Reloading virgin question

oopswasthatyourdog?

oopswasthatyourdog?

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I have never reloaded and have been toying with the idea for a while now. I was wondering about the Lee 50th anniversary kit for a new reloader on a budget. I don't intend to start a Lee vs RCBS vs Dillon thread. Just some thoughts on this kit and practical applications for someone who will reload mainly for hunting applications. I would load mainly .243 and .270. Also 6.5 x 55, and perhaps one day when surplus ammo is not available 7.62 x 39.
I have always read that RCBS and Dillon are much higher in quality but the budget is my main concern at the moment. Once the kids are gone.....well the budget wont be as important and I will be able to build on what I already have. I read some favorable reviews on this kit but couldn't know if the folks writing the review are impartial. I also know that some extras will be necessary but apart from dies and the actual components what would you add that is necessary?
 
I would recommend the Lee Breach Lock kit. It is the same as the 50th but for a few dollars more it includes the hand priming tool. That and a set of Lee dies and you are ready to load, but I would also recommend a case length guage from Lee (to go with the cutter included in the kit) for your calibre and the Lee manual.
 
i dont see how the hand primer would be better? with the anniverary kit you de-prime on the up stroke and prime on the down stroke no muss no fuss. Its a great kit i have one to compliment my dillon xl650.
 
lee is a great way to go. im over 1000 rounds loaded so far with no problems on my 50th anniversary kit. i don't see the breech lock kit being of much advantage either. the only difference to the kit being the priming system and imho the auto prime is more prone to break than the safety prime. priming on the press goes really quickly.
you will also need a vernier caliper for measuring case length and OAL, a case length guage in each caliber to be loaded for your trimmer, however i found the thread pitch of the trimmer to be 8/32 or 10/32 i cant remember now, but i put machine screw in it to stabilize the case while i trim and this allows me to trim to whatever length i choose alot easier (im anal about making each one as long and as consistant as i can, each within .001 of each other)... and i would suggest a loading tray to keep the operation organized.
everything else is nice to have but unnecessary. i clean my cases with brake cleaner on a rag, and i made a comparitor.
 
I've had my Lee presses since the mid 80's and love em. I do however prefer the RCBS hand priming tool to the Lee hand tool, durability being the reason. X2 on the caliper and Lee case length gauge. Loading manuals are handy too, but there is the Hogdon website which is very useful.
 
I did a search for "lee 50th anniversary reloading kit".

It includes absolutely Everything you need to reload. All you need to add is reloading dies for whatever calibre you want, remember the shell holder, too.

My only other advice would be to not bother with or trust that "powder measure", use the dram and the scale for every bullet. For anyone who wants to disagree a coffee will get you an RCBS one that's just as accurate:cool:, to be picked up in Bow Island.
 
Great replies so far, Thanks to all.
I do already have a set of dies for my .243 that I picked up on the EE about a year ago. A Lee Deluxe Die Set. I has a neck sizing collet die, a dead length bullet seater and a full length sizing die. It also has a little yellow measure stamped 2.8cc and a thingy ( I believe that is the technical term) with a number 2 stamped on it. It obviously is meant to hold the case in place.
 
Not to hijack this thread but what about digital scales? I use a lee scale, not the digital one but I think I would get more consistent results with a digital scale. Are any better then any others? I've been looking at them on Ebay and they have plenty of cheapy scales, jewelers scales and such for around 10 bucks plus shipping. Do any of you have any experience with these or can you recommend a good quality and consistent scale.
 
Oops - I bought that kit.

It works - and that's all I am going to give it. I ditched the scale and the trimming tool did not last 100 cases.

Aside from the kit, you will need:

- case length gauge for the trimmer for each caliber you intend to trim - ~$5 each
- a set of dies for each caliber - ~$35
- bullets
- primers
- powder
- a reloading manual

My bill for all of the above for 30-06 and 22-250, including tax, cost me just south of $500.

Since then, I bought a 2nd hand RCBS 5-0-2 scale and a Forster power trimmer.
 
personal_aviator said:
Not to hijack this thread but what about digital scales? I use a lee scale, not the digital one but I think I would get more consistent results with a digital scale. Are any better then any others? I've been looking at them on Ebay and they have plenty of cheapy scales, jewelers scales and such for around 10 bucks plus shipping. Do any of you have any experience with these or can you recommend a good quality and consistent scale.
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Inexpensive digital scales can be deceiving - just because a digital display shows a certain weight does not mean it's correct. Florescent lights, operating temperature, drafts have all been cited as sources of fluctuation in readings. It's hard to beat a good balance beam. Check-weights are a good idea in either case.
 
My 50th anniversary kit came with the breach lock press. I cannot see any reason for ever needing to change this press out.

I have upgraded the powder measure and scale to an RCBS chargemaster for ease of use and speed.
 
First thing to buy is a reloading manual. They're all pretty good. Read it before you buy anything else. Then...

Ditch the lube in the kit and get a small tin of Imperial Die Wax - it's the only thing in the gun world I am really fanatical about. Just tap your fingertip onto the wax and roll the case between your fingers. Cleanup is a breeze and it works as well if not better than the pads.

A stuck case remover. Cheap insurance (maybe $5) for when you're staring at the mangled head of a case at 10 PM. It will happen to you. It will happen at 10 PM. There's a law of nature about it.

A good light! Very important, on the safety side if for no other purpose. It allows you to do a physical check of all the charged cases before you start putting in the bullets. An empty or double-charged case stands out in good light.


BTW, if cost is really an issue, consider a Lee Loader. $40 plus the cost of the components and you can turn out ammo every bit as good as the most expensive stuff. The downside is that it's far more work because you need to use a hammer instead of a compound leverage press. But it will get you reloading.
 
The kit seems to have most of what you need to get started. In the beginning, your objective will be to produce your own safe ammo as cheaply as possible, and you will!

Ultimately, if you get as addicted to the whole process as many peole do, you will certainly add and upgrade as time and funds allow. I started with an RCBS kit many years ago, and still use most of what it came with, although my collection of relaoding stuff has gotten, well...."larger" to say the least.

This will work. Buy it and enjoy.
 
I'm thinking that I may be closer to reloading then I think. I have a handpress, a safety scale and dies for my .243. I've just always thought that it would be simpler if I had a regular press.

I may just be missing, a hand prime, case length gauge, trimmer, a stuck case remover, a reloading manual (though it seems lots of info is already online.) Lube or Imperial wax, brake cleaner for cleaning cases.........
 
Buy a tumbler for cleaning cases at 3-5 bucks a can for brake clean the 70 for the tumbler will even out fairly quick(especially if you use brake clean like I do). I have only seen a few lee presses but for me the quality doesnt seem to be very good. I would spend the extra few bucks on the rcbs kit and then you will probably never need to replace the press. I would highly reccomend saving your money for a little longer to get better equipment. Buy good stuff and only buy it once or buy mediocre and buy it twice. I really like the presses from Redding but I am not sure if they offer a starter kit. The RCBS hand primer was probably the best reloading accessory I ever bought. Good luck with reloading, if you have any questions pm me and I will do the best I can to help.
P.S. Sorry to all the LEE fans that I just pissed off.
 
Robmcleod82 said:
Buy a tumbler for cleaning cases at 3-5 bucks a can for brake clean the 70 for the tumbler will even out fairly quick(especially if you use brake clean like I do). I have only seen a few lee presses but for me the quality doesnt seem to be very good. I would spend the extra few bucks on the rcbs kit and then you will probably never need to replace the press. I would highly reccomend saving your money for a little longer to get better equipment. Buy good stuff and only buy it once or buy mediocre and buy it twice. I really like the presses from Redding but I am not sure if they offer a starter kit. The RCBS hand primer was probably the best reloading accessory I ever bought. Good luck with reloading, if you have any questions pm me and I will do the best I can to help.
P.S. Sorry to all the LEE fans that I just pissed off.
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Thanks for the advice and offer...I'm sure I will have many questions. :)
 
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