[Dingo]

But I don't know where to start and what to start with.

I looked at a few Lee presses online, and for around $150 I can get a " almost everything kit". What are your opinions?

Not looking to spend a whole bunch starting off, and don't plan on reloading millions of rounds, just a hobby I guess.

Where do you buy your powder, primers, bullets and brass? I know I will end up getting a tumbler and recycling my brass, but until I get a tumbler where is the cheapest place to get brass?

Any other help, input and info would be great.

 

[jjwestbrook]

in columbia i buy from sportsmans warehouse and palmetto state armory. the Lee would be a great starting kit. i suggest first a book on reloading and a loaders manual. as far as brass the best way is to buy used brass on the forums. what calibers are you looking for?

 

[Dingo]

in columbia i buy from sportsmans warehouse and palmetto state armory. the Lee would be a great starting kit. i suggest first a book on reloading and a loaders manual. as far as brass the best way is to buy used brass on the forums. what calibers are you looking for?

I will look for a few books this week, im mainly going to reload. 45 acp and maybe some. 270 down the road.

 

[NonamehaveI]

http://fsreloading.com/classic-turret-press-kit.html

This kit

http://www.tjconevera.com/buandbrco.html
This for brass and bullets

Powder and primers, depends on your location.
Also check out ABCs of reloading and pick up a copy of Lymans #49.

As far as brass, if you have some you can just clean with a soapy water solution and air dry until you get a tumbler, brass doesn't need to be shiny, it's just nice.

Sent from this thimgy using tapawhatzit

 

[Warning Shot]

Dingo- Sinclair (a Brownell company) has a great series of reloading videos on You Tube. And, like JJ said- get books and READ a lot.

This book comes highly recommended: The ABCs of Reloading, 9th Edition, by Rodney James (Amazon has it)

 

[Dingo]

http://fsreloading.com/classic-turret-press-kit.html

This kit

http://www.tjconevera.com/buandbrco.html
This for brass and bullets

Powder and primers, depends on your location.
Also check out ABCs of reloading and pick up a copy of Lymans #49.

As far as brass, if you have some you can just clean with a soapy water solution and air dry until you get a tumbler, brass doesn't need to be shiny, it's just nice.

Sent from this thimgy using tapawhatzit

Dingo- Sinclair (a Brownell company) has a great series of reloading videos on You Tube. And, like JJ said- get books and READ a lot.

This book comes highly recommended: The ABCs of Reloading, 9th Edition, by Rodney James (Amazon has it)

Thank you and thank you. I will look for that book.

 

[RugerWes]

Dingo- Sinclair (a Brownell company) has a great series of reloading videos on You Tube. And, like JJ said- get books and READ a lot.

This book comes highly recommended: The ABCs of Reloading, 9th Edition, by Rodney James (Amazon has it)

$17.81 on Amazon. I just ordered it. I want to learn to reload as well

 

[JohnnyB]

Me three, what's the downside, other than the obvious low output, to a setup like this for a beginner with limited (or no) designated space

http://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-press-kit.html

 

[NonamehaveI]

Me three, what's the downside, other than the obvious low output, to a setup like this for a beginner with limited (or no) designated space

http://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-press-kit.html

After trying a Lee hand press you will either want a mounted press or not want to reload anymore. As far as space, alot of people use the workmate folding workbenches, you can mount your press to that then when you are done fold it up and put it in the closet. When I started out I mounted my press to a piece of 2X4 and c-clamped that to the kitchen table, my whole setup fit in a rubermaid tub that went in the closet. and remember the only thing that needs a secure mount is the press.

Sent from this thimgy using tapawhatzit

 

[JSF4]

Me three, what's the downside, other than the obvious low output, to a setup like this for a beginner with limited (or no) designated space

http://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-press-kit.html

I would definately start out with a Lee classic turret press kit as mentioned above. It will help you learn the basics and once you get going, you can easily knock out anywhere from 100-200 an hour. I have never tried the hand press but does not look fun to me. As far as limited space, you can check this out made for the lee presses.

http://www.titanreloading.com/lee-reloading-stand

 

[mcc9mm]

I have the lee single stage works great. Set it up in the walk-in closet in bedroom.
The scale that comes with it is cr#p, it is usable but a pain.
I buy brass, bullets, primers, and powder local.
I bought extra quick change bushings, changing dies are easy.
Get a reloading book, they have step by step instructions.

 

[Guest]

I have the lee single stage works great. Set it up in the walk-in closet in bedroom.
The scale that comes with it is cr#p, it is usable but a pain.
I buy brass, bullets, primers, and powder local.
I bought extra quick change bushings, changing dies are easy.
Get a reloading book, they have step by step instructions.

+1 all of the Lee Kit works so you can figure out what you want to upgrade.

 

[ncflashman]

I started out with the hand press and used it for over a year on .380/9mm/.40/.45/.223. I now have a Lyman t-mag, but sometimes still use the lee hand press to de-prime in front of the tv.

I have also taken it to the range with me before trying different rifle lengths. Think it cost me $30.

 

[diablos30]

Me three, what's the downside, other than the obvious low output, to a setup like this for a beginner with limited (or no) designated space

http://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-hand-press-kit.html

thats what i'm reloading with. its cheap and it works.

 

[Blammer]

I would browse around a few different sites and check out the swaping and selling forum. Usually you can get some good deals there, just have to be ready to move fast. PLus after you hang out a while you will know who the "good guys" are so you won't get taken.

I've seen single stage presses go for $55 shipped or so.

 

[Sigflyer]

What ever you do don't let someone tell you Lee products don't work.....they do, and they work well. I'm not a fan of the All in One kits. I believe you can achieve the same end results and overall save yourself some money in the long run. For example if your going to load for pistol you probably not going to need the case lube and case trimming tools in the kit. Also, the first thing your going to replace the the beam scales that come with it. So start off with a cheap electronic setup....it will be easier to weigh the powder charge and a lot quicker. Get yourself the Lee disk powder measure setup for pistol loading, it works great and drops very consistent with pistol ball powders. Lee pistol dies come as a four die set and if carbide do not need case lubricant. You will also find that straight walled pistol cases require very little if any trimming even after several reloads.

I never have been a fan of the Lee auto priming system on the turret press. I had a few rounds that did not seat the primer completely and it was not until after the round was completely loaded after the crimping stage and could not be removed from the press this was discovered. The only way to correct this was to repress the primer on a loaded round so it could be removed from the shell plate. Needless to say not a very comfortable process. This is when I removed the auto-indexing function and began hand priming with the RCBS Universal priming tool. I simply rotate the head by hand and it works better for me. With the auto indexing removed I can size and de-prime first....check all the casings and then hand prime. Once everything is sized and primed all I do then is expand/powder, seat and crimp.

I also have a Hornady LNL auto progressive press for bulk loading. The debate of which is better in an auto progressive press can be a long one so we will save it for later. When you get started reloading you will find yourself hooked on a fun hobby.....enjoy

 

[Djstorm100]

I've been looking at progressiver loaders and between 650 dillon, hordaday and lee.

 

[Dingo]

ok, just ordered my Lee classic turret press and dies...now, the scale..i would be more comfortable with an electric one instead of the one that comes with the kit, any suggestions on one ?

 

[JSF4]

I have the Dillon D Terminator and works great. I also have the lee beam scale and it has been a pain for me. If you want an electronic, dillon, rcbs are good ones. Im sure there are more but these are ones that i have used.

 

[Blammer]

get a balance beam scale, easy to work with, for me the electric scales give me grief.