[Gamer]

You guys are fantastic, very generous offers to let a newbie try out some equipment. I only wish someone would've let me drop by when I started a few years ago. I made a trade for a Hornady LNL progressive and an RCBS Jr when I got into reloading. I did read the ABC's of relaoding before hand and had an idea of what I thought I wanted. Very good idea to take some time to read.

I started on the RCBS Jr, then single stage Hornady, then traded for a RCBS Rock Chucker. I did not use the Hornady LNL progressive for a good while until I felt I understood the process. From my experience there is more that can go wrong using a progressive, not that it will. So, if it were me as newbie again I would seriously ponder a turret type press. Seems to me it would give some added speed without going full auto. Budget would determine what I bought.

I saw the Dillon 550 recommended, considered one myself. In my opinion Lee makes the most affordable line. I do think at some point a newbie is going to need or want a single stage press for small lots and general decapping etc etc, so I'd buy one first and build from there. But, a turret type could fit the bill as well.

 

[jcinnb]

I have an RCBS Rockchucker. I got a kit. Everything has been great. Recently I have bought some Redding stuff. Very impressed with everything I have seen from Redding. Give them a look, too.

 

[Hunter]

I personally favor Hornady equipment.
Very well built and excellent customer service.

 

[backwoodsshooter]

I started on a lee single stage (still have) and just a few months ago fianlly got a Hornady Lock-n-Load. Love the thing. plus hornady is running a special if you buy thier stuff, you get other free stuff.

I always have an open seat at my realoding table if you want to swing by and try it out

 

[cranbiz]

My Lee Loadmaster does every center fire caliber I shoot, rifle and pistol. I currently reload .38/.357, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, .223 and 30-30. It owes me nothing and produces quality ammo. It can be finicky but usually it's easy to figure out what it doesn't like and correct it. It's not plug and play (but what press is?) but it's solid and inexpensive.

 

[motorcyclist]

Something worth checking is Armslist adds. Twice I've come across deals on reloading equipment. I've resold some pieces and that paid for a new Redding T-7 turret press, and I still have some equipment I don't use.

 

[Woodstock]

After watching the video of the guy setting up the Lee 50th Anniversary press, I checked prices, seem very reasonable. Anyone here think that it is a bad choice for a newbie?

Personally I would go with a lee turret for my first press, but I still have my first Lee Challenger (like is in the 50th kit), all I use it for now is with a RCBS collet bullet puller and RCBS universal de-capping die.

 

[cpnbnanamn]

I'm a newbie to reloading myself.. Got a single-stage Lee for now, and am starting with .223. I need recommendations on a good tool for trimming. I've got a big bowl full of .223 brass that needs trimmed up. Where can I get it locally? I checked with Ed's in Vass, but he doesn't have anything in stock at the moment. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

-Roger

 

[cranbiz]

Check with Hills in Raleigh. They have a decent selection of reloading stuff. Mace is another place but they are farther away from you.

 

[RedneckFur]

Reloaders are sorta like drug dealers. We'll let you try our equipment once for free. After that, you're hooked, and you're sending big checks to MidwayUSA.

 

[cpnbnanamn]

What recommendations for a good trimmer do you have?

 

[lucky13bullets]

i use the rcbs trim pro manual crank.

 

[Wardor]

What recommendations for a good trimmer do you have?

Depends on your volume and purpose. If you are going to do thousands and thousands, get the Dillon. If you are doing a lot and want a really good trim, get the Giraud. If you are doing just a few hundred at a time get the RCBS/Redding/Forrester/etc crank trimmer.

 

[jcinnb]

What recommendations for a good trimmer do you have?

I have a Sinclair stainless steel trimmer. I really like it. I bought the power adapter and a small electric screw driver with movable handle. Very consistent and precise. The screw driver really works well. You should check out the Sinclair gage.

 

[2sigma]

Started with Lee single stage with 9mm, 308, 270, 7.62x39 almost a year ago. Loved working up loads. Just acquired a Hornady ap lnl progressive for 9mm. Powder measure is very precise. Like the ability to change calipers quickly on the lnl. I'm still learning it but have now made a few hundred rounds on it. So far I like it pretty well. Fwiw, I'm glad to have started on a single stage. Turret might be the best compromise for a new loader.