lee turrent press good enough for first time reloader?

[ocabj]

Get and read The ABC's of Reloading. This will pretty much cover all the basic aspects of handloading and then some.

Run through the step-by-step guide on the RCBS website: http://www.rcbs.com/guide/printsteps.html

This should give you an idea of what you'll need and what you'll want.

[ns3v3n]

sorry for all these questions, so a lee classic turret press, a set of dies, a scale, lee perfect powder measure or a pro disk powder measure, and maybe a prime feeder will do the job? i'm planning to get the modern reloading manual from lee soon, but just want to get an idea how it works.

[ns3v3n]

oh i forgot to say, thanks for the help to a newbie like me

[ocabj]

For reloading pistol, at the bare minimum I would have:

Press
Scale + check weights
Calipers
Reloading manual(s)
Powder measure
Dies + shellholders
Hand priming tool (easier to use)
Tumbler

If rifle, then add a trimmer.

[vega]

oh i forgot to say, thanks for the help to a newbie like me

Hey, everyone was a newbie once.
Where are you located, maybe one of us can help you set it up.

[ns3v3n]

fremont, california.

[461]

Books before equipment!!! Don't even think about touching powder and primers until you've read step by step procedures and preferably had a session with a seasoned reloader. Good luck, and please feel free to ask questions here often.

[ns3v3n]

ok, should i get the lee deluxe turret kit? or am i better off buying the classic 4 hole turret press and buy the individual parts?

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=622290

or

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=814175

with all the other stuff? i'm getting the modern reloading manual in the next few days, i just want to do some research before i spend my money on equipment . once again, thanks for your help guys.

[jmlivingston]

I purchased the kit a few years ago, and I'm happy with it. I don't use it enough to justify purchasing a more expensive outfit, and this does all I need it to do. Mostly I just reload 9mm and 9x18 on it, and it works just fine for that.

John

[vega]

ok, should i get the lee deluxe turret kit? or am i better off buying the classic 4 hole turret press and buy the individual parts?

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=622290

or

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=814175

I'll go with the Classic.


Before you do any ordering, call Lee and ask which other parts you need to complete the set. Make sure you get the new improved powder hopper and new priming system. I used to have the complete list but I don't know where I put it. I'll check in the office tomorrow. Before you know it you'd be buying another press. It won't stop with one, yeah just like firearms.

[ns3v3n]

you'll go with the classic because it's cast iron and not aluminum? i've been reading about that. people said if you reload larger caliber, it might break on ya.

[xrMike]

I have the Classic Turret, very happy with it, good beginner setup, and if you ever graduate to a progressive you will probably STILL use the Classic for doing low-volume, critical stuff.

Here's what you'll need. The part numbers are for Midway, prices shown were valid 5 months ago when I compiled this list:

-- Lee classic turret press, #81475, $74.99 (this was a sale price at that time; might be $10 higher now if not on sale)
-- Pro auto disk powder measure, #348753, $30.99
-- auto disk powder measure riser, #114080, $6.99
-- adjustable charge bar for powder measure, #150005, $10.29
-- safety prime (for large & small primers), #548630, $19.99
-- safety magnetic scale (to double-check the disk powder measure), #712103, $18.99

Comments on above items:

-- you will also need to buy die set(s) for your desired caliber(s). If you're loading straight-walled pistol brass, you should buy the Lee 4-die sets that include their very popular Factory Crimp die.

-- i included the adjustable charge bar because it gives you much more control over throwing an exact powder charge (versus the non-adjustable disks that come with the Pro powder measure kit; if that doesn't make sense, PM me and I'll explain it better)

-- the scale I included above is not a great one, but okay for beginning user to load pistol rounds with. if you're going to load rifle rounds for high accuracy you're going to want to get a better scale eventually (as I plan on doing)

-- the press comes with one turret. If you're going to load for multiple calibers, you should get an additional turret for each one. The sweet thing about this press is that once you get your dies all dialed in and adjusted for each step correctly, that's all you ever have to do. You lock 'em down and you're done with it. When you want to load a different caliber, you just put in the turret with those dies, and you can start loading right away. No time wasted figuring everything out again.

-- you'll also need some calipers to measure overall length (OAL) and crimp. Midway sells a good-quality digital caliper made by Frankford Arsenal for about $25 or $30.

I can load +100 rounds per hour on mine (.45) but I'm slow and methodical, measuring my powder throws/OAL/crimp every 10 rounds. I've heard of people loading 200-300 rounds per hour with these.

You can't go wrong with this press if you're a beginner. I'd have to shoot an awful lot more than I do now before I'd start looking at a progressive, although they are nice if you've got the scrilla, no doubt.

Edited to add photo of my setup:

[Whitesmoke]

I'd buy the classic too...That Lee stuff is fine for a beginner.

My only advice is this....don't waste your money on the Lee scale, spend a few extra bucks and buy a good scale (I pd $18 for my used RCBS scale on ebay). I used the cheap Lee at first...but it's a pain in the rear because it's not magnetically dampened. It bounces are forever before it settles down for a decent reading. A good scale makes weighing loads a lot faster and consistant IMHO.

[grammaton76]

You can't go wrong with this press if you're a beginner. I'd have to shoot an awful lot more than I do now before I'd start looking at a progressive, although they are nice if you've got the scrilla, no doubt.

Hey, I've gotta know - where did you pick up the word 'scrilla' from? One of the ex-mp3.com folks used to use that word, and folks just thought he made it up.

[vega]

That's the set-up (xrMike) that you should get! Watch the Lee video so you'll get an idea.

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/HelpVideos/videos/Turret%20Press/loading%20on%20turret-1.wmv