Recomendation to a newb: starting from scratch.

drvrage

drvrage

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I'm looking to start with reloading this winter. I want to reload .270 WIN, .223 REM, .38SPL/.357MAG and .45ACP. I have been collecting commercial once fired brass since I started shooting. (Smart!)

I am broke, so money is an issue. What is a good cheap way to get into reloading and who are the suppliers that tend to keep stuff in stock and tend to be on the inexpensive side. Also what brand of press/dies do you recommend. I hear the lee presses are good AND cheap, but the dies aren't so good. Another cost effective solution? Redding, RCBS ???? Also, am I right to look into a turret press so I can just swap the turret instead of replacing dies each time I want to change calibres?

Of course I'll keep an eye out for the EE deals, but I am wondering what people here recommend.
 
I'd recommend a Lee Turret Press. Quite affordable (about 120$) and then later get a progressive (Iuse the Pro1000) for your handgun rounds. I use Lee dies and never had a problem.
Get a turret for each die set and once they're set you'll hardly ever have to touch them.
 
I don't like a turret press, especially the inexpensive ones. Probaly OK for the small brass, but your 270 cases will likely push out of line a bit, on sizing them.
The effort of changing dies appears to be highly over rated. It is a ver small task to take a die from its box and screw it into your press, until it hits the stop ring you have previously set.
I would highly recommend a single action press.
 
As you are collecting your reloading tools, my first suggestion to you is read one (good) or two (better) or three (best) reloading manuals - cover to cover - so you really understand the theory and process before you actually start reloading. You'll have answered many of your own questions by the time you finish reading through the books.

Good luck - be safe - have fun ! ! ! :dancingbanana:
 
"...money is an issue..." Go buy a copy of The ABC's of Reloading and look for a used RCBS single stage press. You'll need a bit more equipment, starting with a scale, too though. Lots of shooters sell their old stuff when they buy a progressive. RCBS stands behind their equipment even if you buy it used. Have any problems and they'll fix it with a phone call, usually for free.
Get yourself into the Exchange forum here.
"...swap the turret..." Turrets aren't cheap. Changing dies, once they're set up properly, takes seconds.
Don't worry about buying used kit either. It takes a lot of abuse to damage good kit.
 
I own Redding, RCBS, Lyman, and Lee reloading equipment. Redding equipment is superior quality, and is the most expensive. Lee is the least expensive but is of inferior quality in comparison to everyting else! RCBS and Lyman are midrange for pricing and their quality is just fine; remember when you spend your bucks here, you are buying TOOLING, the inital attractive low price will pale in the face of the better quality items. In the slightly longer term you will be glad that you spent a FEW extra bucks and bought decent equipment..........I am speaking from my own lessons learned.
I agree with H4831 that the turret presses (what I use) are not significanly more convenient over an 'O-frame' (single action) press.........get a solid cast iron RCBS or Lyman 'O-frame' press and never look back.
 
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Hi drvrage,

Recently got into reloading, so I'm still quite the newbie. Good comments above. Read books first. I read the Lee and Speer manuals to start with, and a few other ones after. I can say that this reading was critical in getting me to understand the most basic concepts without which I probably would have lost an eye by now.

Now, I got some basic, starter-grade reloading equipment, I'm learning a whole lot constantly, and enjoying this new hoppy like you wouldn't believe - thanks in good part to experienced reloaders here on Gunnutz who are happy to help me along the way.

Lou
 
I use a mix of reloading gear, as do all of my friends. Some tools do things better than others. The Lee Auto Prime is a better tool than that made by RCBS. I broke a Lee Press, but can't break my Rock Chucker (so far). I have a Lyman case trimmer that is almost perfect - after I sprung for the Carbide cutter. The RCBS powder measure has poured nearly a hundred thousand charges now and works fine. I added a micrometer adjusting screw which although longer, makes things way easier. The RCBS Chargemaster is probably the way to go if money is no object - if you can find one that works. I have dies by RCBS, Hornady, Lee, Hertner, Redding and others I can't even remember. All have good and bad points. I like the Hornady bullet seating die with micrometer seating depth adjusting screw.

I guess what I am saying is that I haven't found one company that does everything right, but if you talk to other handloaders, do some research, watch people reload and ask a lot of questions, you will find the bits that work best for you. I know it would be great to walk into a store, flash a credit card and go home with a reloading setup, but you will be happier in the long run if you pick the parts that work best for you. Of course, lots of people love to buy and sell and trade, and if that is you, then get a bunch of stuff, keep what you like and move the rest.
 
If money is the issue, LEE all the way, you really get into diminishing (or non improving) returns with other brands. You can crank out a lot of ammo in short time with a single stage press.
 
savagefan said:
If money is the issue, LEE all the way, you really get into diminishing (or non improving) returns with other brands. You can crank out a lot of ammo in short time with a single stage press.
Click to expand...

The "quality" of much of the equipment, such as a single stage press, does not make for a superior bullet unless you are into benchrest competition. As savagefan mentions, the diminishing returns are very large. Even then it will not likely make a difference unless everything else, rifle, bullets, brass, etc, is up to the same extreme quality level.

Take a look at what Mysticplayer uses(on this board, see Precision Rifle forum). He uses a Lee Challenger press (aluminum "O" frame) and Lee collet dies. What he does with his rifles is truly amazing. He is a big believer in economical (cheap) yet high performance products and his results speak for themselves. (regularly gets 1/4" to 1/2" groups at 200m+)

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek075.html

My suggestion, a Lee Classic Cast or whatever you can find in the EE.

This post will probably get a lot of flak from many reading this thread, but quite honestly, you are not going to notice a difference in the quality of your reloads.
 
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turret's aren't cheap?- try 10.98 for a 3 hole, 12.98 for a 4 hole, 14.98 for a 5 hole( loadmaster) had i to it all over again, on a limited budget, i'd definately get the lee classic turret- 4 hole - you need 4 stations to do the factory crimp thing for revolvers
 
Depends how much you shoot. I bought the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Kit, added a RCBS case trimmer, bullet puller, few extra manuals, and I'm pretty set for low volume reloading. I do 44 mag, 308 winchester, 455 webley, and 45/70 on it currently. Seeing as I shoot from 50 to maybe 200 of each of those per year, it's not worth setting up a progressive.

I have a borrowed Dillon 550 set up in 9mm also. Once that has to be returned I'm planning on buying a Hornady LnL progressive and setting it up for 9mm and 45 acp.
 
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