Reloading press kit

[silenthunter]

I am new to reloading. As of right now i pretty much have no idea what im doing. I've done a bit of research online just to get an idea of how its done and what i need.

I will mainly be reloading 5.56, 9mm, .40, and .45 ammo.

I was looking at a few different press kits.

I would appreciate someones help in pointing me in the right direction.

here are the press kits i was looking at. Please tell me what you think and which one i should go with. any other tips would be greatly appreciated, such as other accessories i will need and what powder, primer, which bullets are good and inexpensive, and where to find good deals.

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=740033&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3D728426%26type%3Dproduct%26WT.tsrc%3DCSE%26WT.mc_id%3Dnextag%26WT.z_mc_id1%3D728426%26rid%3D40%26mr%3AreferralID%3D93c42081-fe82-11df-af68-001b2166becc

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lee-Breech-Lock-Challenger-Reloading-Kit/731940.uts

http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=740258&destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3D731940%26type%3Dproduct

[rsrocket1]

If you want to go the turret way, I would recommend the Lee Classic Cast Turret Press
over the Deluxe turret press. It is much sturdier and stronger, but if cost is the main driving factor and you aren't sure, the Deluxe will work fine.

My personal preference between the two single stage presses would be the Breech Lock Kit over the Anniversary kit simply because I like to prime rifle cases off the press, but with the Safety Prime system, you can deprime and prime in one step which is good for pistol rounds.

You really need to do some research (get books and read them) to determine what bullets and powders you want for your rifle and pistol rounds. It's a safe bet you will need Small Rifle primers for the .223, Small Pistol Primers for the 9mm and .40 and Large Pistol Primers for the 45 ACP. Some may say you need military primers or magnum primers for 5.56, but I found CCI Small Rifle primers to work perfectly in my AR (no misfires and very consistent ignition).

The Lee kits are quite complete. I would add a set of Calipers and a Kinetic Bullet Puller.. You can get a ditigal caliper on sale at Harbor Freight for about $10 or a dial caliper from Cabelas for about $25.

You of course also need dies. I would recommend the Lee Deluxe Pistol Die set which includes the Factory Crimp Die and probably the Lee Pacesetter die set for the 5.56. I recommend the Pacesetter die set because it has a factory crimp die instead of the neck sizing die which is in the Deluxe Rifle die set and while I never crimp .223, I would probably experiment with that before I experiment with neck sizing only for .223 on my AR. You could instead get the RGB die set, but then you'd have to buy a shell holder separately.

If you want to try out different powders, you can get 1# bottles of powder about as cheap as any online vendor locally here in Sacramento. Check out Sportsman's Warehouse in Rocklin or Discount Shooter's Supply in Citrus Heights.

[Fyathyrio]

Get "ABCs of Reloading" and read. Then do the same with a specific reloading manual such as Hornady or Lyman. Good info, I used those along with the internet to teach myself to reload without hurting myself...yet! Didja check out the stickies at the top of the reloading forum here?

What's your budget?

How much do you plan to shoot?

How much time do you have to dedicate to reloading?

Are you mechanically inclined or do you need somebody to stand by with a fire extinguisher when you use an electric can opener?

By answering those basic questions, you'll be able to get informed answers instead of folks telling you what works best for them.

[gottarollwithit]

A turret press is an excellent way to learn reloading, yet is still moderately fast. It'd also suit both of your rifle and pistol cartridge needs.

For pistol cartridges, you're not going to be very happy using a single stage press. Granted, you can do stuff in batches, but it's gonna be sloooow. It's really not ideal b/c you'll have to remove/reset your various dies for each stage in the reloading process. It also makes consistency more difficult.

With that turret press you listed, it's nice to be able to easily switch calibers. In 2-3 min you can pop out the turret, replace it with one that has preset dies, pop out/in the shell holder, and done!

Answer the above guy's questions and folks here will better be able to help ya.

[Enter_the_Dragon]

I've been reloading now for 7 months, after doing a lot of research - thru books & various forums, I went straight to a Dillon 550. If I was to do it all over again I'd still buy a Dillon. Just my two cents. No regrets!

[Waldog]

Nothing wrong with LEE equipment. However, consider this: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=646599

It's the RCBS setup and is on sale for a very good price. $289.99

The Rockchucker press is much heavier and easier to use than LEE presses and will last you a life time. Much of LEE is a plastic/polymer (powder measure, powder scale).

If cash is a problem, the LEE is a very good way to get started. However, you will more than likely replace some of the LEE item as you grow. The RCBS is a buy once setup.