Hey Old Pro's, help me start up

miker84 · October 11, 2009, 07:39 PM

I will mostly be reloading 45, 40, and 9mm. I've been looking at the Lee Classic Turret. I'm wondering if the Hornady LNL AP may be a better (or equal) deal with the 1,000 free bullets they are offering. Since my primary function is reloading semi-auto handgun ammo, a progressive is most likely in my future.

I have a good bit of brass already and I know that I'm going to get a single stage to work up loads (and build confidence in loading my own). I have nothing now (as far as reloading equip).

My math shows that the Lee turret will be about 600 to start up, then I have to buy bullets, powder and primers. The Hornady LNL AP, will be about 800 and I'll have to buy powder and primers ( and get the 1,000 free bullets).

Shoney · October 11, 2009, 08:17 PM

miker

Both of those presses are wonderful. The real consideration you need to make is, "How many rounds do I (will I) shoot per week, month, year."

If you are pistol shooting competetively, 1000 to 3000 rounds a month is not unusuall. If you have a family (or extended family) that shoot quite a bit, then you may wish to get the higher out put machine.

If you are doing around 500 a month avg for pistol and 100-300 rounds of small rifle per month. and 100-1000 per year of large rifle, then the classic turret wil serve you well.

miker84 · October 11, 2009, 08:22 PM

hey Shoney,
No competive shooting, but I am burning 300 per month in handgun ammo. There's a 223 in my immediate future too.

oneounceload · October 11, 2009, 08:30 PM

There's a LOT of koolaid on this forum - red, green, blue, etc...

(and there's a TON of threads on that area) - you'll also need a scale, calipers, inertia bullet puller, loading trays are helpful for the single stage press you mention, a place to reload, a place to store components and completed ammunition (preferably under heat and air to keep it constant), a notebook to keep track of your loadings and the results of that, MANUALS, more than one, for safe load data.

Buying components in bulk will save $$$$$ -IF you can come up with loads for those pistol rounds that uses only 1 powder, that can help control costs.

You'll want to eventually get a tumbler and media for case cleaning, range bag, and all kinds of other goodies as well.........

Shoney · October 11, 2009, 08:34 PM

One of the few abolutes of reloading is, "Once you start reloading, you shoot more. Sometimes a great deal more."

If you double your output, the Classic turret will still serve you well.

I have the LNL AP, and reload a wide variety of rifle and pistol cartridges. Before my kids went on their own and I stopped shooting competetively, the LNL was ideal. I load most all of my rifle and pistol cartridges on the LNL. If I were starting out new, I would opt for the Classic Turret.

You should make a comparrison of costs with the free stuff. If there is only a minor difference in price, the LNL may be the better option.

Best wishes, and Good Shooting!

chris in va · October 11, 2009, 09:46 PM

Quote:

My math shows that the Lee turret will be about 600 to start up

Ouch, what? Granted I have a Hand Press, but my entire setup is $125, including Lyman manual. If you look for USED equipment you can go a lot less than $600.

For example I found a really good old Redding beam scale for $25 on Ebay. Works perfectly. Dies were on clearance from Midway.

Just shop around and even post in the classifieds on here for someone looking to 'upgrade'.

Shoney · October 11, 2009, 09:56 PM

You can get a Classic Turret Kit from Kempf's for Under $180.

https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php?...hk=1&Itemid=41

The LNL AP press only after subtracting the "Free Stuff" is anywhere between $250-$300 depending on wholesaler and "fre stuff" you get.

Farmland · October 11, 2009, 10:13 PM

They have covered most of the ins and outs on the progressive & turret press. I did see that you mentioned a Single Stage Press too. That isn't a bad idea though you can use a turret as a single stage press too.

You may want to look at and consider the Lee Classic Cast Single Stage Press. Great press, heavy duty and inexpensive. However again you may want to just skip the single stage and go with a turret press.

I find that I use my single stage for many things even though I have two progressive presses.

miker84 · October 12, 2009, 08:38 AM

I'm figuring the classic turret, 3 sets of carbide dies, tumbler, media, trays, scales, puller, powder measure, extra turrets....that's how I came to $600 for the total package on the Lee vs basically the same thing for the Hornady at $800

hornady · October 12, 2009, 09:08 AM

Just my 2 cents worth. A lot of guys are out there buying a lot more press than is needed. Most guys that don’t shoot competition don’t need the Progressive or turret press. A single stage will serve them well. I know this will start a fire. But If just starting out. I would get the Lyman , RCBS, or Hornady. Single stage starter kit. The Lee Classic press is a good one. But the rest of the stuff that comes with it is junk. There is no way you can compare a Lee , Scale or powder Dump with, A Lyman, RCBS or Hornady. Scale or dump. Start out with good Equipment, and you will not regret it. As for a Tumbler. This is not a necessity. They are nice and I own two Lyman 1500s. However, the first 10 years I loaded , I did not own one.

Farmland · October 12, 2009, 09:54 AM

Actually the Lee Powder scale is a very good one and one of the most accurate. It is easy to use and the steel ball is one of the most innovated adjustments. It can take a beating and will still perform.

It gets a rap for being plastic and some may find it a little harder to read however when put side by side with my RCBS scale it reads teh same and for way less the money.

The Lee Classic Cast may come in a kit but I don't think it does. For the cost savings on the press which is around $80 you can add just about anything to it and still be ahead on the savings.

Kits are nice but I would put more focus on the press and find one that you will like to use for the rest of your life. I find that I have made many switches to the other equipment such as powder measures, scales and misc tools over the years.

dsv424 · October 12, 2009, 10:09 AM

I have the Lee Classic Turret and it has been a great press for my needs. I reload 380ACP, 9mm, .357 Mag, 40S&W, 10mm, 45ACP, 5.7x28mm, .223, 30/30 and .308 on it. Its been a great press with no real problems with it at all. Once you get the hang of it you can average about 150 to 200 rounds an hour with it. I would suggest if you go with this press to get the 4 die pistol sets. This way you will be avoiding the crimping problems a lot of people start off with. I took the 3 die approach in the beginning and ended up getting the Lee Factory Crimp later which would cost more.
Welcome to the addictive world of reloading!

speedracer211 · October 12, 2009, 08:48 PM

Quick run down on my first lee kit I bought a few years ago.

$120 or so for the turret kit with carbide dies
$8 for an extra four hole turret on special at midsouth
$35 tumbler from harbor freight on sale
$15 digital calipers from harbor freight which are actually the same as those going for 5 times its price.
$7 cabellas kinetic bullet puller since I had a coupon from when i bought the lee turret kit.
Crushed walnut media $10

You can get into it for under $200. Just watch the sales and jump on them.

If you watch craigslist you can find some deals. I bought two lee pro 1k's with dies and everything for $100. Included two extra sets of large and small primer set ups.

Rusty W · October 12, 2009, 09:45 PM

I have both the Lee Classic Cast Turret and the Hornady LNL AP. I reload for .380, 9mm, 38spl, 357mag, 44mag, 45acp, 45colt, 45AR, .223, 22-250, .243, .270, 30 carbine, 30/30, .308, 30/06, .35rem, & 45/70. I like the Hornady when I want to deprime the rifle rounds. I measure them and trim as needed then move over to the Lee, crazy I know. I use the Hornady when I want to load a bunch (2-300 rounds) of 9mm or 45acp. I use the Lee for most everything else. The Lee is just a fast as the Hornady for me. You still have to stop and load primers on any press. The dies are interchangeable though the Lee dies are a little fussy at times on the LNL. You'll have to change plates on the Hornady, about $30.00 each the last I bought any. The Lee die sets come with a shell holder. The LNLAP comes with a case activated powder measure. I purchased the LNLAP because of the free bullets advertised and I like the LNLAP a lot. I find myself using the Lee more though as I've gotten more into rifles and shoot less pistol. I swap componets around though and use the Lee Pro Powder measure on the LNL and the Hornady on the Lee. If I had to pick one I'd go with the Lee over the Hornady just because it suits my needs better but I'm glad I have them both. I look at the cost as I'm going to continue shooting as long as I'm able and don't really think about how many rounds do I have to load in order to pay for itself. I know I never have to pay $40.00 for a box of 45 colts or $25.00 for 45/70's as long as I'm alive. I also cast my own bullets and have a small sum of $ tied up in tools for that, but I'll never have to buy another bullet. I'm thinking you should be able to get the Lee set up for about $300.00 to load all 3 calibers.

CrustyFN · October 13, 2009, 03:48 PM

Not sure about the LNL but your price on the Classic Turret is off a little. You can buy it set up for one caliber at www.kempfgunshop.com for under $200. Wih a good scale ,tumbler and calipers you are looking at a little over $300. You can add another caliber for the price of a $9 turret and the price of dies. I am set up to load 9mm, 38 spcl, 45 auto and 223 on my classic turret with a good scale, calipers and a Cabelas tumbler at right around $400.

Russ5924 · October 13, 2009, 05:47 PM

Are you going by Lee prices on there web site there price are way higher than most others sell it for. I started out using a Lee four holeTurret press have since upgraded to a Dillon 550. But the Lee still gets a lot of use in fact I enjoy loading more on the Lee.

lee n. field · October 13, 2009, 06:34 PM

Quote:

My math shows that the Lee turret will be about 600 to start up,

Seems quite high to me. You don't need an electronic scale or electronic powder measurer

Quote:

I am burning 300 per month in handgun ammo.

Is that 300 dollars or 300 rounds?

miker84 · October 13, 2009, 08:12 PM

So that I'm clear, here's what I'm looking at. I'm not saying these are the best prices, just starting a list.

speedracer211 · October 13, 2009, 08:56 PM

Prices look high on a lot of that. Dont bother with the case polish just use nufinish. The autodisk measurer also comes with the turret kit I bought with dies for $120

CrustyFN · October 13, 2009, 09:17 PM

198878 Frankford Arsenal Brass Case Polish 8 oz Liquid 1 $7.79 $7.79
Nu Finish will be a little cheaper.
242098 Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 45 ACP 1 $36.99 $36.99
292460 Lee 4 Hole, Classic 4 Hole Turret Press Turret 2 $12.99 $25.98
348753 Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure 1 $37.99 $37.99
397340 Frankford Arsenal Brass Cleaning Media Walnut 1 $30.99 $30.99
You can buy crushed walnut at the pet store for around $6.
414369 Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler 1 $73.99 $73.99
That sounds high for the FA tumbler. You can get the Cabelas tumbler for $45 and it's a good tumbler.
415585 Frankford Arsenal Brass Cleaning Media 1 $19.49 $19.49
548630 Lee Safety Prime Small and Large Primer Feeder 1 $20.99 $20.99
622255 Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 40 S&W, 10mm Auto 1 $36.99 $36.99
767946 Hornady Universal Reloading Tray 50-Round Plastic Red 3 $6.49 $19.47
Don't need this at all.
814175 Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press 1 $94.99 $94.99
883267 PACT BBK 2 Electronic Powder Scale 1 $89.99 $89.99
885350 Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 9mm Luger 1 $36.99 $36.99
$532.64

Check out the kit at Kempf and Cabelas, both are good kits.

oldnslo · October 14, 2009, 11:29 AM

I just picked up the Lee Pro 1000 for 45 from a site that Lee has in their link section. http://www.fmreloading.com/ Their prices seemed the best on the `net.

October 11, 2009, 07:39 PM	#1
miker84 Member Join Date: July 15, 2009 Location: North, MS Posts: 55	Hey Old Pro's, help me start up I will mostly be reloading 45, 40, and 9mm. I've been looking at the Lee Classic Turret. I'm wondering if the Hornady LNL AP may be a better (or equal) deal with the 1,000 free bullets they are offering. Since my primary function is reloading semi-auto handgun ammo, a progressive is most likely in my future. I have a good bit of brass already and I know that I'm going to get a single stage to work up loads (and build confidence in loading my own). I have nothing now (as far as reloading equip). My math shows that the Lee turret will be about 600 to start up, then I have to buy bullets, powder and primers. The Hornady LNL AP, will be about 800 and I'll have to buy powder and primers ( and get the 1,000 free bullets).

October 11, 2009, 08:17 PM	#2
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	miker Both of those presses are wonderful. The real consideration you need to make is, "How many rounds do I (will I) shoot per week, month, year." If you are pistol shooting competetively, 1000 to 3000 rounds a month is not unusuall. If you have a family (or extended family) that shoot quite a bit, then you may wish to get the higher out put machine. If you are doing around 500 a month avg for pistol and 100-300 rounds of small rifle per month. and 100-1000 per year of large rifle, then the classic turret wil serve you well. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

October 11, 2009, 08:34 PM	#5
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	One of the few abolutes of reloading is, "Once you start reloading, you shoot more. Sometimes a great deal more." If you double your output, the Classic turret will still serve you well. I have the LNL AP, and reload a wide variety of rifle and pistol cartridges. Before my kids went on their own and I stopped shooting competetively, the LNL was ideal. I load most all of my rifle and pistol cartridges on the LNL. If I were starting out new, I would opt for the Classic Turret. You should make a comparrison of costs with the free stuff. If there is only a minor difference in price, the LNL may be the better option. Best wishes, and Good Shooting! __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

October 11, 2009, 09:56 PM	#7
Shoney Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2002 Location: Transplanted from Montana Posts: 2,311	You can get a Classic Turret Kit from Kempf's for Under $180. https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php?...hk=1&Itemid=41 The LNL AP press only after subtracting the "Free Stuff" is anywhere between $250-$300 depending on wholesaler and "fre stuff" you get. __________________ I pledge allegiance to the Flag - - -, and to the Republic for which it stands….Our Forefathers were brilliant for giving us a Republic, not a democracy! Do you know the difference??? and WHY?http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissue...les.asp?id=111

October 13, 2009, 03:48 PM	#15
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	Not sure about the LNL but your price on the Classic Turret is off a little. You can buy it set up for one caliber at www.kempfgunshop.com for under $200. Wih a good scale ,tumbler and calipers you are looking at a little over $300. You can add another caliber for the price of a $9 turret and the price of dies. I am set up to load 9mm, 38 spcl, 45 auto and 223 on my classic turret with a good scale, calipers and a Cabelas tumbler at right around $400. __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

October 11, 2009, 08:22 PM	#3
miker84 Member Join Date: July 15, 2009 Location: North, MS Posts: 55	hey Shoney, No competive shooting, but I am burning 300 per month in handgun ammo. There's a 223 in my immediate future too.

October 11, 2009, 08:30 PM	#4
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	There's a LOT of koolaid on this forum - red, green, blue, etc... (and there's a TON of threads on that area) - you'll also need a scale, calipers, inertia bullet puller, loading trays are helpful for the single stage press you mention, a place to reload, a place to store components and completed ammunition (preferably under heat and air to keep it constant), a notebook to keep track of your loadings and the results of that, MANUALS, more than one, for safe load data. Buying components in bulk will save $$$$$ -IF you can come up with loads for those pistol rounds that uses only 1 powder, that can help control costs. You'll want to eventually get a tumbler and media for case cleaning, range bag, and all kinds of other goodies as well.........

October 11, 2009, 10:13 PM	#8
Farmland Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 869	They have covered most of the ins and outs on the progressive & turret press. I did see that you mentioned a Single Stage Press too. That isn't a bad idea though you can use a turret as a single stage press too. You may want to look at and consider the Lee Classic Cast Single Stage Press. Great press, heavy duty and inexpensive. However again you may want to just skip the single stage and go with a turret press. I find that I use my single stage for many things even though I have two progressive presses.

October 12, 2009, 08:38 AM	#9
miker84 Member Join Date: July 15, 2009 Location: North, MS Posts: 55	I'm figuring the classic turret, 3 sets of carbide dies, tumbler, media, trays, scales, puller, powder measure, extra turrets....that's how I came to $600 for the total package on the Lee vs basically the same thing for the Hornady at $800

October 12, 2009, 09:08 AM	#10
hornady Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: SWPA Posts: 428	Just my 2 cents worth. A lot of guys are out there buying a lot more press than is needed. Most guys that don’t shoot competition don’t need the Progressive or turret press. A single stage will serve them well. I know this will start a fire. But If just starting out. I would get the Lyman , RCBS, or Hornady. Single stage starter kit. The Lee Classic press is a good one. But the rest of the stuff that comes with it is junk. There is no way you can compare a Lee , Scale or powder Dump with, A Lyman, RCBS or Hornady. Scale or dump. Start out with good Equipment, and you will not regret it. As for a Tumbler. This is not a necessity. They are nice and I own two Lyman 1500s. However, the first 10 years I loaded , I did not own one.

October 12, 2009, 09:54 AM	#11
Farmland Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2009 Posts: 869	Actually the Lee Powder scale is a very good one and one of the most accurate. It is easy to use and the steel ball is one of the most innovated adjustments. It can take a beating and will still perform. It gets a rap for being plastic and some may find it a little harder to read however when put side by side with my RCBS scale it reads teh same and for way less the money. The Lee Classic Cast may come in a kit but I don't think it does. For the cost savings on the press which is around $80 you can add just about anything to it and still be ahead on the savings. Kits are nice but I would put more focus on the press and find one that you will like to use for the rest of your life. I find that I have made many switches to the other equipment such as powder measures, scales and misc tools over the years.

October 12, 2009, 10:09 AM	#12
dsv424 Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx. Posts: 266	I have the Lee Classic Turret and it has been a great press for my needs. I reload 380ACP, 9mm, .357 Mag, 40S&W, 10mm, 45ACP, 5.7x28mm, .223, 30/30 and .308 on it. Its been a great press with no real problems with it at all. Once you get the hang of it you can average about 150 to 200 rounds an hour with it. I would suggest if you go with this press to get the 4 die pistol sets. This way you will be avoiding the crimping problems a lot of people start off with. I took the 3 die approach in the beginning and ended up getting the Lee Factory Crimp later which would cost more. Welcome to the addictive world of reloading!

October 12, 2009, 08:48 PM	#13
speedracer211 Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2007 Posts: 176	Quick run down on my first lee kit I bought a few years ago. $120 or so for the turret kit with carbide dies $8 for an extra four hole turret on special at midsouth $35 tumbler from harbor freight on sale $15 digital calipers from harbor freight which are actually the same as those going for 5 times its price. $7 cabellas kinetic bullet puller since I had a coupon from when i bought the lee turret kit. Crushed walnut media $10 You can get into it for under $200. Just watch the sales and jump on them. If you watch craigslist you can find some deals. I bought two lee pro 1k's with dies and everything for $100. Included two extra sets of large and small primer set ups.

October 12, 2009, 09:45 PM	#14
Rusty W Member Join Date: January 27, 2009 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 84	I have both the Lee Classic Cast Turret and the Hornady LNL AP. I reload for .380, 9mm, 38spl, 357mag, 44mag, 45acp, 45colt, 45AR, .223, 22-250, .243, .270, 30 carbine, 30/30, .308, 30/06, .35rem, & 45/70. I like the Hornady when I want to deprime the rifle rounds. I measure them and trim as needed then move over to the Lee, crazy I know. I use the Hornady when I want to load a bunch (2-300 rounds) of 9mm or 45acp. I use the Lee for most everything else. The Lee is just a fast as the Hornady for me. You still have to stop and load primers on any press. The dies are interchangeable though the Lee dies are a little fussy at times on the LNL. You'll have to change plates on the Hornady, about $30.00 each the last I bought any. The Lee die sets come with a shell holder. The LNLAP comes with a case activated powder measure. I purchased the LNLAP because of the free bullets advertised and I like the LNLAP a lot. I find myself using the Lee more though as I've gotten more into rifles and shoot less pistol. I swap componets around though and use the Lee Pro Powder measure on the LNL and the Hornady on the Lee. If I had to pick one I'd go with the Lee over the Hornady just because it suits my needs better but I'm glad I have them both. I look at the cost as I'm going to continue shooting as long as I'm able and don't really think about how many rounds do I have to load in order to pay for itself. I know I never have to pay $40.00 for a box of 45 colts or $25.00 for 45/70's as long as I'm alive. I also cast my own bullets and have a small sum of $ tied up in tools for that, but I'll never have to buy another bullet. I'm thinking you should be able to get the Lee set up for about $300.00 to load all 3 calibers.

October 13, 2009, 05:47 PM	#16
Russ5924 Senior Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 1,874	Are you going by Lee prices on there web site there price are way higher than most others sell it for. I started out using a Lee four holeTurret press have since upgraded to a Dillon 550. But the Lee still gets a lot of use in fact I enjoy loading more on the Lee. __________________ Russ5924

October 13, 2009, 08:56 PM	#19
speedracer211 Senior Member Join Date: April 30, 2007 Posts: 176	Prices look high on a lot of that. Dont bother with the case polish just use nufinish. The autodisk measurer also comes with the turret kit I bought with dies for $120

October 13, 2009, 09:17 PM	#20
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	198878 Frankford Arsenal Brass Case Polish 8 oz Liquid 1 $7.79 $7.79 Nu Finish will be a little cheaper. 242098 Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 45 ACP 1 $36.99 $36.99 292460 Lee 4 Hole, Classic 4 Hole Turret Press Turret 2 $12.99 $25.98 348753 Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure 1 $37.99 $37.99 397340 Frankford Arsenal Brass Cleaning Media Walnut 1 $30.99 $30.99 You can buy crushed walnut at the pet store for around $6. 414369 Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler 1 $73.99 $73.99 That sounds high for the FA tumbler. You can get the Cabelas tumbler for $45 and it's a good tumbler. 415585 Frankford Arsenal Brass Cleaning Media 1 $19.49 $19.49 548630 Lee Safety Prime Small and Large Primer Feeder 1 $20.99 $20.99 622255 Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 40 S&W, 10mm Auto 1 $36.99 $36.99 767946 Hornady Universal Reloading Tray 50-Round Plastic Red 3 $6.49 $19.47 Don't need this at all. 814175 Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press 1 $94.99 $94.99 883267 PACT BBK 2 Electronic Powder Scale 1 $89.99 $89.99 885350 Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 9mm Luger 1 $36.99 $36.99 $532.64 Check out the kit at Kempf and Cabelas, both are good kits. __________________ I don't ever remember being absent minded.

October 14, 2009, 11:29 AM	#21
oldnslo Junior Member Join Date: September 19, 2009 Location: Ohio Posts: 4	I just picked up the Lee Pro 1000 for 45 from a site that Lee has in their link section. http://www.fmreloading.com/ Their prices seemed the best on the `net.