Starting Out Investment

[Ed Gallop]

Back in the 60s I had a Lee Loader to save money reloading 38 wad cutters for practice but in the 70s I was furnished amo so gave it away. Now that I'm retired and shooting more often than ever I started reloading again. Bought another Lee Loader (same as it was over 40 years ago). Then I bought a hand primer. Much easier and faster. I was looking for a scale and bench presses are looking better every day. Maybe I would have been better off investing is a decent kit to start with. Not too late.

The Hornady Lock-n-Load Classic is on sale at Cabelas for $300.00 and a hundred dollars worth of bullets are free. Another $75.00 for dies and I'd have everything I need for 38 and 45. Is this a good investment? Ed.

 

[Walkalong]

Yes, if you are going to reload a good bit. It is a fine machine by all accounts. My old Projector has loaded 1000's of rounds.

Hornady Lock-n-Load Classic

Duh. I read your post wrong. Forget what I said.

 

[Hawk]

The LnL Classic is an excellent single stage.

I've never gone through the exercise to see what type of savings accrue when purchasing a kit - I had most of the paraphernalia before purchasing my single.

I'd suspect the pricing is good if you won't be duplicating too much. I'd guess one could price only that portion of the kit that one doesn't already own and buy separately if it made sense to do so. You'll get the 500 bullets whether the press is purchased alone or as part of a kit, if I'm reading the "get loaded" stuff correctly.

You'll get a box of bullets for each set of dies provided they're of a certain series and type. I don't know what distinguishes a "new dimension die with zip spindle" from any alternative but a box of bullets would presumably put these guys in the running for bargain status as well.

 

[benedict1]

I would look seriously at the Lee Classic Turret press--with dies you are looking at $145 for a basic kit here--

http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products/reloading/leeprecision/kits/KempfKit.html


It is easy to set up and operate, look here

http://www.surplusrifle.com/reviews2006/leeturretpress/index.asp

It is also auto-indexing and you can easily load 150-200 rounds per hour.
I wouldn't trade mine for any single stage press, and most progressives. This thing is stoutly made of steel and cast iron and turns out great ammo.

 

[jfh]

I'll second the Lee Classic turret.

On another forum, I did a ballpark workup for a newbie, using .45ACP as an example.

1. About $350.00 got you the Kempf package, complete with a tumbler, caliper, etc., etc.

2. About $150.00 got you the components (500 cases, 1000 bullets & primers, powder) shipped.

3. Payback, based on current Win White Box .45 ACP prices, would be in about 2500 rounds.

But aside of the economics, the Lee package from Kempf is probably a better value, I think.

Jim H.

 

[Neophyte1]

I hadn't thought about saying anything about cost.
My basic research using Midway's WISH basket. Cost to start
.357 .44 .40 and I may have another cal.
Pricing 'Both' ways; kit versus what I "think" I need/want doesn't vary by much.
Again I researched; Mix and matching; referring to what is here, books, and other forums. For a beginner there is alot to think about. I find reloading a logical
step to shooting.
Reading/studying and following advice/opinions quoted, and observed; works out well.
Common place to the Long Term re loaders is light years away from the first pull of the Handle, placing a charge into a vessel, crimping? and the lot that goes along, including the potential for K-BooM.
The New Reloader has a tremendous responsibility, and needs the same respect that each of you have shown. Thats how-come I have stayed around.
What we learn, and how we learn is a growing part of THR. From me to you; long timers and beginners; thanks to each. Each question; each answer; is learning.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

The Hornady free bullet deal is only for specific bullets, no substitutes, so make sure you can use what they're offering.

I'm a big Hornady fan, but the RCBS master reloading kit ($259 at cabela's) is a better deal with every bit as good a press and other gear. The new universal hand primer is great (included in the kit). You can also get the LNL conversion kit to use the LNL quick change bushings with the rockchucker.

If you want to venture away from the kits, the I highly recommend the Forster co-ax press. Best designed, best built single stage press out there. Throw in a uniflow powder measure, a digital scale, and the rcbs universal hand primer (square tray), and you've got a pretty good start.

Andy

 

[VARifleman]

BigJake, please show where the Rockchucker accepts 1 1/4" x 12 dies.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

Like many other presses, the RC has a removable threaded bushing that holds the 7/8-14 dies. Remove (unscrew) the bushing, and you can install 1-1/4x12 dies or a LNL adapter bushing, as shown here:

http://www.realguns.com/Commentary/comar37.htm

CH4D also has threaded bushings for using 1" dies in a 1-1/4x12 threaded press.

Andy

 

[VARifleman]

Thanks so much, I hadn't seen that the RCBS used that system like the Lee cast press.

 

[BigJakeJ1s]

Beware that the RCBS Rockchucker press has the bushing, while smaller RCBS presses (partner) do not.

Andy