Reloading Kits?? Your Thoughts

If you are planning to reload for rifle, it is best to go with any "O" style single stage press kit. "C" style presses have a reputation for being flimsy, and progressive presses can lead beginners into making mistakes.

I'm not loyal to any specific manufacturer and different manufacturers are better for specific items. After you start loading for a while most people start adding other items to the basic kit that are better suited to your needs or make life easier.

If you get a Lee kit, the Lee scale should be replaced as others have mentioned.
The Lee hand priming tool is an amazing time saver over press-mounted tools.
The Lee caliber specific trimmers are much more handy and consistent than the crank type trimmers.
When it comes to accuracy, get Redding Dies.
The Hornady Lock & Load die sleeves save a lot of setup time, but you need the Hornady press or the RCBS rockchucker press.
 
cariboo_kid said:
I didn't realize this. Why can't it be used with the Lee classic cast for example?
Click to expand...

I'm not familiar with that press.
I had to move up to a rock chucker because my other RCBS press was not big enough and only threaded to hold regular size dies. On the Rockchucker I could remove the threaded sleave to install the adapter.
 
Quiet said:
I'm not familiar with that press.
I had to move up to a rock chucker because my other RCBS press was not big enough and only threaded to hold regular size dies. On the Rockchucker I could remove the threaded sleave to install the adapter.
Click to expand...

There is plenty of physical room, this thing can load 50BMG. Here is a quote from the lee website:

"Threaded die adapter accepts standard 7/8 - 14 dies, remove and the press accepts 1 1/4 - 12 large series dies."

Does this sound like the hornady system will be compatible?
 
Yes. That sounds like the same sort of thing.
I guess it is just the small economy or beginner presses that won't take the adaptor.
 
That's good news, thanks. I took my own advice from earlier in this thread and ordered the anniversary kit from Higginsons with the press upgraded to the classic cast. :D
 
On the advice of some hand-loading gunnutz 40 years ago I started out
with RCBS and have never looked back. Good product with very satisfactory customer service.

x2 on the Rockchucker Supreme Kit.
... but you will need lots more "stuff" than that !

Go see an experianced hand-loader in action, and catalogue what he actually uses from initial case prep through to a finished round.

A good Reloading Data Manual is indespensable. The front of the Sierra Manual, for example, gives a very good "step-by-step how to do it", (and lots of good load data as well ) as do a number of other manuals. I find I get most of what I need from Sierra,Hornady, Speer, Nosler & Barnes. The main powder companies like Alliant, Hodgdon, & IMR also have load data on-line.
 
cariboo_kid said:
There is plenty of physical room, this thing can load 50BMG. Here is a quote from the lee website:

"Threaded die adapter accepts standard 7/8 - 14 dies, remove and the press accepts 1 1/4 - 12 large series dies."

Does this sound like the hornady system will be compatible?
Click to expand...


The Hornady Lock'nLoad bushings & threaded adapter will work with the Lee Classic Cast press.

Rod.:)
 
I am one of the Lee reloading guys. Love their stuff.

I started with the Lee anniversary kit and can recommend it whole heartedly. If they made one with the new classic press, I would go for the upgrade. The challenger press has loaded tons of very accurate ammo for me but it is not the strongest press on the planet. The camming parts can and do break. Although replaced by Lee, it is a pain as you have to send them back to the factory.

Otherwise, I use the hand priming unit (best in the business), scale (yep, mine works just fine and better then the RCBS's that I have seen and loaded with), many lee dies with the collet neck die being the best for its job.

I use a Dewey Crocogator to clean the pockets and an RCBS deburring tool for chamfering the necks. The Lee equivalent is not very good.

I use a Forster trimmer and outside neck turning set up. The Lee set up does work well but there is no adjustment. I like to set up my case length to fit my chambers.

One of the best tools you can buy is a quality runout guage. I own a Sinclair. With this, you can see if the tools you use are producing low runout ammo. For best accuracy, you want there to be little to no runout.

keep good notes and enjoy the learning process. Regardless of all the BR voodoo that you might read about, let the holes in paper be your guide. Alot of stuff just doesn't matter until you are shooting in the 0's and 1's.

How good is my Lee made ammo? Click on the link in my sig line to see how my Fclass rig shoots.

Jerry
 
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