Reloading equipment recommendations

[stand125]

If you are not going to be doing a ton of reloading then check to see if a Lee CLassic Loader is available in your caliber from Cabelas. Cost is less than $30.00 shipped, and all you need is a non maring Mallet.

[Cowboy T]

lots of people crap on Lee products because they feel superior buying the more expensive stuff, but here's a tip, it doesn't work any better. it's kinda like some guy at the bar whips you at pool with a broomstick and you've got a 100-dollar cue. who's the a-hole here? nobody. buy whatever seems attractive and is affordable to you. if you like the color, buy the color you like. if the features sound good, buy that one. as was said, everyone has their brand preference but it's mostly because people need the reinforcement that other people like their brand. anyhow, the basics, reloading manual, any press, any powder measure, scale, trimmer, i prefer a hand-priming tool, shellholding blocks, case lube, tumbler, media, brass, bullets, powder, and patience. take it slow and you should be fine. good luck!

+1 to this!

And definitely agreed on the reloading manual being your first purchase.

[Chief-7700]

If you are not going to be doing a ton of reloading then check to see if a Lee CLassic Loader is available in your caliber from Cabelas. Cost is less than $30.00 shipped, and all you need is a non maring Mallet.

Will have to admit that I started out with the Lee Classic load with a hammer a few light years ago. Still have one of the first 9mm bullets I ever loaded. Would I ever go back to the Lee Classic? Simple answer NO!

[bumpo628]

Based on your annual volume, you would be best served by a low cost single stage press. If you ever outgrow it, it will still be used for lots of other things. I would stay away from the kits since they usually include a bunch of stuff for rifle that you won't use.

Grafs.com is a good place to buy equipment since they only charge $5 for shipping. If they are out of stock, midwayusa.com has competitive prices and low shipping too.

Here are a few suggestions:

$22 - LYMAN RELOADING MANUAL 49th EDITION SOFT COVER

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/10641

$58 - LEE BREECH LOCK CHALLENGER "O" FRAME (PRESS ONLY)

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7987

$56 - DILLON SCALE ELIMINATOR TRIPLE POISE BEAM

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/3018

$24 - LEE PERFECT POWDER MEASURE (2gr-100gr)

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7550

$3 - LEE POWDER FUNNEL

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7654

$18 - RCBS BULLET PULLER POWER PULL (HAMMER TYPE)

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/12991

$20 - LEE AUTO PRIME XR HAND PRIMING TOOL

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7690

$18 - GRAFS STAINLESS DIAL CALIPERS 0-6" .001" ACCURACY w/CS

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5376

You have dies, but did they come with shellholders? Individual Lee shellholders are $3.69. Or you can buy a set of 11 pcs for about $28.

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/3395?grafs_vendor_filter=59&grafs_sorting_flydown=name_asc&_swat_form_character_encoding=%C3%A4%E2%84%A2%C2%AE&_swat_form_process=grafs_sorting_form&_swat_form_serialized__swat_form_process=auRBAfJoHpPQd2FWx7MVIQ|s%3A18%3A%22grafs_sorting_form%22%3B&_swat_form_hidden_fields=fDk71VXcXJddn45*bdDhwg|a%3A1%3A{i%3A0%3Bs%3A18%3A%22_swat_form_process%22%3B}

For such low volume, you don't really need a tumbler. You could always wash the cases with soap and water then just make sure they are completely dry before use. However, if funds allow or you get tired of doing it that way this is a good set. You can get cheaper tumblers for about $50 or even less, but this one comes with a media separator, media, polish, and a bucket.
$73 - FRANKFORD ARSENAL QUICK-N-EZ CASE TUMBLER KIT 110v

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/778

[ns3v3n]

Thanks for the info bumpo628, i'm looking to get into reloading too and your info helped alot. Altho i'm eyeing the Lee pro 1000 for the .45acp. Any thought on that??? it got good reviews on midwayusa.

[bumpo628]

Thanks for the info bumpo628, i'm looking to get into reloading too and your info helped alot. Altho i'm eyeing the Lee pro 1000 for the .45acp. Any thought on that??? it got good reviews on midwayusa.

The Lee Pro 1000 and the Lee Turret presses are also good choices. I would recommend either of those for people who have a higher volume than the OP.

I would get a different powder measure, though.
For the Pro 1000:
$39 - LEE PRO AUTO DISK POWDER MEASURE

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7855

For the turret presses (3 or 4 holes)
$26 - LEE AUTO DISK POWDER MEASURE

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7979

I use the 3-hole Lee Turret press with the auto index removed. Nowadays the 3 hole doesn't come with the auto index. I just use it as a single stage press, but all the dies are mounted in the turret and the powder measure is attached and calibrated. Everything gets processed in batches. When I want to switch calibers, I drop in the turret and snap in the shell holder. I have a separate powder measure for each turret. I use the cheaper powder measure, but you can use the pro measure on the turret with a little modification and it works a little better. When you get either of them set up, then you don't have to worry about it anyway. If you're going to buy one and share, then I would get the pro measure.

The Pro 1000 is faster and every pull drops a completed round. Conversion between calibers is pretty easy too. Depends on your preference. Someone with more experience with these can help you better.

[Paul_R]

I use an RCBS Rockchucker single stage. I replaced the die bushing in the press with a Hornady Lock-N-Load set up.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=858110

I have dies in every caliber I reload in L-N-L bushings so I just have to twist & lock to swap. Next best thing to a turret press and the rigidity of an O press.

[Cowboy T]

The Lee Pro 1000 and the Lee Turret presses are also good choices. I would recommend either of those for people who have a higher volume than the OP.

I would get a different powder measure, though.
For the Pro 1000:
$39 - LEE PRO AUTO DISK POWDER MEASURE

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7855

For the turret presses (3 or 4 holes)
$26 - LEE AUTO DISK POWDER MEASURE

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7979

I use the Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure on my Classic Turret Press as well. The reason for that is that the Pro version was designed for changing the disc cavities on a regular bases, whereas the "normal" Auto Disk wasn't. The only "modification" needed is the Auto-Disk Riser, and that's true for both of the Lee disc powder measures. And the Pro 1000 and Lee turret presses are certainly fine choices.

All that said, I agree with bumpo628 in that a good, inexpensive single-stage would probably best serve the OP for his annual reloading needs. 1,000 rounds/year really isn't a whole lot.

[ns3v3n]

Thanks again for the info.

The Lee Pro 1000 and the Lee Turret presses are also good choices. I would recommend either of those for people who have a higher volume than the OP.

I would get a different powder measure, though.
For the Pro 1000:
$39 - LEE PRO AUTO DISK POWDER MEASURE

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7855

For the turret presses (3 or 4 holes)
$26 - LEE AUTO DISK POWDER MEASURE

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7979

I use the 3-hole Lee Turret press with the auto index removed. Nowadays the 3 hole doesn't come with the auto index. I just use it as a single stage press, but all the dies are mounted in the turret and the powder measure is attached and calibrated. Everything gets processed in batches. When I want to switch calibers, I drop in the turret and snap in the shell holder. I have a separate powder measure for each turret. I use the cheaper powder measure, but you can use the pro measure on the turret with a little modification and it works a little better. When you get either of them set up, then you don't have to worry about it anyway. If you're going to buy one and share, then I would get the pro measure.

The Pro 1000 is faster and every pull drops a completed round. Conversion between calibers is pretty easy too. Depends on your preference. Someone with more experience with these can help you better.