I looking to buy a reloading kit to get started into reloading .40 up to a .300 ultra mag. Maybe a 100 or so shells in a months time. So my question is, what is the best kit made today for a beginner? I'm going to get my fater-in-law to teach me all of the ropes, but he doesn't know anything about the newer presses that are out. I bought the ABC's To Reloading book. What else do I need to get? Thanks, Gary!
Which Reloading Kit To Buy?
- Thread starter Cardiff
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Fu-man Shoe
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I have been having a lot of success (and a lot of fun) with
a Lee Precision "Anniversary Kit" reloading kit. It's pretty
comprehensive single stage kit-in-a-box.
It cost me $110, and comes with everything you need to
reload minus specific reloading dies and components.
You get a scale, a powder measure hopper, a priming
tool, and of course the press itself. You also get a bunch of
other doo-dads, like shellholders, a primer pocket cleaning
tool, a nice reloading book and some extra little parts and
pieces nescessary to doing either rifle ammo or pistol ammo.
I dont want to sound like a commercial for Lee Precision,
but thier stuff really works, and it's didn't cost a lot.
I have been very impressed, and wish I would have started
reloading much, much earlier. I cringe now to think about all
the perfectly good ammo cases I've thrown away in the past!
Fu-man Shoe
a Lee Precision "Anniversary Kit" reloading kit. It's pretty
comprehensive single stage kit-in-a-box.
It cost me $110, and comes with everything you need to
reload minus specific reloading dies and components.
You get a scale, a powder measure hopper, a priming
tool, and of course the press itself. You also get a bunch of
other doo-dads, like shellholders, a primer pocket cleaning
tool, a nice reloading book and some extra little parts and
pieces nescessary to doing either rifle ammo or pistol ammo.
I dont want to sound like a commercial for Lee Precision,
but thier stuff really works, and it's didn't cost a lot.
I have been very impressed, and wish I would have started
reloading much, much earlier. I cringe now to think about all
the perfectly good ammo cases I've thrown away in the past!
Fu-man Shoe
Black Snowman
Member
If you think you might go higher volume later, I'd recommend getting the Lee Turret press kit. You can use and learn on it as a single stage and move up to faster production once you're comfortable with the process. Comes with pretty much everything you need just like the Anniversary kit (which I have and I loaded up to 340 Weathery Magnum on it without any problems).
I also got a LoadMaster for faster production but in hindsight I'd have been almost as well off with a turret. I also have a Lee Classic Cast because I didn't like the primer "handling" of the Challenger that comes with the Anniversary kit. If you think you might want to do 50 BMG one day the Lee Classic Cast single stage is converted relatively inexpensivly and is nearly indestructable.
I also got a LoadMaster for faster production but in hindsight I'd have been almost as well off with a turret. I also have a Lee Classic Cast because I didn't like the primer "handling" of the Challenger that comes with the Anniversary kit. If you think you might want to do 50 BMG one day the Lee Classic Cast single stage is converted relatively inexpensivly and is nearly indestructable.
cloudcroft
Member
I mostly agree with Black Snowman...except that I'd get the Lee CLASSIC Turret Press (with 4-hole turrets). If it doesn't come as a kit, then get it separately...it's much more durable over the aluminum Lee Turret Press (3-hole turrets unless upgraded to use 4-holers?).
If you insist on the kit with the aluminum turret-press, it will work just fine for your needs. And it's easily capable of handling much more than 100 rounds per month...heck, even a single-stage press is.
Merry Christmas,
-- John D.
If you insist on the kit with the aluminum turret-press, it will work just fine for your needs. And it's easily capable of handling much more than 100 rounds per month...heck, even a single-stage press is.
Merry Christmas,
-- John D.
ranger335v
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- 3,797
All kits are made for beginners. All of them are good for the price. The least expensive is the Lee, the most expensive is - I think - the RCBS line. Many condemn Lee and slavishly promote RCBS, failing to recognise that the small quanity loader really needs to get started without mortaging the house. I feel differently and will suggest you get a Lee "Anniversary" kit to start.
The inexpensive Lee "Challanger" press is part of their "Anniversary Kit". It's an aluminum alloy tool but plenty strong enough for common reloading chores if it's used correctly, meaning with well lubed cases. (But, you can't break the RCBS, Hornady or Lyman cast iron press no matter how ham-fisted you are! ) Far to much emphysis is placed on a reloading press. Presses are simple devices and there are no secrets in making them. All modern presses are well made and any of them will give you good service if you keep it clean and lightly lubed.
Start with the inexpensive Lee kit then, IF you eventually get heavy into loading and shooting, you will have the experience to judge for yourself what features you seek in each new tool and can get exactly what YOU want at that time. Your original tools may then take a supporting role but they will still be useful for specific jobs, so they won't be wasted.
Get a couple of loading manuals too. I like Lyman's book for the most complete info on the basics of reloading and it has a good bit of loading data as well
There are a few more trinkets and tools you will need to add to any kit for a complete package but exactly what will be determined by which kit you choose. Let us know what you buy and we can suggest what else you might wish to add for your bench.
Know that if you ever want the "best press" on the market you'll have to get a Forster "Co-Ax" or Redding "Magnum"! And, bench resters don't use our press designs at all so that should tell you something about our stuff!
Have fun!
The inexpensive Lee "Challanger" press is part of their "Anniversary Kit". It's an aluminum alloy tool but plenty strong enough for common reloading chores if it's used correctly, meaning with well lubed cases. (But, you can't break the RCBS, Hornady or Lyman cast iron press no matter how ham-fisted you are! ) Far to much emphysis is placed on a reloading press. Presses are simple devices and there are no secrets in making them. All modern presses are well made and any of them will give you good service if you keep it clean and lightly lubed.
Start with the inexpensive Lee kit then, IF you eventually get heavy into loading and shooting, you will have the experience to judge for yourself what features you seek in each new tool and can get exactly what YOU want at that time. Your original tools may then take a supporting role but they will still be useful for specific jobs, so they won't be wasted.
Get a couple of loading manuals too. I like Lyman's book for the most complete info on the basics of reloading and it has a good bit of loading data as well
There are a few more trinkets and tools you will need to add to any kit for a complete package but exactly what will be determined by which kit you choose. Let us know what you buy and we can suggest what else you might wish to add for your bench.
Know that if you ever want the "best press" on the market you'll have to get a Forster "Co-Ax" or Redding "Magnum"! And, bench resters don't use our press designs at all so that should tell you something about our stuff!
Have fun!
DaveInFloweryBranchGA
Member
Gary,
Read the newbie reloader sticky. The Lee kits are good for low quantities like you're talking about. I'd favor the turret kits over the single stage though. That said, you'll get a better reloading experience selecting individual componentry.
Regards,
Dave
Read the newbie reloader sticky. The Lee kits are good for low quantities like you're talking about. I'd favor the turret kits over the single stage though. That said, you'll get a better reloading experience selecting individual componentry.
Regards,
Dave
Shootingman
Member
I,ve been reloading only 6mths,bought the Lee anniversary kit for £99.95,only extra's required were dies:-£25.50 & length resizing tool:-£3.99, does every thing I want, ideal for us newbies as its cheap but does the job. P.S. Hi Cardiff, is that Cardiff U.K. if so I'm only 20 miles away
I was looking at the dies for the Lee and can't find one for a .300 remington Ultra Mag? Are you able to use other brand of die with the lee press?
Shootingman, I'm from the U.S. (Texas) cardiff is just a name I came up with. Thanks, for the help.
Shootingman, I'm from the U.S. (Texas) cardiff is just a name I came up with. Thanks, for the help.
Ifishsum
Member
You can use any standard thread dies with the Lee press (or most any other, for that matter). Lee makes a good kit for the starting reloader, I've upgraded to a cast press but am still using most of the kit components.
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