Newb to reloading

ƒORTE · November 20, 2008, 02:20 PM

I want to start reloading .45 auto and 9mm for starters. I don't need one of those fancy Dillon multis. I want to spend $100 total for a quality press, dies and other equipment. Steer me in the right direction...

ZX10Aviator · November 20, 2008, 02:37 PM

Try searching, but I just ordered a Lee classic turret setup, it was $160 with a set of dies.

benzuncle · November 20, 2008, 02:51 PM

Kempf Gun Shop, www.kempfgunshop.com has the Lee Classic Turret Press in a kit form for $162.95. For another $22 you can upgrade to some essential goodies. (The extras are well worth the $$$.) I am convinced that this kit is the best bang for the reloading buck. I load 2 calibers with mine (45acp & 380acp) and have "built" a lot of very good ammo in the last 11 months. I purchased it because I thought if I didn't like reloading I would not be out a lot of $$$. And I could always sell it and buy a more expensive unit if I did like reloading. 11 months later and I'm loving it and not interested in a more expensive unit. Good luck in your deliberations. There's plenty of people online that can help guide you with whatever purchase you decide on.

ZX10Aviator · November 20, 2008, 02:55 PM

^^^ Thats what I have coming.

vranasaurus · November 20, 2008, 03:04 PM

Option 1:

You can get a lee challenger breech lock single stage press kit for about $100 then you have to buy dies. This includes a scale and priming kit as well as other things you will need. I would recommend getting a kit of some type as they have a lot of equipment that you will need and it will cost less than if you go buy the individual components.

You are going to want to get carbide die sets for your pistol calibers. This way you don't have to lube the cases. The dies are about $25 or so a set. Two sets of dies are about $50.

Then you will want to get a reloading manual. $20-30

Option 2:

You can get a Lee Hand press Kit for about $30. You will then need to get a scale and a reloading manual as well as the dies.

You can probably get in the neighborhood of $100. However I think you will soon grow tired of the hand press and want a bench mounted press, I know I did. The advantage of this route is that all of the equipement you have can be used on a bench mounted press in the future.

Knowing what I know now I wouldn't have gotten the handpress in the first place and I would have went with something like option 1. However you may find you don't like reloading at all and option two will give you a chance to decide if you like to reload and you can upgrade in the future.

Hope this helps.

justdoit · November 20, 2008, 04:46 PM

hi, cabelas has the lee turret press on sale and free shipping, this includes, scales, powder hopper, and more. 89.99 you would need a reload manual and dies. would be a great starter press.......my 2cents

rn22723 · November 20, 2008, 05:31 PM

Your first step is buying the best reference book or what I call Reloading for Dummies or The ABC's of Reloading from Krause Publications. Read it cover to cover, and then read it again while taking notes! Look for a mentor at your local club, range, or purveyor of supplies! Another more technical book, is Handloading for Competition by Glen Zediker.

There are several great reloading manuals of the real kind not the freebee ones! Freebee manuals are good for cross referencing data, at times. For meaty manuals a person can not go wrong with the Lyman48th, Hornady, and Sierra. One must always look up loads when you compare/cross-reference data. Especially in larger calibers as some data might be using different brass from yours. Case in point before the Hodgdon website upgrade they Hodgdon used WW brass to work up loads with, whereas Sierra used Fed cases in their 308 Winchester loading information. Now, Hodgdon does not list what brass the loads were worked up in.

Press - Single Stage or Turret presses are the best way to learn before advancing to any kind of progressive press. You will always have need for a single stage press. Redding and RCBS are good sources of all kinds of presses. RCBS Rockchucker Supreme for a single stage and Redding T7 for a turret press are basically the gold standard for the two different types.

Dies - I like Redding Dies, and I would get the carbide expander ball upgrade for bottle neck rifle cases. Dillon makes carbide rifle sizer dies, but you still need to use case lube and make sure you lube the inside of the case neck, too. I would just stick with regular dies for rifle cartridges. Dillon makes die sets specifically for their press so to speak, meaning that it does not come with a case mouth belling die; Redding makes a set of dies for progressive presses, too. I like Forster competition seaters, and they can be had as an individual item. Dies are pretty much threaded universally, except for Lyman 310 dies, and Dillon dies for the Square Deal B. Accuracy nuts will use hand dies, and they require an arbor press be used.

Shell holders (if the die set doesn't have them like Lee) or the appropriate shell plate for the progressive press. Remember that many shell holders work for more then one cartridge. I would do some home work, especially if you get a Dillon. Some cartridge conversions might only require you to get powder funnel for the new cartridge.

A tumbler will be a good investment, as clean cases will not harm you dies. There are vibratory and rotary tumblers out there. I like corn cob media treated with some Iosso case polish. You can get walnut in bulk at Petco or Pet Smart. Bulk corn cob grit is a great way to reduce the cost of commercially supplied media, because you pay through the nose for the treated media from other vendors.

MTM makes great loading block tray that handles most cartridges.

Case Lube is great for both conventional dies, and to treat your brass used in a progressive press even with carbide dies. That extra lubricity makes the cycling of the press a tad slicker! Dillon spray lube works well for shake and bake application. I like Imperial Die Wax for rifle cartridges when FL sizing.

Case Neck Brush to clean bottleneck rifle cases

Dial Calipers

Case Trimmer (Lee works, but Possum Hollow is better, Wilson makes the best hand powered Lathe trimmer, and Giraud is the best powered Trimmer)

Deburring/Chamfering Tool

Primer Pocket Cleaner and uniformer

Primer Flip Tray is needed for loading pick up tubes for some primer systems like the Dillon.

Priming Tool (I like the RCBS (now even better with universal shell holder, but Sinclair makes the best)

Powder Scale - remember that is always better to have a mechanical scale as a back up to any electronic scale.

Powder Funnel kit with drop tubes especially if you intend to use powders like Varget.

Powder Trickler (used to tweak powder charges)

Powder Measure (nice for faster powder charges it does require a bit of learning curve to get consistent powder charges sort of rhythm thing) standard with progressive presses, but the RCBS Uniflow is nice! Redding makes a better one, and Harrell is the gold standard!

Hammer Type Bullet Puller (for taking down the boo boo's)

Ammo boxes and labels

A notebook for recording your results! Saves covering the same ground twice!

A chronograph is great when working up loads, but is more a luxury in the beginning.

ZX10Aviator · November 20, 2008, 05:37 PM

awesome post RN!
Thanks

Scorch · November 21, 2008, 02:03 PM

Lee Classic Turret or Lee Pro1000. Comes complete, ready to roll.

November 20, 2008, 02:20 PM	#1
ƒORTE Senior Member Join Date: September 16, 2008 Location: Forgotten lands of the mythical Crimson Tide Posts: 395	Newb to reloading I want to start reloading .45 auto and 9mm for starters. I don't need one of those fancy Dillon multis. I want to spend $100 total for a quality press, dies and other equipment. Steer me in the right direction...

November 21, 2008, 02:03 PM	#9
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Lee Classic Turret or Lee Pro1000. Comes complete, ready to roll. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

November 20, 2008, 02:37 PM	#2
ZX10Aviator Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Location: NW. Washington Posts: 345	Try searching, but I just ordered a Lee classic turret setup, it was $160 with a set of dies.

November 20, 2008, 02:51 PM	#3
benzuncle Senior Member Join Date: May 31, 2008 Location: Central Florida Posts: 357	Kempf Gun Shop, www.kempfgunshop.com has the Lee Classic Turret Press in a kit form for $162.95. For another $22 you can upgrade to some essential goodies. (The extras are well worth the $$$.) I am convinced that this kit is the best bang for the reloading buck. I load 2 calibers with mine (45acp & 380acp) and have "built" a lot of very good ammo in the last 11 months. I purchased it because I thought if I didn't like reloading I would not be out a lot of $$$. And I could always sell it and buy a more expensive unit if I did like reloading. 11 months later and I'm loving it and not interested in a more expensive unit. Good luck in your deliberations. There's plenty of people online that can help guide you with whatever purchase you decide on.

November 20, 2008, 02:55 PM	#4
ZX10Aviator Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Location: NW. Washington Posts: 345	^^^ Thats what I have coming.

November 20, 2008, 03:04 PM	#5
vranasaurus Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2008 Posts: 1,184	Option 1: You can get a lee challenger breech lock single stage press kit for about $100 then you have to buy dies. This includes a scale and priming kit as well as other things you will need. I would recommend getting a kit of some type as they have a lot of equipment that you will need and it will cost less than if you go buy the individual components. You are going to want to get carbide die sets for your pistol calibers. This way you don't have to lube the cases. The dies are about $25 or so a set. Two sets of dies are about $50. Then you will want to get a reloading manual. $20-30 Option 2: You can get a Lee Hand press Kit for about $30. You will then need to get a scale and a reloading manual as well as the dies. You can probably get in the neighborhood of $100. However I think you will soon grow tired of the hand press and want a bench mounted press, I know I did. The advantage of this route is that all of the equipement you have can be used on a bench mounted press in the future. Knowing what I know now I wouldn't have gotten the handpress in the first place and I would have went with something like option 1. However you may find you don't like reloading at all and option two will give you a chance to decide if you like to reload and you can upgrade in the future. Hope this helps.

November 20, 2008, 04:46 PM	#6
justdoit Junior Member Join Date: November 12, 2008 Location: GEORGIA Posts: 9	hi, cabelas has the lee turret press on sale and free shipping, this includes, scales, powder hopper, and more. 89.99 you would need a reload manual and dies. would be a great starter press.......my 2cents

November 20, 2008, 05:31 PM	#7
rn22723 Junior member Join Date: December 10, 2001 Location: Burbs of Minneapolis Posts: 676	Your first step is buying the best reference book or what I call Reloading for Dummies or The ABC's of Reloading from Krause Publications. Read it cover to cover, and then read it again while taking notes! Look for a mentor at your local club, range, or purveyor of supplies! Another more technical book, is Handloading for Competition by Glen Zediker. There are several great reloading manuals of the real kind not the freebee ones! Freebee manuals are good for cross referencing data, at times. For meaty manuals a person can not go wrong with the Lyman48th, Hornady, and Sierra. One must always look up loads when you compare/cross-reference data. Especially in larger calibers as some data might be using different brass from yours. Case in point before the Hodgdon website upgrade they Hodgdon used WW brass to work up loads with, whereas Sierra used Fed cases in their 308 Winchester loading information. Now, Hodgdon does not list what brass the loads were worked up in. Press - Single Stage or Turret presses are the best way to learn before advancing to any kind of progressive press. You will always have need for a single stage press. Redding and RCBS are good sources of all kinds of presses. RCBS Rockchucker Supreme for a single stage and Redding T7 for a turret press are basically the gold standard for the two different types. Dies - I like Redding Dies, and I would get the carbide expander ball upgrade for bottle neck rifle cases. Dillon makes carbide rifle sizer dies, but you still need to use case lube and make sure you lube the inside of the case neck, too. I would just stick with regular dies for rifle cartridges. Dillon makes die sets specifically for their press so to speak, meaning that it does not come with a case mouth belling die; Redding makes a set of dies for progressive presses, too. I like Forster competition seaters, and they can be had as an individual item. Dies are pretty much threaded universally, except for Lyman 310 dies, and Dillon dies for the Square Deal B. Accuracy nuts will use hand dies, and they require an arbor press be used. Shell holders (if the die set doesn't have them like Lee) or the appropriate shell plate for the progressive press. Remember that many shell holders work for more then one cartridge. I would do some home work, especially if you get a Dillon. Some cartridge conversions might only require you to get powder funnel for the new cartridge. A tumbler will be a good investment, as clean cases will not harm you dies. There are vibratory and rotary tumblers out there. I like corn cob media treated with some Iosso case polish. You can get walnut in bulk at Petco or Pet Smart. Bulk corn cob grit is a great way to reduce the cost of commercially supplied media, because you pay through the nose for the treated media from other vendors. MTM makes great loading block tray that handles most cartridges. Case Lube is great for both conventional dies, and to treat your brass used in a progressive press even with carbide dies. That extra lubricity makes the cycling of the press a tad slicker! Dillon spray lube works well for shake and bake application. I like Imperial Die Wax for rifle cartridges when FL sizing. Case Neck Brush to clean bottleneck rifle cases Dial Calipers Case Trimmer (Lee works, but Possum Hollow is better, Wilson makes the best hand powered Lathe trimmer, and Giraud is the best powered Trimmer) Deburring/Chamfering Tool Primer Pocket Cleaner and uniformer Primer Flip Tray is needed for loading pick up tubes for some primer systems like the Dillon. Priming Tool (I like the RCBS (now even better with universal shell holder, but Sinclair makes the best) Powder Scale - remember that is always better to have a mechanical scale as a back up to any electronic scale. Powder Funnel kit with drop tubes especially if you intend to use powders like Varget. Powder Trickler (used to tweak powder charges) Powder Measure (nice for faster powder charges it does require a bit of learning curve to get consistent powder charges sort of rhythm thing) standard with progressive presses, but the RCBS Uniflow is nice! Redding makes a better one, and Harrell is the gold standard! Hammer Type Bullet Puller (for taking down the boo boo's) Ammo boxes and labels A notebook for recording your results! Saves covering the same ground twice! A chronograph is great when working up loads, but is more a luxury in the beginning.

November 20, 2008, 05:37 PM	#8
ZX10Aviator Senior Member Join Date: November 10, 2008 Location: NW. Washington Posts: 345	awesome post RN! Thanks