Newbie question: cheapest, safest way to start?

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plightning

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Hi all,

I'm about to take the plunge and would like to start with something that would leave me very little room for error, and doing so on a budget would be great.

Right now I'd like to start with .303, but will probably expand into 9mm, and whatever else comes down the pipe.

I'm wondering about the Lee Classic Loader, looks like that meets the criteria, but is there something that may be "one step up" that would carry me further on my reloading career?

any input welcome, thanks
 
Start with The ABC's of Reloading. Your local gun shop or Amazon. Then look into a Beginner's kit. Most manufacturers sell one. Gives you everything you'll need, usually less dies and shell holder.
The Lee Classic Loader will be fine for the .303. Not so much for 9mm. Too slow. If you opt for one, pitch the scops and buy a scale. The scoops can vary the charge by a full grain. You won't find any data in CC's either.
Don't discount buying used stuff either. It takes a lot of abuse to damage good quality reload equipment. Lots of shooters sell their old stuff when they up grade to progressives. A single stage press will do both cartridges with no fuss. Just buy dies and a shell holder.
Used RCBS kit is covered by their warrantee too. Even if you caused the damage.
 
The Lee reloader is just the beginning. All you need is in the kit as you order it with one set of dies in the caliber you want. I also would toss the scoops and the scale "will do" but opt for a digital scale...not only faster but I found more accurate. Read and reread the book and the loading info...understand the measurements and if not sure ask. Safety not speed is the object.
 
Get a good single stage press and read a few different books. Make sure that you understand everything that you read and why you you are doing what you are doing at each step in the process.

Its pretty straight forward but take your time and you will find reloading very rewarding.
 
I started with a lee loader in 38 spl and I still use one for my 6,5x55. For low volume rifle loads they're great. Very hard to make a mistake with those kits. Scoops are very reliable ( no adjustment ) and the reduced loads shoot ok.

Give it a try and you'll see if you like it. If you do, then a beginners kit would be a nice step up.
 
Buy a Lymans reloading manual, read it for a week , THEN consider shopping for what you want. Get an idea for what your into first.
Beginners kits while cheaper, usually come at a cheaper price because of cheaper shoddy equipment.
I bought one and ended up replacing all but the origional press.
When I started up reloading again years ago I bought the Lee kit.
The Press was fine (4 stage progressive) but I took the stick out of it (made it non progressive). The powder scale was garbage (get a better one, i.e. Lyman 500 balance, min.) and the powder hopper/dispenser didn't work with fine powders, had to upgrade to the PRO measure for that.

Best advice for you. Ask people around your club where you shoot what they,ve owned and liked or didn't like and what they have settled on now.

Mike.

P.s.
The Lee hand (autoprime) primer is the best $24 i've ever spent on just about anything.
I have easily primed over 10-12,000 rds. with it. Still going strong.
 
Ok so I seem to be picking up on a prevalent theme here: RTFM. :)

As a matter of principle I usually wouldn't do that... but this time i'm willing to make an exception :)

Thank you all for your input, I'm off to Amazon to the ABCs... and at the same time, resisting the urge to buy more gun stuff.
 
Get the Lee Anniversary kit, because you get just about everything you need to do it properly and safely and simply. Mine works great for me and is the best bang for the buck without question.
 
Just got into reloading myself. Got a Lee Challenger kit. Works good. Shot the first batch last Sunday. Didn't blow myself up or anything!
 
I'd start with an RCBS Rockchucker kit . You'll be good to go with any cartridge, you won't wear it out, and the only thing you will ask yourself in a few years time is, " Do I really need a progressive?"
 
colt45cz75 said:
I'd start with an RCBS Rockchucker kit . You'll be good to go with any cartridge, you won't wear it out, and the only thing you will ask yourself in a few years time is, " Do I really need a progressive?"
Click to expand...

thanks, but it looks a little out of the budget... the Lee stuff looks to fit in with the price range i'm looking for.
 
proonur said:
Get the Lee Anniversary kit, because you get just about everything you need to do it properly and safely and simply. Mine works great for me and is the best bang for the buck without question.
Click to expand...

Exactly. Get the anniversary kit, the dies and components you want to load with, and ask lots of questions here!
 
It would depend on what you expect from the ammo.
If you only need them to go bang safely and hit a target at 10/20 yards with a pistol then you don't need much and most people seem to like the LEE dies if not their presses.
If you want to put a group of bullet holes touching at 5-600 yards you,ll wanna spend more and consider something like Redding dies.

Difference being $30-50 for Lee or $150-300 for Redding.

you'll have to be the judge.

M.
 
I have the lee challenger press, an old herter's scale and different brands of dies. Currently I load for 303 brit , 300 savage and 38 special. I have had no problems with equipment and would recommend the lee stuff. The dies are a good value as they include a shell holder.
 
I have to say that I like the RCBS dies that I have better than the Lee ones and they cost about the same, the only thing is that you have to buy the shell holders separately whereas with the Lee ones you don't (included). Both work fine though.
If anyone around Calgary would like some help I am open to showing you what I know and what my setup is.
I load for .223, 303 british, 30-06 and 45 ACP, and coming soon 357 magnum.
 
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So I was looking at the Lee site, they have the "LEE 50th Anniversary Kit", and a new one called "LEE BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER PRESS KIT" which features the same components as the 50th kit but they have replaced the Safety Prime with the Auto-Prime and a set of Auto-Prime shell holders. They say this kit is for those who prefer to prime off of the press.

Is the Auto-prime really better to have than the Safety prime ??
 
"...$150-300 for Redding..." Geezuz! They made of gold? Normal Redding dies run about the same prices as any other dies. You don't need 'Competition' dies to load anything. They have an MSRP of $178.50US.
 
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