New To Reloading, any starter kits recommendations?
- Thread starter Dave9595
- Start date
I too am an FNG to reloading, and I'm looking at the Lyman Expert Kit Deluxe ( I HATE beam scales - never could work them properly in school 
) with the T-Mag II turret press.
Everything you need except for shellholders and dies is included in the kit.
It DOESN'T include a tumbler for brass, however. I'm buying that separately.
) with the T-Mag II turret press.Everything you need except for shellholders and dies is included in the kit.
It DOESN'T include a tumbler for brass, however. I'm buying that separately.
I too am an FNG to reloading, and I'm looking at the Lyman Expert Kit Deluxe ( I HATE beam scales - never could work them properly in school
Everything you need except for shellholders and dies is included in the kit.
It DOESN'T include a tumbler for brass, however. I'm buying that separately.
How much is all that looking to cost you?
I know that the kit usually runs around $530. The tumbler kit I want (Frankford Arsenal) is about $100. These prices are from Wholesale Sports in Calgary.
Wholesale sports also sells Lee kits. For $150 or so you can get everything you need to start. You asked for a kit with little start-up cost. That will do it. Not fancy, single stage press. I load about 1000 rounds a year. Not a lot, but still a fair amount of shooting. It is all done on a single stage Lee challenger or their hand press. I have other equipment after 30 yrs of doing it, but, since I don't shoot massive amounts of handgun ammo, I have never needed anything fancy. Where in AB are you? You can probably find a mentor if you try.
If you are serious about shooting then buy a decent kit to start, forget about trying to save money as you probably won't be happy with a cheap kit down the road. Look at a RCBS press and decent dies. Personally we use a Dillon digital scale and really like it, got it as a gift and it is so accurate.
I know it will cost more to start but bet you will be alot happier with good equipment.
I know it will cost more to start but bet you will be alot happier with good equipment.
Lee 50th Anniversary Kit $82
Lee .308 Dies $13.50
Lee .308 Case Length Gauge $4
Lee #2 Shellholder $3
Lee Modern Reloading Manual $12.50
You will also need 1lb of powder like IMR 4895, some .308 cases, Large Rifle primers, .308 bullets and a bench or table with 1/4" bolts to hold the press.
I have had several of these kits along with the RCBS kit and Rockchucker, and feel the Lee kit offers more value at current retail prices. It loads ammo just as accurate and reliable. There's nothing wrong with spending $500-$5000 on reloading equipment, but you don't have to just to reload. If you begin to collect more stuff over time you can always sell or trade the things you don't need.
You could also use the Lee Classic Loader for $22 for bolt actions but eventually you made need the tools to trim and full length resize you .308 cases.
Lee .308 Dies $13.50
Lee .308 Case Length Gauge $4
Lee #2 Shellholder $3
Lee Modern Reloading Manual $12.50
You will also need 1lb of powder like IMR 4895, some .308 cases, Large Rifle primers, .308 bullets and a bench or table with 1/4" bolts to hold the press.
I have had several of these kits along with the RCBS kit and Rockchucker, and feel the Lee kit offers more value at current retail prices. It loads ammo just as accurate and reliable. There's nothing wrong with spending $500-$5000 on reloading equipment, but you don't have to just to reload. If you begin to collect more stuff over time you can always sell or trade the things you don't need.
You could also use the Lee Classic Loader for $22 for bolt actions but eventually you made need the tools to trim and full length resize you .308 cases.
The Frankfort arsenal kit is o.k. But I find the tumbler noisy and not as effiicient as a Lyman tumbler(I have both).the separator is good.
A lee single stage is fine for rifle but if in the future you'll load pistol then get a lee classic cast turret right now.
A Lyman electronic scale for about 100 bucks is good enough for your needs...
I wouldnt spend 500+ dollars on a kit if you new to reloading. I'd go with the lee kit as a cheap starter what if you hate reloading... then your not out big coin to find out. The lee kit is a great place to start... once you get the basics down and find it enjoyable buy the more expensive kit... I am reloading for $3000+ guns still using the lee kit. Take the money your going to spend on the expensive kit and invest it where it matters automatic powder dispenser.
This bullet wont be any more or less accurate coming out of a lee kit or a lyman or hornady for that matter is all about prep and componets and technique.
This bullet wont be any more or less accurate coming out of a lee kit or a lyman or hornady for that matter is all about prep and componets and technique.
heavyBullet
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If coin is an issue, and you are only reloading .308 for now, and if you have brass already saved from your rifle, you can always buy a "Lee Classic Loader" in .308. ( $19.99 U.S.) With that you could pick up a decent scale in the EE ($50-$80), and a nylon head hammer( $15).
You can reload accurate ammo with this tiny set up, and give yourself a taste of reloading your own ammo at a very minimal cost.
You can reload accurate ammo with this tiny set up, and give yourself a taste of reloading your own ammo at a very minimal cost.
For sure go with the Lee Challenger Anniversary Kit. Wholesale had it on sale for $100, but I think it is over now, and back to the regular price of $127 or so. The Lee 3 die deluxe set is also a good deal, and they produce quality accurate loads.
RCBS is no better quality than Lee and is overpriced. Stay away from digital powder scales unless you are prepared to pay $300 or more for them. There is nothing wrong with the Lee scale. Don't use the powder measure to directly load, but just to slightly under load the powder scale, and then use the trickler to top up to the exact charge.
You don't need a tumber. Purely cosmetic.
RCBS is no better quality than Lee and is overpriced. Stay away from digital powder scales unless you are prepared to pay $300 or more for them. There is nothing wrong with the Lee scale. Don't use the powder measure to directly load, but just to slightly under load the powder scale, and then use the trickler to top up to the exact charge.
You don't need a tumber. Purely cosmetic.
and you know this how? don't tell me you own all this and still use just the lee stuff, as for tumbler it's a must if you have a hand gun that you reload for.
some drive a sunfire and think its the same quality as the neighbors escalade
I just recently started loading and bought a LEE anniversary kit and really regretted buying the "kit". The press is decent and will do the job well, but I guess the adage is true, you get what you pay for. Most of the stuff in the kit is junk. LEE stuff tends to be a little more reasonably priced but if you are going to go that route buy the press on its own and get your own accessories. I have already replaced everything that came as an extra in the kit.
I disagree with Mooseman. I used a RCBS press when I did my course and it is a much more rugged setup that the LEE. There is also quite a price differential for that quality.
If you are in southern ON go check out Ellwoods Epps north of Orillia, they have a big supply of stuff. BASS PRO does as well.
I disagree with Mooseman. I used a RCBS press when I did my course and it is a much more rugged setup that the LEE. There is also quite a price differential for that quality.
If you are in southern ON go check out Ellwoods Epps north of Orillia, they have a big supply of stuff. BASS PRO does as well.
Another vote for Lee. A great place to start. The classic loader is fun to use. . . my Dad has loaded for his .222 with one of these for 40 years! I just recently got the Anniversary kit from WSS here and it was about $125. The press works just fine and the rest of the kit is not junk. The powder measure throws accurate charges - the more I use it, the better it seems to get. The scale works fine as well, just a little awkward to use due to it's small size. The priming system is on the bottom of the stroke, and the primers are in a tray away from the action, so none of the "Lee exploding primer tray" stories apply to this setup. Your .308 won't know how much you spent to start reloading, and if you find it's not for you, you haven't dropped $1000. Of course, we all know you're going to love it, and welcome to another hobby within a hobby!
i don't see what you are disagreeing with here, i own the RCBS rock chucker suprieme ,RCBS pro 2000, RCBS pro melt, and RCBS lube-a-matic II. so yea my blood is green.i do have some lee products that i'm happy with . But you get what you pay for.
p.s. i have a lee press that i use for my freechex die
Didn't your kit come with a hand primer? I find the Lee hand primer works much better than using the press to prime. You get a much better feel for when the primer hits bottom, so you don't under or over seat the primer.
Go LEE to start ....and condider the hand held
Many may not agree ...but having reloaded 1000's of pistol round with a progressive I was very satified switching to a very simple LEE handheld press when I started reloading for .280 . When you are reloading rifle I find you like to take your time ,usually loading 20 rounds to maybe 50 rounds a session , measuring, checking each round more than you would with pistol rounds. You can choose to load anywhere in the house you want as well...and its very economical. Good luck,good shooting
Many may not agree ...but having reloaded 1000's of pistol round with a progressive I was very satified switching to a very simple LEE handheld press when I started reloading for .280 . When you are reloading rifle I find you like to take your time ,usually loading 20 rounds to maybe 50 rounds a session , measuring, checking each round more than you would with pistol rounds. You can choose to load anywhere in the house you want as well...and its very economical. Good luck,good shooting
I started out with RCBS Rockchucker kit. I new less than nothing about reloading when I got it. It came with everything you need to get started, so that kinda took some of the guess work out. Bar type scale, hand primer, reloading manual...etc.
For a single stage press, I don't know if one is really that much better than another, there's not much to them. I you find one where the price works for you, then that would probably be as good start as any.
It worked well for me. I've moved into the Dillon progressive setup now for both rifle and pistol, but it's nice to have a single stage press just in case.
For a single stage press, I don't know if one is really that much better than another, there's not much to them. I you find one where the price works for you, then that would probably be as good start as any.
It worked well for me. I've moved into the Dillon progressive setup now for both rifle and pistol, but it's nice to have a single stage press just in case.
Another vote for the Lee anniversary kit. I've been using one for about 3 yrs with no issues other than replacing the scale with a digital one. I load 9mm, .223 and a couple antique calibres on it. I will be upgrading to a progressive as I have been shooting large quantities of 9mm the past year and a single stage is pretty time consuming. Will likely keep the single stage for the antique calibres.
I believe Lee sells two kits that both use the same press. The 50th anniversary kit, which I bought, uses the safety prime (on the press), the Breech Lock Challenger Kit comes with the hand prime tool I think. I like the safety prime setup fine, but it's all I've used so I'm no authority on it really.
