Reloading equipment question

C

calgarycanada

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I'm thinking about getting into reloading. Got couple of books, abc of reloading and Lyman. While reading those I'm looking to get some equipment very soon. I have been to few local stores but did not get a good answer, so I'm posting here. I have looked through many many threads but didn't quite get an answer, so pls excuse me taking more space on the forum.

I wanna reload just for accuracy and consistency(match ammo is expensive), 200 rounds a month combined of 308 & 338lm. I wanna get a turret press or LNL type press, my reason being, I can leave all the dies adjusted to where I want and not have to fiddle around everytime( if I was experienced its not a big deal but being new it will simplify my life). I have found following at local store. Tell me what you guys think and if I need the other set of tools or no? Btw they are $500 each



As lot of us I don't have a ton of money but at same time I would cry once at get it over with. I was looking at lee turret but lot of people bash them. Lee or any other suggestions are welcome as long as they can do precision work.

Thank you very much in advance
 
If cost is a consideration, consider the Lee 50th Anniversary Kit with breech lock system. Similar to the Hornady LNL system, once the dies are set they can be quickly installed without resetting. If you are not familiar with vernier scales, the Lee Safety Scale can be a difficult to read.
 
IMHO, if you are loading strictly for accuracy, you might want to go with a single stage press. Batch loading saves time, and as for not having to readjust dies, that's what the lock rings are for!!
 
Since you're close by, if you do go with Hornady and you want a pack of the Lock n load quick change bushings I can send them to you if you pay shipping.
I bought them by mistake, they don't fit in my Lee 50th anniversary press.
 
If you want accuracy then buy a single stage press. Once the dies are set you secure the lock ring and you never have to adjust again. The other presses are for volume reloading.

Graydog
 
Thanks for all the replies

Can you also guide me on the precision reloaders kit it contains following tools

Ammunition Concentricity Tool

Cam Lock™ Trimmer

Lock-N-Load™ OAL Curved Gauge

Lock-N-Load™ Bullet Comparator

Lock-N-Load Headspace Gauge

Lock-N-Load Power Case Prep Trio

It is also $500. Do you precision loaders have those tools? Are they worth the money?
Thanks in advance
 
Most precision reloaders don't have a "kit" from a single manufacturer. They have a quality single stage press, and other tools and dies from many different manufacturers that make the tools they need. Such as trimmers, expanding mandrels, scales, comparators, concentricity measuring tool, etc....

If you really want to get into precision reloading check out accurateshooter.com and get to know brands like K&M, Forster, Sinclair, redding, etc... And yes even Lee, their collet dies once cleaned up are quite handy, although I prefer K&M mandrels myself.

Do not go cheap on things like calipers and micrometers, it's nice to know how accurate your efforts are!!
 
honestly, if you want my suggestion, start with the lee 50th Anniversary Breech Lock Challenger Kit
it's like 175$, and it "works"
Then, once you start, and read more, buy the exact components you want.
You will eventually buy a ton of stuff from other companies, a digital scale, etc....
that lee kit is cheap, good to start, and it will allow you to see what you like.
I still use the single stage and the safety prime, and their trimmer....
There is no "precision reloading kit" that's exactly what you need. you need to start somewhere, then buy more.

Btw, I just bought that hornady case prep trio to chamfer and deburr and it works well, it just feels a bit cheap to me and I hope the motor doesnt die on me.

When I debur I can hear the poor thing having a hard time and I imagine all those gears dying.
 
I own the Hornady LNL AP and for the amount of money I spent I am a little bit dissapointed in regards to making "rifle" ammunition. For pistol it is great as with any progressive press the accuracy is not there. I bought a second press "single stage" for my rifle rounds my first being a RCBS partner press. They say size doesn't matter but it was to small for anything bigger than a 308, and my largest gripe with all RCBS presses is the spent primer catch bin. IT SUCKS. I opted to sell that press and buy the Lee CLASSIC CAST press which is an upgrade to the 50th anniversary press kit and it is awesome. I love how accurate my OAL's are and the primer collection system is as clean as the redding which to my knowledge is the only other press that dispenses through the ram itself. As stated by Cleftwynd you should consider getting different brands of reloading equipment as no-body does everything great.

Evan
 
Depending on what level of precision you intend to achieve, the Hornady kit may not do the job. I'd start slow rather than buying all your precision tools in one shot. Not all of the tools in the Hornady kit are needed for very good quality ammo. Also, you can find much better precision tools when you know exactly what you need and want for your application and tastes.

As a relatively recent reloader (> 800 rounds of 308 loaded this summer, so far) I find I need to upgrade to a really good digital or balance-beam scale and a better powder measure after only a few months. I've started with a Lee Classic cast turret press but have been using it as a single stage for rifle. Needed tweaks but works very well at this point and will have a great ROI if it lasts for a few years. I've seen dramatic improvements in my groups too and can really see changes in my groups as I alter my shooting techniques.

One piece of the Lee kit that has impressed me is the case trimmer. I've found it to be a remarkably inexpensive setup for me using my drill-press. Brass is processed quickly and precisely. I'd try it first rather than buying the Hornady kit - you might like it or not, but for the price (< $20 all-in) how can you lose. Mount the trimmer cutter in the drill press and use any short, standard screwdriver with replaceable bits to hold the shell holder. I understand that some use a hand-drill instead of a drill-press but this seems awkward to me. The only Lee case trimming part that did not work well was their chamfer/debur tool. I use the Lyman chamfer/debur tool instead.

At this stage in game, I've got many times more than the cost of the press and tools invested in brass, powder and bullets. Supplies are the most expensive part of reloading. I wouldn't invest in tools too quickly before you find what works for you.

Good luck...
 
Very good info guys, I really appreciate all the help. After reading all the replies I'm gonna go check out lee presses tomorrow at WSS. Warranty part does kind of bother me but not a deal breaker. If lee can produce precise ammo I will save my money and put towards good scale, powder dispenser and other components.
 
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