Two reloaders...Which one?

[BigMak911]

Why don't you take a reloading class before you buy anything. That way, you'll figure out what will be best for you at this time. I'll bet that after you find out how little time a progressive will save you with bottlenecked cartridges and how much more precise you will be able to load with a single stage press, you won't look at progressives right now.

Where can you take a reloading class?

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[bumpo628]

So, any of you guys with the lee kit have any must have additions or junk items in the kit that I need to know about before purchasing. Seems like everyone has opposite opinions on what to get. Lol.

Lee presses and dies are good, but their scale and rifle brass prep tools are not so much.

I would get the Dillon Eliminator scale for about $55 at Grafs. I've tried both and the Eliminator is worlds better. I ended up giving my Lee scale away to a beginner.

For the case prep tools, here are a few suggestions:
Possum Hollow Kwick Case Trimmer - http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tnumber=775644
Possum Hollow Chamfer and Deburring Tool Power Adapter - http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=295771
RCBS Chamfer and Deburring Tool 17 to 45 Caliber - http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=143728
Hornady Primer Pocket Reamer Tool Large - http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=176759

[Cheep]

La Mesa Collectables has reloading classes.

[ireload]

Kdsd as others have stated "batches". With me I have all of my brass prepped (cleaned, resized, trimmed, and flared) before the actual loading so I do not have to deal with that part of the process. I do my brass prep work during my "non-loading days". The RCBS Rock Chucker will serve you for many years.

[Cheep]

I have a Rock Chucker and a Lee Cast Turret and use them both. Categorically calling Lee "cheap junk" looses credibility points...

[One78Shovel]

I have a Rock Chucker and a Lee Cast Turret and use them both. Categorically calling Lee "cheep junk" looses credibility points...

A better choice of words probably could have been; "You get what you pay for"

-178S

[kdsd731]

I think I am leaning towards the RCBS. I think doing batches seems to be a good way to go. Any suggestions on accessories I may not be aware of that make life a lot easier?

[BigBronco]

I have a Rock Chucker and a Lee Cast Turret and use them both. Categorically calling Lee "cheep junk" looses credibility points...

Some of us use Snap-On grade tools and some buy tools at Harbor Freight.

You tend to get what you pay for. The only Lee tool I use on a regular basis is the priming tool. Take pride in your tools and your loading bench.

I scratch my head as I notice the posters name in the quote.

[Dark Mod]

I have a Rock Chucker and a Lee Cast Turret and use them both. Categorically calling Lee "cheep junk" looses credibility points...

Im with you on this one, i have a ton of Lee products, from dies to presses to trimmers, and they all work great with the exception of the lee scale

As far as bang for your buck goes, its hard to beat the Value of any Lee equipment

[kurac]

RCBS, I avoid Lee products like the plague

[MaHoTex]

Lee is cheap junk. RCBS is good quality but slow. Buy the Dillion BL 550 and add on as you get cash.

Dillion is overpriced. Lee is perfect for what this OP is looking for. Give me a break.

I will also agree with what a few posters above have said; get a different scale. The one from Lee will get you by, but that is about it. I got an inexpensive digital scale and I am happy with it. However, the powder measure is fine. It leaks a little of the finer powder, but it does what it is supposed to to at a good price.

[CSACANNONEER]

Where can you take a reloading class?

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There are shops in the bay area, LA area and Orange County that I know give classes. I've seen them talked about in this forum. If you are near LA, the reloading store at Angeles is one place.

[kdsd731]

How about these ? Lyman T-Mag II Expert Reloading Press and the Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Reloading Kit.

[Dark Mod]

How about these ? Lyman T-Mag II Expert Reloading Press and the Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Reloading Kit.

Ive heard good things about both the Lyman and the LNL, They are definatley the 2 underdogs as far as single stage presses go, youll find most people here have a rockchucker, its a very popular press. I have a Lee single stage, and a Lee turret, because im more budget minded.

I dont see many advantages with one press vs the other (except the heavy duty presses you can swage bullets in) so for me it was all about price, and Lee typically wins in this category

[Antihero47]

Hey KD.. looks like we're not too far from one another. Honestly, the Hornady Single Stage kit is a much better kit than the lee kits.

I owned the lee 4 hole turret press, the perfect powder measure, the lee scale, the chamfer/debur, case trimmer and primer pocket cleaning tools... They work but not the best thing to work with. For example.

Lee Press - Had issues - Think the top was canted
Lee Powder Measure - Leaked bad
Lee Trimmer - Worked Ok - Upgrade to lathe style asap
Lee Scale - thing was very finicky and never really trusted it. Had to zero it constantly to gain any confidence. Bought a RCBS 505 ASAP.
Lee Chamfer/Deburr - Eh.. it worked kinda. Felt cheap. Bought the Hornady tool ASAP.
Lee primer pocket cleaner - Small primer pocket cleaner was too small, didn't really clean too much.

As you can see, I wound up buying stuff twice. It will get you going but you want to move to better tools ASAP.


The Hornady uses the die bushings so you'll need to buy more for every set of dies you buy if you want to do quick changes. Otherwise get lock ring dies and lock it to the threads when the die is set and leave the one bushing in all the time. The Hornady powder measure is much better than the lee and are the same ones they use for the progressive Lock-n-Load which utilizes the quick change powder bushings for pistol and rifle. On top of it all it comes with a reloading manual.

Hands down go with the Hornady kit if you can swing it as you'll be way more happy you went with it in the long run. I wouldn't mind coming over and helping if you need it or want someone to help you load the first time.