Yet another beginner

[Tarendol]

Hello everyone!

Since I should (hopefully) be getting my C&R discount at Midway soon, plus the fact that I am going to pick up some surplus rifles, I thought this would be a good time to get into reloading. I want to be able to reload rifle and pistol (.45 for now) calibers.

From what I am reading in old topics, I need (equipment wise)

Several reloading manuals
Press of some sort
Dies
Powder Measure
Scale
Calipers

And I have seen a few other tools listed but I don't understand exactly what they are for (i.e. a chamfer tool). Can anyone give me advice in this area?

In terms of the press, I don't want to get a progressive to start out with as money is a serious concern and I have no idea if I will like reloading. I was looking at the Lee Classic Turret press and also the Lee Anniversary Kit; the kit would be nice but the Turret I think better and I could buy better equipment piece by piece. Any thoughts here?

Do I need anything special for rifle calibers except a different set of dies?

Finally, would you recommend a hand press as an addition (cost permitting)? It might be nice to be able to do some of the tasks while not in my workshop. Could a hand press handle rifle rounds?

 

[Grumulkin]

You will need a case trimmer if you reload bottlenecked cases. For straignt wall cases you won't need one. The chamfer tool to to deburr cases after you have trimmed them (i.e., bevel the edge a bit for easier bullet seating); you could use a pocket knife instead.

I've loaded thousands of rounds in multiple calibers with a single stage RCBS press over the last 20+ years and have never seen the need to go to a progressive press. I would suggest some type of reloading kit with scale, powder measure, etc. (RCBS, Lee and others make them).

After you've reloaded a bit, there are sure to be other things you'll aquire.

 

[msgrep]

If you load alot of rifle you should consider a powder trickler. I have yet to find a powder measure that would throw the same load all the time. I always set mine just under my desired load and trickle the rest of the way!

I also find that a trim die is quite a bit faster than a rotary trimmer, just adds another step on the press but cuts down on the measuring.....

 

[benedict1]

Get the Classic Turret Press--you will not be sorry. It can load rifle and pistol; it is cast iron and steel construction; extra turrets make changing calibers dead easy; the Lee Safety prime is the best thing to come along in priming in years; the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure is very consistent. Nothing not to like.

If you get pistol dies, get the Deluxe Dies that include the Factory Crimp Die.

 

[Matt-man]

And I have seen a few other tools listed but I don't understand exactly what they are for (i.e. a chamfer tool).

The first thing you should do is pick up a copy of "The ABC's of Reloading." It'll teach you what you need to know to get started, including what equipment you'll need.

As for presses, I have a Lee Classic Cast single-stage and it's a good press. I think the Classic Turret would be ideal for getting higher production rates than a single-stage without going all the way to a progressive.

I don't use a hand press, but I do occasionally use Lee's inexpensive "Reloader" press for case prep tasks and the like. It works fine for that and it could be used for loading handgun rounds, but I don't think it would handle rifle rounds very well. I would imagine the same thing would be the case for the hand press.

 

[cheaptrick]

Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit would be a great start as well.
If funds are available.

I like the Rock Chuker press better than the Lee.

I would also recommend the Lee Collet dies. VERY good and simple to set up and use.

Good shooting!

 

[DMF38]

I started reloading a few months ago and here's the setup I got.

I bought this from Midway for $400. It's a good setup with everything I need, except more dies for different calibers. I only reload .45 Colt right now. And I think the Classic Cast Turret Press will last a lifetime. (I also got a case length gauge for .30-.30 and .30-06, since I plan to load for them eventually.) The Lyman manual would be good too.

With the Lee Classic Cast Turret press I can reload 200 rounds per hour, which is plenty fast for me. Storebought .45 Colt ammo is about $22 for a box of 50, but it costs me only $6-$7 to reload a box of 50. I shoot a lot more than I used to for the same amount of money. And reloading is as much fun as shooting!
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114080 Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure Riser $6.99

212586 Lyman Shooter's Weight Check Set $21.99

331177 Frankford Arsenal Brass Cleaning Media Treated Walnut Hull 7 lb Bag
$10.49

348753 Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure $30.99

389104 Lee Chamfer Tool $1.99

432027 Lee Case Length Gage and Shellholder 30-30 Winchester $3.49

438512 Hornady One Shot Case Lube 5.5 oz Aerosol $5.99

459337 Lee Case Length Gage and Shellholder 30-06 Springfield $3.49

467111 Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner $2.09

476992 Lee Cutter and Lock Stud $3.49

484416 Lee "Modern Reloading Second Edition" Reloading Manual by Richard Lee $12.99

548630 Lee Safety Prime Small and Large Primer Feeder for 2006 and Later Reloading Press $19.99

561725 Lee Case Length Gage and Shellholder 45 Colt (Long Colt)$3.49

604242 Frankford Arsenal Electronic Caliper 6" Stainless Steel $27.99

616153 Frankford Arsenal Case Tumbler with Rotary-7 Media Separator Kit 110 Volt $78.99

706882 Lee Deluxe Handgun 4-Die Set 45 Colt (Long Colt) $28.49

712103 Lee Safety Magnetic Scale $18.99

814175 Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press $79.99

 

[Critter183]

I also find that a trim die is quite a bit faster than a rotary trimmer, just adds another step on the press but cuts down on the measuring.....

No chit? Didn't know such a thing existed until just now. You have solved my mental block about going progressive. lmao!

I didn't think it worth it if I had to decap and resize, then trim, debur, etc, and then go back and run the brass through a progressive.

 

[Dr. Dickie]

If money is a concern (and when isn't it) and you are not sure if you will get into re-loading, I would suggest the same thing I do to people starting exercise. Look in the newspaper, ask around the range, talk to all your friends, and see if you can pick up some equipment used. There is usually someone out there with an old single stage sitting in the garage that could get you going for cheap.

 

[Critter183]

Repeal the 17th Amendment, let’s put America back to the Republic the founding fathers intended!
Dr. Dickie is online now Report Post

The 16th has to go too. These two amendments were the biggest fraud ever perpetrated against America, and the only two reasons we are as screwed as we are today.

 

[mainebear]

Try ebay. I picked up almost all of my stuff there for about half of retail, even at the large internet stores.

Sure you have to watch for good deals, and some stuff goes for almost retail but, if you are patient, and careful who you buy from, there are some really good buys there.

Midway also has Frankford Arsenal tumblers on sale for around $30.00. I picked one up and it works great. I wasn't too keen on buying a used tumbler. Figured for that price new was better. On ebay I also see a bunch of scales for auction from time to time. Redding, RCBS etc. They usually go for $10-20. Picked up a cool old Redding myself. Works real nice, and its a conversation piece. Anyway my .02 worth.

 

[RustyFN]

Another vote for the Lee Classic Turret Press. I bought one a few months ago and it is awesome. Built to last a lifetime. If you load pistol you can load at about 200 rounds per hour. If you want to load rifle with more attention to detail it can also be used as a single stage press. You can't go wrong with this press. Here is what I bought to give you an example.

Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure Riser.
Lee Adjustable Charge Bar Auto Disk.
Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure.
Lee Safety Prime Small and Large Primer Feeder.
Lee Classic Four Hole Turret Press.
Lee Deluxe Handgun Four Die Set 9mm Luger.
Lee Safety Magnetic Scale. ( will upgrade as needed )
Total was $207 Including shipping

 

[Smokey Joe]

THE book!

Tarendol--Matt-man has it right: What you want before you go buying equipment, is knowledge. The "standard textbook" on the subject of reloading is The ABC's of Reloading.

Get it @ yr local sptg gds sto, gun sho, the I'net, or order from the publisher, Krause Publishing www.krause.com

But get it. Lots and lots of info for the newbie, including discussion of what you need now, what you want, and what you can wait 'til later to get. Not just for newbies, though--The ABC's has plenty for the experienced reloader as well. Should be on every reloader's bookshelf, IMHO, well thumbed.

Having read it, if you decide that you don't want to get into reloading, you will have a greater respect for, and a deeper understanding of, what goes into the making of ammunition for us shooters. I don't see a down-side.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Safety glasses. Other than that, sounds like you're covered.

 

[lee n. field]

And I have seen a few other tools listed but I don't understand exactly what they are for (i.e. a chamfer tool). Can anyone give me advice in this area?

Read the procedural parts of the manuals, so you know what things are for. Lots of people recommend The ABCs of Reloading. I haven't read it, so I can't say.

n terms of the press, I don't want to get a progressive to start out with as money is a serious concern and I have no idea if I will like reloading. I was looking at the Lee Classic Turret press and also the Lee Anniversary Kit; the kit would be nice but the Turret I think better and I could buy better equipment piece by piece. Any thoughts here?

Unless money falls from heaven specifically earmarked for it, a progressive isn't in my near future. The Lee Classic Turret seriously tempts me. For learning purposes, the turret advance can be disabled, turning it into a single stage press.

Do I need anything special for rifle calibers except a different set of dies?

Can't use carbide dies for bottleneck cases, so you need some way to lube the case. I use RCBS' spray lube.

Finally, would you recommend a hand press as an addition (cost permitting)?

Cost permitting? The Lee Hand Press costs very little. Yes, get it.

Could a hand press handle rifle rounds?

Maybe. I find the Lee hand press to be pretty hard to use, for full length sizing of large (.308) rifle cases.

Try ebay. I picked up almost all of my stuff there for about half of retail,

Ditto ebay, with the caveat that you need to be very aware of the value of what you're bidding on, and mind the shipping cost.