back in the days when I could afford the time I had a set up like this- resizer, powder measure, bullet seater- both were single stage lees and strong as heck- I was just too damned LAZY to do all that screwing/unscrewing- why everybody doesn't use an interrupted screw I don't know- anyway, I got away for less than 100- then I caught Dillon fever and got a 550- for rifle only and for bigger than 223- and do not put the customary tilt on the 223- it won't feed properly- and a BETTER scale is a MUST- like an ohaus or redding or something other than lee- and you WILL need a different poder measure on the lee 223 as it hasn't the capacity- even with the double disk kit
picking a Lee reloading kit???
- Thread starter jim_wrench
- Start date
Now that I have a turret I only use the single stage for de-capping.
I agree with the turret press option. So much easier to set things up without having to change dies.
You can rotate it to any station without having to remove the indexing rod too.
I agree with the turret press option. So much easier to set things up without having to change dies.
You can rotate it to any station without having to remove the indexing rod too.
I reload for so many different cartridges, that I would have to change out my dies anyways, so a turret press would be of no value to me in that regard. Now if you only reload for one or two cartridges, that reasoning may have some merit.
I went with the Lee 50th anniversary kit. I have been able to make sub moa ammo, since getting started (after working up a load). The only additions were a bullet puller, powder trickler, and the cutter guide.
After a couple weeks of powder throwing and beam scaling, I upgraded to a RCBS Chargemaster 1500 combo. The scale cost three times as much as the rest of my kit!! I still am using Lee dies and press. I've got 2000 rounds reloaded since September.
After a couple weeks of powder throwing and beam scaling, I upgraded to a RCBS Chargemaster 1500 combo. The scale cost three times as much as the rest of my kit!! I still am using Lee dies and press. I've got 2000 rounds reloaded since September.
I use the Lee Classic 4 hole turret kit for 4 different calibres so far plus dedicated decapping and primer pocket swaging. So 5 different turrets. It has paid for itself many times over by reloading 6000+ rounds of .44mag and 3000+ 9mm with a few hundred .308W and some day some 5.56. While the Autodisc measure doesn't have enough capacity for .308W, that hasn't been a big deal as I've been loading very small test batches, Sometimes only 4 pieces of a specific load. I picked up a Lee Perfect Powder Measure for larger batches but haven't used it yet. Not sure why there is so much hate for the Lee scale but I like it fine. I get consistent repeatable numbers from mine.
In any case, like the old proverb says, "It is a bad workman who blames his tools" If you get bad results, chances are it isn't the tools fault.
In any case, like the old proverb says, "It is a bad workman who blames his tools" If you get bad results, chances are it isn't the tools fault.
I also have Lee Classic Turret which I plan on using on rifle reloads. I also took out the indexing rod when I load my pistol (.45 acp / .357 mag). If you are going with the Lee turret route, ensure you get the Classic Cast Turret and not the deluxe.
I returned the Lee autodisk pro to Amazon and bought a Lyman 55 which is great. I initially missed the autodisk pro feature but the thought of having accurate powder measure outweighed the convenience.
I returned the Lee autodisk pro to Amazon and bought a Lyman 55 which is great. I initially missed the autodisk pro feature but the thought of having accurate powder measure outweighed the convenience.
Then you end up changing turrets instead of changing dies, not much of an improvement in my opinion.
i still use my lee 50th, for all my reloading, pistol and rifle, am i a glutton for punishment?..yep, but i enjoy the quiet time when working away at the press, case prep one day, powder and bullet the next day, , takes awhile but it also helps me with not doing non stop mag dumps at the range and actually taking the time to get better at shooting..lol
that being said, i`d love a turret to speed up the 9 and 45 loading, but that can wait till one of you decides to sell me one cheap...lol
that being said, i`d love a turret to speed up the 9 and 45 loading, but that can wait till one of you decides to sell me one cheap...lol
One other thing to consider, Wholesale Sports is (or at least was) blowing out all their Lyman reloading gear at 30% off. I picked up a Gen 5 powder dispenser for less than I can buy it in the States with US dollars....
Anyway, they had at least one Lyman kit in last time I looked. I haven't used their press but have a number of Lyman accessories that I've generally found better than the Lee stuff. It's worth a look, even if you just want to pick up a better beam scale, calipers or replace a few of the accessories in the Lee kit. With the dollar circling the drain I doubt we'll see better pricing anytime soon.....
Anyway, they had at least one Lyman kit in last time I looked. I haven't used their press but have a number of Lyman accessories that I've generally found better than the Lee stuff. It's worth a look, even if you just want to pick up a better beam scale, calipers or replace a few of the accessories in the Lee kit. With the dollar circling the drain I doubt we'll see better pricing anytime soon.....
It takes like literally 2 seconds to swap turrets. It takes longer to transfer the powder measure.
I do all the prep and depriming/priming of my pistol brass before getting to the turret press, so I'm kind of in the same boat. It wasn't making it any quicker to size, clean primer pocket, prime on the ####ty down stroke press primer, then speed through the powder/seat/crimp steps. With a primed case it's 4 quick strokes to a loaded round so it seems quicker if you don't think about the prep and priming lol.
It likely takes me about 20 seconds to change out a die, and I maintain the strength and alignment of my single stage Rockchucker rather than using a turret that has play in it, and multiple positions that may not align perfectly. I prep my brass in advance, then prime using a hand primer, and then seat each bullet as soon as my Chargemaster pours the charge. It actually works quite efficiently. The OP is talking about loading perhaps 200rounds per year, so if it takes an extra minute to change out dies throughout the loading process, it isn't a big deal.
Snakehunter
CGN Regular
- Location
- Kenora, Ontario
I started with the Lee 50th Anniversary Kit. I was loading for .300 Win Mag at first but since then I've added a few more calibers. I found that press to be more than adequate.
Since then I got into handgun and got frustrated by the speed and bought a progressive.
If all you are doing is a box or so at a time, a single stage press is fine. I also own a turret press, which bridges my needs. I still load thousands of 9mm rounds on my progressive, hundreds of .40 and .45 on my turret and boxes of .223, 7mm-08 and .300 Win Mag on my single stage.
I've upgraded pretty much every component over the years. I never could get the hang of balance beam scales, so I have had several digital models.
I'm now in possession of a Lyman 6th gen powder dispenser/scale, just haven't used it yet.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Glen
Since then I got into handgun and got frustrated by the speed and bought a progressive.
If all you are doing is a box or so at a time, a single stage press is fine. I also own a turret press, which bridges my needs. I still load thousands of 9mm rounds on my progressive, hundreds of .40 and .45 on my turret and boxes of .223, 7mm-08 and .300 Win Mag on my single stage.
I've upgraded pretty much every component over the years. I never could get the hang of balance beam scales, so I have had several digital models.
I'm now in possession of a Lyman 6th gen powder dispenser/scale, just haven't used it yet.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Glen
The Lee 50th anniversary kit seems like it would fit the bill just fine for that amount of loading. I've been using mine for about 3.5 years now and have only recently began to consider stepping it up to something that can get me loading up rounds faster and more efficiently. Getting into pistol shooting has me shooting more and therefore loading more. I enjoy reloading for sure but if I can load faster that leaves more time for.....more reloading.
Do you guys really clean the primer pockets on your pistol brass? My brass goes from the tumbler onto the press for sizing/depriming and primer seating, powder drop, bullet seat and finally crimping. Any observable benefit to cleaning the pockets?
I clean the pockets of brass for precision rounds but for bulk loaded 223 or CQB I treat it largely like pistol brass. The only additional steps are lubing the brass prior to sizing, and cleaning the lube from finished rounds. Ganderite has been a bad influence....I used to trim my bulk brass but not anymore.
