Economical reloading startup
- Thread starter aroundpg
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I would get a Lee classic turret press and a couple extra turrets that way you can set up your 3 calibers and just swap out turrets when you want to reload a different caliber
I have one and it works really well for an inexpensive press
I have one and it works really well for an inexpensive press
Deathrawt: A sound idea. Since the Lee turret press can easily operate as a single stage, one of these would also make sense. The removable turrets make caliber changes quick and easy. Likewise, can easily be turned into a progressive, as more calibers arrive on scene(Which they will!).
My brother in law runs a Lee Turret. Loves it. Doesn't care if it can't crank out 500 rounds an hour. It turns out good ammo.
If I didn't already have a Dillon 550B on the bench, I'd be tempted by one, too. The Turret is a solid, reliable press.
For a raw beginner though, a simple, single stage press is always a good choice. The smoother and gentler the learning curve, at least in my view...the better.
In the end, I suppose choice will boil down to the OP's preference and budget. Can't go wrong with any of the advice, so far.
Al
My brother in law runs a Lee Turret. Loves it. Doesn't care if it can't crank out 500 rounds an hour. It turns out good ammo.
If I didn't already have a Dillon 550B on the bench, I'd be tempted by one, too. The Turret is a solid, reliable press.
For a raw beginner though, a simple, single stage press is always a good choice. The smoother and gentler the learning curve, at least in my view...the better.
In the end, I suppose choice will boil down to the OP's preference and budget. Can't go wrong with any of the advice, so far.
Al
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Two pieces of gear I wish I could go back and purchase are a universal depriming die, and the hornady headspace comparator.
Personally I like the Lee universal decapper.
Really affordable and the pins are cheap. I bent a few pins and rendered dies unusable as i was learning.
The headspace comparator, while I know not really needed and has some technique about it; it gives some nice visual and valuable information in an easy one stop shop. Its easy to see that you’ve adjusted your dies well, and make subsequent adjustments.
Personally I like the Lee universal decapper.
Really affordable and the pins are cheap. I bent a few pins and rendered dies unusable as i was learning.
The headspace comparator, while I know not really needed and has some technique about it; it gives some nice visual and valuable information in an easy one stop shop. Its easy to see that you’ve adjusted your dies well, and make subsequent adjustments.
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This is exactly why I want a turret. I don’t mind having 10 plates if all the dies are set already. I don’t shoot volume that requires a progressive but the turret would just be much more convenient.
Started with a Lee classic Turret about 5 or 6 years ago. Put about 15,000 rounds through it without any issues or breakages. The plastic primer thing is a bit tricky to use but works fine once you get the hang of it. It is very easy to use, very simple and beginner friendly. It is the perfect in between mix of a single stage and a progressive...you only have 1 stage to monitor with every pull of the handle whereas with a progressive you have 3 or 4 stages to monitor with each pull...however it takes 4 pulls to make a round as opposed to 1 pull with a progressive. You can also use it as a single stage if you just remove the indexing rod. I currently have turrets and die combinations for .223, 9mm, 50AE, 30-06 and 357 magnum...and that is the biggest benefit with the turret press...caliber changes inside of 1 minute if you have a separate plate/die/powder measure for each caliber. No regrets about buying one at all and would recommend if a budget minded setup is high on your priority list.
I also purchased a Lee 6 pack pro about a year ago for 9mm. Knowing what I know and given my needs, I would have just stayed with the turret. My priming system is not super reliable and I had to do some filing and fine fitting to get it to work properly and it still messes up about 1 in every 150 rounds. Not a deal breaker for 9mm plinking rounds but for the money (compared to a Dillon), it's acceptable for me.
My experience is very limited to those 2 presses so I would listen to what the more experienced guys have to say and go from there. I would say that if you only plan on doing low volume precision rifle rounds, than a single stage might be better suited but only you can decide that. For my needs, a turret press is the ticket.
I will also say that if you can swing it financially, I would first get a 1) electronic powder dispenser and eventually a motorized case prep machine. I have an RCBS Chargemaster and wouldn't trade it for anything....love it. Worth its weight in silver. I also have a Frankford Case Trim and Prep machine and it is amazing...makes tapered rifle brass prep soooo much faster and easier. Also worth its weight in silver.
I also purchased a Lee 6 pack pro about a year ago for 9mm. Knowing what I know and given my needs, I would have just stayed with the turret. My priming system is not super reliable and I had to do some filing and fine fitting to get it to work properly and it still messes up about 1 in every 150 rounds. Not a deal breaker for 9mm plinking rounds but for the money (compared to a Dillon), it's acceptable for me.
My experience is very limited to those 2 presses so I would listen to what the more experienced guys have to say and go from there. I would say that if you only plan on doing low volume precision rifle rounds, than a single stage might be better suited but only you can decide that. For my needs, a turret press is the ticket.
I will also say that if you can swing it financially, I would first get a 1) electronic powder dispenser and eventually a motorized case prep machine. I have an RCBS Chargemaster and wouldn't trade it for anything....love it. Worth its weight in silver. I also have a Frankford Case Trim and Prep machine and it is amazing...makes tapered rifle brass prep soooo much faster and easier. Also worth its weight in silver.
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If you're on a budget, decide what you want and look at the EE here and in other firearms sites to see what the market has available. You can get a very good starter kit for reasonable prices taking advantage of folks who have upgraded their set ups and have good older kit for sale and people who have aged out and no longer reload or keep an eye on estate sales gun shows. I had a buddy trade me an RCBS single stage with some tools way back in the day. I bit by bit picked up the things I needed (good scale, tumbler, case chamfer tool, etc.) and over the years I upgraded some of the cheaper stuff.
270WSMXBolt
Regular
- Location
- Delta B.C.
I still use my original press and calipers but have upgraded most other items. But you gotta start somewhere, so budget package is a good way to go. Then you can decide if your going to keep doing it. A digital scale was my first upgrade. Cheers
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
I’ve bought two different press kits, the Hornady LnL single stage press kit and a Lee classic turret press kit. There is nothing in the Hornady kit that I don’t use, I don’t use the Lee beam scale or the primer feed system. I already have a lot of extra bits and pieces I’ve bought separately so I have a different bean scale I like more as well as the sm digital Hornady one that checks out against my beam scale, I prime on the press by hand but the Lee primer system seems fine.
I’ve never regretted buying a press kit, but you will end up upgrading or adding pieces to your loading process once you get into it, the Hornady kit has been great, there isn’t anything I don’t use in it.
I’ve never regretted buying a press kit, but you will end up upgrading or adding pieces to your loading process once you get into it, the Hornady kit has been great, there isn’t anything I don’t use in it.
270WSMXBolt
Regular
- Location
- Delta B.C.
If your trying to increase your consistency/accuracy in general over factory ammo. You should get yourself a head space comparator kit (Hornady) and a flash hole deburring tool(Lyman). I leave the spent primer in the case through most of my process and I don't clean the pocket to increase case life. If the pocket gets too loose the case is done. It's good to clean your cases before running them through the sizing die. I use a universal de-capping die after resizing because I clean them again to get the case lube off then trim the case length. Accurate powder measure, consistent case size/capacity and bullet seating/neck tension are my key factors to keeping my velocities consistent and close. The Lee dies are nicely priced and the Pacesetter kits include a factory crimp die. I actually use a RCBS full length die without the de-capping pin and a Lee bullet seating die backed off so I can neck crimp separately. As far as case cleaning goes, there are lots of options, with benefits to each and set up costs. Everyone who has posted is giving good advise.
Bought a Rockchucker kit like the one in post 29, in 1980, it didn't have a powder thrower in it. I still have, don't always use all the stuff in it, but, it has the least amount of upgradeable items, and the items that are upgradeable, are going to be to electronic gear, like a case prep ctr or a Chargemaster. Still have to add a trimmer, caliper, micrometer, dies, more trays, more reloading manuals. Has a good priming tool, case prep tools. Beam scale is something good to have around to double check elec scales with after a person gets one ( and they are the same accuracy level as the cheaper elec dispensers anyway) and to use when the elec one eventually kraps, and it will one day.
I bought a Forster trimmer to add to mine, used the RCBS case lube and pad, added a Forster dry neck lube kit PDQ, bought a Lee handprimer tool for it ( RCBS didn't make one yet) as I didn't like the press mtd version, and a set of Lee scoops. Worked with that for 30 yrs. There were a few other things I bought later in that 30yrs period, expander mandrels, casting equipt, few different powder throwers, flash hole uniformer,elec scale (not for powder).
Best things I've added in the last 15 yrs are cartridge and bullet comparator set, case prep center, 3 way cutters for trimmers, changed RCBS lube to Imperial sizing wax, elec powder dispenser.
Most value in an upgrade was the case prep ctr.
I bought a Forster trimmer to add to mine, used the RCBS case lube and pad, added a Forster dry neck lube kit PDQ, bought a Lee handprimer tool for it ( RCBS didn't make one yet) as I didn't like the press mtd version, and a set of Lee scoops. Worked with that for 30 yrs. There were a few other things I bought later in that 30yrs period, expander mandrels, casting equipt, few different powder throwers, flash hole uniformer,elec scale (not for powder).
Best things I've added in the last 15 yrs are cartridge and bullet comparator set, case prep center, 3 way cutters for trimmers, changed RCBS lube to Imperial sizing wax, elec powder dispenser.
Most value in an upgrade was the case prep ctr.
Picked up a FA case prep centre a few months ago on sale. Not sure why I waited so long, so much more efficient.
https://youtube.com/@gunblue490?si=p52FkxSV-q2Q646X
I suggest this fellow for all your reloading yewtoobs. Think there’s a video in his library about bare basics for reloading kits too.
I suggest this fellow for all your reloading yewtoobs. Think there’s a video in his library about bare basics for reloading kits too.
How do you find those MCJ decap pins? I bought some recently and found I had to tighten up the LEE assembly very very tight or they would just push up and not work. I wonder if they are slightly undersize?
I've always leaned on my wrench to tighten them down. the only time i've had a issue is when they're loose.
