Another new guy looking for a starter press kit

blueflash

blueflash

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I think that I am going to take the plunge and start getting myself some reloading equipment. I basically don't want to spend a fortune to start out, because I am not sure how much reloading I will do so I don't want to spend $600-$700 on a progressive press because in my case its just not worth it yet. Maybe down the road, but for now I want to get myself a half decent Turret press.

Keeping a total budget of approx $300 in total for everything that is needed to start rolling out ammo. Also, I should mention that my main type of ammunition I plan on reloading is 9mm. Maybe 45acp (plan on buying a 1911 down the road), and would be great if I could also reload .308, 30/06, and 7.62x39 hunting rounds for my rifles that I currently own. Is it possible to reload shotshell ammunition with the same press? or is a different press needed for shotshell, its not my main concern but I am curious.

Am I better off buying a press, then buy the seperate items needed seperately, or is a complete kit the way to go ? If it is best to buy stuff seperately, could someone give me a complete list of what I would need to buy, if I were to walk into a store and buy everything needed to start reloading with one shopping trip. What is needed, and what is not needed but nice to have ?

I realize that this question has been probably asked a hundred times, but stuff if constantly improving, which is why I asked again.

Also, if there is some suggestions on the best place to get my stuff from, for the best deal.
 
Lee turret is the only way to go for pistols in any volume. You woukd be frustrated with a singke stage. Check youtube for some vids. $300 shoukd get you everything you need ith dies. The sell a kit that includes most everything.
 
I have been looking at the Lee Deluxe Turret Press, the 4 hole with auto index. So far that is the press that I thought might best suit my needs. Am I best to buy the kit or buy the press serparately and then buy the other stuff thats needed ? Anyone know the best place with the best price ?
 
Give Ellwood Epps a call...(see dealer banner at the top of the page) Good prices for all Lee products. The 4 holer is a great press to start. Buy one with the caliber you need and then add dies later as needed. (You won't stop at just one lol)
 
mlehtovaara said:
Lee turret is the only way to go for pistols in any volume. You woukd be frustrated with a singke stage. Check youtube for some vids. $300 shoukd get you everything you need ith dies. The sell a kit that includes most everything.
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$300 is a bit steep for a turret press kit and dies...
 
blueflash said:
I have been looking at the Lee Deluxe Turret Press, the 4 hole with auto index. So far that is the press that I thought might best suit my needs. Am I best to buy the kit or buy the press serparately and then buy the other stuff thats needed ? Anyone know the best place with the best price ?
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Pls clarify what Lee press or kit you are buying.

There is a Lee Classic Turret with the cast iron base/linkage, then there is the Lee Turret with the old style aluminum base/linkage.

There is also a Lee Deluxe Turret Press Kit that includes the old aluminum base turret, the powder scale and what-not. I don't think Lee sells a kit with the Classic Turret, so if you want a CT, you gotta buy that separately as well as the scale, etc.

IMO, the aluminum base turret is good, but the Classic Turret is the bomb. Personally, I'd spend the extra money on the Classic Turret. Way smoother and infinitely more durable than the aluminum one; as well, the linkage is all steel vs. aluminum. I think the Classic will last a very long lifetime or two. The only thing you need are spare ratchets and clamps as they are the only plastic parts on this press just in case, and they are cheap.

I have two of these Classics, and a buddy has the old one. Both work fine, but I just love the solid feel of the Classic when operating the handle. As long as you get the 4-hole model, you should be fine.
 
The Lee deluxe turret press is the one that I have been leaning towards. Also, $300 is kind of a guideline that I'm trying to stay around. I don't mind spending a total of $400 if it means I only have to buy it once. I will have to give epps a call, and see what there prices are on the Lee deluxe turret 4 hole press with auto indexing. I know that they make a kit also, for that model and it is around $170 I believe on there website, so even figuring the Canadian price difference, plus a couple other things I may need, I should still be not too far North of $300 and that is perfect.

Now that I have been to the Lee website, I can see the difference in the classic press to the regular turret press. The arms and linkage does look much more beefier on the classic press. Maybe I will buy the stuff I need seperately to get the better press.

What all is needed, if I buy seperate ?
 
Got a Lee Classic Cast Turret, LOVE IT!

I'm loading 44MAG, 45-70GOVT, 500S&W right now and adding 30-30 and 308 next.

There is a learning curve with it but after that, it's smooth sailing.

I really like how you can buy extra mounting plates and leave all the dies set-up for the next time.

So handy :)
 
As I mentioned in your other thread the only turret kit Lee offers is the Deluxe Turret Kit (older style aluminum press) which is intended primarily for pistol loading. This kit and dies are the only tools you need for normal pistol loading.

The Lee Classic Turret $84 (newer style cast iron) is only offered by itself so far, no kit.

For single stage I would recommend the Lee 50th $82 or Breech Lock $98 kits

Lee Rifle and Pistol dies sets $25-35 per calibre $14 for bare bones rifle as offered by most brands
 
Check out www.factorysales.com. They have everything Lee for wholesale prices. They ship to Canada. Even with the shipping and duty it's still cheaper than shopping up here.
 
blueflash said:
Now that I have been to the Lee website, I can see the difference in the classic press to the regular turret press. The arms and linkage does look much more beefier on the classic press. Maybe I will buy the stuff I need seperately to get the better press.

What all is needed, if I buy seperate ?
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1. Classic Turret Press
2. Dies for your calibers. I prefer the 4-die pistol sets. I don't reload rifle so can't help you there.
3. Safety Prime - get the large and small primer kit, you'll need both:D
4. Pro-Auto Disk - this is the newer model with the thumb bolted powder hopper and the coated frame plus more features.
5. I'd get the micrometer powder charge bar for finer charge adjustment which is easier to adjust as well...this is a new Lee product release.
6. Riser - for the Pro-Auto Disk to clear the die tops
7. Bullet puller - inertia/hammer type is cheap
8. Vernier or micrometer caliper - canadian tire item
9. Powder scale - The Lee Perfect works different than other platform scales but cheap and easy to use once you figured it out. It is also accurate and consistent. I use an RCBS 505 but it is more money and not really necessary to pay more for this higher quality scale...Once | set my powder measure, I only re-check the weight throw every few hundred loads anyway.
8. Brass tumbler - optional but it's nice to have so your brass is clean and bright.

9. Lots of Primers, Powder, Heads or projectiles (boolits, as some call them).
10. Some patience to assemble with care. Check out Youtube and Loadmastervideos.com for tips.
 
I meant $300 for the reloading equipment, I realize that I will need brass, powder, primers, and bullets. I have been saving my brass for some time now, because I knew that I was going to start reloading eventually, so I actually have quite a bit to get started already of that.
 
easyrider604 said:
1. Classic Turret Press
2. Dies for your calibers. I prefer the 4-die pistol sets. I don't reload rifle so can't help you there.
3. Safety Prime - get the large and small primer kit, you'll need both:D
4. Pro-Auto Disk - this is the newer model with the thumb bolted powder hopper and the coated frame plus more features.
5. I'd get the micrometer powder charge bar for finer charge adjustment which is easier to adjust as well...this is a new Lee product release.
6. Riser - for the Pro-Auto Disk to clear the die tops
7. Bullet puller - inertia/hammer type is cheap
8. Vernier or micrometer caliper - canadian tire item
9. Powder scale - The Lee Perfect works different than other platform scales but cheap and easy to use once you figured it out. It is also accurate and consistent. I use an RCBS 505 but it is more money and not really necessary to pay more for this higher quality scale...Once | set my powder measure, I only re-check the weight throw every few hundred loads anyway.
8. Brass tumbler - optional but it's nice to have so your brass is clean and bright.

9. Lots of Primers, Powder, Heads or projectiles (boolits, as some call them).
10. Some patience to assemble with care. Check out Youtube and Loadmastervideos.com for tips.
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This list is exactly what I was looking for. I am going to order from factory sales, because as mentioned in this post, they seem to be great deals on there stuff even after you figure in exchange and shipping. The non lee stuff, I won't be too picky about. I already have verniers, and mics since I'm a machinist.

Thank you very much for pointing me in the right direction. In a month I will be asking why my rifle has a barrel that looks like a peeled bananna though.....LOL....I better get a good reloading book and read up. Looking foward to starting this new hobby, it looks like a great way to spend some time, when its not hunting season.
 
blueflash said:
This list is exactly what I was looking for. I am going to order from factory sales, because as mentioned in this post, they seem to be great deals on there stuff even after you figure in exchange and shipping. The non lee stuff, I won't be too picky about. I already have verniers, and mics since I'm a machinist.

Thank you very much for pointing me in the right direction. In a month I will be asking why my rifle has a barrel that looks like a peeled bananna though.....LOL....I better get a good reloading book and read up. Looking foward to starting this new hobby, it looks like a great way to spend some time, when its not hunting season.
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Just be careful of the backorder!

I ordered from them and they never informed me half the stuff was on backorder. Best to call and ask before ordering.
 
I have yet to encounter a backorder with Factory Sales, but some others have. I would imagine this only happens when Lee themselves are waiting to do a run of a certain product, as these guys are right beside the factory. Call and speak to Greg the owner if you want to confirm anything with them. I've had many great dealings with them myself.

Don't forget to grab a Lee manual to add to your collection.
 
Does anyone know if you have to buy the seperate "Decapping Die" to remove the old primers out of the cartridge, or does it come included in the die's that you need for each caliber ?

Also, for reloading 9mm and the occasional 30/06, do I need the small cutter, and the large cutter, for trimming the cases to length if needed ?? I was going to get the wooden ball handle cutter instead, but I was'nt sure if that is the large or small cutter on it? If the large cutter will work for everything, then I would just get the large one ?
 
All normal sizing dies have a decapping rod in them.

The "decapper only die" is for people that want to knock the primer out of any old shell without sizing it at that time. They fit anything from .22 Hornet to the biggest magnums usually. I would do this after firing black powder shells so I can wash them out before sizing and everything else so I dont get the residue on my other tools.

The ball cutter is the small/regular one just with a ball attached. I like it way better to hold onto. The large cutter is only needed for really big cases. I do .45-70 and smaller diameter cases just fine with the normal/ball cutter, case length gauge and zip trim from Lee.

The Large cutter is only needed for .475" case mouths and larger.
 
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