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Domino2013

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Thinking of getting into reloading my own bullets. I will most likely be reloading .308 and 9mm for myself, however May do some .270 and 30.06 also. Looking to see what suggestions would be the the most cost efficient press kits to start off with. Or some general advice in kinds of presses to use and why. Can I use the same press to reload pistol and rifle rds or do I need something special on the side.
Cheers
 
You will be reloading your own cartridges :)

Start with a Single Stage Press, it will work for both pistol and rifle. When you become proficient and comfortable you may then want to look at a turret or progressive press to crank out pistol rounds much faster. Don't rush into things.

Any major brand single stage will do you just fine. I personally use the RCBS Rock Chucker but equivalents from Lee, Lyman, Hornady, etc will get the job done.

Get a good reloading manual and start from there
 
As above, a single stage press is the best to start with. Even if you later get a progressive press, single stage press is best for accuracy and relatively small volume loading.

Get a reasonable cast iron press of any of the big names. There is very little difference between them. Personally, for single stage presses, have Lee Classic Cast and an old Hornady. But would be happy with any of them.

As for the quality of ammo that can be loaded with a really cheap press? A few might say that a specific brand of expensive press is needed. Not true. (but a piece of precision equipment is always a joy to use). There was an article by Mysticplayer (now a site sponsor) where he was using the cheapest, aluminum Lee press and Lee dies, and was getting half inch groups....... at 345 yards (300m).

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek075.html (half way down and at bottom).
 
I ended up with a Rock Chucker Supreme Kit. Comes every everything I needed except dies, brass/bullets/powder and calipers. Even came with a speer manual which is nice. And right now they have a mail in rebate going on. Get $50 back on $300 or more purchases.
 
Agreed with everything above. Nobody stays in business selling cr*p and I have stuff from every maker.

Agreed on the SS press, too. Good starting place and always useful

+23 on reloading manual. Buy it and read it before anything else. Actually, big book called ABCs of Reloading is a very good place to start. It will explain a lot up front.

If you're interested, I have a simple programme talking payoff times. PM me with email address for a copy.

Welcome to the dark side...
 
If you are flush and want to start out spoiled, get a Forster Co-ax straight up. Wish I'd been told that. If you need to be thrifty, start with a Lee Classic Cast, it's as good or better in many ways than a Rockchucker or the other brands for half the price. Still use mine to load .338 Lapua because of the size of it.
 
Forster Co-Ax's are sometimes tough to get let alone get in Canada. I got lucky and acquired a practically brand new Bonanza Co-Ax. I would recommend for new loaders to read the ABC's of Reloading and a couple of reloading manuals.
 
Fassteel said:
A new Co Ax is rediculous money in Canada, close to $400, Co Ax dies are close $90 a set, for what a big red box. FS
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My CO-AX was closer to $300 and I use LEE Dies for about $50. each set for most of my loading..
I have one Coax set of dies at $90 and have not found the need to use them yet.
The Forster press is a little hard to find but available.. I'm VERY happy with it, built extremely well and a cut above the others IMHO.
 
hunter-4-life said:
I ended up with a Rock Chucker Supreme Kit. Comes every everything I needed except dies, brass/bullets/powder and calipers. Even came with a speer manual which is nice. And right now they have a mail in rebate going on. Get $50 back on $300 or more purchases.
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I bought this kit as well and am very happy with it. I load several pistol calibres and bottle neck rifle cartridges as well. On Sunday afternoon I reloaded over 600 9 mms and got half way through about 250 45s. Not speedy quick but not unpleasant either.

I'll use this press for small runs if I get a progressive press in the future.
 
Seeing as reloading for newbies is the topic of discussion, what do you all think of the Lee 50th aniversary kit? I'm looking at getting one as I'm eager to start reloading but am on a limited budget (two 5 year old little boys do that to a guy).
 
I got the Lee Breechlock Challenger kit. I think it has one or two extra things not in the 50th ann. Kit. Can not remember what though... happy with it.
All you need are dies and a case trimming guide. It comes with the case trimming ends, but the shell chamber specific holder and guage are needed to use them. The kit says you only need dies, but doesn't mention the case trimming parts you need. That cost me a week delay waiting for them to come in.
 
I stated with a RCBS kit. This will serve you well for hunting and target loads but there are better and more expensive presses for precision long range stuff.
 
OP,
You have indicated several things in your post;
1. New at this and have no knowledge or equipment
2. Loading for .308 and 9mm (possible more down the road)
3. Cost is an issue.

That being the case, I would advise the following path for you: Ignore the nay-sayers!!

If you are willing to shell out $500, what you want is a Lee CLASSIC Turret Press kit. It comes with a great book for beginners including plenty of recipes. It will allow you to reload EVERYTHING, including high production runs of [pistol or semi-rifle ammo as well as .338 LM (I haven't looked to see if a .50 BMG will fit). The kit has all you need to start reloading except dies and trim gauges.
The beauty of this is that it can be used to load as a single stage or a "progressive" giving you one round with every pull of the handle (sort of) and its easy to do 200+ rounds an hour this way. You would have to get extra stuff if you wanted to charge the larger rounds on the press, but most of us use a separate measure / scale for that anyway.

If, like me your budget starting out is even less than that (I started with a Lee Loader), you can invest in the 50th anniversary kit for under $200. If you REALLY want to cut the corners, you can buy a handpress kit and dies for about $100.

No one will beat Lee's price / value point, but many try to justify their purchases. As Sandroad has posted, Jerry (Mystic Precision) loads trophy winning ammo on a challenger press. So, how bad can it be. My challenger press loaded umpteen thousand rounds before I got a classic cast single stage and gave the challenger to my son.
 
^^ +1 on Rookie's post.

I have been surprised at how well the Lee Classic Turret has worked out for me given all the bashing one sees of Lee equipment. I have recently (after over a year of reloading rifle) started loading 9 mm and have been able to produce an easy 150 rounds an hour in "progressive" mode...and I think I can get quite a bit faster with practice.

Remember that if cost is a consideration, there will be a number of things that you will want to collect very soon after starting (besides more brass, powder, primer and bullets) such as case gauges, a powder dispenser and a better scale. There will also likely to be additional bits and pieces for the press as you go from caliber to caliber. These are very inexpensive with Lee, not so much with other brands.

Let us know which direction you go and how it turns out.
 
So since I am also looking to get into reloading I had been leaning towards a RCBS but i like the idea of converting a lee single to a prgressive since I have quiet alot of 30-06, 8mm, 30-30 and 7.62x39 if I can find the dies. 500$ isnt life altering for me so I'd say its probably in in my price range but now I gotta ask where I would even find a kit. I wanna buy it all in one kit, (dies as the exception), I dont wanna have to peice it together. Any suggestions?
 
AlbertanBound said:
So since I am also looking to get into reloading I had been leaning towards a RCBS but i like the idea of converting a lee single to a prgressive since I have quiet alot of 30-06, 8mm, 30-30 and 7.62x39 if I can find the dies. 500$ isnt life altering for me so I'd say its probably in in my price range but now I gotta ask where I would even find a kit. I wanna buy it all in one kit, (dies as the exception), I dont wanna have to peice it together. Any suggestions?
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My first suggestion STAY AWAY FROM ISLAND OUTFITTERS!
It is ALWAYS cheaper to ship stuff from reliable gun or wanstalls (also usually comes next day)
My shopping trips to island outfitters consist of walking in needing something (shell holder, trimmer pilot etc.) and they never have stock or seem like they want to help in the least bit of finding any, I check prices on bullets, and they almost cost the same as loaded ammo, I then walk out on the phone to Wanstalls or Reliable, ordering through them for cheaper prices...

As for the kit, I find cabelas is usually cheapest and has good stock (if you know what you want, if not use a site sponsor)
Dies in my opinion are personal preference... For me I like the lee factory crimp dies more than most of the other brand's crimp dies. Other than that not much difference after that once you learn to set up dies properly and spend the time to do it. Some make it easier than others
As for all in a kit, I got mine used (from a place in Keating called Murray Charlton enterprises)

Another quick tip for you, if you want to have very little down time if something breaks, go through Murray Charlton and get Dillion, since he is a Dillon distributor any problem you have you can walk in and exchange a broken part for a brand new Dillon part free of charge no receipt needed.
That being said I am not a fan of Dillon dies for the sole reason they do not come with proper lock nuts...
 
suberman said:
My first suggestion STAY AWAY FROM ISLAND OUTFITTERS!
It is ALWAYS cheaper to ship stuff from reliable gun or wanstalls (also usually comes next day)
My shopping trips to island outfitters consist of walking in needing something (shell holder, trimmer pilot etc.) and they never have stock or seem like they want to help in the least bit of finding any, I check prices on bullets, and they almost cost the same as loaded ammo, I then walk out on the phone to Wanstalls or Reliable, ordering through them for cheaper prices...

As for the kit, I find cabelas is usually cheapest and has good stock (if you know what you want, if not use a site sponsor)
Dies in my opinion are personal preference... For me I like the lee factory crimp dies more than most of the other brand's crimp dies. Other than that not much difference after that once you learn to set up dies properly and spend the time to do it. Some make it easier than others
As for all in a kit, I got mine used (from a place in Keating called Murray Charlton enterprises)

Another quick tip for you, if you want to have very little down time if something breaks, go through Murray Charlton and get Dillion, since he is a Dillon distributor any problem you have you can walk in and exchange a broken part for a brand new Dillon part free of charge no receipt needed.
That being said I am not a fan of Dillon dies for the sole reason they do not come with proper lock nuts...
Click to expand...



Wow lots of info thanks. Uh ya I'll never ever pit money in at island outfitters for more then a few reasons. However Murray goes to my range I've not heard alot about Dillon kits. I figured there was a reason but if they're good maybe thats just another thing for me to look at.
 
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