Poor Mans Reloading

[Calguns77]

OK: I have seen hundreds of threads just like this one where the guy wants to start out with Lee Loader and by the time the thread is a few days old he is convinced that he can't reload with anything less that a garage full of equipment. Cornfusion and frustration sets in and nothing happens.

I have been doing this for nearly 50 years . I started with a Lee Loader which I still have.

That is what you need to start with.

If you decide that you don't want to reload ammo you can sell the Lee Loader on Ebay for what you paid for it.

If you decide you do want to Reload then at least you have some idea of what you are trying to accomplish and can buy the things you need to go further.

All of this ancillary stuff people have been talking about won't affect you at the start, and Lee makes simple solutions for virtually everything any way.

You need the Lee Classic Loader. A Plastic Hammer of about 8oz from HF, powder primers and bullets.

This will get you started and teach you the "Basics of Reloading" Brass Ammunition.

All you have to do is follow the very simple instructions.

After you read the instructions you will be able to figure which powder and bullets you want to use, and go from there.

Don't get all bogged down in "Future Regret" what you asked about in the beginning will get you started. Once you are started then you can think about your future in this hobby.

Incidentally, I build the Finest Portable Reloading Press made , and I am not recommending it to you to start reloading with,,, cuz it costs twice what you have to spend and is unnecessary to learn on.

Randy

That is what you need to start with.

No. Try reading the thread. He's loading for an Ar-10. Even Lee says its the wrong choice and even If he was loading for a bolt action, hammering rounds together is the quickest way to get someone to lose interest in reloading.

Incidentally, I build the Finest Portable Reloading Press made , and I am not recommending it to you to start reloading with,,, cuz it costs twice what you have to spend and is unnecessary to learn on.

Interesting, please tell us more.


To be honest OP i think for just $17 more dollars the Lee Breech lock is a much better value than the $60 hand press kit. The amount of leverage you'll gain when resizing cases is worth it and i found my hand press to be a bit awkward and fatigue sets in pretty quickly resizing with one. Some scrap wood with a couple of c clamps and the single stage is plenty portable. Probably too late now.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lee-Breech-Lock-Challenger-Reloading-Press/731939.uts?

[mikeyr]

I think of the Classic Lee loader as for when the brown smelly stuff has hit the fan type of reloading. don't get me wrong, I have one for 9mm that i have had 40 years and when I got my 45Colt, I bought a Classic for it also, but I think you are better off getting the Hand press or similar if you really plan on loading. I did a few hundred rounds in 9mm back when i started reloading and quickly moved on to my rockchucker. The Classic works but its more a throw in the backpack when bugging out kind of thing (in my opinion)

[CSACANNONEER]

To be honest OP i think for just $17 more dollars the Lee Breech lock is a much better value than the $60 hand press kit. The amount of leverage you'll gain when resizing cases is worth it and i found my hand press to be a bit awkward and fatigue sets in pretty quickly resizing with one. Some scrap wood with a couple of c clamps and the single stage is plenty portable. Probably too late now.

I disagree. Comparing the hand press to any bench mounted press is like comparing apples to lizard tails. I love my hand press for it's simplicity and portability and would pay $17 more for a hand press than a Lee Breech Lock press.

[Calguns77]

I disagree. Comparing the hand press to any bench mounted press is like comparing apples to lizard tails. I love my hand press for it's simplicity and portability and would pay $17 more for a hand press than a Lee Breech Lock press.

Not sure how a hand press is simpler than a SS tbh. If you need portability and will be loading on the range I'd definitely go with the lee hand press or Buchanans press, but if you're loading at home it's not even close for me. Different strokes.

[CSACANNONEER]

Not sure how a hand press is simpler than a SS tbh. If you need portability and will be loading on the range I'd definitely go with the lee hand press or Buchanans press, but if you're loading at home it's not even close for me. Different strokes.

I have many single stage and progressive presses but, I can sit on the couch, by the campfire, in my truck, etc. and use the hand press to prep brass or run small batches. I didn't say the hand press was simpler to use than a bench mounted press, I said I liked it for it's overall simplicity.

[santacruzgunner]

The truth is is that it cost substantially more that a 100 gift card to get started. Save up and get the right tools best things you can INVEST your money in. Dont waste it on garbage being stubborn and cheap.

[Dnele928]

I started with a Lee hand press and their powder measure cups. I have these, plus a Lee balance scale.

I've moved up to the Lee turret press, so I don't use thes items anymore. If you want them, I can send them to you. Or if you're in the San Diego area, we could meet for a hand-off.

I'll send you a PM.

[Calguns77]

I have many single stage and progressive presses but, I can sit on the couch, by the campfire, in my truck, etc. and use the hand press to prep brass or run small batches. I didn't say the hand press was simpler to use than a bench mounted press, I said I liked it for it's overall simplicity.

Right on. I don't place value in any of that but it sounds like the hand press works for you.

[jtv3062]

I would use the money and get the hand press kit and a set of 308 dies. I started with the classic loader and it works great but you will want to move up quickly to something more versatile. You will want a manuel ( LEE MANUAL ) since you will have LEE equipment.

The hand press is the way to go

[W.R.Buchanan]

Well if you're going for a Hand Press you might as well buy one of mine.

I has several advantages over the Lee Hand Press the main one being you don't need three hands to operate it, and it will sit on a table by itself.
It also has more leverage than the Lee and will easily F/L size .308's without wearing you out. I have done hundreds with it as .308 is one of my most used calibers.

It costs a bit more,,, Like 4X more,,, but it will last a lifetime easily. It is a quality tool made for people who like nice things.

https://www.buchananprecisionmachine.com

Your entire Reloading Tool Kit will fit in a small tool bag.

Randy

[five.five-six]

I know OP has already bought some stuff but you can get a used rockchucker for about $75. That's how I got started, mine looked about 100 years old when got it 10 years ago and I still use it all the time. It sits right between my 2 550's and it is invaluable for collet pulling, load development and larger cartridges like .300WM or making precision rounds.


This is not a cheep hobby.

[CSACANNONEER]

Well if you're going for a Hand Press you might as well buy one of mine.

I has several advantages over the Lee Hand Press the main one being you don't need three hands to operate it, and it will sit on a table by itself.
It also has more leverage than the Lee and will easily F/L size .308's without wearing you out. I have done hundreds with it as .308 is one of my most used calibers.

It costs a bit more,,, Like 4X more,,, but it will last a lifetime easily. It is a quality tool made for people who like nice things.

https://www.buchananprecisionmachine.com

Your entire Reloading Tool Kit will fit in a small tool bag.

Randy

That looks like a great press. Is there any local retailer that has them in stock? I've never seen one and would like to.

[jtv3062]

Well if you're going for a Hand Press you might as well buy one of mine.

I has several advantages over the Lee Hand Press the main one being you don't need three hands to operate it, and it will sit on a table by itself.
It also has more leverage than the Lee and will easily F/L size .308's without wearing you out. I have done hundreds with it as .308 is one of my most used calibers.

It costs a bit more,,, Like 4X more,,, but it will last a lifetime easily. It is a quality tool made for people who like nice things.

https://www.buchananprecisionmachine.com

Your entire Reloading Tool Kit will fit in a small tool bag.

Randy

I don't see where your located on your Web site and can't find anything on Google maps?

[someoneeasy]

Well if you're going for a Hand Press you might as well buy one of mine.

I has several advantages over the Lee Hand Press the main one being you don't need three hands to operate it, and it will sit on a table by itself.
It also has more leverage than the Lee and will easily F/L size .308's without wearing you out. I have done hundreds with it as .308 is one of my most used calibers.

It costs a bit more,,, Like 4X more,,, but it will last a lifetime easily. It is a quality tool made for people who like nice things.

https://www.buchananprecisionmachine.com

Your entire Reloading Tool Kit will fit in a small tool bag.

Randy

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=582581

You keep plugging your product even though on calguns, but you don't believe in signing up and contributing as a vendor on calguns?

You mentioned you couldn't find anywhere to contact anyone about becoming a vendor, but a few of us have directed you in the right direction. Do you just don't want to sign up as a vendor or do you just not care?

[Calguns77]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=582581

You keep plugging your product even though on calguns, but you don't believe in signing up and contributing as a vendor on calguns?

You mentioned you couldn't find anywhere to contact anyone about becoming a vendor, but a few of us have directed you in the right direction. Do you just don't want to sign up as a vendor or do you just not care?

Before his thread got nuked he said he wasn't going to pay to be a vendor since there wasn't enough inerest on calguns.