Need help, what to start reloading
- Thread starter Katana
- Start date
there are arguments both for and against lee- personally, i've found rcbs( the big green machine) to be overpriced and lee to be good value for money- my personal"stable" consists of 5 lees and one DILLON- 3 1000s, one turret and 1 loadmaster-
the first question i would ask is "what do you want to reload" if it's just pistol, then a lee progressive as you want volume, possibly if you can't a progressive then an auto-index turret-
if there's rifle involved, 2 single stages and a powder measure- i really dislike having to screw/unscrew dies- or a PROGRESSIVE RIFLE- like the dillon 550b
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
For a bigginner the lee classic cast is a good solid press for magnums, I have seen many of their cheaper presses break, and although their warranty is awesome, I wouldn't want to wait for the return equipment.
I'm not sure if you can buy them in a kit however.
The RCBS is a whole bunch more money ,but I would still go with a LEE starter kit, and a GOOD manual, the Lee is a good one, as is the Lyman.
I use four different presses, Lyman, lee, RCBS, and Dillon.
Cat
I'm not sure if you can buy them in a kit however.
The RCBS is a whole bunch more money ,but I would still go with a LEE starter kit, and a GOOD manual, the Lee is a good one, as is the Lyman.
I use four different presses, Lyman, lee, RCBS, and Dillon.
Cat
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if that's the case, you could always do one of 2 things- 1 get a list of what's in the kit and buy it singly, or 2 - buy the kit and buy the press YOU want , and sell off the one in the kit- if there's a scale in the lee kit, from what i've HEARD, that's one thing you don't want- at least not theirs, and there are BETTER reloading manuals out there-and since there's no DIES with, i think i'd be inclined to pick and choose between a bunch of manufacturers- get the listing of what's in the kit , isolate the items i want, and purchase seperately- for instance a speer or lyman manual and a say, ohaus 505 scale- the lee auto prime is as good as any out there, the case trim is good, but they're only giving you half of it- you need the caliber sensitive shank and end
What is your budget to get started?
I'd personally recommend going with the RCBS Rockchucker Kit, which you can find for about $400. There is nothing wrong with Lee equipment, but there is the rare occasion that you hear of some of it breaking. Another thing to consider is that RCBS's customer service is second to none. If you break / lose some RCBS equipment, 9 times out of 10 they will replace it free of charge.
I'd personally recommend going with the RCBS Rockchucker Kit, which you can find for about $400. There is nothing wrong with Lee equipment, but there is the rare occasion that you hear of some of it breaking. Another thing to consider is that RCBS's customer service is second to none. If you break / lose some RCBS equipment, 9 times out of 10 they will replace it free of charge.
i've got the same deal from lee- so no big deal there- but i would definately BUY 2 PRESSES- one for resizeing and the other for seating- then put your powder measure in the middle, and you've got a simple , logical set-up- the rest is case prep and cleaning anyway- since resizing puts the most pressure on the press, that's where i'd stick my "best" press, be it a rockchucker, lee classic, or whatever, then use the other for seating bullets
"...9 times out of 10 they will replace it free of charge..." Even if it was your fault or if the equipment you bought was used. Any problems and they fix it. No questions asked.
The Lee warrantee is not as good as the RCBS warrantee.
The Lee warrantee is not as good as the RCBS warrantee.
I have heard people happy with lee but I started with the rockchucker kit and love it. I wouldn't worry about two presses, I use a loading block, size 50, then prime them, then powder them. Swap dies and seat bullets. RCBS's warranty is fantastic. I don't believe I have yet broke anything that wasn't my fault yet they have replaced everything I broke at there cost. Oh and none of them parts were on the rockchucker, I broke a piece on the progressive pro 2000 and some decaping pins while using the progressive. You might be happy with a lee but I don't know anyone with a rockchucker that has had any complaints.
- Location
- WMU247 near Edmonton
started with a lee challenger press kit, the press is ok but not as good as the dillon 550 I upgraded to a few years ago, bought it second hand here on CGN.
I use lee dies mostly and like their neck sizer and factory crimp dies but the bullet seating dies with roll crimp can be a pain if you forget to back it off.
the old lee press is still on the bench and I use it as a secondary press when I'm doing multiple functions. For example I'll seat the bullet on one press and crimp it using the other press.
so to sum up the lee is ok for starting but if your going to do a lot of reloading your going to upgrade
I use lee dies mostly and like their neck sizer and factory crimp dies but the bullet seating dies with roll crimp can be a pain if you forget to back it off.
the old lee press is still on the bench and I use it as a secondary press when I'm doing multiple functions. For example I'll seat the bullet on one press and crimp it using the other press.
so to sum up the lee is ok for starting but if your going to do a lot of reloading your going to upgrade
What about Dillon?
I use the Dillon SDB. Love it! I load 9mm, 357 and 45 (only handgun). It is an easy to use, reliable, progressive press and I can actually bang off 300-400 rds per hour with it. All parts are warranteed, which means you can actually buy a used one and still be covered.....my 2 cents anyway! Go Dillon!
I use the Dillon SDB. Love it! I load 9mm, 357 and 45 (only handgun). It is an easy to use, reliable, progressive press and I can actually bang off 300-400 rds per hour with it. All parts are warranteed, which means you can actually buy a used one and still be covered.....my 2 cents anyway! Go Dillon!
You can do a fine job of reloading ammunition with the cheapest single station press you can buy along with dies from any of the major makers. Compound leverage presses (like the Rockchucker, for instance.), are great for heavy duty case forming operations but unnecessary for most loading chores. To get started loading you will need the following:
1. A press. the only qualification I would insist on is that it be iron rather than cast aluminum.
2. Dies. My first choice is RCBS just because they are always available and quality is good. Along with the dies, you will require a shellholder for each cartridge group.
3. A powder scale. These can vary considerably in price and quality but I think you should spend what is necessary to get a scale which is satisfactory to you. The 505 scale from RCBS or equivalent is just fine.
4. Although most presses offer a means of seating the primers, I prefer to use a separate priming tool. Lee's is fine.
5. Lube pad. Cheap and just makes things easier.
With these basic tools your will be able to load ammunition which will be more than satisfactory in all respects. As time goes on you will have to add to your tools with;
1. a case trimmer and a set of dial calipers
2. A powder measure. This makes the whole loading operation so much faster and easier. A good measure, properly used, can be nearly as accurate as a scale.
From here on your can add to your collection with a wealth of tools available. Some valuable additions; some questionable.
The most valuable piece of equipment will be your loading manual (s). It will provide you with a sound knowledge base from which to build. Regards, Bill
1. A press. the only qualification I would insist on is that it be iron rather than cast aluminum.
2. Dies. My first choice is RCBS just because they are always available and quality is good. Along with the dies, you will require a shellholder for each cartridge group.
3. A powder scale. These can vary considerably in price and quality but I think you should spend what is necessary to get a scale which is satisfactory to you. The 505 scale from RCBS or equivalent is just fine.
4. Although most presses offer a means of seating the primers, I prefer to use a separate priming tool. Lee's is fine.
5. Lube pad. Cheap and just makes things easier.
With these basic tools your will be able to load ammunition which will be more than satisfactory in all respects. As time goes on you will have to add to your tools with;
1. a case trimmer and a set of dial calipers
2. A powder measure. This makes the whole loading operation so much faster and easier. A good measure, properly used, can be nearly as accurate as a scale.
From here on your can add to your collection with a wealth of tools available. Some valuable additions; some questionable.
The most valuable piece of equipment will be your loading manual (s). It will provide you with a sound knowledge base from which to build. Regards, Bill
Holy cow!!! Presses, dies, powder scales, manuals, lube pad, case trimmer, dial calipers... what am I getting myself into
This sounds like rocket science. Is this as hard as it is sounding???
My budget is very ow right now. What I've been looking at is a Lee Challenger Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit for around $80 us
http://ww w.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=820810&t=11082005
This sounds like rocket science. Is this as hard as it is sounding??? My budget is very ow right now. What I've been looking at is a Lee Challenger Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit for around $80 us
http://ww w.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=820810&t=11082005
Holy cow!!! Presses, dies, powder scales, manuals, lube pad, case trimmer, dial calipers... what am I getting myself into
My budget is very ow right now. What I've been looking at is a Lee Challenger Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit for around $80 us
http://ww w.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=820810&t=11082005
Get the one with the manual. I started with the Anni kit and loved it. Comes with everything you need to start loading sans Dies. You can always upgrade down the road as money permits.
- Location
- WMU247 near Edmonton
Holy cow!!! Presses, dies, powder scales, manuals, lube pad, case trimmer, dial calipers... what am I getting myself into
My budget is very ow right now. What I've been looking at is a Lee Challenger Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit for around $80 us
http://ww w.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=820810&t=11082005
thats the one I started with as well, and the Lee manual,
