Lee 50th Anniversary Reloader Kit & Lee PaceSetter Die Sets

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AndrewNS

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Hey guys,

I'm really REALLY new to reloading, I've never even seen it done yet, so I'm looking for some advise on what starter kit to pick up.

I was looking at the Lee 50th Anniversary Reloader Kit & Lee PaceSetter Die Set from Cabela's, and they seem to have very good reviews and come with almost everything I would need (I think), and is a crazy good price.

To start, I'll only be reloading .223, but eventually I will be into .260 and .308 as well, and possibly 9mm.

Can anyone weigh in on this starter kit? What I'm looking to find out is:

Pro's vs. Con's of this kit?

What comes with the kit that needs to be upgraded?

What DOESN'T come with this kit that I would need to buy right away in addition to the kit itself? (other than a die set)


Money is an object for this purchase, the more I spend on getting into reloading the less I have to spend on components to reload with.



Edit:

Well, I've been hesitating on pressing the button on this order for a few days now, and this afternoon I finally said to hell with it, I'm ordering it. Here's what I ordered:

-Lee 50th Anniversary Reloader Kit which includes:
-Breech Lock Challenger Press with a breech lock quick change bushing
-A complete powder handling system with the repeatable Perfect Powder Measure
-Lee Safety Scale
-Powder Funnel
-Case preparation tools include a Cutter and Lock Stud, Lee Chamfer Tool, Sizing Lube, Primer Pocket Cleaning Tool and the large and small Safety Prime

-Lee PaceSetter Die Set which includes:
-Lee Factory Crimp Die
-Conventional Bullet Seater and Roll Crimper
-Shell holder
-Powder dipper
-Load data
-Storage box

-RCBS Powder Trickler

-Cabela's Bullet Puller (Accommodates all calibers from .17 to .416)

-Lee Pilot & Shell Holder For Lee Case Trimmer - .223 Rem


I'm going to pick up a set of digital calipers from Crappy Tire when everything else arrives.

I ordered from Cabela's because they had a new rifle that was on my list as well so I ordered that at the same time...
 
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I have the Anniversary kit and I am reloading 30-06, I haven't bought anything extra yet. But if I had to nit pick anything I would say a digital scale would be better to make it easier, but keep in mind the beam scale is usually more accurate. One thing I will be getting is a powder trickler. Just to make it a little easier. Also get a case length gauge for your appropriate caliber that way you can trim any out of spec brass.
 
I'm starting with that kit too.
I bought a Redding trickler. It has a really heavy base and feels more solid and secure than others.
Inertial bullet puller will come in handy at some point.
 
The Lee 50th Anniversary Reloader Kit is everything you need to get started and that was what I was planning on getting. After a lot of research and listening to others, I went for the Lee Classic Cast Turret kit. I knew I would want a faster setup after awhile and am glad I went that way. I got all my stuff from Henry at Budgetshootersupply, as he's on CGN.
 
I have loaded thousands of rounds with my kit. You will need a shell holder for the caliber you plan to reload, dies, loading block, calipers (check out canuck tire ~$12), and case length gauge. Lots of people look down their nose at the kit but it works and it will get you going. Nothing NEEDS to be upgraded right away. Just learn how it works and get going.
 
.223 Remington trim stud $5.00 so that you can trim the brass.
I would get a tub of Hornady Unique or Imperial sizing wax to replace the crappy Lee case lube. $7.00
A better scale is a good idea but once your powder measure is dropping the right amount you're ok.
 
I purchased one a couple of years ago and for the price am quite happy with it. Have loaded 22/250 up to 300 win mag with it and only problem I had was with the powder measure. Found it just not reliable so was weighing evey charge with the scale. Took the plunge a couple of weeks ago and bought the RCBS electronic scale and it is really sweet. Try the powder measure if you get one and yours might be Ok if not use the scale or invest in a better quality measure. Also but a trickler.
 
I started out with this set.

Since then I changed the scale with a RCBS 10-10.

Nothing wrong with this set for starting out, but my scale would lose zero after a couple charges were weighed. I could have fixed it, but got a decent price on the RCBS.

As far as the dies, right now I am using the Lee deluxe set for .223, .308, and .300wm and they work really well. No lube required for the deluxe dies. Had the pacemaker dies for a 30/06, but didnt really care for these.

I think it was alreay mentioned a couple times, but a tricker of some kind is a must, I have a redding and love it. It will keep you from pounding your head into the wall (or should).

Just my $.02
TKS
JPB
 
Ok, so from what I can gather, if I get the following, I will be set up really well and have everything I need:

-Lee 50th Anniversary Reloader Kit which includes:
-Breech Lock Challenger Press with a breech lock quick change bushing
-A complete powder handling system with the repeatable Perfect Powder Measure
-Lee Safety Scale
-Powder Funnel
-Case preparation tools include a Cutter and Lock Stud, Lee Chamfer Tool, Sizing Lube, Primer Pocket Cleaning Tool and the large and small Safety Prime

-Lee PaceSetter Die Set which includes:
-Lee Factory Crimp Die
-Conventional Bullet Seater and Roll Crimper
-Shell holder
-Powder dipper
-Load data
-Storage box

-RCBS Powder Trickler

-Cabela's Bullet Puller (Accommodates all calibers from .17 to .416)

-Cabela's Electronic Digital Caliper

-Lee Auto Prime XR w/ Large & Small Trays (So that I can prime cases without using the press that comes with the kit)

-Lee Shell Holder Set For Auto Prime

-Lee Pilot & Shell Holder For Lee Case Trimmer - .223 Rem



Am I missing anything??

From Cabela's this all totals $317.93 + tax and shipping. Any places that have better pricing? Dealers, feel free to chime in if you can match or beat that price. I would rather deal with a CGN supporting company, but I can't find all of this gear on anyone's site...
 
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You'll need the case length gauge, which is essentially a measured pin, to use the cutter and lock stud. You should be able to get one almost anywhere - maybe call cabela's or your local gunshop / smith.

For 223 I imagine you would want the bullet crimping die set as you have chosen - but for 308 you would be better served with the "Deluxe" set which has the neck sizing die.

I have a powder trickler but don't find I need it, the lee powder measure throws a consistent enough charge.

I also deprime and prime on the press. I think you might prefer doing it that way with the 223 rather than adding another manual step.

You might also want to add a couple extra quick change bushings, especially if you intend to add more calibers.

Otherwise you have it well in hand, and the price is right. GLHF!
 
The trick with the powder measure is to keep it topped up to the same height while you dump powder and use a fine ball style powder. I like H335 for 223. I used to hand measure each charge for my hunting rounds and then just used the powder measure for fmj range rounds. I borrowed a friends chrono, and found that there was only a 10fps difference in the avg deviation between the two ways of measuring the powder. Which is pretty insignificant. So now I just use the powder measure and check it every 10 rounds.

Don't get that Cabelas caliper. It looks like it the exact same one as this just rebranded.

ht tp://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/browse/6/Tools/MeasuringTools/SpecialtyMeasuring/PRD~0586800P/Mastercraft+Digital+Caliper.jsp?locale=en

These go on sale from time to time for under $20.

This is what we are talking about when we say Lee case length gauge. You need this:

ht tp://www.cabelas.ca/product/4389/lee-pilot-shell-holder-for-lee-case-trimmer
 
I got the breachlock set awhile ago and love it. I like rcbs dies better then the lee, just preference. I bought a hornady powder measure, again preference. I like the breachlock dies, they make for quick changes and work great for a single stage press. I am going to buy the lee cast turret next. I also have a lyman scale. I did load easily over 300rnds of .308, 100 rnds of .45acp, with just the breachlock kit. I think the lee kits are great to start with and the press itself will last most guys there lifetime.
 
jpbaker said:
I started out with this set.

Since then I changed the scale with a RCBS 10-10.

Nothing wrong with this set for starting out, but my scale would lose zero after a couple charges were weighed. I could have fixed it, but got a decent price on the RCBS.

As far as the dies, right now I am using the Lee deluxe set for .223, .308, and .300wm and they work really well. No lube required for the deluxe dies. Had the pacemaker dies for a 30/06, but didnt really care for these.

I think it was alreay mentioned a couple times, but a tricker of some kind is a must, I have a redding and love it. It will keep you from pounding your head into the wall (or should).

Just my $.02
TKS
JPB
Click to expand...

That only applies to the neck sizing die, no? I thought with the deluxe set you get the full lenght resizer and the neck only collet plus the bullet seater. Only differnce between the deluxe and pace setter was the factory crimp die (in the pace setter) and the collet die (in the deluxe set)?
 
Andrew,
Having read your first post, I think you would be better served spending the money on a Classis Turret Kit since you want to reload .223 (I assume larger volume for plinking) and will eventually want to reload 9mm. The turret press, once you get the hang of it will load rounds in a hurry. I had a Lee turret press for years (not the classic cast) and I loved it. Because my wife is a woman and thus figures that anything 20yrs old must be replaced with new ( makes me wonder about us in another 15 years), I got a new one for Christmas only she bought me a classic cast single stage not knowing any different. When I showed her, she felt bad and told me to order the one I wanted (I hadn't wanted one, but who am I to argue) and she would pay for it. Only one who had them in stock was Higginson's. So I got one sent. The night and day difference between the old turret press and the classic cast turret can only be described as amazing.

If you want quality and craftsmanship that will last 2 lifetimes...call higginson's ( they are still the only ones that have turret kits in stock) $300 for the classic cast turret kit.

Oh, and BTW, it was too much hassle for her to return the single stage to Factory Sales, that I got to keep the single stage as well!!

Now my son has a Challenger and a Turret Press when he finally gets his RPAL/PAL in the mail and is ready to set up in his apt.
 
that's the kit i'm using for the last 4 years to reload .223, 7 wsm, 300 RUM, and 260 rem.
was cheap and works great.
for the scale,put a little blue leak lock on the threads of the zero adjutment screw and will hold zero very well.
 
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