Starter Reloading Kits

NOTPOSTAL

I'm interested in starting to reload and would like to know if these starter kits like the Lee or Lyman are OK or are they junk. I'm looking to load .44 mag. and .280 Rem. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

...from my cold dead fingers!!

gunnut

stick with Dillon!

~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~

Tailgunner1954

The Lee kit is cheap for a reason (pot metal press, plastic scale, etc). The RCBS Kit is much higher quality (RCBS Rockchucker is the press that all other presses are judged aganst). Unless your going to shoot 500-1,000 rounds every week the single stage units are fine. It's not hard to load 100 rounds of pistol or 50 rounds of rifle in a evening with a single stage unit.
Add a good 6" caliper, as the kits don't come with one.

---

Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.

Wodan

Stick with dillon. I promise you will not be disappointed!!!!

I shalt punish thy bodies, because the more thou sweateth in training; the least thou bleedeth in combat

jager22

you can find rcbs rockchucker kits in cabelas and other outfiters for a real good price..comes with most the stuff you need to get started..i have beren using one for about 2 years now for everything i shoot...like tailgunner said if you shoot hundreds of rounds a week you may want to get a progressive...

garandfan

I'm new to reloading and I've been reloading 38 special and 9mm for about 4 months. I didn't have a lot of money, so I bought the Lee 4-hole Turret kit from midway. It was only about 100 bucks, but I love it. I have not had any problems with it. I like it because I'm still learning and I am not ready for a progressive press, but it loads faster than a single stage. I might update to a more expensive progressive later, but for now, I think my Lee kit is more than enough for my needs.

Mr. Lobo

I agree with the Dillon suggestions. You will spend more but from what I have seen resale is easier if you decide you don't like to reload. Another item to consider is that you can use the Dillon as a single stage press if you so desire until you get comfertable with the process. For precision reloading for target matches RCBS is the way to go. JMTCW

Jim

ericthered

I will try to make this as understandable as possible.

You must decide what amount of reloading you are going to do.
A pistol cartridge has to be:

sized and deprimed
neck expanded
primed
charged with powder
bullet seated and crimped

some bullets like my 40 cal need factory crimp to function in
my pistol.

Each of these is a operation with a single stage.
This adds up to time in a hurry. Sometimes you can combine
a couple in one stroke, but the principle is the same.
Each and every cartridge will need to run thru the machine
approximately three to four times. Between each type of
operation you have to replace the die and adjust it to the cartridge. There are some tricks to make that quicker(RCBS lock bushings for your rock chucker), but some adjustment may be needed.
It still works out to 3 or 400 stokes per 100 rounds.

If you know your time is limited, a progressive is very
helpful. You can do it all in one stroke, or break it up
into a couple for safety reasons, like I do. But it is still much
faster than a single stage.

Rifle cartridges need more attention and care for accuracy
than pistol. They need to be trimmed, deburred, hand weighed charges,
full length resize for automatic rifles.
If you want good accurate ammo.

NOTE ---may be in kit--- "mbik"

You do need a caliper for rifle cartridges to get the length
the same. That is important for rifle, not really for pistol.
You will need, powder scale "mbik", funnel "mbik", , deburr tool "mbik", , cartridge length trimmer "mbik", , a tumbler for rifle cartridges, hand primer tool "mbik", unless you
do it on the press "mbik", cartridge lube (spray type is best- RCBS case slick) for rifle cartridges, carbide dies for pistol( so you don't have to lube them), cartridge tray or trays "mbik", , powder throw "mbik", Powder trickler "mbik", a set of shell holders(much cheaper to buy a set than individually if you are going to expand to additional calibers.)

Then you need, bullets, cartridge cases (used at gun ranges are cheapest )( all the same headstamp for rifle accuracy), primers,
powders, and all the reloading manuals or data you cam compile.

If you are going to do a small amount ,then single stage is ok, but you will find out in a hurry that the single stage gets old fast if you have to do hundreds of rounds.

One down side of progressives is the extra cost of each caliber.
In addition to the dies, you have to buy a "shell plate"
22.00 to 40.00 dollars or more depending on the brand.

Turret press may be a good compromise. Not expensive.
See garandfan.

My advise---

1. get a comprehensive manual and read it before investing.
That will help a very great deal.

2. get a great deal on someone getting rid of their
setup. Patience is worth it. Gun shows, newpaper classifieds, gun ranges may know someone who wants to sell, gun dealer may know someone who wants to sell, shooting buddies may know someone.

Reloading gets expensive fast.
I'm not sure because it has been a while, but I think the single stage will run 3 to 400 bucks before you get started and a progressive
maybe a hundred or two more than that.

RCBS is great equipment and Lee has some neat advantages and prices.
Dillon is very good, but pricey. This subject is worth doing some
homework before you buy.
Thats why I have tried to give you a list of stuff to consider.


Sorry for all the talk. Hope it helps.
Eric



thats'me

just-shoot

I didn't ask, but thanks for the time & effort in your response eric.

Edited by - just-shoot on 05/27/2002 01:48:17

11echo

The LEE loader I got (way back when) worked fine! And I think LEE products will still produce a good re-load! BUT... When you decide this is what you would like to do, but on a grander scale, LEE loader become obsolete. Becase You can expand on the system. I purchased a RBCS "rock chucker" in used condition at a gun show back in 79 and still use it today! All I have to do is purchase dies, case trimmer pilot, & shell holder and I'm in business. And now I can produce ALOTS more rounds that LEE products! My 2 cents, GOOD LUCK! ...Mark

"FEAR the Goverment, that fears your ARMS"

Shootist3006

NOTPOSTAL, compared to the RCBS Rockchucker, the Lee and Lyman kits, while not junk. are of far less quality. I would go with the RCBS Master Reloading Kit. It has almost everything you need and Midway has it on SALE!! This makes it about $100 cheaper than the Lyman Mag T kit. Go to http://www.midwayusa.com/online/productpage.exe/showproduct?SaleItemID=984675&KeyWord=rockchucker

Quod principi placuit legis habet vigorem.Semper Fidelis

Edited by - shootist3006 on 05/27/2002 11:44:52