first time reloader

M

mluckhardt

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Hello all

I would like to start getting into reloading

I like to shoot a .40 SW a .223 rem and my 38/357
What is a good starter press, and easy to change over to a new caliber.
I have three I like now ..

I think a Lee pro 1000
Is that a good start?
How easy can I get plate and thing to change over to a new caliber
Does Budget shooter supply, have or can i order what i need to get
now and in the future

Thanks for your time

mike
 
mluckhardt said:
Hello all

I would like to start getting into reloading

I like to shoot a .40 SW a .223 rem and my 38/357
What is a good starter press, and easy to change over to a new caliber.
I have three I like now ..

I think a Lee pro 1000
Is that a good start?
How easy can I get plate and thing to change over to a new caliber
Does Budget shooter supply, have or can i order what i need to get
now and in the future

Thanks for your time

mike
Click to expand...

Hi Mike!

The Lee pro 1000 is a great press, but they are fussy, and they are not all that easy to change over. I switched from .38 special to .45 ACP; because my .45 brass takes large pistol primers, I bought a separate .45 shell plate holder set up with the proper primer feed as well. Shell feeder needs to be changed, as does the brass pusher, heights and clearances have to be adjusted, and the whole process took me a bit over an hour. If you are are not changing over the shell plate holder, just going from 9mm to .40, about 1/2 hour would be the expected time to change over; including verification of the powder charge and COAL.

I did initially intend to do .223 in mine as well, but with I have yet to try. If I have time this week, I just might give it a go.

I presently have two of these which minimizes change overs. I know of another guy in Listowell who has 4 and never changes over.

In my opinion, the Hornady Lock and load progressive is likely the best, easiest to set up, and has one of the best primer feeds available; but you can buy 3 used pro-1000s for the price of one of these new. LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0agpmbg34I
 
Meroh said:
Hi Mike!

The Lee pro 1000 is a great press, but they are fussy, and they are not all that easy to change over. I switched from .38 special to .45 ACP; because my .45 brass takes large pistol primers, I bought a separate .45 shell plate holder set up with the proper primer feed as well. Shell feeder needs to be changed, as does the brass pusher, heights and clearances have to be adjusted, and the whole process took me a bit over an hour. If you are are not changing over the shell plate holder, just going from 9mm to .40, about 1/2 hour would be the expected time to change over; including verification of the powder charge and COAL.

I did initially intend to do .223 in mine as well, but with I have yet to try. If I have time this week, I just might give it a go.

I presently have two of these which minimizes change overs. I know of another guy in Listowell who has 4 and never changes over.

In my opinion, the Hornady Lock and load progressive is likely the best, easiest to set up, and has one of the best primer feeds available; but you can buy 3 used pro-1000s for the price of one of these new. LOL
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0agpmbg34I
Click to expand...

BTW, since the middle of last week, I have loaded 1000 9mm, 700 .38 special, and today, 500 .45s, with about another 400 to go.
 
I suggest you start with a good single stage press, learn the process step by step. Within a couple of years, you'll figure out yourself which type of progressive would work best for you. Your single stage press will be your goto press for precision rifle rounds so it is still going to be a good investment...

From that perspective, I recommend RCBS Rockchucker as a great press to start with. Very precise, built to last. Redding Ultramag is another great press that I have been using for 13+ years and very happy with it as well but it is on the expensive side...
 
I agree with the single stage as a starting press. I own both a lee single stage (which I started with and still use) and a lee pro 1000 progressive. Using the single stage will allow you to focus on every stage of the reloading process perfectly. I think as a beginner you do not want to rush the process. Take the time to learn and understand what you are doing on every stage. The progressive has a lot of things going on at once and it can be easy to make a mistake if you are not familiar with the reloading process. The progressive takes some time to set up perfectly for one caliber, but once its set you can hammer them out pretty quick. I would say approx. 300-400 rounds an hour for myself. I only use it for handgun loads though and only with small sized primers. Changing the shell plate and dies aren't too difficult, but readjusting the case loader height every time is annoying but not impossible.
 
I second the idea of starting off with the basics, a single stage press like the already mentioned RCBS rockchucker, a good scale, trimmer and digital or analog calipers. These are things you will use down the road anyway. I use the single stage for all my rifle ammo. Spend your money on good dies, bullet seaters (micrometer ones are amazingly precise) and components. You will quickly figure out what you want to upgrade as per your needs. The only pistol ammo I reload is 44 mag, 44 SW and 44 Russian and I use my hand loader for most of the process. There are a lot of good deals on kits out there if you look. Just remember that kits don’t always come with every thing you need. In fact they rarely come with everything lol. Good luck, stay safe and have fun.
 
I actually just got started in reloading for the first time and bought a Lee Hand Press kit from Henry. I’m learning how to load .38 Special and then I’ll eventually graduate to a Square Deal B for 9mm. I don’t really shoot enough of the other calibres I have to justify the dies and components but if I do then I’ll probably just use the Lee Hand Press.
 
The Lee turret press that I bought from Henry has served me well. I can go as fast or as slow as needed. Slide the rotating rod out and it becomes a single stage press for rifle cartridges. get some spare turrets and changing calibres takes around 15 seconds. The Dillon is great for producing high volumes of pistol rounds but switching calibres takes time and money.
 
The learning curb is higher and failure is risky. From personal experience after the expense and time investment I would not recommend people to start on a single stage for the calibers you listed. For precision rifle rounds I still reload single but pistol/plinking rounds not a chance.
 
Hello.
All that has been pointed out is valuable information. Everyone leans reloading from a different source and starting point. Over my years of reloading, Progressive set up off the bat is expensive and a bit complicated and perhaps a little overwhelming, though that changes with time and experience. Single stage is not as expensive, but reloading your first brass will be the most expensive projectile you ever shoot!! Experience comes with confidence, trust and time. What Do you feel comfortable with? Do you want to pump out 500 rounds an hour or 50 - 100 doing it on a single stage? Both have benefits, the single gives you something of supreme value...hands on experience and learning from your mistakes, one is involved in the entire reloading process, your eyes and hands are in constant contact with what your "creating" you are leaning as you make. Knowledge is power. I would thoroughly like to have a progressive one day, however i do not. I reload for every caliber i own. 45-70 - 10 mm. 12 calibers of rifle and 6 calibers of pistol & revolver. It is time consuming and sometimes i think i am crazy for spending so much time, however it has given me the benefits of reloading safely, properly and a lot of wisdom. As i mentioned, i will get a progressive soon because i feel i have put my time in on a single. I will never give the single up though, it will always be on the bench. RCBS Rockchucker as mentioned is a great start, RCBS, Hornady, Lee dies fit into it, you can be more selective on die purchase. Some set ups only allow you to use "Their" dies. Collect information and make a good judgement call, trust your gut, it never lies. Good luck, reload safe and have some fun.
 
meveringham said:
The learning curb is higher and failure is risky. From personal experience after the expense and time investment I would not recommend people to start on a single stage for the calibers you listed. For precision rifle rounds I still reload single but pistol/plinking rounds not a chance.
Click to expand...

I agree; I have been reloading my .223, 7 x 57 in my old Lee Turret Press, however priming components are no longer available for it. I'm looking at possibly a new Lee 4000 which will handle 4 dies, and a much improved primer feed (the weakest link on the pro 1000) to do .223, and maybe one other pistol caliber that I don't shoot very often. I will be getting a good single stage press to replace my old Lee Turret, that should round things out nicely.
 
LoneMoose said:
Hello.
All that has been pointed out is valuable information. Everyone leans reloading from a different source and starting point. Over my years of reloading, Progressive set up off the bat is expensive and a bit complicated and perhaps a little overwhelming, though that changes with time and experience. Single stage is not as expensive, but reloading your first brass will be the most expensive projectile you ever shoot!! Experience comes with confidence, trust and time. What Do you feel comfortable with? Do you want to pump out 500 rounds an hour or 50 - 100 doing it on a single stage? Both have benefits, the single gives you something of supreme value...hands on experience and learning from your mistakes, one is involved in the entire reloading process, your eyes and hands are in constant contact with what your "creating" you are leaning as you make. Knowledge is power. I would thoroughly like to have a progressive one day, however i do not. I reload for every caliber i own. 45-70 - 10 mm. 12 calibers of rifle and 6 calibers of pistol & revolver. It is time consuming and sometimes i think i am crazy for spending so much time, however it has given me the benefits of reloading safely, properly and a lot of wisdom. As i mentioned, i will get a progressive soon because i feel i have put my time in on a single. I will never give the single up though, it will always be on the bench. RCBS Rockchucker as mentioned is a great start, RCBS, Hornady, Lee dies fit into it, you can be more selective on die purchase. Some set ups only allow you to use "Their" dies. Collect information and make a good judgement call, trust your gut, it never lies. Good luck, reload safe and have some fun.
Click to expand...

I don't disagree, I started out with a Lee turret press in the 70's. That was "state of the art" at that time. For an absolute novice just getting started in the sport; or a person who does not shoot a lot; or one who is striving for precision, a single stage press is perfect.

Not everyone is on the same level; many in the shooting community also come from professions where they work with complex mechanical systems and processes; where both high precision and safety are the norm; and often involve dangerous materials. Someone who designs, builds, maintains this type of industrial equipment will have no problem setting up, operating, and maintaining a progressive press. These people are the same ones who will read and digest more than one reloading manual, and who will also look to the experience of others.

If one is confident, and competent, and they plan on shooting a lot; maybe a progressive is the way to go.
 
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