Looking to get into reloading.

Candocad said:
Yes, you are entirely correct it is a hefty amount of cash to drop as a start up, however, the equipment keeps it value well and to go from a basic set up to a top end unit is about $1,000 - $1,250 difference? Less than an average rifle say. You could go the Lee route, and then 12 months later replace the whole lot because you have got into reloading?

I suppose the decision depends upon what you do now, what you want to do in the future with your shooting and the depth of one's pockets. I bought the Dillon to do: 9mm by the thousand / 30.06 hunting loads to begin with. It has enabled me to load precision 308 and 300WinMag rounds + 300AAC Blackout. I do not think I could afford to shoot any of those calibers if I relied on surplus / sales. So it does boil down to where do you want go with it?

I don't mind Lee, but much prefer Dillion / Redding and RCBS. There is a cost difference, but I think you get what you pay for in terms of dies and the like.

Candocad.

Candocad.
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If one were to decide to get out of reloading after dropping $1200 on a Dillon 650 setup, and dumps it at a loss of 50%, that's a lot more pain than dumping a Lee kit at a 50% loss.

The OP was looking at reloading for 38 S&W (not 38 Special, I presume) with his original 100 brass cases. You'd have to reload a *LOT* of 38 S&W 100 rounds at a time to make a Dillon 650 worth it.

OP: I *think* Starline makes new brass for 38 S&W.
 
Buddy of mine got into reloading. He asked me what I use. "Lee" was my answer.

His reply "RCBS is supposed to be the best isn't it?"

Yep, supposed to be, but not my cup of tea, Lee has always worked for me I say.

He bought RCBS.

This was about four months ago.

I asked him how it was going a week ago.....

"still in the box" he says.

So I'd wait a few weeks, maybe he'll be dumping his RCBS set-up on the EE.....LOL

Or not.

BTW, I load up 38 SW on my single stage. Takes less than an hour for 50. Tru story.
 
When I got into reloading, I jumped into the Lee classic cast turret.

1. Fairly easy to change calibers via the turrets
2. Can be used a turret press or a single stage press by removing the indexing rod
3. Using pistol dies, the powder flow through die allows for press activation of powder drops when using the Lee Autodrum or Lee pro autodisk chargers. Same for rifle, but will need the rifle charging die
4. All cast iron press, will last a life time
5. To date, I've been able to load .308, 30-06, 223, 40sw, 357 mag and 45 acp with no issues
 
You don't need a Dillon progressive unless you are a high volume shooter who favors one or two calibers.
Based on the OP #1, this person is not.
Also, a single stage press is a lot more versatile, and cheaper.
You can load just about anything with one with a set of dies and a shell holder for each cartridge.

The Lee Challenger works, but it's an aluminum press. For just a few bucks more you can have the cast iron Lee Classic which will last forever.
As for RCBS being the best, I would disagree. They are very good and very popular, but Redding is better.
I bought the Redding Boss and never regretted it. It is more expensive though.

Also, there are other options if you just want to begin hand loading and keep the cost down until you decide what you want to do.

Firstly, you don't need a compound linkage press to hand load standard cartridges, up to .30-06.
They are nice and pretty standard now, but in the past the single linkage "O" press was common, and the "C" press before that in the 50s and 60s.
I used an RCBS junior "O" press for many years that I bought in 1973 and it is still going strong.

If you visit some gun shows, and in particular larger ones, you can always find these older high quality cast iron presses cheap, usually being sold off by old shooters. For maybe $60.00 or so. I recommend the RCBS Junior. Very common.

With a little luck you might find a used set of .38 S&W dies as well. Not much demand for those I would think, and those are the die sets that tend to just sit there and not get sold.

Beyond that, you really don't even need a scale or a powder measure. Scare up a set of Lee plastic dippers with the sliding charge chart in the box and you can load just about anything, as long as you aren't picky about perfection. It may not have all the latest powders listed, but for your needs there will be plenty of the old standards to choose from. $15.00 at Cabela's, or buy a used set for half that.

Buy a Lee chamfer tool, primer pocket cleaner, case trimmer tool, powder funnel, and a hand squeeze priming tool.
All very inexpensive and long-lasting.
Get a lube pad and some case lube. Cheap.

That's really all that you need. With the used press, maybe $200.00 invested.
 
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I would never recommend a progressive press for somebody just getting started. Not saying it cant be done. But I believe it adds complexity to the process, when a newbie should focus carefully on the basics. I think it adds to much risk that something crucial could be overlooked readily.

I like the Lee Classic Turret because:
-it can be switched between single stage and Turret operation in 10 seconds
-although it uses a primer feeder, the priming is not fully automated, making it easy for the operator to make sure of priming
-if and when the operator masters the basics, and has built confidence, the switch to Turret operation is fairly seamless and can meet the production needs of the majority of shooters.
-inexpensive to add new calibers
-Fast and easy change between calibers

Currently I have three presses, a Lee Classic Turret, a Pro1000 progressive, and a Loadmaster progressive. All function well, and have there place, but if I were forced to only have one, it would be the turret.

Regardless of which route you go, hopefully you will find it a fun and rewarding hobby of its own.
 
My vote would be a Lee classic cast turret to start on. Also a vote to make a sticky on this thread for the weekly request for this information. It is needed info for everyone crossing the boarder into reloading.
 
I started with a Lee single stage press then bought the Forster co-ax use both of them for reloading - not planning on buying anything else - for the person who wants to get into reloading I would recommend the Lee - the co-ax has its advantages over the Lee (no shell holders) and use it to fine tune my accuracy loads
 
Any of the kits will get someone started reloading. For the OP I'd suggest the Lee Turret press for handgun loads just based on volume vs time over the single stage. If you were gonna load rifle to start I say single stage. If your not sure reloading is for you spend less in the beginning, if you enjoy the process then there is always time to spend more and upgrade after you know what you like and don't like about whatever you decide on.

Don't fret about what is better, you won't know until you start the learning process PS: be for you buy the kit buy 1or 2 manuals and read them....then read them again. It will give you a good understanding of what is involved in the process. And they are valuable guides and reference for future reloading practices.

Now down the rabbit hole with you ! LOL have fun and enjoy the learning process and there is lots to learn.
 
I built up my reloading tools over time based on what I was interested in trying and what each step in the process taught me.

I started with Lee Loaders and Lee case trimming tools and by loading one round at a time. To me these tools are the bare minimum for learning about reloading. I learned a lot about the basics from these tools.

Wanting to try different powders and loads beyond the data and dipper included with the Lee Loaders, I then bought a couple of scales and a trickler. I bought the Lee balance scale, an inexpensive digital scale, and the pastic Hornady trickler. Learned a lot about measuring and weighing powder here.

When I started trying to use my drill press with the Lee Loader to eliminate some of the hammering, I realised that I probably should get a press. The Lee Reloader press was my first and it works well. Learned a lot about working with and adjusting dies with this press. It would still be my only press if I did not stumble upon a very dusty on-the-clearance-shelf new-old-stock RCBS Rockchucker somewhere. Bought that pretty much on impulse and it's my main press now. I still use the small Lee press for yeoman work -- mostly decapping and case mouth expanding.

Having a press I started buying dies; Lee mostly, RCBS for a few things, and CH4D for curiosities. I also try to have Lee Loaders for every calibre I shoot; I sometimes take them to the range and to work up loads right then and there.

Working faster on the press than with the Lee Loaders made me want to look at faster powder dispensing, so I tried a powder dispenser. Learned a lot here too and worked out what seems like an efficient way of throwing light and then trickling up to final weight using either the balance or digital scale. Considering the consistency of the powder dispenser I can proably just drop directly into the case, but I still prefer to weigh my loads.

I think I have all of the equipment that you typically get in a starting set and I probably paid more for it over time than if I had bought the set in one shot. That said, I did not want to spend all the cash in one go. I don't regret acquring the stuff as I did but I could just be trying to rationalise things now :)

I think there is something to be said for my overall approach, though: master each bit of kit and base your needs on your understanding of what you have mastered.

I don't consider anything I've bought for reloading to be wasted -- everything still has a use even if it's not currently my primary tool for a process.
 
OldDude said:
If one were to decide to get out of reloading after dropping $1200 on a Dillon 650 setup, and dumps it at a loss of 50%, that's a lot more pain than dumping a Lee kit at a 50% loss.

The OP was looking at reloading for 38 S&W (not 38 Special, I presume) with his original 100 brass cases. You'd have to reload a *LOT* of 38 S&W 100 rounds at a time to make a Dillon 650 worth it.

OP: I *think* Starline makes new brass for 38 S&W.
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I think you find Dillons go for a fair bit more than that, most I see is on the EE + ebay is at 75% + of purchase price. You are probably mistaking the resale values for Lee equipment? On the aspect of loading for a pistol, even a wheel gun, when was the last time a 100 rounds was enough? I make that amount for a hunting rifle to ensure I get a great round with adequate testing. There is also the point about how a progressive can open up the options to load for other calibers, and in larger qualities, thereby opening up options. I like to shoot, that's why i do target shooting, and 100 rounds is slim in the pistol world.

If the OP is dedicated to one handgun only, fires 100 rounds a month say, through choice, and has no interest ever in buying another gun ever then sure, go single stage with Lee. If the OP has any aspirations to move beyond one gun (I don't know anyone with only one gun, do you?) then go progressive and enjoy a quality unit like a Dillon with low depreciation and a life time guarantee.

Makes sense to me at least?


Candocad.
 
I also reload for .38 S&W on a single stage press, and I use Starline brass, nickle-plated Winchester, R-P brass... whatever I can find.
 
quinn762x39 said:
I know nothing about reloading so far. I recently got a 38 s&w revolver and realized its a pain to find ammo. After doing some research the best solution i can find is reloading the 100 rounds i have. I am looking for the best value way to try out reloading. I know this has probably been asked before but i dont know what the differences are with different companys that make loading presses. From what i have heard i should start with a single press.
any advice is appreciated.
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simplest is to buy a kit but it can be a bit more expensive.

A single stage press is all you need to start. If you decide later you want to upgrade then you will easily get most of your mkoney back selling the single, or you'll probably find you want to keep the single anyway.

what you need:
1 press c/w primer seater (LEE Cast iron press is decent)
2. die set
3. case prep kit (inside & outside neck chamfer tool, primer pocket cleaners)
4. caliper
5. loading block (make your own with a drill, and a block of 2x4)
6. beam scale (get a decent one, RCBS 5-0-5 minimum. It's the single most important tool you'll have)
7. Lee powder dipper kit or other powder measure
8. case trimmer for bottleneck cartridges, not needed for straight wall cases. (Lee handheld is about $10 per cartridge)
9. reloading data
10. bullet puller (not absolutely required but trust me that you'll need it for fixing mistakes, everyone does eventually)

You'll make good ammo with that setup. You can get the fancy stuff later if you want - tumbler, electronic powder scale/measure, progressive press, etc. - but you don't need it to get started.
 
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jethunter said:
simplest is to buy a kit but it can be a bit more expensive.

A single stage press is all you need to start. If you decide later you want to upgrade then you will easily get most of your mkoney back selling the single, or you'll probably find you want to keep the single anyway.

what you need:
1 press c/w primer seater (LEE Cast iron press is decent)
2. die set
3. case prep kit (inside & outside neck chamfer tool, primer pocket cleaners)
4. caliper
5. loading block (make your own with a drill, and a block of 2x4)
6. beam scale (get a decent one, RCBS 5-0-5 minimum. It's the single most important tool you'll have)
7. Lee powder dipper kit or other powder measure
8. case trimmer for bottleneck cartridges, not needed for straight wall cases. (Lee handheld is about $10 per cartridge)
9. reloading data
10. bullet puller (not absolutely required but trust me that you'll need it for fixing mistakes, everyone does eventually)

You'll make good ammo with that setup. You can get the fancy stuff later if you want - tumbler, electronic powder scale/measure, progressive press, etc. - but you don't need it to get started.
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The only thing I would change about this shopping list is to get a reloading manual (or three) before getting anything else. If nothing else, you'll have some evening reading material.
 
MuthaFunk said:
I would recommend a Lee Challenger kit to give it a shot. There's plenty of good stuff to get you started and the price is right. The big thing I like about the Lee is the Breech Lock system. It makes switching dies on my Lee Classic Cast press as quick as a turret. The Challenger press has the same system but in a cheaper fully capable press.
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I went this route, and bought a used Lee Challenger Breech Lock. Gathering up needed accessories, dies, and books was the most expensive part. Mostly used stuff, somebody always looking to upgrade and I was only planning to reload for one caliber myself. Funny thing about Lee equipment, it is generally cheaper and a lot of guys say to steer away from Lee but can't tell you exactly why. They have been around a long time and will have everything you need available.
 
vinver said:
I went this route, and bought a used Lee Challenger Breech Lock. Gathering up needed accessories, dies, and books was the most expensive part. Mostly used stuff, somebody always looking to upgrade and I was only planning to reload for one caliber myself. Funny thing about Lee equipment, it is generally cheaper and a lot of guys say to steer away from Lee but can't tell you exactly why. They have been around a long time and will have everything you need available.
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Depends what you buy.
The scale isn't the greatest and the money spent on a Lyman or RCBS one is better spent.
I don't like aluminum presses period, so the Challenger seems false economy when the Classic cast press is not that much more expensive.
But then, RCBS has low-end aluminum presses as well.
Their dies might be made of less-hard steel than Lyman, RCBS, and others, but for most people they will last as long as they reload, unless they are cranking out a gazillion rounds a year on a Dillon.
And, most of the small accessories are all good value.
In particular their case trimming hand tools.
 
I like the Lee classic cast single stage, it's one of the best deals out there. Nothing against the LEE aluminum single stage but unless you find a really good deal on one then may as well go with classic for a little bit more $.

The only reason I wouldn't buy a LEE kit is I am not a big fan of the LEE Perfect Powder Measure or the LEE Safety Scale. RCBS 5-0-5 scale is bullet proof. I think it's made by Ohaus and several other reloading companies sell the same scale painted a different colour. You can go cheap on anything else but get a good beam scale, it's the single most important reloading tool you'll ever have.

I do like the LEE powder dippers. Practical and useful.
 
quinn762x39 said:
I know nothing about reloading so far. I recently got a 38 s&w revolver and realized its a pain to find ammo. After doing some research the best solution i can find is reloading the 100 rounds i have. I am looking for the best value way to try out reloading. I know this has probably been asked before but i dont know what the differences are with different companys that make loading presses. From what i have heard i should start with a single press.
any advice is appreciated.
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100 casings isn't enough. You can't reload them indefinitely. Get more casings or get more ammos. They're not that hard to find. First place I checked was SFRC (check the top of this page) and they have brass-cased boxer-primed for 33$/box. Quite expensive for small handgun ammos, but at least you'll get some reloadable cases. You'll get free shipping with coupon code "freeship" if you buy for 200$ or more. Other sponsors also sell them 38SW.

It's useless to buy any reloading equipment at all if you don't have cases to reload. I'd say don't get into it until you have 1000 casings set aside. 500 is a minimum but 1000 is a better number imho.
 
VinnyQC said:
100 casings isn't enough. You can't reload them indefinitely. Get more casings or get more ammos. They're not that hard to find. First place I checked was SFRC (check the top of this page) and they have brass-cased boxer-primed for 33$/box. Quite expensive for small handgun ammos, but at least you'll get some reloadable cases. You'll get free shipping with coupon code "freeship" if you buy for 200$ or more. Other sponsors also sell them 38SW.

It's useless to buy any reloading equipment at all if you don't have cases to reload. I'd say don't get into it until you have 1000 casings set aside. 500 is a minimum but 1000 is a better number imho.
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That's hooey! If you want/ need more cases buy them or shoot. The number of empty cases you have is of little consequence if you would like to reload you can always get more, either buy, shoot and save or just purchase some empty cases. One thing about reloading there is always something else to buy. Not sure if it's cheaper then green fees but......less frustrating and more satisfying !
 
I've been reloading since the mid 1970's and still use my two RCBS single stage presses. . Practically eveything I have is RCBS aside from one Hornady die and a Lee hand priming tool. . I like the Hornady bullets but the one Hornady die I have I'm not overly impressed with it compared to RCBS. . The Lee hand priming tool works great but quite often I use the RCBS priming tubes on one of the presses. .

I can see the advantage of using a turret press as you can change from one procedure to another very quickly and would eliminate finding space for two presses but I like what I have and it works good for me.
 
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