best reloading kit for noob

[IrishPirate]

so i want to start reloading (pretty much for every reason you would think of to do so) but i'm wondering what is the "best" kit to go with for starters. here's what i want out of it:

-needs to be simple. i'm not going to use something complicated, screw something up, and end up blowing my hands/face off. SIMPLE

- i want to reload pistol and rifle rounds, maybe even shotgun too. (32acp-45acp, and 223-.308 and 7.62x54R)

- needs to be somewhat of a space saver. something i could do at the kitchen table if i wanted, or (most likely) on a small-medium sized workbench in the garage.

-needs to not break the bank. i'm looking for what you would consider a good quality reloading kit....and then the cheapest one available of that kind. (keeping it under $300 would be fabulous!!!!)

- it would also be great if you could add on to the kit later to make it more efficient, easier to use, simpler, faster, etc.....rather than having to sell it and upgrade.

if you have links, please post them!!! anyone who has experience with reloading and can help me decide on what system to use, PLEASE let me know. and if anyone has all this stuff for sale, PM me and we'll see if we can work something out. thank you!!!

[stphnman20]

Get your self a couple of manuals first..

Since you a beginner, you should get a single stage press to learn every stage.. Lee has a beginners kit..

[popeye4]

+1 on the manuals, learn about what you are buying first. I'd also recommend that you start with a single stage press, you'll always find a use for it even if you buy a full blown Dillon setup at some point in the future.

Lee makes interesting stuff, usually very inexpensive compared to the "green" components (RCBS or Redding). Some of it works, some of it is crap, but discussion of Lee equipment sure brings out the emotion! I started with RCBS gear in one of their kits (over 30 years ago), but would probably lean towards Redding gear now; Redding quality seems to be a notch higher these days.

Check out Randall's sticky, lots of good info here: http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s...d.php?t=158086

[C.G.]

One more +1 on the manuals. I started out on RCBS Rockchucker single stage, which I still use for developmental or precision loads, but I've added Hornady LNL AP almost a year ago. I don't regret buying the single stage first because I still use it and I gained enough confidence with it to eventually venture into the progressive. Mind you, I am self-taught, maybe if there were some to show me the ropes initially I may have gone with the progressive right off the bat.

[Fishseeker]

Was in the same situation a couple weeks ago but decided on the Lee deluxe kit plus some other things along with a couple of manuals, for my needs I am hoping it is a good start as I only intend on doing a couple hundred rounds of a couple calibers a month.

[Desert_Rat]

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=646599http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=646599
This is what I've been using. $289 + shipping

[IrishPirate]

I def didn't plan on just jumping into it, i thought they came with manuals...is there any specific manual i should pick up that will be the most helpful? single stage seems to be the best "noob" option from my research too. so now, according to the criteria listed....which one's best?

[Desert_Rat]

My Rock chucker Kit came with A Speer Manual.I also bought a Lyman's 49th edition and that is the one I refer to mostly.

[CSACANNONEER]

I will suggest going to a Calguns reloading Clinic in your area. We are trying to start them throughout the state thanks to mmartin! If you can't find one, you're more than welcome to come down to my place (close to Magic Mountain) on Dec. 12th. We will be teaching reloading basics for straight walled cartridges, bottlenecked cartridges and possibly shotshells. It is not as difficult and overwelming as it seems to be but, it's better and safer to have someone help you get started.

[IrishPirate]

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=646599http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=646599
This is what I've been using. $289 + shipping

if seen that one before. does it offer the ability to reload 7.62x54r and shotgun shells too? can you add on to it or upgrade things on it easily?

[CSACANNONEER]

if seen that one before. does it offer the ability to reload 7.62x54r and shotgun shells too? can you add on to it or upgrade things on it easily?

It is a GREAT press for 54R. Of course, you will need dies and a shell plate for each cartridge you want to load. For loading shotshells, you will want to get a dedicated press for each different gauge or caliber though. You can get a used MEC 600 jr pretty cheap but, for your first shotshell press, I would encourage you to buy a brand new MEC 600 jr instead.

[Desert_Rat]

^^This^^

[mjsweims]

+1 on the manuals for metallic.
You will have to get a separate set-up for shotgun. I would recommend the MEC 600 JR. It is a single stage reloader. Add a primer feeder later. You can get all the load data on the net. I was able to easily do 250 in a couple of hours.
I like the RCBS kit for metallic. I don't do a very high volume (about 250-300 per week) so the single stage is fine.

[MontanaRifleman]

Plus one for the Redding gear... especially when it comes to dies. The other stuff isn't that big of a deal, but get good dies - Redding.

You can get a lot of deals on Ebay, but be wary of second hand dies...

Mark

[Brasspolisher]

+1000 on every post in this thread (with a slight toward Popeye4; Lee is definitely a 'value' brand, and I've upgraded some items from their starter kit after a little more experience, but wouldn't go all the way to 'crap...').

One thing I'll offer that hasn't been said: If you're looking to load moderate volumes of a variety of calibers, check out one of the turret presses (RCBS, Lee, Hornady, Redding) -- they're as uncomplicated to set up and use as a single stage, but you can install all your dies for a particular caliber on one turret, tuned exactly as you like 'em, and then when you want to load a different caliber, just switch turrets (and extra turrets are pretty inexpensive) in a couple of minutes. (Some turret presses can also be sort-of-progressive, but if you're going to load a zillion rounds of a particular caliber it's probably better to get a 'real' progressive and leave it set up for that purpose.)

Another tip o' the hat to CSACannoneer about checking out the reloading clinic(s) accessible to your area!

And +1 for MontanaRifleman's point about avoiding secondhand dies: I got a 'great deal' on a set of RCBS .38/.357 dies at a gun show once, only to find out the sizer was trashed from running dirty brass (or who knows what-else) through it -- it would put seven or eight deep (deep!) scratches on every case. Dies aren't that expensive new, and (properly cared for) will last a lifetime...

And finally, good call on checking out the fascinating field of reloading!