all-in-one kit

Goose25

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Ive been doing a little reading about reloading and I am seriously thinking about getting started.

can you recommend a ``all-in-one`` starter kit for someone on a budget:confused:

was looking at the LEE aniversary kit and deluxe kit, are those any good:confused:
 
The Lee aniversary kit is good for rifle reloading. If you want to do masses of pistol ammo try the turret press or one of the progressives.

Craig
 
Keep in mind that an all-in-one kit won't quite give you everything you need to reload. You'll need the specific dies for what ever calibers you want to reload for (ya OK a no brainer but some folks don't know that), shell holders, scale (may be included), caliper, and whole great long list of "nice to haves" to round out your reloading station. Don't get me wrong, an all in one kit is a great way to go, just don't be too misslead by the term.
 
Look into an RCBS Beginner's Kit. Gives you everything you need less dies and shell holder. You may want to considered used equipment too. Lots of people upgrade to a progressive press and will sell their old press. Then you buy a scale and some loading blocks(cartridge trays) and you're set. Don't worry about the condition too much. You really have to work at damaging reload presses. RCBS stands behind their products even if you didn't buy it new.
 
If you decide to go with the Lee anniversary, consider ordering from Higginsons and ask them to upgrade the scale to the classic cast for the difference in price. This is much higher quality scale. Even if you want a turret or progressive scale down the road, it's handy to have a good single stage for some jobs.
 
Did I mention that I plan to start with the .30-06 and for the time being I will only be reloading for rifle rounds.



sunray said:
Look into an RCBS Beginner's Kit. Gives you everything you need less dies and shell holder. You may want to considered used equipment too. Lots of people upgrade to a progressive press and will sell their old press. Then you buy a scale and some loading blocks(cartridge trays) and you're set. Don't worry about the condition too much. You really have to work at damaging reload presses. RCBS stands behind their products even if you didn't buy it new.


who sells the rcbs beginner;s kit you mentionned in canada:confused:


cariboo_kid said:
If you decide to go with the Lee anniversary, consider ordering from Higginsons and ask them to upgrade the scale to the classic cast for the difference in price. This is much higher quality scale. Even if you want a turret or progressive scale down the road, it's handy to have a good single stage for some jobs.


excuse my ignorance but ...

- what is the difference (besides appearance) with a single stage and turrent press:confused:

- whats a progressive scale:confused: ... did you mean a progressive press

- how many types of dies do i need to reload a single cartridge (full length sizing die, neck sizing die, rifle charging die, crimp die):confused:

- is the lee reloading book recommended:confused:

- any idea how much the lee anniversery kit is selling for at Higginson, whats the price difference with the ``classic cast scale`` upgrade, ( i wrote them an email a couple days ago and still no response)

- Beside having to purchase Dies separately, what other ``nice to have`` items should I consider getting.

- where do you guys get your brass, should I start blasting a couple box`s of factory ammo and recycle my brass.

- how many cartridges do you guys usually make , as many as you can blast away per sitting at the range, or do you make for several sittings.

- any tips on how i can find what load my rifle might prefer... or is it strictly a process of trial and error.

- and finally .... what color is your underwear:D :D :D .....


.....man I feel like a NOOB!!!
 
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Your answers are below after each question.

Goose25 said:
excuse my ignorance but ...

- what is the difference (besides appearance) with a single stage and turrent press:confused:

A: Turret press allows you to have all dies for the caliber installed at once, and cycle through them to use each die without removing the casing from the shellholder.

- whats a progressive scale:confused: ... did you mean a progressive press

A: Yes I meant progressive press. :redface: A progressive press is different from a turret press because each pull of the handle creates one loaded round, there is a shellholder and casing at each "station" or die.

- how many types of dies do i need to reload a single cartridge (full length sizing die, neck sizing die, rifle charging die, crimp die):confused:

A: Most rifle cartridges can be loaded with two dies as crimping is often not needed. The first die takes out the old primer and resizes the case, either full length sizing or neck sizing, and the second die is used to seat the bullet after you have primed and charged the case. I prefer to buy the Lee Deluxe die set which includes a shellholder and three dies, the full length sizing die to use on casings that have not been fired in the current rifle, and the collet neck sizing die to use on casings that were last fired in your rifle, as well as a dead length seating die.

The collet neck sizing die has a few advantages, it often makes more accurate ammo as the casing is left formed to the shape of your chamber, the brass usually lasts for more loadings due to not being worked into different shapes over and over and my favorite advantage that you don't need to mess around with sizing lube.

- is the lee reloading book recommended:confused:

A: Absolutely, and there is a version of the anniversary kit that includes it. You should try and get at least one more good manual as well.

- any idea how much the lee anniversery kit is selling for at Higginson, whats the price difference with the ``classic cast scale`` upgrade, ( i wrote them an email a couple days ago and still no response)

A: They are very busy and it is usually quicker to just phone them. They will credit about $30 (can't remember exactly) and add the price of the classic cast press which is about $100. They may be waiting for new stock in the press before writing you as they were out earlier this year.

- Beside having to purchase Dies separately, what other ``nice to have`` items should I consider getting.

A: There are lots of those. A few easy ones to start with are a powder trickler, bullet puller and loading tray.

- where do you guys get your brass, should I start blasting a couple box`s of factory ammo and recycle my brass.

A: I saved brass from all my firearms before starting to load, so I had lots of fireformed brass ready to go with just neck sizing.

- how many cartridges do you guys usually make , as many as you can blast away per sitting at the range, or do you make for several sittings.

A: Up to you. You will want to focus on finding what your rifle likes at first, so an organized run of 3-5 rounds in each weight of the powder starting from the minimum book load is a good way to start. Once you find the load it can be easier to do large batches so you don't have to readjust your seating die every time you go to the range, but that's completely up to you.

- any tips on how i can find what load my rifle might prefer... or is it strictly a process of trial and error.

A: Lots of searches in the reloading section of the boards you frequent will let you see what combos of powder and bullet weight are more commonly successful in the rifle you use, but that's still no guarantee it will work for you. Trial and error is what it all boils down to.

- and finally .... what color is your underwear:D :D :D .....

A: Can't remember, it's been so long since I changed them. :dancingbanana:

.....man I feel like a NOOB!!!

It's fun starting a new hobby isn't it :)
 
I started with the anniversary kit. It worked great for my hunting loads in the 30-06 and 270. I have since broken a few pieces and replaced them with better quality, I've changed the press. The anniversary kit is great to start if you aren't sure you are going to do it long term, way less money than the others and you can load good amoo with it, if you choose to really get into it and load multiple calibres etc you will upgrade, but you can do it over time.
 
cariboo_kid said:
If you decide to go with the Lee anniversary, consider ordering from Higginsons and ask them to upgrade the scale to the classic cast for the difference in price. This is much higher quality scale. Even if you want a turret or progressive scale down the road, it's handy to have a good single stage for some jobs.


I think you meant to upgrade the "press". I believe Lee only makes one model of their scale.

The Classic Turret Press is an excellent unit.

Rod.:)
 
Teapot said:
I want to re-load for 45-70. Will the Lee Aniversary kit load rounds that I can shoot in my Guide Gun bearing in mind that it uses a tubular magazine?

It'll definitely work, you'll just have to limit your bullet choices to flat-points for the tube mag.
 
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