best reloading kit for noob

[wellfedirishman]

For a beginner: Lee Classic Turret

I learned to reload on a Lee Classic Turret. I still have it, and still use it, even though I have a couple of progressives (Dillon, Hornady) for high volume pistol use.

You cannot beat Lee's presses, dies, molding equipment or anything for value, quality, and bang for the buck.

Here is the Lee Classic Turret press I use, I highly recommend it for rifle and pistol reloading:

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

You also need a digital scale ($20 from Midwayusa) and some case lube ($5 from Midwayusa)

Also, get the Lee loading manual for $13 or so, you need to read this and learn to load safely.

Edit to Add:
This past weekend I loaded 200 rounds of 45-70 on this press, took about 1.5 hours. I realize that progressives are faster, but for learning on and loading at a reasonable pace (not rushing) and checking each load individually, this turret press is great.

[IrishPirate]

thanks for all the great info so far...here's something else i'd like to know about reloading:

-how much would it cost to load 1000 rounds of 9mm? (cases, primers, powder, bullets, etc.) mostly, i want to know what's the cheapest it can be done for.

-how long would it take to load these 1000 rounds working at an average pace on a single stage press?

-how much do YOU usually reload of your favorite caliber before you stop and go shooting? basically, how much do you reload your stock to?

just want to get an idea of what it'll cost and how long it'll take to do some reloading. thanks

[RogueSniper]

Definitely hook up with one of the reloading clinics in your area.

I've got a Lee Progressive and a Lee Breech Lock Single Stage. They're both bolted to a portable loading platform I got from Midway. This is how I'm set up.

If you get the Lee kits, it'll have just about everything you'll need, except dies, a case length gauge, and a bullet puller - you're going to use this A LOT when you start out.

I really think their kits should include a load book. Kind of lame - how can you call it a kit w/o including load manuals? Whatever.

< $100 gets you a Lee Single Stage Kit

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

I like my Hornady and Speer manuals.

[stphnman20]

I use basically Lee everything.. Press, dies, etc.. Never had a problem with it..

[CSACANNONEER]

The cost of reloading 9mm will vary depending on the components you use. For me, I have plenty of free brass, I cast my own bullets from free lead so, my only costs are powder and primers. Both of which I bought enough of before the Big "O" price increases. I figure that it costs me about $25/1000 rounds right now. Obviously, it'll cost you way more though. The amount I reload depends on too many factors. I have done runs of 5000 rounds and I have done runs of 10 rounds depending on my needs at the time.

[Waldog]

Lyman makes the most COMPLETE kit out there. Lyman includes a case trimmer and a couple of other goodies that the others do not. Also, you have the choice of a turret press or a "Crusher" Press. The turret is really an nice way to go. I plan on getting one for my son.

[Darklyte27]

100$ gets you a LEE single stage reloading press with a hand priming tool, balance beam scale, powder throw.

crank out a hundred or two hundred rounds and call it a day.

2000$+ for a Dillion and go all out and crank out 1000 rds in an hour or two?

[Milsurp Collector]

-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!!!!)

Because you want simplicity, low cost, and you will be reloading several different cartridges, in my opinion a Lee turret press would be the best choice for you. Go to http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=814175 click on the Reviews tab and read the user reviews.

The money you save can be used to buy dies and extra turrets. The turrets make reloading several different types of cartridges a breeze. Keep the dies for each type of cartridge in their own turret, then just change turrets in seconds, no need to readjust all the dies. (BTW, reloading shotshells requires a separate, different type of press). It can all fit on your kitchen table.

[IrishPirate]

^^wow, great setup^^

ok, so those with experience, how would you compare the Lee press to the RCBS press? which one would you consider the more versitile and the more "solid" press?
it looks like the turrets on the lee hold 4 dies, and the RCBS seems to hold 6. does that matter?
when adding more dies and more turrets, which one is going to save me more money?
which one comes with the most usable parts.....basically, which one has the most stuff in the kit that you're going to actually use?

I can't thank you guys enough for all the help. you're definitely steering me in the right direction, i can tell. I've convinced my wife that reloading is the best way to go and now we're just waiting for the new house to be built and that $8,000 tax credit to come in so we can get a good setup. please, keep the feedback coming!!!!