Minimal/Sensible Reloading Set Up for low volume single handgun caliber

[Cowboy T]

All the more reason to spend just a little more money on much better quality RCBS dies instead of the bargain basement brand.

If by that you mean Lee dies, then I'm guessing you've never actually used Lee dies. They actually work very well. I know, 'cause I use 'em all the time. Tried RCBS dies as well; no difference as to output, quality of ammo, or ease of reloading. I really do need to hand it to Lee here on that.

It's pretty weird you think setting 4 dies is some massive exaggeration... while advocating for a single stage press, that requires setting 4 dies.

I'm suggesting an efficient reloading setup is worth it. You're advocating for lee dippers. If people using lee dippers think I'm absurd, I'm 100% ok with that. lol

OK, you're absurd.

Just messin'. :-) Seriously though, the OP actually has to set three, not four, if using the flaring/charging die, which pretty much all the reputable die makers make. Remember that the OP is not busting out a boatload of .32 S&W rounds here.

Would you consider a turret press, such as the Lee Classic Turret Press, a good choice for the OP, given the OP's stated reloading needs? If so, why? If not, why not?

I use dippers, my dies are in bushings, it takes about 5-10 seconds to change dies.

I agree. I just got through developing a new ".45 Colt Magnum" loading using that new Accurate 11FS powder. Did so on the little single-stage, and changing dies really doesn't take long at all. Even Lee's original hex-shaped lock-rings make it quick and easy, and the newer Breech-Lock system is a piece of cake.

[Cowboy T]

Update - OK guys, I did listen to you. There was something of a consensus around a Lee Turret Press for my needs. At first I hought it was overkill, but I am gradually warming to idea of loading other calibers.

I ended up buying a Lee Classic Four Turret Kit at Brownells. I hear what many on here were saying about buying a la cart, but the cheapest I could find just the press was about $165 including shipping and tax (from Midsouth). Brownells has the kit on sale for $244 (before tax and shipping). They had a gift card promotion last week where you got a $25 gift card free with each $100 purchased and they also have a $30 off $250 promotion right now. So I threw in an extra turret for $11 to get it over $250. Net was the kit for about $200, delivered to my door. I have to believe the other stuff included in the kit is worth the extra $35. Imprtantly, the "other stuff" includes a reloading manaul. I thought about waiting till Black Friday, but with all the shortages recently, I figured I better buy when I spotted what I think is a good deal.

I bought two sets of RCBS dies, one in .32 and one in .40/10mm, from a fellow member. Heeding the advice of some on here, I decided to try to load some .40 first for practice, figuring it will be little easier to deal with than .32 S&W. Saved some .40 brass last weekend for my first batch. Longer term, I'm not convinced of the economics of loading for .40, but loading for 10mm makes sense to me, and I intend to collect every 10mm casing I shoot going forward.

I am working a trade with a fellow membr for some powder and primers. Just need to get some bullets now and I will be equiped to press the press.
If anyone has some .77 or 78 grain .32 bullets (.312 or .313) cast bullets or some 180 grain .40 / 10mm (.400 or .401) jacketed bullets they would be willing to sell or trade to help a noobie launch, hit me up.

Thanks for all the help and support, and for (mostly) behaving yourselves in this thread!



Thankks, Edgerly, really appreciate it. I am in NorCal so kind of hard to drop by, but I appreciate the support. So many great people on this Board!

Good choice, OP. You will find that, yes, the LCTP is rather a bit of overkill, but in a good way. That press will last you a lifetime. Good on you as well for including a reloading manual with that purchase.

Go here for an example of how to set it up and use it. There's a video series here specifically regarding the LCTP, and the now-wife and I made it exactly for newbies like yourself. This is her preferred press, by the way. We take you from A to Z.

https://www.youtube.com/user/sfliberal/videos

Nothing wrong with RCBS dies, either. All the dies by the big companies are good stuff, be it RCBS, Lee, Dillon, Redding, Lyman, Hornady, and so on.

[SandHill]

with the OP's little bunnyfart 32 S&W. [85 gr LRN @ 705 fps].

Pacrat, that is like a max power load for .32 S&W! The load data Elgatodeacero linked to starts at 77 grains at 471 fps. That is mroe like a mouse hiccup. My biggest fear is the bullets will be going so slow they get sucked back into the barrel and cause a squib! I am going to work up to the bunnyfart loads.

The "False Economy" part is when the new loader gets "hooked" and starts looking for equipment that will make the loading process easier, faster, or produce better finished rounds. It's kinda the same way that a drug addiction works.

That is of course the danger. Someone on another forum put it best for me. You don't save any money reloading. You just get to shoot a lot more for the same amount of money. That's starting to sound like a good deal to me.

[ar15barrels]

The next step is to master the basics, and hopefully Mr. Edgerly will be of assistance to him.

Mr. Edgerly lives down in southern california while the OP is in northern california.
I know this because I have the gate combo to one of Mr. Edgerly's properties where I cut firewood for both of us.

[ar15barrels]

If by that you mean Lee dies, then I'm guessing you've never actually used Lee dies.

My opinion is formed from using the few sets of lee dies that I have.
I have since replaced most of them but there are still a couple on my shelf that I need to get rid of once I replace them.

[BIGOX]

edgerly779 is a great Calgunner and much like me he's a human yoyo traveling up and down southern California.
Lee dies are great for the price but of course there are other options. I used to be able to buy Lee dies so cheap I would use them for under a year and sell them and at what I paid for them and keep the shell holders and dipper then buy a new set. Usually the shell holders and dippers got donated to new reloaders.