First time reloading equipment

[floogy]

So, first question here on calguns. Haven't moved to CA yet but will within the month. Been surfing the forums trying to familiarize myself with CA gun laws and such (live in AZ right now).

So I've been looking at all sorts of reloading information over the past month or so in preparation to start reloading after i move. I will be reloading for 9mm, 45ACP, 38/357, .300 win mag, 7.62x54R and later on 7.62x39 and 7.62x25. Mainly low cost target/plinking ammo with small batches of hunting/defense loads. Looking at casting my own bullets later on as well. What i WON'T be doing, loading 1000s of rounds for competition shooting and practice, creating sub MOA BR ammo, breaking new records for muzzle velocity, etc.

With all that in mind and info gathered I'm looking at the lee turret press. I will be loading a variety of calibers in relatively small quantities and this press seems very versatile while being a bit faster than a single stage. The price point figures in as well, since i will need several sets of dies instead of just one or two. I ruled out a progressive simply because of cost and the number of calibers would put me out of budget quickly. Priced everything out on Midway and (most) everything i need will run around $400. This includes even simple stuff like tumbler media and polish, powder measures, bullet puller, trays etc.

I am looking at the Lee reloading manual as a starting point since it looks like i will be using a lot of lee equipment. Will buy that before anything else. Don't need to know about your $2000 Dillon fully automated super press. Yes, i want one. No i can't buy one (yet). Looking for opinions, comments, guidance, constructive criticism, etc. Thanks.

[ejor]

the turret will work ok with the pistol calibers. to me it doesn't seem much if any faster than a good single stage. I end up doing everything in batches anyway,ie do one thing to all of the cases at a time, [till I got a progressive]. The lee turret seems a little light for resizing large rifle calibers, I would get a full size press,O' frame. lee makes one of those too. the rifle calibers take more force to resize the cases easily. most of the lee stuff is completely servicable. I still use my rcbs rock chucker for large rifle stuff even though I have a nice progressive.

[gottarollwithit]

So what exactly do ya need to know?
There's a couple threads around here regarding Lee turret presses. A couple of us have them and have expressed our thoughts on them. They work, but using it for a little while truly makes you want more machine. However, it is an excellent learning tool - you can learn each individual stage easily.

If you're serious about reloading and are ready to jump in with both feet, you'll find more satisfaction/speed/quality with other brands. The turret press will fit what you're lookin to do, but i think your estimate of 400 bucks is a bit low.

If you're lookin to just scratch the surface of this hobby and aren't really ready to take the plunge, Lee is the way to go. If you want to go cheap to just to try it out, buy one of their 20 buck single stage presses and some of their carbide pistol dies - it won't be the most elegant setup, but it'll do the job of showing you what you're getting into.

[CSACANNONEER]

Get a decent single stage press to do your bottle necked stuff. I have two Dillons and many other presses but, for loading bottle necked rounds I'll go with a single stage press and sometimes even my $25 Lee hand press. I would not recommend it for 300wm or 54R though.

[floogy]

Ok, looks like the turret is out. I'll be getting one of the lee single stage kits then. Once i actually have some time and money to go for a progressive i will. I don't shoot that much at the moment so i have no problem using a cheapie single stage. I still need to have enough left over to buy supplies once all the equipment comes in. Thanks for the input.

[Brasspolisher]

I'll chime in between clicking refresh on the AB962 thread...

I use a Lee turret press and resize 7.62x54 in it (not a lot, mostly shoot surplus, but bought 100 Win cases a while back for experimentation). The press is up to it for small batches, but make sure it's mounted well, your cases are lubed, and if you're expecting to reload a lot of 'em you might truly be happier with another option (such as the O press already mentioned).

Not that I disagree with the advice from the others so far, but there is one positive consideration for the turret press where it beats a single stage, and (in this one area) it's true over progressive presses, as well: caliber changes.

Spare turrets are only like $10-15, and you can mount all your dies for a specific caliber to a turret, leave them adjusted exactly the way you like them, and then change calibers on the press in about two minutes. If you buy a spare autodisk powder measure for each of your pistol calibers ($25-ish on eBay), you can switch even faster -- literally a flick of the wrist, fill the hopper, change the shellholder, and go.

One other note, floogy, since you mentioned the Lee reloading manual. This is just me talking here, and I'm not dissing the very comprehensive info in the book, but I find reading Richard Lee a bit difficult. He knows his stuff for sure, but he's all too happy to make sure you know he knows it, and that he's the only one that knows it -- almost always without providing much detail on why he's right and everyone else is wrong. I had a much better time figuring out the reloading process by reading Lyman (48 at the time...) cover-to-cover first and then re-reading the chapters for which I wanted additional info in the Lee book.

Hope it helps, welcome (soon) to the state, and welcome to reloading!



EDIT: Threads like this are gonna get real crowded soon...

[floogy]

I considered the caliber changes as well. It does seem much more convenient. However, if i end up getting a full on progressive down the road like a 550 or 650 the turret will go unused and i'll still probably still be using the single stage for some things. I won't be using the Lee exclusively, but i will check out the lyman. Thanks.

[Bug Splat]

I bought a Lee O-press as a starter kit years ago and never actually upgraded. To me its all about the journey, not the destination. I find reloading very therapeutic and relaxing and enjoy sitting down and resizing 500 cases and stopping, then a few days later trimming, then days later priming. The only steps I don't stop on are charging and seating the bullet. You don't want your powder just sitting like that.

I reload everything from 380ACP up to 6.5-284(3.24 OAL) in my little Lee press. Its just as strong as any other O-press and has served me well. I see no reason to switch. But, I would personally stay away from Lee's turret and Progressive presses. They feel kinda flimsy to me.