I started out with used equipment 40 years. I strongly urge you to only buy used equipment that you can physically handle and inspect. This is especially true with dies.
Buying used equipment?
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I started out with used equipment 40 years. I strongly urge you to only buy used equipment that you can physically handle and inspect. This is especially true with dies.
Thanks to those of you who addressed all my questions, and those who gave input on their experiences.
It does cause me to think a bunch more about where to invest.
Whether single press or turret. For ease/saving on greif anf tediousness
And
Dies...
What do you all like OR dislike about the brands you have used?
More info on my shooting too..if it helps.
A range day or 2 at best a month..due to accessibility
Usually 20-40rnds of the .243 then mixed in a few hundred .22 and some 12ga...now adding likely similar for my 8mm mauser.
Sooo...reloading...4-500 most a year? Mixed calibers for now. I hate being broke. Lol
No desire for mega accurate loads as I get 200yds max range to use.
If it goes bang, doesnt ruin my gun or my wallet, and kills paper I'm happy.
I think you'd be very happy with a single stage press with one of the quick-change set-ups. You don't need a turret for the volume you describe. The low volume (and the fact that you are not a precision shooter) should also be a consideration regarding economics in your choice of equipment. It's hard to get a return on low volume loading - as such, Lee equipment is great in that it functions well and can be had at a great price.
Given your current needs, you only need basic value oriented equipment. I can't think of a brand that produces bad gear in general - it wouldn't survive in this market. Each press has its minor quirks like how the priming system works but overall you pay for durability and perceived (or maybe real) increases in precision of reloading.
Too easy to overthink things....
Thanks to those of you who addressed all my questions, and those who gave input on their experiences.
It does cause me to think a bunch more about where to invest.
Whether single press or turret. For ease/saving on greif anf tediousness
And
Dies...
What do you all like OR dislike about the brands you have used?
More info on my shooting too..if it helps.
A range day or 2 at best a month..due to accessibility
Usually 20-40rnds of the .243 then mixed in a few hundred .22 and some 12ga...now adding likely similar for my 8mm mauser.
Sooo...reloading...4-500 most a year? Mixed calibers for now. I hate being broke. Lol
No desire for mega accurate loads as I get 200yds max range to use.
If it goes bang, doesnt ruin my gun or my wallet, and kills paper I'm happy.
I think you'd be very happy with a single stage press with one of the quick-change set-ups. You don't need a turret for the volume you describe. The low volume (and the fact that you are not a precision shooter) should also be a consideration regarding economics in your choice of equipment. It's hard to get a return on low volume loading - as such, Lee equipment is great in that it functions well and can be had at a great price.
Given your current needs, you only need basic value oriented equipment. I can't think of a brand that produces bad gear in general - it wouldn't survive in this market. Each press has its minor quirks like how the priming system works but overall you pay for durability and perceived (or maybe real) increases in precision of reloading.
Too easy to overthink things....
We really should make sticky for this, I seem to type out this same reply about twice a week. 
What equipment will be suitable for you depends on you. What volume of cartridges will you be reloading? How much $ do you have to spend? Do you want barebones or are you willing to spend a bit more? It's all relative to you.
In my mind, the barebones minimum for rifle cartridge reloading would be this:
1. single stage press - c/w primer seater
2. die set
3. case prep tools (inside/outside neck chamfer tool, primer pocket cleaner)
4. balance scale
5. Lee powder scoop kit
6. powder funnel
7. loading block (can make your own with a piece of 2x4 and a drill)
8. bullet puller - because you will make mistakes
9. reloading data and references - manuals and online data available.
10. digital or Vernier caliper - Cantire sells a decent digital caliper that is often on sale for about $20.
11. LEE hand trimmer for your cartridge(s).
You can make good ammo with that setup. You will also need components: brass, bullets, powder, and primers. You won't break any speed records but it is entirely possible to make 50-100 cartridges an hour with this tool setup once you know what you are doing.
Later on you might add a brass tumbler, a better priming tool, and possibly a powder measure - but you don't need it to get started. Some people say "buy once, cry once" meaning that you should buy the best and most expensive set to start with since you will end up there eventually anyway; this is true for some people but not everybody. IF you decide you want to upgrade to faster, more expensive equipment later then it it's easy to resell the starter equipment since there are always new reloaders looking to get into reloading without taking a second mortgage - just like you did. You won't lose much if anything if you decide to upgrade later. OTOH many people will be happy with a minimum setup for the rest of their lives. For some people reloading becomes as fascinating as shooting, and they tend to go slightly overboard, but it's all good in the end.
The kits are good but sometimes you might get stuff you don't end up using. This not a bad starter kit: http://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-challenger-kit.html at a very reasonable price - approx. US$180, less if you shop around. Shipping from the US will cost $75-$100. Higginson's has LEE equipment in Canada. If it were me, I would buy this kit and then sell the Lee Safety Scale on the EE and buy a better scale: RCBS 5-0-5 model as minimum. But the LEE scale works and you might even like it - tens of thousands of people do use it successfully every day. You would still need to buy a loading block, LEE powder scoop kit, and a caliper. Altogether this will cost you C$300-C$400 if you shop around. If you haver trip planned to the US, buying it down there and bringing it back with you will save you $50-0$100 in shipping cost.
There's nothing wrong with buying used if you can find it. I expect you can get a used minimum reloading tool setup for somewhere in the neighbourhood of $200 to $300 if you are patient, but good deals get snapped up fast and you may take a while to get everything gathered up. Watch the EE like a hawk.
What equipment will be suitable for you depends on you. What volume of cartridges will you be reloading? How much $ do you have to spend? Do you want barebones or are you willing to spend a bit more? It's all relative to you.
In my mind, the barebones minimum for rifle cartridge reloading would be this:
1. single stage press - c/w primer seater
2. die set
3. case prep tools (inside/outside neck chamfer tool, primer pocket cleaner)
4. balance scale
5. Lee powder scoop kit
6. powder funnel
7. loading block (can make your own with a piece of 2x4 and a drill)
8. bullet puller - because you will make mistakes
9. reloading data and references - manuals and online data available.
10. digital or Vernier caliper - Cantire sells a decent digital caliper that is often on sale for about $20.
11. LEE hand trimmer for your cartridge(s).
You can make good ammo with that setup. You will also need components: brass, bullets, powder, and primers. You won't break any speed records but it is entirely possible to make 50-100 cartridges an hour with this tool setup once you know what you are doing.
Later on you might add a brass tumbler, a better priming tool, and possibly a powder measure - but you don't need it to get started. Some people say "buy once, cry once" meaning that you should buy the best and most expensive set to start with since you will end up there eventually anyway; this is true for some people but not everybody. IF you decide you want to upgrade to faster, more expensive equipment later then it it's easy to resell the starter equipment since there are always new reloaders looking to get into reloading without taking a second mortgage - just like you did. You won't lose much if anything if you decide to upgrade later. OTOH many people will be happy with a minimum setup for the rest of their lives. For some people reloading becomes as fascinating as shooting, and they tend to go slightly overboard, but it's all good in the end.
The kits are good but sometimes you might get stuff you don't end up using. This not a bad starter kit: http://leeprecision.com/breech-lock-challenger-kit.html at a very reasonable price - approx. US$180, less if you shop around. Shipping from the US will cost $75-$100. Higginson's has LEE equipment in Canada. If it were me, I would buy this kit and then sell the Lee Safety Scale on the EE and buy a better scale: RCBS 5-0-5 model as minimum. But the LEE scale works and you might even like it - tens of thousands of people do use it successfully every day. You would still need to buy a loading block, LEE powder scoop kit, and a caliper. Altogether this will cost you C$300-C$400 if you shop around. If you haver trip planned to the US, buying it down there and bringing it back with you will save you $50-0$100 in shipping cost.
There's nothing wrong with buying used if you can find it. I expect you can get a used minimum reloading tool setup for somewhere in the neighbourhood of $200 to $300 if you are patient, but good deals get snapped up fast and you may take a while to get everything gathered up. Watch the EE like a hawk.
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On two occasions I have bought used equipment advertised at the Club.
Both were getting low balled by most who wanted to pick, choose, whine and snivel.
Both just wanted to get out of it what they believed they had invested but were unable or unwilling to market individual items out.
By taking it all, they also had miscellaneous that was not listed and threw it in.
My son is now equipped with an RCBS Rock Chucker Press and I have a second one that can be transported to the range.
Good spare equipment was sold on CGN.
Both were getting low balled by most who wanted to pick, choose, whine and snivel.
Both just wanted to get out of it what they believed they had invested but were unable or unwilling to market individual items out.
By taking it all, they also had miscellaneous that was not listed and threw it in.
My son is now equipped with an RCBS Rock Chucker Press and I have a second one that can be transported to the range.
Good spare equipment was sold on CGN.
Good enough for me!
When I first started, I should say when most of the guys we hunted with started we all used the Lee hand loader. Only problem was it only neck resized and shells would not fit other guns shooting same caliber. I shot more game with that loader than now. Now I have all the new fancy stuff but hard to get tags, no hogs, no jacks just paper punching. Unless you are into competition keep it simple.
Good news is we have lots of yotes.
Good news is we have lots of yotes.
These calibers aren't precision loads. An 8mm for hunting or punching paper... Buy used. Save your cash.
I reload 303, 308, and 8mm.
All on a Lee 50th anniversary kit
Over the years I have added things like a digital dispenser and scale, and I use precision dies when loading for my f-class rifle (still on a Lee press).
But all you need to get started can be had used. Don't waste your money
I reload 303, 308, and 8mm.
All on a Lee 50th anniversary kit
Over the years I have added things like a digital dispenser and scale, and I use precision dies when loading for my f-class rifle (still on a Lee press).
But all you need to get started can be had used. Don't waste your money
