Starting up Reloading

Lee Classic Turret Kit 90304
Lee RGB .30-06 dies 90880
Lee .30-06 case length gauge 90140
Lee Auto disk riser 90041
Canadian Tire or Home Depot $20-30 digital Calipres
1/4" bolts/nuts to hold down press

You won't be able to use the powder measure on the press to fill .30-06 cases with powder, it is intended for pistol and works for some smaller cases like .223. It doesnt throw enough powder for .30-06 and extruded/stick type powders commonly used in .30-06 don't work well in it.

He also has a Lee Classic Cast single stage press and an RCBS/Ohaus 5-0-5 scale on that bench/shelf.

As Slowbalt said FS Reloading in Wisconsin is a great source for Lee tools, they're just down the road from the Lee Factory.
 
It says I am able to have a double "Pro Auto-Disk powder measure" so I can combine two disks to get larger loads. Is this not a good way of doing it or will it still not be enough?

So If I were to get the kit for $300 (after tax), 2 die set for $20, .30-06 case length gauge for 10$, I think the kit comes with a Lee Auto Disk Riser (scratch that, it doesn't), and a Digital Calipre + bolts and nuts for 30$, $350-370 and I would have everything except powder, primers, brass and bullets to reload?
 
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I just started a few months ago and had the same question. I went with the Hornady Classic Kit as a starter. I've since added the Hornady automatic powder machine and a few other toys, but the kit got me started. As well the deal on tight now is 500 free bullets.... And at about 25 bucks/100 that's nothing to sneeze at. The fellow who taught me has the Rock Chucker and it's a nicer press, but almost too much. A lot more money that didn't need to be spent I think... Though nice if you can afford it. The big thing I've gotten really spoiled by is the Lock and Load system for dies. Once you start using it, going back to screwing dies in and out becomes a painful thought to return to.

I've done about 2000 rounds in the last 3 months, and enjoyed every bit of it. It starts to be therapeutic in it's monotony.

And seriously, after dies and components, get the Autocharge from Henry at the top (Budget). Actually get lots of stuff from Henry.... But definitely the Autocharge.
 
You still won't get enough powder for the .30-06 with the double disk, and the shape of most powders for it are like pieces of pencil lead and they do not flow well through that measure. It is better suited for ball powders in pistol loads, and can be adapted for small rifle charges of ball powders like BL C2 in .223 for example. It would be better to use a regular off the press powder thrower and add the charge to each .30-06 case with a funnel. RCBS UniflowPowder Measure, Lee Perfect Powder Measure or Lyman 55 are examples.
 
You could order the stuff listed above and add a powder measure. If you only want to do rifle you could change to a single stage Lee Breech Lock or Lee 50th Anniversary kit + a manual. They have a powder measure for rifle (and pistol) loads in it. All of those presses or kits will seat any rifle or pistol primers just fine.
 
hk33ka1 said:
You still won't get enough powder for the .30-06 with the double disk, and the shape of most powders for it are like pieces of pencil lead and they do not flow well through that measure. It is better suited for ball powders in pistol loads, and can be adapted for small rifle charges of ball powders like BL C2 in .223 for example. It would be better to use a regular off the press powder thrower and add the charge to each .30-06 case with a funnel. RCBS UniflowPowder Measure, Lee Perfect Powder Measure or Lyman 55 are examples.
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I think I will still get the classic turret and handload the powder each time. Still saves time compared to a single press (I think) and I will have precise measurements so best of both worlds?
 
Kolkim,
I started loading 30 years ago with a Lee turret press and set of scoops. At the time the turret press cost about the same as a set of RCBS dies, kits didn't exist and there was just no possible way I could afford the good stuff. Ended up with disk measures, perfect measures, auto index conversion, and got a progressive press somewhere as well. A Hornady scale and powder measure were added early in the game, before the plastic Lee stuff come to think of it.

Does that mean I recomend it? Hell no, all that stuff is sitting in dusty boxes now except for the press which I wore out, broke, rebuilt for memories sake and kicked under the bench. If RCBS kits were available then I would have been all over it. Do you know that RCBS equipment is cheaper now than was 30 years ago if you buy the kits?
 
I've been using a rcbs rock chucker my dad wasn't using anymore for my rifle loads and it's great but I've been thinking of loading for pistol as well so I'm following this thread with great interest. I'm not a super high volume shooter so I think the Lee will suit me as well.

Is it true the Lee press you get in a kit isn't as robust as the one you buy individually?
 
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