stuff cheap in a local shop. I needed a few parts for the press & powder throw, so I called RCBS and they sent me the parts free even though I told them I bought it used. They have really great customer service and stand behind their products. And I think they are one of the best quality reloading companies out there.

 

[Walkalong]

And I think they are one of the best quality reloading companies out there.

Can not argue with that. I have had great luck with my RCBS stuff. One problem in all these years and they just said "no problem" and sent another die to replace the slighty oversized sizer die.

 

[scrat]

the lee aniversary set.

Then you will still need a set of dies

after that read the manual then figure out what powder primers and bullets your going to use. You can still probably just make it for 150.00

here is the break down

lee challenger kit 89.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=423081&t=11082005

Lee Carbide deluxe die set 38spcl 357 magnum 21.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.ex...233&categorystring=9315***731***702***8345***

The abc's of reloading book 14.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=738288&t=11082005


Winchester primers 23.49 for 1000
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=166619&t=11082005

Powder 1lbs of unique 15.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/ebrowse.ex...dsReturned2=20&NextButton.x=7&NextButton.y=11

Bullets box of 500 24.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=171753&t=11082005

 

[scrat]

Woops thats 191.49

Well if you minus the powder primers and bullets. get the kit first and all the stuff put it together then read the manual and all the instructions fully. by the time your done you will have the money to purchase primers, powder and bullets.

 

[mike6161]

Thanks scrat I can get most of the stuff now but the primers bullets and powder I can get latter. I do like the lee kit because it his most of the stuff I need to get started is lee good for start up is it easy to use