What reloading kit would you buy?

one2hutn

Ok, since there's alot of people on here who reload ammo(ya think?), my question is this- if you were going to buy a press to start today, what would you buy and why? Would you buy a starter kit or would you buy a particular press, a different company's dies, any particular powder measure and or scale, trickler,etc.
I totally understand buying the best you can afford and it being better than the cheapest you can find but I've seen some pretty reasonable starter kits by some of the bigger companies. And I got none of the billions that the government used to bail some people out so as always, this is not a project of unlimited budget. If it turns out I need to buy seperate components that are better by nature and it costs alot more, then I will just make my purchases as time and $ allows until it's time to open all the boxes as a complete set up. Thanks in advance and have at it. I appreciate the dedication that many of you seem to put into your hobby and hope to benefit from your experience.>Chris

jonk

Lee Anniverary kit is what started me off. Good, but I'd add a cheap digital scale as the Lee balance scale (In MY experience) was junk. The Lee press in this kit is not the beefiest around and the toggle link WILL break after a few tens of thousands of rounds (and costs a princely $7 to replace) but otherwise it is a very good press.

Now moving up a step I'd go for the Lee classic cast press- beefiest press in its class on the market today, just as good as the more than doubly expensive RCBS rockchucker (and I own one of each so I feel pretty good saying that).

Whatever you do, to start I'd go with a single stage press, not progressive.

wsm 325

im with you i started with a lee 2 years ago. went this route for the cost. wasnt sure if i would like it didnt want to be out bunch of money. so far no problems and really enjoy it. for the money not bad at all.

one2hutn

Thanks for the feedback.

grizzclaw

I bought my reloading equipment a piece at a time as I could afford it. I think I learned more about reloading that way, but thats just the way that I function.

flyingtorpedo

I too started off with the Lee Anniverary kit, just over a year ago. Like others, I went this way because I didn't want to be out a bunch of money if I decided reloading wasn't for me. The scale that comes with the kit isn't the greatest but I didn't have a major issue with it. If you stick with reloading, you will probably want to move up to a digital scale becasue they are faster and easier. So far everything has worked just great for me with no complaints. Go to http://www.midwayusa.com/ and you can read reviews of different kits.

one2hutn

OK I found the reloading manual from years ago when I made my first attempt at reloading. It turns out I was using a Lyman set up. I just looked at an E mail from Cabelas and they've got starter kits from Lee, Lyman, Hornady, Redding, and one or two others I am forgetting. Orange Crush or Crusher sound right? Think that's what I had, and wish I still did. I'm looking to reload to get the best accuracy out of my rifles so I can attempt to enter into the realm of long range shooting. But I also plan to load for pistol in .380, 9mm, 38/357,.40,45acp, and others later hopefully. I am sure I haven't loaded enough to start with a progressive press and am thinking single stage is the way to go and buy a progressive later when it's time. Another question?- should I start out with a turret press or is it not worth trying to cut the gap between a single stage and a progressive.
Thanks for reading>?Chris

bpost

quote:Originally posted by one2hutn
Ok, since there's alot of people on here who reload ammo(ya think?), my question is this- if you were going to buy a press to start today, what would you buy and why? Would you buy a starter kit or would you buy a particular press, a different company's dies, any particular powder measure and or scale, trickler,etc.
I totally understand buying the best you can afford and it being better than the cheapest you can find but I've seen some pretty reasonable starter kits by some of the bigger companies. And I got none of the billions that the government used to bail some people out so as always, this is not a project of unlimited budget. If it turns out I need to buy seperate components that are better by nature and it costs alot more, then I will just make my purchases as time and $ allows until it's time to open all the boxes as a complete set up. Thanks in advance and have at it. I appreciate the dedication that many of you seem to put into your hobby and hope to benefit from your experience.>Chris


There is nothing wrong with buying good used equipment to save $$. But; if I was to buy a high quality, last a lifetime set up it would be a toss up between the Redding, Hornaday and RCBS reloading kits. No matter who made the equipment it is very wise to get at least two reloading manuals for charge comparisons.

jonk

If you've had some experience then a turret press might be a good choice. It's not very complex compared to a fully progressive press. I never personally saw the need for one for rifle, as after sizing I like to tumble to remove the lube, defeating the 'progressive' part of it, but for handgun rounds and carbide dies, needing no lube, they are a good in-between.

And....I'd recommend the Lee classic cast turret, which I do NOT have, but have loaded on one. To start that is. I've also handled a Redding R-7- what a wonderful beast! Huge and heavy!

Ambrose

I would advise: Buy green and buy used. Like many of us geezers, I started with Herters and price was the reason. For example, when name brand dies (Hollywood, Pacific, RCBS, etc.) were selling for $13.50, Herters dies were less than 5 bucks! If not for Herters, many of us would not have been able to afford to start reloading. Over the years, I replaced the press with a Rockchucker and gave away my Herters stuff (getting other guys started in reloading). I still have a few sets of Herters dies (like 6.5 Jap) for cartridges I don't load much, but almost all of it has been replaced with RCBS. Get an old cast iron Rockchucker at a gun show or here or fleabay (I have no experience with the newer, imported, pot-metal ones) and you'll never look back.

one2hutn

Ambrose>thanks. I had decided on a Redding press and picking everything else individually but now I have to rersearch Herter's before I buy the Redding. I'm sure I will buy a turrett press and the Redding gets great reviews and looks to last a lifetime. I may buy a progressive down the line just for handgun ammo but I prefer to make rifle ammo using stricter procedure than I believe a progressive loader is capable of. Anyway thanks to everyone again and hopefully I should have my bench completely set up in my shop within a few months.