What's the cheapest kit for reloading both .223 and 12 ga

[umdiddly]

I want to get started reloading. I shoot both .223 and 12 ga slugs. What's the most economical way to get started reloading both?

Is there a general progression of beginner -> advanced, in terms of equipment to purchase?

I am starting from scratch here, only thing I have so far is a reloading manual...

Thanks!

 

[mmattockx]

First, you can't do both of those on one press.

The cheapest way to reload the 12ga is with a Lee Load All. They work pretty well for smaller volumes of shotshells. I reload target slug loads on one and it works fine for me, but it definitely isn't a heavy duty piece of equipment designed for serious reloading.

The cheapest cartridge reloading press will be a Lee classic cast single stage press. If you are reloading small volumes it will work fine for any centerfire rifle or pistol cartridge. If you are using larger volumes of .223 then a turret press may be in order to speed things along. I use a Lee Classic Turret press with the 4 hole plates. I can reload 100 rounds an hour without working at it at all, 120+ on the easy pistol cartridges.

If you want serious volumes of ammo, then a full progressive is what you want. They cost more $$$, but you can turn out hundreds of rounds per hour with minimal effort.


Mark

 

[umdiddly]

Thanks. I was hoping there was some sort of magic tool that could be used for both shells and cartridges... oh well. In that case, I will get started with reloading 12 ga slugs first.. seeing as they cost me 80cents per shell retail vs. .223/5.56 being super cheap at ~28 cents/rd.

I am reading about the benefits of roll crimping shot shells. Am I understanding correctly that shot hulls that are roll crimped can be reused multiple times, whereas star crimping destroys the hull?

And the Lee Load All you suggested looks great for me, as a beginner.

So to double check, am I missing anything out of my beginner's 12 ga slug reloading kit:
Lee Load All
Lee Slug mould
hulls, primers, powder, wad, scrap lead

 

[sunray]

"...hoping there was..." Nope. Two different technologies.
"...scrap lead..." Might be more difficult to find than you think. Even wheel weights are slowing being made out of other non-toxic matetrial.
"....223/5.56 being super cheap..." It ain't about cheap. It's about using the best possible ammo out of your rifle.

 

[Lead Loader]

Thanks. I was hoping there was some sort of magic tool that could be used for both shells and cartridges... oh well. In that case, I will get started with reloading 12 ga slugs first.. seeing as they cost me 80cents per shell retail vs. .223/5.56 being super cheap at ~28 cents/rd.

I am reading about the benefits of roll crimping shot shells. Am I understanding correctly that shot hulls that are roll crimped can be reused multiple times, whereas star crimping destroys the hull?

And the Lee Load All you suggested looks great for me, as a beginner.

So to double check, am I missing anything out of my beginner's 12 ga slug reloading kit:
Lee Load All
Lee Slug mould
hulls, primers, powder, wad, scrap lead

Roll crimping is nice, just another tool to use and buy, its easier just to fold crimp, I can get lots of reloads out of it, either way the heat and pressure makes the hulls wear out the same either way.

 

[rookie wildcat]

First, you can't do both of those on one press.

The cheapest way to reload the 12ga is with a Lee Load All. They work pretty well for smaller volumes of shotshells. I reload target slug loads on one and it works fine for me, but it definitely isn't a heavy duty piece of equipment designed for serious reloading.

The cheapest cartridge reloading press will be a Lee classic cast single stage press. If you are reloading small volumes it will work fine for any centerfire rifle or pistol cartridge. If you are using larger volumes of .223 then a turret press may be in order to speed things along. I use a Lee Classic Turret press with the 4 hole plates. I can reload 100 rounds an hour without working at it at all, 120+ on the easy pistol cartridges.

If you want serious volumes of ammo, then a full progressive is what you want. They cost more $$$, but you can turn out hundreds of rounds per hour with minimal effort.


Mark

Actually, the cheapest cartridge reloading press is the Lee Reloader. A simple, $35 "C" press. Easily capable of reloading .223. The next is the Lee Hand Press, $45. The next step up is the Lee Challenger Press, $60 (cast pot metal/aluminum, easily their most economical press). THEN, the Classic Cast and then the turret and then the classic cast turret.

Once you start buying the Classic Cast stuff, you are no longer in the "cheap" category. The classic Cast single stage press will stand up to ANY OTHER SINGLE STAGE PRESS ON THE MARKET TODAY AND STILL BE LESS EXPENSIVE.

I started with a Lee Loader. Moved to a 2nd hand Challenger that I reloaded thousand of .303 and .30-06 rounds on. I got a Rock Chucker for Christmas one year from family (hardly ever use it for more than pulling bullets). Then bought a 2nd hand Turret Press (not a classic cast) to speed up the process. I use a Lee Handloader at the range for the convenience.

Last year, after over 30 years of reloading, my wife bought me a classic cast single stage press, thinking it was the turret because it said classic cast. When I explained it, she went and ordered the right one and told me to keep both, Merry Christmas!