Reloading Kits? What did you like and not like ?

The new lee priming tools are junk. I had to google the cps tool. $800 for a priming tool is ludicrous. I still think that starting with the less expensive equipment is best for a beginner reloader. Anyone who thinks that buying all the best stuff at the beginning is the right way,(buy once, cry once) is doing it wrong…
It’s not even about the money. I get that $5k plus is some people’s disposable income, but learning is priceless and in my experience, learning is best accomplished through experience.
Ultimately, less expensive equipment sells quick on the ee. A 20% hit on a $100 item is a lot better than a 20% hit on an $800 item.
 
BigRobb said:
The new lee priming tools are junk. I had to google the cps tool. $800 for a priming tool is ludicrous. I still think that starting with the less expensive equipment is best for a beginner reloader. Anyone who thinks that buying all the best stuff at the beginning is the right way,(buy once, cry once) is doing it wrong…
It’s not even about the money. I get that $5k plus is some people’s disposable income, but learning is priceless and in my experience, learning is best accomplished through experience.
Ultimately, less expensive equipment sells quick on the ee. A 20% hit on a $100 item is a lot better than a 20% hit on an $800 item.
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No one is suggesting that the OP (or anyone else for that matter) needs to start with a CPS. I've even stated that it's a luxury item, it's certainly much nicer then a hand primer, though hardly "necessary".

And I would argue that it costs a lot more money to start with cheap products that you will end up replacing, then it is to start with the right equipment the first time, even if that means budgeting for more at the beginning.
 
trevj said:
Meh. You can get the run-down on reloading technique from any of dozens of websites, magazine articles, etc. IIRC, the last set of Lee Dies I bought had a pretty good example enclosed, if the buyer bothers to read it.

...
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Different strokes for different folks on this one - My experience was that the knowledge you get from reading through the reloading manuals is deeper and more comprehensive than the other sources. Of course, I didn't take the time to actually read through those wordy sections until well after I had started reloading. I was going solely based on basic instructions and published load data.

My old math teacher used to tell us "A little knowledge is dangerous".

I agree with literally everything else in your post here though, trevj.
 
jethunter said:
I thought I must be the only reloader left on the planet using Lee scoops and the original Lee handheld priming tool. The4 new ones are junky but the old ones were good.
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No sir, you are not alone! Though I'll admit it was probably a decade before I started using the original Lee scoop set that came with my kit. Now I really like them for some applications.
 
kthomas said:
No one is suggesting that the OP (or anyone else for that matter) needs to start with a CPS. I've even stated that it's a luxury item, it's certainly much nicer then a hand primer, though hardly "necessary".

And I would argue that it costs a lot more money to start with cheap products that you will end up replacing, then it is to start with the right equipment the first time, even if that means budgeting for more at the beginning.
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Cheap, or poor quality?
Lots of full set ups on the ee, all the time. You’ll lose less money selling a whole lee challenger kit used as you will selling a chargemaster if you decide it’s not your cup of tea.
I’m not saying to buy the cheapest junk you can find. Just basic, quality tools. A beam scale will weigh a charge just as accurately as an auto trickler. A lee cast press or a rock chucker will push brass through a quality set of dies as well as a lee challenger press.
If you’ve got the money for the Gucci gear, great! When it’s not quite what you wanted, I’ll look for it on the ee for cheap!
 
jethunter said:
I thought I must be the only reloader left on the planet using Lee scoops and the original Lee handheld priming tool. The4 new ones are junky but the old ones were good.
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Hells, I use them for shovelling powder on to a scale too, when I decide I need to measure each charge out. The scoop that comes closest without going over, gets the job. Pretty easy to trickle a couple individual kernels of powder on to the scale to bring the charge up, or scoop a couple off if it went over.
 
alpining said:
Different strokes for different folks on this one - My experience was that the knowledge you get from reading through the reloading manuals is deeper and more comprehensive than the other sources. Of course, I didn't take the time to actually read through those wordy sections until well after I had started reloading. I was going solely based on basic instructions and published load data.

My old math teacher used to tell us "A little knowledge is dangerous".

I agree with literally everything else in your post here though, trevj.
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The problem is, there is a LOT more than just a little info out there to go through, if one looks. Just about every magazine out there pounded out at least on fairly comprehensive 'how to start reloading' article, just about every year ever. There are websites and videos with pretty comprehensive info in them. And that's just for the beginner stuff, not the more advanced 'pursuit of ultimate accuracy' stuff that is freely available as well.

Even WITH a manual in hand, it does pay to check and cross check sources. A manual is no longer the 'only' option for getting useful info.
 
BigRobb said:
The new lee priming tools are junk. I had to google the cps tool. $800 for a priming tool is ludicrous. I still think that starting with the less expensive equipment is best for a beginner reloader. Anyone who thinks that buying all the best stuff at the beginning is the right way,(buy once, cry once) is doing it wrong…
It’s not even about the money. I get that $5k plus is some people’s disposable income, but learning is priceless and in my experience, learning is best accomplished through experience.
Ultimately, less expensive equipment sells quick on the ee. A 20% hit on a $100 item is a lot better than a 20% hit on an $800 item.
Click to expand...

If I reload thousands of rounds per year and it has the characteristics of the priming tool that I desire (easy on my hands, fast, durable and well constructed, accurate & consistent), then why is an $800 expenditure ludicrous?

Its all relative to an individual's needs.

For example, a whole lot of reloaders might prefer Redding match/competition dies because the tool meet their requirements (ex. great tolerances, changable bushings & seating stems, micrometers) ...Would you think they were ludicrous if they spent $300 to $400 on Redding dies just because others out there might spend $60 on Hornady (figuring they are good enough).

As an F Class competitor I just the other week spent close to $2,300 for 2,500 projectiles (just projectiles nothing more) for the next season. I don't even know for sure when they are coming in. Some people might that think that I'm bat s##t crazy to spend that much..... well, IMO, if bought bulk low quality projectiles and tried to compete with that, then I would simply be converting money and time into "noise" and derive no satisfaction from that.
 
I bought my RCBS Rockchucker kit back in the early 80s, and if I recall, it came with the press, Speer Reloading Manual, RCBS 5-10 balance scale, RCBS Uniflow powder thrower, loading block, primer tray, case de-burring tool, primer picket cleaner, case lube, case lube brush and a case lube pad. Other than selecting dies, this equipment got me started and I still use it all today. I've added a case trimmer and tumbler since my initial purchase, but I'm a satisfied customer and I don't regret buying this some 40ish years ago. All my original equipment still works fine for the purpose I bought it for.
 
Munkey1973 said:
If I reload thousands of rounds per year and it has the characteristics of the priming tool that I desire (easy on my hands, fast, durable and well constructed, accurate & consistent), then why is an $800 expenditure ludicrous?

Its all relative to an individual's needs.

For example, a whole lot of reloaders might prefer Redding match/competition dies because the tool meet their requirements (ex. great tolerances, changable bushings & seating stems, micrometers) ...Would you think they were ludicrous if they spent $300 to $400 on Redding dies just because others out there might spend $60 on Hornady (figuring they are good enough).

As an F Class competitor I just the other week spent close to $2,300 for 2,500 projectiles (just projectiles nothing more) for the next season. I don't even know for sure when they are coming in. Some people might that think that I'm bat s##t crazy to spend that much..... well, IMO, if bought bulk low quality projectiles and tried to compete with that, then I would simply be converting money and time into "noise" and derive no satisfaction from that.
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And this is advice you’re going to give to a new reloader ?
$2k worth of bullets, $300+ dies and an $800 priming tool are possibly what he needs? I don’t think this is an f class thread. I’m certainly not worthy of that caliber of competition…
 
BigRobb said:
And this is advice you’re going to give to a new reloader ?
$2k worth of bullets, $300+ dies and an $800 priming tool are possibly what he needs? I don’t think this is an f class thread. I’m certainly not worthy of that caliber of competition…
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Sure, why not.
OP didn't get into too many specifics regarding shooting requirements (i.e. plinking, precision, etc)....but the OP is free accept anyone's advice or leave it.
$2K worth of bullets and $300 of dies are examples of spending a premium to get the results you desire.

Don't know why you seem to be making this about you.
 
I agree that more info on the intended purpose of the reloading would be helpful. Based on the original caliber selection I would assume long range precision is the goal but not necessarily. The OP has stated that he has decided to acquire the equipment individually as opposed to buying a kit, again suggesting that he is looking for a higher degree of accuracy. Either way for anyone else that is watching, lots of good info here on getting started. The only thing I would like to add is although most kits will get you started, one thing I notice most of them lack is a caliper of some sort. I personally prefer a 6” dial caliper but something that can measure neck thickness to overall length is a must.
Just my $0.02
 
BigRobb said:
Cheap, or poor quality?
Lots of full set ups on the ee, all the time. You’ll lose less money selling a whole lee challenger kit used as you will selling a chargemaster if you decide it’s not your cup of tea.
I’m not saying to buy the cheapest junk you can find. Just basic, quality tools. A beam scale will weigh a charge just as accurately as an auto trickler. A lee cast press or a rock chucker will push brass through a quality set of dies as well as a lee challenger press.
If you’ve got the money for the Gucci gear, great! When it’s not quite what you wanted, I’ll look for it on the ee for cheap!
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I've had all my same reloading from the beginning of my reloading journey.

I know plenty of people that have spent hundreds to thousands of dollars upgrading old reloading equipment - I learned from their mistakes and I'm pretty happy I did.

I don't have any desire to sell or change any of my gear.
 
kthomas said:
I've had all my same reloading from the beginning of my reloading journey.

I know plenty of people that have spent hundreds to thousands of dollars upgrading old reloading equipment - I learned from their mistakes and I'm pretty happy I did.

I don't have any desire to sell or change any of my gear.
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Yes. You should be very happy!
This is the perfect opportunity for you to help this potentially blossoming new reloader get exactly what he needs from the start.
Why not post an exact itemized shopping list for him.
Come to think of it, I could use a list. After years of reloading, I’m still finding stuff I didn’t even know I needed to make my life easier…
 
BigRobb said:
Yes. You should be very happy!
This is the perfect opportunity for you to help this potentially blossoming new reloader get exactly what he needs from the start.
Why not post an exact itemized shopping list for him.
Come to think of it, I could use a list. After years of reloading, I’m still finding stuff I didn’t even know I needed to make my life easier…
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I did.
 
Really appreciate all the info everyone has given.

I have an idea of what I am going to do as far as setup goes.

But my question now is dies so I will make another post.
 
My kit is a Lee and it is just under a year old and since I’m quite new to reloading, I still don’t know all I should know, but one thing I know is I really like the Lee pacesetter dies, I also like the press and the primer tool…. One thing I don’t like much is the beam scale, I find it a bit finicky to read and set. The powder measure thing is really cheap and really not user friendly!! The lube is ok but you need to clean the dies after each use cause they will rust and the lube caked up inside!
 
DGY said:
My kit is a Lee and it is just under a year old and since I’m quite new to reloading, I still don’t know all I should know, but one thing I know is I really like the Lee pacesetter dies, I also like the press and the primer tool…. One thing I don’t like much is the beam scale, I find it a bit finicky to read and set. The powder measure thing is really cheap and really not user friendly!! The lube is ok but you need to clean the dies after each use cause they will rust and the lube caked up inside!
Click to expand...

That beam scale possibly seems finicky because it is sensitive - I didn't care for it at first. It took some getting used to, but I have no problem with it now. The powder measure is... adequate, depending on your needs!

And you may be using too much lube - You only need a very small amount (and watered down at that).
 
alpining said:
That beam scale possibly seems finicky because it is sensitive - I didn't care for it at first. It took some getting used to, but I have no problem with it now. The powder measure is... adequate, depending on your needs!

And you may be using too much lube - You only need a very small amount (and watered down at that).
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I don’t have any problems with the scale, but setting between loads for ladder testing is just time consuming compare to other scales!
 
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