Startup Kit Recommendations

[NorCalFocus]

so Lee can produce match quality and the hornady can produce precision ammo, but the hornady produces it at a very slow rate compared to the Lee if im following correctly.

Well im sold on the Lee classic, now like someone earlier mentioned it'd be cheaper to buy everything separately. Thanks so much guys, the amount of input shared in the reloading thread is amazing.

Pretty much. Again pistol rounds and blaster 223 rounds aren't usally loaded to match quality. So you give up the slow precise accuracy of the single stage for the faster production of the Lee.

I don't think your going to find everything seperate much cheaper than it is in the kit. But your welcome shop around.

[aspenvalley]

I just started out with the Lee Classic Turret kit last month and have got about 1000 rounds through it in 9mm, 40SW and 45ACP. It's a really easy press to setup and run. I use the following out of the kit.

1) The press
2) The Turret
3) The Priming system. This takes some getting use to. The small primers are more problematic.
4) The manual.
5) I only use the scale to verify my digital scale, but that is really only once every so often and my digital scale is right on every time.

Needless to say I really like it and feel its a great value. I like that I can have a batch size of one. If I have 20 mins I can sit down and crank out 20-30 rounds and then take care of whatever else I need to. I have not timed myself but I fell I could easily put out 100 rounds an hour of straight wall pistol rounds.

I am going to be adding 357/38 and 223 shortly, then 30-06, 243 and 7mm mag for deer season.

[RiskyBusiness]

I just started out with the Lee Classic Turret kit last month and have got about 1000 rounds through it in 9mm, 40SW and 45ACP. It's a really easy press to setup and run. I use the following out of the kit.

1) The press
2) The Turret
3) The Priming system. This takes some getting use to. The small primers are more problematic.
4) The manual.
5) I only use the scale to verify my digital scale, but that is really only once every so often and my digital scale is right on every time.

Needless to say I really like it and feel its a great value. I like that I can have a batch size of one. If I have 20 mins I can sit down and crank out 20-30 rounds and then take care of whatever else I need to. I have not timed myself but I fell I could easily put out 100 rounds an hour of straight wall pistol rounds.

I am going to be adding 357/38 and 223 shortly, then 30-06, 243 and 7mm mag for deer season.

I read that the priming system is problematic and was told to get a hand priming tool instead. how much did you get the Lee kit for? I've stocked up on cabelas gift cards so i'm trying to wait and see whats the best price i can get for the whole system. I'm in no rush but i'd like to start learning now so that maybe by summer or november i'll have already chosen which to go after.

[stilly]

Whats a great choice for someone starting out to reload? Best value under $500.

So far all i have on my list is a Hornady Lock n Load Classic Auto Charge Deluxe Reloading Kit for $247 and comes with 500 free bullets.

I also read that a lot of you like the basic Lee press and its just enough for your needs.

Who the hell put THAT documentary together? Michael Fatass Moore?

Bro who ya kidding. Go buy the Lyman 50th or Lee Modern Reloading 2nd edition latest made in 2016 Summer and read them, then come back please...

Do not give me that look; I said PLEASE...

Looking at the exchange above, this reminds me of NPCs talking in GTA San Andreas...

[NorCalFocus]

I had the hand primer system I hated it. Sold it and bought the Lee Safety prime that comes with the press. Its better, but my next step is going to be a deadicated priming station. So I'll just prime and bunch of brass after prep and then its stored, ready load when I want.

[RiskyBusiness]

Who the hell put THAT documentary together? Michael Fatass Moore?

Bro who ya kidding. Go buy the Lyman 50th or Lee Modern Reloading 2nd edition latest made in 2016 Summer and read them, then come back please...

Do not give me that look; I said PLEASE...

Looking at the exchange above, this reminds me of NPCs talking in GTA San Andreas...

currently reading the 48th edition.

[Calguns77]

currently reading the 48th edition.

Making Ammo by Kyle Lynch is a great book with lots of high quality photos. It does not contain any reloading data though. I highly reccomend it.

[SquidBilly]

currently reading the 48th edition.

Nothing wrong with the 48th. If you're reloading alot of cast bullets, Lyman, regardless of year, is the way to go. Most of Lyman's pocket data books are basically the same info as from the 48th manual.

I see from your previous posts that you're looking for efficiency abd value. Can't say thar a turret press is wrong. But it still depends on what amount of time you're willing to sit behind your press.

The turret will speed things up if you have all of your dies set up on individual turrets and moving from one stage of reloading to the next.

I'm not pumping out match ammo or high volume quantities of target stuff on a single stage. The only advantage I have is dedication to getting the amount I want done. That is probably the key, no matter what setup anyone is using.

[BigBronco]

So confused on the kit you mention and the price.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Hornady-reg-Lock-N-Load-reg-Classic-Auto-Charge-Deluxe-Reloading-Kit/1318445.uts

[wbunning]

So confused on the kit you mention and the price.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Horna...it/1318445.uts

Yup.. me too. The ad says $449 for the press, dispenser and the other pieces.

When folks ask me "what do I need to get started" this is the list I give them. The "minimum" list can be had for under $500 with the Lee Turret press.

Minimum:
Manual
Press with priming system
Die set with shell holder
Scale
Powder measure
Loading tray
Powder dipper (Included with Lee die sets)
Funnel
Case lube
Caliper
Tumbler/media
Bullet puller
Notebook
Components (i.e., powder, primers, bullets and brass)

Good to have in addition:
Chronograph
Case and cartridge gauges
hand primer
Primer pocket tools
More than one manual

[RiskyBusiness]

So confused on the kit you mention and the price.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Horna...it/1318445.uts

I apologize, the link i shared doesn't show the price drop from the new cabelas ad that starts later this week. Also doesn't reflect the discounts I'll be getting from gift cards and cash back sites. $257 would be the new price I believe.

[wbunning]

I apologize, the link i shared doesn't show the price drop from the new cabelas ad that starts later this week. Also doesn't reflect the discounts I'll be getting from gift cards and cash back sites. $257 would be the new price I believe.

Ah. That IS a great price for that gear, then.
I'm in the Lee Turret press camp for start up, though. I have that same single stage Hornady press, and it is rock solid. But slow. Electronic powder dispensers can be frustrating, but have the advantage of the integral digital scale. You'll still want some type of mechanical powder dispenser, I think, of you opt for a single stage press.

There are lots of videos on YouTube that demonstrate the various presses. GunBlue490 has a pretty decent series :

https://youtu.be/otWfYypzfAs

[RiskyBusiness]

Nothing wrong with the 48th. If you're reloading alot of cast bullets, Lyman, regardless of year, is the way to go. Most of Lyman's pocket data books are basically the same info as from the 48th manual.

I see from your previous posts that you're looking for efficiency abd value. Can't say thar a turret press is wrong. But it still depends on what amount of time you're willing to sit behind your press.

The turret will speed things up if you have all of your dies set up on individual turrets and moving from one stage of reloading to the next.

I'm not pumping out match ammo or high volume quantities of target stuff on a single stage. The only advantage I have is dedication to getting the amount I want done. That is probably the key, no matter what setup anyone is using.

From what I understand a single stage is great for rifle ammo but it's painstakingly slow for pistol. It's great for someone that shoots about once a month.

Turret presses can speed up the process and is good for pistol ammo as well.

Then there's the progressive press which just churns out ammo like popcorn but is the more expensive of the units. I'm really just torn between them all I feel like my bench would always be missing one no matter which I choose.

[RiskyBusiness]

Ah. That IS a great price for that gear, then.
I'm in the Lee Turret press camp for start up, though. I have that same single stage Hornady press, and it is rock solid. But slow. Electronic powder dispensers can be frustrating, but have the advantage of the integral digital scale. You'll still want some type of mechanical powder dispenser, I think, of you opt for a single stage press.

There are lots of videos on YouTube that demonstrate the various presses. GunBlue490 has a pretty decent series :
https://youtu.be/otWfYypzfAs

Yeah and it includes 500 bullets of my choice as well so I believe that's like an extra $30-40 in savings. But like you said it'll be slow. Would it be like 100 rds/hr? How are you liking the lee turret and doesn't it satisfy all your needs?

[stilly]

Why would anyone buy a lock n load classic? Total sleeper press.

OP, there are about 80+ other threads that people have started already with the same question as yours. Have you not read those yet?

Come on now. Stop trolling us here...