December 29, 2007, 06:44 PM | #1 |
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Reloading Equipment
I sure would like to hear some opinions on the best reloading equipment for pistol ammo? Your experience on the forum is priceless to me.
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December 29, 2007, 08:25 PM | #2 |
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What calibers are you going to reload? How many rounds a month will you shoot? How much time do you have to reload? How much money do you have in your budget. You can get started in reloading for $25 and spend up to $2,000 or more. It's hard to give you advice without knowing the answers to these questions. I own a Lee Classic Turret press. It cost me $200 but can be bought in a kit for $150 now. I can load 200 rounds per hour and have plenty of reloading time. I can make 1,000 rounds a week no problem but I enjoy my time in front of the press. Others don't enjoy it as much as I do or have greater ammo needs and would rather load faster so they spend more money and buy a progressive.
Rusty
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December 29, 2007, 10:32 PM | #3 |
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The best? ........All of them
Alot of it depends on the volume of loading and how much time you have (or wish to spend on it). Like Crusty said...depends alot on how much money you want to spend as well. |
December 30, 2007, 04:40 PM | #4 |
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Ha ha! Next, go in to a car enthusiast forum and ask them which is better, Ford or Chevy? <g>
Some tools are more expensive than others, some stuff is too cheap to be worth wasting time on, and occasionally, there's some equipment out there that is both cheaply priced and performs very well. But I doubt anyone could give any really good answers to your question without some more information.
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December 30, 2007, 05:46 PM | #5 |
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If you're looking for a recomendation, I'd have to say the LEE Turret Press. It's inexpensive, durable, and easy to understand for the first timer. I've been reloading about five years on mine. It's not the fastest, but it's probably the best you can get for the money.
But, if you dobn't enjoy spending time in a shop, you're better off financially just buying the cheap stuff.
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December 30, 2007, 06:11 PM | #6 |
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Plaz,
You probably need to state what calibers, for what purpose, and, if you can figure it out, how many rounds an hour you need to be able to produce? If, for example, you want to load 350 grain cast bullets for the .454 Casull for hunting, you won't need more than you can produce on a Lee single-stage press, and you won't be able to buy loaded rounds inexpensively. If you are running .45 ACP in IPSC matches, you will need a lot and won't be able to find stuff cheap enough to overcome reloading savings from owning a progressive press. On the other hand, if you just want standard military 9mm ball ammo, you are far better off buying inexpensive surplus online or through catalog sales. It just depends on what you are shooting and how much?
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December 30, 2007, 07:16 PM | #7 |
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I got a Lee Classic Turret for Christmas, but I began researching in early November. I read the ABC's of Reloading 7th edition and ordered Richard Lee's Modern Reloading 2nd edition and read it as well. I learned a lot of info (enough to be very respectful of the process). I lurked around this site and did a bunch of searching by keywords on the particular questions I had as I read along in the books. This site is a great source of information. I almost bought a single stage press, but opted to go with the Lee Classic Turret instead and am glad I did. If you take out the auto-indexing rod it can be used as a single stage. The turrets seem like a great idea because you can set them up for each caliber. I bought the kit from Cabela's that came with the Auto disc Pro, a riser, and Lee Safety Prime for large and small calibers. I bought a caliper and pocket cleaner as well as a bullet puller. I probably around $225 in the set up. I am loading .357 mag presently for my GP-100 and my Speed-six. I am sure there are better presses out there, but for the money the Lee Classic Turret is hard to beat. Everything works so far and I have loaded about 800 rounds with Unique and now Trail Boss. The Lee Anniversery Kits seem to be a bargain as well for a single stage press which I probably would be happy with as well. I did not want to spend too much before I decided if I liked it or not. I think I'm hooked, so Im glad I went with the Turret. I would search the site and type in Lee Classic Turret (as I did) and you can read about the most common problems and fixes. I learned not to short stroke it. I hope this helps.
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December 30, 2007, 07:47 PM | #8 |
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Reloading Equipment
Thank you all for the very useful information. I am sorry I did not realize you all would need more information. However, your input convinces me that for my situation the Lee Classic Turret press is what I should get.
This forum is terrific!!!! |
December 30, 2007, 09:55 PM | #9 |
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The Lee Classic Turret is an excellent press and respected by many. I have a Lee Turret press (not the classic) and it works well.
JSF |
December 30, 2007, 10:22 PM | #10 |
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I have a Lee progressive that I have loaded a bunch of .44 mags for target work through. It is very quick, . . . every pull of the arm gets a fully loaded round. I DO NOT USE IT for full power loads.
The heavy duty stuff comes through a Lyman single stage press that is probably something near 40 years old, . . . paid $35 for it on Ebay, . . . just like one I had in the early 70's. May God bless, Dwight
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January 2, 2008, 05:50 PM | #11 |
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Plaz I think you will be very happy with the classic turret. I have one and load 9mm, 38/357 and 223. The classic loads those calibers very easy. I haven't found anything I don't like about the press and haven't had any problems. It is very solid and can produce 200 RPH at a comfortable pace. Make sure you buy the auto disk riser to keep the auto disk from hitting the safety prime. I batch load when I load the 223 but leave the indexing rod in. Just don't lower the ratchet enough to spin the turret. under_dawg I'm glad you like yours.
Rusty
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January 2, 2008, 06:51 PM | #12 |
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reloading
Plasz: one thing get Lees book and order cat from loading tool makers.that way you can see whats there.
I buy from MIDSOUTHSHOOTERS.com I figured they give 30% off the list. GRAFs.com and NATCHEZ.com are othe dealers good prices on componants |
January 3, 2008, 09:29 AM | #13 |
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Notice....He did not say "cheapest",.... he said "best". I feel qualified to give you my opinion seeing how I have been reloading for the past 33 years. I would rate LEE at the bottom of the list. But you get what you pay for. In my opionion you can't do much better than a Dillon! Best warranty in the business...anything happens to it, they fix it, no questions asked. Not that you really will need anything as they are built like a tank compared to the flimsy sheet metal crap Lee makes. I have loaded upwards of 250,000 rounds on my Dillon RL550 with not 1 single problem. That includes both rifle and pistol rounds. I currently have an RL550B, RL1050, and SL900. I would recommend them highly! On another note the RCBS stuff is good also.
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January 3, 2008, 11:48 AM | #14 |
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for the best get a dillon 650 or a good 550B, but these are not recommended for the beginner. Get yourself a lyman t-mag or redding t-7 turret to start out loading, then when comfortable go with the dillon.
JOE
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January 3, 2008, 01:41 PM | #15 |
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For low to medium volume, I don't think you can beat one of these that no one has ever heard of before:
http://www.ch4d.com/catalog/?p=64 However, instead of buying the kit, I think I would order the 444 press separately and get the micrometer powder measure instead of the pushbutton measure. I have both measures, and I like them both (bought them used as a package on eBay) but the micrometer measure give you a lot more flexability. |
January 3, 2008, 05:10 PM | #16 |
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chrisg thanks for the update. I didn't know my classic turret was made out of cast sheet metal. I'm wondering what you didn't like about the classic turret when you tried one.
Rusty
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January 4, 2008, 10:08 PM | #17 |
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oh, what to do..
I'm with you Rusty. I sure like my cast sheet metal Lee. I sure hope it ain't all bent up and making bad ammo without me knowing it....
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January 4, 2008, 10:29 PM | #18 |
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Best? Beats me. All I can tell you is with my Lee single stage press I am making .223 ammo with the Lee collet neck sizing die that, out of my Savage bolt rifle, shoots .75" groups at 200 yds. consistently, when my part has been done. I doubt you would get any serious reloader to say Lee is the 'best', but for me, it is. My point? Hang out with anyone you can who reloads and ask them to let you try their setup (with supervision, of course). Red, green, or blue, you'll at least have some experience to guide your spending. Good luck!
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January 4, 2008, 11:18 PM | #19 |
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watch out on used equipment
I know there is lot and lots of used reloading equipment out there. Probably some listed in your local big city classified this week end. I'll only give this advice: watch out for what you buy. The problem is not quality or price but obsolete equipment. I'm just recently getting back into reloading after a long time away from it. I'm discovering some of my best stuff is as obsolete as you can get. You might find a great deal out there but it might take a long time to get it functional for your use.
I'll give you one small example: Years ago the real hot powder system for pistols was a Bonanza powder unit. I've got lots of parts and pieces but I can not find a replacement rotor (powder measure) for the Bonanza that I need. So here is a couple of hundred dollars worth of powder measuring equipment that is basicly useless without the rotor I need. Were I to have sold that equipment to you and let you go on home you'd be in the same situation and out your cash. |
January 7, 2008, 10:29 AM | #20 |
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January 10, 2008, 02:44 PM | #21 |
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I start loading with a dillon 650 its foolproof operation, I load 600 rouns per hour, to me its the best
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January 12, 2008, 11:24 AM | #22 |
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former RCBS user
Plaz...I've been reloading for over 33 year now. My early beginnings were crude to say the least, but have become very advanced over the years. After having used RCBS equipment at my beginnings, one day I discovered Lee Precision...and things really took off for me. For the vast majority of people, with very few exceptions, Lee reloading equipment will produce very excellent ammo!
For pistol reloading...Lee Carbide Pistol Dies cannot be beat! For bolt action rifles, Lee Collet Rifle Dies are a dream come true! For case trimming...for just a few dollars, Lee's case trimming tools are accurate, simple, flexible, and very affordable! But, do not use the Lee Zip Trim. Not needed and does not work that well! With the die sets mentoned above, you do not have to use case lube, which is not a desireable chore using the RCBS case lube pad and lube. STICKY IS NOT THE WORD! Plus...using a progressive press, case lubing isn't factored into the process. You can, but don't! Then you have to clean your cases afterwards. That can be easy, or it can take a while. If you want to load many rounds of ammo...you are better off using the Lee Turret Press. But...for bolt action rifle ammo for hunting purposes or for any purposes...the Lee Single Stage Press configuration is very straight forward and easy to master. By the way...accuracy for any rifles I have ever owned and used Lee reloading products have been very satisfying! Just use common sense, follow instructions, wear safety glasses (!!) and DON'T try to max out the velocity factor! It's hard on your firearms and simply cost more money to shoot. And it could be very very dangerous. I've never blown up a firearm..but I've known people that have, simply to gain alittle extra bullet velocity! Yes, I started downloading long ago, and still take my fair share of game! Use proper bullets is the major factor here. Good luck PLAZ...it is a very enjoyable hobby...but...it can drive you nuts trying to gain better accuracy!! Addicting!!! |
January 12, 2008, 11:54 AM | #23 | |
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Quote:
When I started out over twenty years ago, I was a starving cop who had become addicted to IPSC and sillouhette shooting. No way could I afford the Dillon equipment. Now, I can afford to set up a Dillon 1050 for every single firearm--handgun and rifle--I own and not miss a sneeze. I still buy a lot of Lee stuff. The red looks right nice next to the blue 550B that sits on one end of the reloading bench. Also have some Lyman and RCBS equipment. In other words, I purchased based upon my needs rather than my preference for color coordination. Doesn't seem to affect how well I shoot whatsoever. As one member put it superbly while back, "Lee's affordability got a lot of us into the hobby." I'll even add to that--Lee's quality at an affordable, reasonable price have kept a lot of reloaders in the hobby. Funny thing is, I've called Dillon for more replacement parts on that 550B than I have Lee for my Pro1000. Am I saying Lee is "better." No way. Just stating that for "cheap sheet metal," the red brand has sure done me well over the years. Jeff
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January 12, 2008, 12:33 PM | #24 |
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I started with the Lee Aniversary Kit over a year ago and am very happy with it. It is a single stage and easy to use, lets me double check each step so I have had no bad ammo produced.
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January 12, 2008, 06:00 PM | #25 |
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TeaxasSeaRay
I've been tempted by others to switch over to Redding, etc. But I see their results and look at my results when it comes to a tight grouping! Honestly...I just cannot justify retooling even to some degree just to have my friends get off my back about using Lee products.
My Savage Model 111 30-06 chrony's at a steady 2952fps...with no more than 8 fps between rounds! That's excellent! And I use the Lee powder scale to boot. Very excellent and consistant readings. Accuracy? "Less" than 3/4" grouping at one hundred yards..sometimes 1/2" moa! Not bad for a stock hunting rifle, and the only upgrading to this inexpensive rifle was a bedding job and new metal trigger guard! Is there better tools out there? No manufacturer produces absolutely error free or perfect reloading equipment. I "can" tell you that there is a status thing within the ranks of some shooters that you must have the best of the best or you're nothing...or worse...you're a slob reloader. Too bad this happens but it does. Again...things are expensive enough and getting more expensive. Thank God Richard Lee came along and started a reloading revolution and caused the price of reloading equipment to decrease....substancially!! You know....a person has to have complete confidence in his/her reloading equipment. You get a bad feeling that can come over you when a trophy animal steps out in front of you and you have questions about the quality of your own ammo! Had this happen to me years ago in the beginnings. Since then of course...that never happens again. In competition shooting....it's a rank feeling to have a misfire or a slinger because of poor loadiing quality. This I've witnessed happen to people.....they were not a pleasant person to be around for a while. Bottom line here...if it works and works well for a person...don't mess with it!! Just enjoy the process and reap the benefit of the lower cost and quality of ammo produced by your own hands...it's great! |
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