Reloading Kit suggestions?

[blankenship_kevin]

I am wanting to start reloading and would like suggestions on good inexpensive presses and kits. I have considered a few of the Lees because of price, etc. Most of the reviews I have read on most of their kits are great. I am not looking for the top of the line progressive press or anything like that. I just want something simple that I can reload several different calibers and not break the bank. Here are some that I am considering...

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=423081#enlarge
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=121744
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=622290
I like the idea behind the turret press but according to several reviews it requires several more purchases for the kit to be "complete." What about the single stage kits, are they almost ready out of the box?

Thanks for your help!

Kevin

 

[Rod Snell]

It makes a huge difference what kind of loading you want to do. I just loaded several boxes of .270, and although I used a turret, I essentially used it as a single stage press to do one operation at a time in batch mode. Lube, size, clean, trim, chamfer, prime, charge, seat bullet.

I would rather be beat with a stick than load pistol ammunition on a single stage press, one type of an operation at a time. Why? Sheer quantity, and the fact that straight-walled pistol cases are made-to-order for turret or progressive loaders. Stick the empty case in one end and get a loaded cartridge out the other.
If you don't shoot much or are just starting, a turret is fine. When IDPA or USPSA set in, time for a Dillon.

 

[jcbarlow]

RCBS Rock Chucker is a great single stage press kit, lifetime warranty, and comes with just about everything to get started. If you are loading mainly for rifle rounds I would suggest starting with a single stage.

 

[bettingpython]

I have a lee pro 1000 for loading my .45acp on it delivers a nice consistent finished round everytime.

Rifle loading is a whole nother animal, I am adding a single stage rockchucker to my bench for depriming/ful length sizing pre load and for crimping post load.

If your going to reload milsurp brass in .223 or .308 you'll need to remove the roll crimp after depriming, the general consensus seems to be the dillon super swage to do that with, although RCBS makes a swage setup for there press it looks awful slow for high volume crimp removing.

 

[blankenship_kevin]

I would like to reload both pistol cartridges (mainly 45 and 9mm) and rifle cartridges and the largest will probably be 7mm rem mag. I don't shoot a ton... just want to be able to reload what I do and also experiment with custom loads, etc.

 

[NikatKimber]

I'd go for the Lee Turret Kit, your first link. Yes it requires more purchases, but all presses do, you have to buy dies.

What calibers are you reloading for?
I'll price out two. Say 9mm and .30-30. If you're doing pistol calibers and using the included Lee Auto-Disk, then make sure you buy Lee pistol dies, or buy the Lee Powder thru Expander die if you buy a different brand.

Here's what you need
Press - Lee Turret Deluxe Kit - $110
Tumbler - Lyman Turbo 1200 Pro - $52
Loading Block - Lyman 50 rd Universal - $5
Powder Funnel - Lee Funnel - $2.50
Dies - 9mm Lee Carbide 4 die set - $32.50 - includes shellholder

For each additional caliber:
Extra Toolhead (turret) - Lee 4 Hole Turret - $9
Dies - Lee Deluxe 3 die set - $29
Crimp Die (if wanted) - Lee Fact Crimp - $10

Total for two calibers: $200

You'll also need case lube for any non carbide dies, and media for the tumbler. There are a lot of different solutions for those, I'll leave that for a different thread. Other things I would recommend are small tubs or totes to put bullets and brass in as you're using it. Something else not mentioned here, is a bench to load on. How you solve that is also another thread.

**ETA - I have one of the older versions of this press, with the three hole turret head. It still works, and has turned untold thousands of rounds. I've loaded 2000+ rounds on it, and have it on loan from my father in law, who loaded who knows how many rounds, and he got it used from someone else. It's not top of the line; it doesn't compare to the Dillon 550 I have, but it's plenty of press for the money. And unless you get seriously into loading high volumes, you'll probably never need anything else.

 

[blankenship_kevin]

Thanks Nikat! That is the one I was thinking about. Other users suggested buying these accessories too. Do I need them?

Lee Auto-Disk Powder Measure Riser $7.19
Lee Auto-Disk Adjustable Powder Charge Bar $9.99
Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure $37.99
Lee Auto-Disk Powder Measure Swivel Adapter $5.59
Lee Safety Prime Small and Large Primer Feeder for 2006, Later Reloading Press $20.99
Lee Auto-Disk Rifle Powder Charging Die 22 to 30 Calibers $9.79
Lee Auto-Disk Powder Measure Double Disk Kit $10.99

Thanks!

Kevin

 

[Fyrtwuck]

Here is a link that may be helpful.

http://ultimatereloader.com/?p=480


This has videos of different manufacturers and reloaders.

 

[blankenship_kevin]

thank you firecop!

 

[NikatKimber]

You can start reloading without those things Kevin. I'm sure the pro-auto disk is better, but I use the standard auto disk and it works fine. I'm pretty sure you don't need the double-disk kit with the standard auto disk. If you are wanting to load rifle rounds with the auto disk then you'll need to buy the Rifle Powder Charging Die, but if you are loading rounds for precision, then you may not want to load them with the auto disk.

The Lee auto prime is something that I've heard the most complaints with of Lee equipment. I don't use one though, so I don't have any first hand experience with them.