Lee Anniversary Kit?

[Fargone4sure]

My cost for doing 9mm are:
bullet = .10
Primer = .03
Powder = .05
Total per loaded round is 18 cents. So about half of commercial. But you have to shop around to find the most cost effective components to make it worthwhile.

And being retired my time is less of a concern than it once was.

 

[oneadam12]

I think I'm around .30 per round on 45 ACP. Probably less since my powder was bought lower than it is now.

 

[TrollGRG]

My current costs are roughly:
5.5 cents per primer
12 cents per bullet
3.5 cents for powder

Total is 21 cents per loaded round.

Do you just stuff it in the barrel like a muzzle loader? There was a second quote here and neither of you included the cost of the shell. Not a lot but if you are calculating components at less than 4 cents then you should include the 10 (or whatever) cent brass.

I find that it is still cheaper to reload.

 

[Johnyy]

I got recommended that kit to start with. Good to learn some of the ins/outs for sure. *They probably didnt factor the brass costs as they reuse the same ones many times, but yes, there still is an overall cost for brass Minus {use factor} & the scavenged ones at the range lol

 

[silverfoxdj]

You will always need a single stage press for one reason or another.

+1 So get a good one..

 

[thump_rrr]

Do you just stuff it in the barrel like a muzzle loader? There was a second quote here and neither of you included the cost of the shell. Not a lot but if you are calculating components at less than 4 cents then you should include the 10 (or whatever) cent brass.

I find that it is still cheaper to reload.

If I took all the brass I came across I could fill a small swimming pool.
I didn't pay for a single piece of brass that you see here and there is plenty more that you don't see.

I have over 50 pieces of 50AE, 100 Win Mag, 200 .44 Magnum, 100 300 WSM, 200 6.8 SPC, 100 6.5 Creedmore and many other calibers that I don't own a firearm for. One day I may come across one and I will be ready to start reloading for it.

The only brass I've bought was 200 pieces of .308 Lapua for my precision rifle and 1,000 pieces of 7.62x 51 Lake City for my M1A and M305.

I've only been shooting and reloading for 5 years.

 

[Mr.Crumbz]

I was originally going to get the Anniversary kit but held off and saved up for the Classic Cast Turret kit. I'm glad I did! I reload 9mm, 223, 308 and 45/70.

 

[Mount Sweetness]

It works great for me, go for it.

 

[Shooter937]

I'm very happy with this entire kit... Under $400 investment had me setup to reload +250 rounds .223

I've since pressed 500 rounds and most recently purchased some match grade brass to test further some of the loads I've worked up...

This press has been very reliable , it's strong and durable...

Only complaint is the wooden knob fell off after 100 rounds...

 

[bsand]

I reload 223 for tac matches and 308 match ammo for LR shooting using my Lee anniversary press kit, Lee dies and a chargemaster.

 

[ScottMisfits]

This is what I started with as well. I am loading for 308 Win, 243 Win and 30-06. I have picked up some assorted hand tools for comfort and upgraded the scale. I just bought the Hornady Cam Lock case trimmer as well. I never did try the kit case trimmer.

I have easily loaded 1000 rounds with mine now. Do I want better? For speed, yes. Do I need better? Nope.

 

[Fargone4sure]

Do you just stuff it in the barrel like a muzzle loader? There was a second quote here and neither of you included the cost of the shell. Not a lot but if you are calculating components at less than 4 cents then you should include the 10 (or whatever) cent brass.

I find that it is still cheaper to reload.

I don't buy 45 or 9mm brass. I can regularly pick these up free at the local range. Hence, I can't include a cost for that. So it's a big "No" to the muzzle loading idea. Although I applaud you for thinking out of the box.

 

[Innavedaw]

The Anniversary Kit would definitely get you started, and if your shooting volume is quite low, would be fine.
But another option is to consider the Classic Turret Press Kit. It costs about $120 more, but has a host of advantages. It can be used as a single stage, or as a turret press, which will increase your loading speed 3 -4 times. And the powder measure is press mounted instead of a stand alone. It would serve you well if your shooting volume increases in the future. So is another good option to consider.

^^^Good advice. I just made the jump from single stage to turret...big difference - wish I had gone straight to the turret.

Next step will be progressive.

 

[amber2010]

It works great for me, go for it.

Works for me too.

 

[rkm456]

Picked one up at Cabela's today. Now I just need to do some shooting (for brass accumulation) and some homework to figure out what materials I need. Thanks for the help everyone!

 

[Fargone4sure]

Since you will mostly be doing 45acp, try to make sure you get brass with the large primers. 45acp is one of the few that can come with either large or small primers. Easier if you just stick to one size. Enjoy the new press.