I've just purchased a Lee Classic Loader in .357 mag to get my feet wet reloading. I'm thinking of ordering 500 cast 158gr plated FP from Berry's but I'm slightly concerned about the lack of cannelure - should I go with lead SWC for my first try?
Starting reloading .357 with Lee Classic Loader - bullet selection?
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ChefJeff1
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yes
JLDickmon
Member
indeed
FROGO207
Member
^^
That said you will get a better overall load with the lead bullets. easier to work with and most likely lots more accurate. The added thought is the dipper provided is not adjustable and your loads will be on the low end for a built in safety margin. Your first two things to get would be a good powder scale and a set of accurate calipers. For a bullet I would start by getting something that is either lead or jacketed that has a crimp groove. Trying to start reloading with a plated bullet that has no crimp groove is just going to make you frustrated from the get go. There are some longtime reloaders that still have a bit of trouble with the plated bullets that Berries or Rainier make. I am sometimes one of them. :banghead: AND I would not want to start off using a Lee Loader with any plated bullets.
That said you will get a better overall load with the lead bullets. easier to work with and most likely lots more accurate. The added thought is the dipper provided is not adjustable and your loads will be on the low end for a built in safety margin. Your first two things to get would be a good powder scale and a set of accurate calipers. For a bullet I would start by getting something that is either lead or jacketed that has a crimp groove. Trying to start reloading with a plated bullet that has no crimp groove is just going to make you frustrated from the get go. There are some longtime reloaders that still have a bit of trouble with the plated bullets that Berries or Rainier make. I am sometimes one of them. :banghead: AND I would not want to start off using a Lee Loader with any plated bullets.zxcvbob
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You don't really need a good set, the electronic ones from Harbor Freight are just fine.
I'd wait until I was reloading rimless cartridges like 9mm or .45ACP before I bought any calipers. You load revolver cartridges to the crimp groove rather than to a specific length.
FROGO207
Member
Those HF digital ones would be considered good IMHO. I was talking about not getting those cheap plastic slide rule looking type thingies I have seen at some stores. I would want calipers for any problems with diameters of bullets and such with a revolver round myself.
zxcvbob
Member
That's a good point about checking diameters. I was just thinking about overall lengths.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
Yup...
Double Yup...FROGO207 said:
You could have bought the cheapest Lee press for the same price as the Lee Loader. It ain't pretty but it works.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/807734/lee-reloader-single-stage-press
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