Just getting into reloading for a newbie
- Thread starter LouieJ8
- Start date
Welcome to another never ending hobby : )
I do not totally agree with Hmatt and would suggest a good cast iron o-frame press like a rock chucker, lee classic cast, hornady or lyman crusher or something.
Regarding scales; The lee anniversary set has a bit of a poor quality scale. There are a lot of not so great digital scales out there in the lower/mid price range and good digital scales are expensive so you are probably better off to start with a good quality magnetically dampened balance beam scale made by RCBS, Lyman, o-haus etc. (most rcbs and lyman ones are actually made by O-haus).
I do not totally agree with Hmatt and would suggest a good cast iron o-frame press like a rock chucker, lee classic cast, hornady or lyman crusher or something.
Regarding scales; The lee anniversary set has a bit of a poor quality scale. There are a lot of not so great digital scales out there in the lower/mid price range and good digital scales are expensive so you are probably better off to start with a good quality magnetically dampened balance beam scale made by RCBS, Lyman, o-haus etc. (most rcbs and lyman ones are actually made by O-haus).
machohugeaxe
Regular
- Location
- Peel Region, Ontario
Check EE, there was a couple of decently priced kits in there in the last few days, with prices that included shipping.
6.5 shooter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Medicine Hat
RCBS rock chucker press, A GOOD rcbs scale 10/10 or 5/10, rcbs auto primer tool, RCBS dies or better.
Lee makes good tools but you will go "green" after a bit so, you might as well start there. There are much better tools but for the average reloader they will never notice the difference.
DO buy several reloading manuals, Nosler, Hornady, Berger etc.
Lee makes good tools but you will go "green" after a bit so, you might as well start there. There are much better tools but for the average reloader they will never notice the difference.
DO buy several reloading manuals, Nosler, Hornady, Berger etc.
OP, it would really help us to give you the best information, which most here have gained from trial and error information, obtained from their buds or personal experience, if we had a price range to work with.
It would also help to know how many different cartridges you're going to reload.
You can get started very cheaply, with a Lee "Hand Held Press Kit" for under $200, including press, dies and measuring scoops. This press is actually quite accurate enough to load match ammo.
The thing is, it's only strong enough to ''neck resize'' and that means you will have to make sure you keep the cases for each firearm separate and proprietary for that particular firearm, to ensure fit/function. If it's for a straight wall case or handgun case, no worries.
If you're not only cash negative but space negative, this small kit will fit into a small tool box or fishing lure box.
If you want to get a bit more precise with powder measuring, add a "MTM Case Guard" electronic scale for appx $60, which has enough capacity for everything from small cases to large magnum case capacities.
If you're flush enough to afford a bench mounted press, then make sure you're flush enough to be able to beef up your bench so it's suitable for reloading the cartridges you will be refurbishing.
The folks here are giving you their opinions of which works best for them personally.
Lee makes OK tooling and if you aren't going to be loading a lot of ammo, the results will be suitable for most hunting purposes.
Most custom and commercial loading companies use Lee Dies.
Personally, I prefer heavy, cast iron, bench mount presses. I used to have five different presses on my bench and now, I'm using two.
One is a RCBS ROCK CHUCKER and the other is a Forester. I really like both of them, because they invariably assemble ammunition with almost zero run out. Other than the Lee Hand Press, I can't say the same for most Lee presses, made from cast aluminum.
I have been reloading for over 50+ years and I'm very confident and proud of the results I get at the range and in the field from my reloads. I haven't shot any factory ammo out of my firearms, other than milsurps, for most of those 50+ years.
I've never had to scrounge for hunting ammo for those 50+ years either, because no matter how severe the component drought, I've been able to keep a stash of supplies on hand, in a couple of different cartridges to easily get by for several years and still have enough on hand to practice and ensure accuracy of the firearms used.
You've picked a ''rough'' time to start reloading.
The best advice I can give you is to join a local club and find a mentor.
Some clubs even have reloading facilities and tooling available for their members, not most though.
You should actually try out a few different models to see which you personally prefer.
Your profile gives minimal info so no one here can offer you some personal, face to face, hands on guidance.
You know what they say about opinions??????????
These folks mean well, and are telling you what works best for them. It likely won't be what works best for you.
It would also help to know how many different cartridges you're going to reload.
You can get started very cheaply, with a Lee "Hand Held Press Kit" for under $200, including press, dies and measuring scoops. This press is actually quite accurate enough to load match ammo.
The thing is, it's only strong enough to ''neck resize'' and that means you will have to make sure you keep the cases for each firearm separate and proprietary for that particular firearm, to ensure fit/function. If it's for a straight wall case or handgun case, no worries.
If you're not only cash negative but space negative, this small kit will fit into a small tool box or fishing lure box.
If you want to get a bit more precise with powder measuring, add a "MTM Case Guard" electronic scale for appx $60, which has enough capacity for everything from small cases to large magnum case capacities.
If you're flush enough to afford a bench mounted press, then make sure you're flush enough to be able to beef up your bench so it's suitable for reloading the cartridges you will be refurbishing.
The folks here are giving you their opinions of which works best for them personally.
Lee makes OK tooling and if you aren't going to be loading a lot of ammo, the results will be suitable for most hunting purposes.
Most custom and commercial loading companies use Lee Dies.
Personally, I prefer heavy, cast iron, bench mount presses. I used to have five different presses on my bench and now, I'm using two.
One is a RCBS ROCK CHUCKER and the other is a Forester. I really like both of them, because they invariably assemble ammunition with almost zero run out. Other than the Lee Hand Press, I can't say the same for most Lee presses, made from cast aluminum.
I have been reloading for over 50+ years and I'm very confident and proud of the results I get at the range and in the field from my reloads. I haven't shot any factory ammo out of my firearms, other than milsurps, for most of those 50+ years.
I've never had to scrounge for hunting ammo for those 50+ years either, because no matter how severe the component drought, I've been able to keep a stash of supplies on hand, in a couple of different cartridges to easily get by for several years and still have enough on hand to practice and ensure accuracy of the firearms used.
You've picked a ''rough'' time to start reloading.
The best advice I can give you is to join a local club and find a mentor.
Some clubs even have reloading facilities and tooling available for their members, not most though.
You should actually try out a few different models to see which you personally prefer.
Your profile gives minimal info so no one here can offer you some personal, face to face, hands on guidance.
You know what they say about opinions??????????
These folks mean well, and are telling you what works best for them. It likely won't be what works best for you.
It greatly depends on what cartridges you plan to reload. If it is pistol cartridges then a single stage press is not the right answer.
If the Lee scale is what you end up with, don't worry. It's a more sensitive scale then the Ohaus 505 that RCBS sold . But it is only 110 grain scale, since 30-06 brass is between 175 and 200, the Lee doesn't help you much when you want to check brass .
Check out site sponsor "Reliable Gun" , they have an offering when you buy a Hornady Reloading Kit, you get a free one day reloading course from a factory rep at a location local to Reliable.
While this may not work for you and 99% of the members here , it is a pretty good idea from a marketing point of Reliable
Maybe there is something similar in your neck of the woods (to the op).
I'm sure you will have fun what ever way you go.
Rob
