Reloaded... Reloader

[5ohguy]

I've gotten into shooting over the past year and absolutely love the sport. It's my version of Judo, Boxing, or Karate. I feel like the sport rewards me with entertainment, and also a feeling of self-reliance and confidence. Truly empowering.

The problem I have is with ammo cost and availability. I shoot 9mm, .45 ACP, and .308 primarily and want to get into reloading as a hobby and second for practical reasons... finding ammo sucks.

I don't want to rush into this and am researching like crazy, but I want input. I've also been stocking up on quality brass. I'm the kind of person that anally has to know what he is buying and why before he does it.

From my research and need, I'm looking at a single stage or turret press. I was recommended several products like a Lee turret press. With X number of pulls, it does all the required steps. Slow enough to see all of them, but quick enough to produce ammo at a decent rate.

Other things I'm looking at are the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit. A single stage kit I've heard great things about.

With the kits/press, dyes for three calibers, and extras I'm looking to spend 400-500 max. I want bang for the buck. I'm not interested in the best equipment or the ability to spit out 1k rounds a day. I want to focus on safety and quality rounds, especially for those long shots with my M1A. I want this to be a hobby, not a chore. I'm worried that kits sell you a bunch of crap you wont need, or you'll want to upgrade.

Would anyone be kind enough to help me out with some products? Thanks in advance.

[mjsweims]

You will use everything that is included in the rock chucker supreme kit. Very little fluff, except maybe the hex keys if you already have a tool set. The powder measure gives repeatable results. The scale isn't the best but it also gives repeatable results.
You will need dies and shell holders, powder, primers, bullets etc.
It is not a super fast way to make ammo, but it works.

[wellfedirishman]

Lee Classic cast turret is good

Ok, if you are starting out, and want to make a reasonable (not huge) quantity of rifle ammo, get the Lee Classic Turret.

I have one, use it for:
30-06
303 Brit
6.5 Swede
45/70
223

It works great, is cheap (about $150 for a full setup), and is foolproof. Just follow the directions, and use a good loading manual (I like the Speer loose-leaf one).

The Lee Classic turret will load about 125 rounds an hour, which for rifle is plenty IMO. If you want to load tons of pistol ammo, get a progressive press (I use the Dillon Square Deal which works great).

Here is a great review of the Lee Classic Turret:

http://www.realguns.com/archives/122.htm

Also, get Lee dies too, they are the best bang for the buck and make very accurate ammo.

I had to call their customer service once (I broke a part) and they were very good, mailed a new one no charge.

[5ohguy]

You will use everything that is included in the rock chucker supreme kit. Very little fluff, except maybe the hex keys if you already have a tool set. The powder measure gives repeatable results. The scale isn't the best but it also gives repeatable results.
You will need dies and shell holders, powder, primers, bullets etc.
It is not a super fast way to make ammo, but it works.

Thanks that is what I've heard for the most part. The scale isn't the fastest, but hey, in case sh*t you have a scale that works.

Thanks.

[NotEnoughGuns]

I've been very happy with my lee classic cast turret press. Not the tightest machine out there but it can put out some good ammo at a reasonable pace. You can load single stage with it too. and with in your price range even after buying other needed things lie dies, scale other little do-dads. I think it is a good machine for a beginner. I can get 200 rd/hr of pistol ammo if I'm really cranking, I load rifle in single stage mode. I hope to upgrade to a Dillion 1050 at some point.

[5ohguy]

Ok, if you are starting out, and want to make a reasonable (not huge) quantity of rifle ammo, get the Lee Classic Turret.

I have one, use it for:
30-06
303 Brit
6.5 Swede
45/70
223

It works great, is cheap (about $150 for a full setup), and is foolproof. Just follow the directions, and use a good loading manual (I like the Speer loose-leaf one).

The Lee Classic turret will load about 125 rounds an hour, which for rifle is plenty IMO. If you want to load tons of pistol ammo, get a progressive press (I use the Dillon Square Deal which works great).

Here is a great review of the Lee Classic Turret:

http://www.realguns.com/archives/122.htm

Also, get Lee dies too, they are the best bang for the buck and make very accurate ammo.

I had to call their customer service once (I broke a part) and they were very good, mailed a new one no charge.

Thanks for the reply. Both directions seem to have their advantages, but I'm leaning towards the Lee at this point.

I have to say, the Calguns community is one of the most helpful and mature internet communities I have ever been apart of.

[5ohguy]

I've been very happy with my lee classic cast turret press. Not the tightest machine out there but it can put out some good ammo at a reasonable pace. You can load single stage with it too. and with in your price range even after buying other needed things lie dies, scale other little do-dads. I think it is a good machine for a beginner. I can get 200 rd/hr of pistol ammo if I'm really cranking, I load rifle in single stage mode. I hope to upgrade to a Dillion 1050 at some point.

Thanks everyone.

[SLO_Ryan]

My advice is to see if there is anyone on here who is local to you who can let you use their setup. Maybe you buy the powder, primers and bullets, but use their machine for an hour or two. That way you can get a good feel for if the particular machine is what you are looking for, has good ergonomics, etc.

[ar15barrels]

First off, you are posting in the wrong sub-forum.
Try this one:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/forumdisplay.php?f=89

Second, read this tacked thread:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=158086

[tdc57]

If your ever in the OC area look me up and show you how a Dillon 550 works, you can get one (used) cheep (within your price range) I think you'll be much happier with it..

Anyway just a thought..

Have a great one and don’t forget to get / obtain at least 4 different loading references before you start your loads and always do test loads before you go into mass production, every gun and shooter is different and the great thing about reloading is you have the ability to make better ammo than you could ever buy..

Enjoy your new hobby and please feel free to pm if you ever get stuck or have any questions..

[Nessal]

The Lee kit is the best bang for the buck period. You use everything included in the kit. All you need is a die set, case length gage, and a caliper then you are set. All those can be had for less than $50. Tack on the cost of the kit and you are paying $150 or less. Then when you want to upgrade, you aren't out much. You can either keep the kit so that you can teach someone else to reload or use it as a backup. Either that or you can sell it. Best way to start IMO.

Also what someone else above is good wisdom. I always refer to multiple source for load data before I load for a new caliber.

[RogueSniper]

Lee is how I started. Check out their Breech Lock Loader. Single stage press without having to screw in the dies. Buy it from here, very good prices, as close to dealer's prices without being a dealer!

http://www.factorysales.com/

[Nessal]

This is a good kit. Better than the 50th anniversary kit because it gives you a tray of shellholders and uses the autoprimer instead of the safety.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=121744

[RogueSniper]

This is a good kit. Better than the 50th anniversary kit because it gives you a tray of shellholders and uses the autoprimer instead of the safety.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=121744

This allows you to prime the cases separately from the loader. Understand that the Shellholders for the Autoprime is NOT the same as the shellholder for the loader/ram. When you buy dies, the shellholder is usually included. The great thing is you can sit around reading or doing some else while priming your shells.

http://www.factorysales.com/html/xcart/catalog/primtool.html

It's a personal preference.

Challenger Kit

http://www.factorysales.com/html/xcart/catalog/rlpress2.html

50th Anniversary kit

http://www.factorysales.com/html/xcart/catalog/anivers.html