low volume reloading question

[ireload]

As others have stated - Lee kit can't be beat for value equipment wise. Component wise you'll save more in the long run by purchasing bulk (powder, primer, brass, and bullets). Powder Valley is my go to for powder, primer, and bullets.

I stared out with a Lee hand press. All of my reloading tools back in the days was stored inside a plastic tool box. Nowadays, I use the RCBS rockchucker. Heck I'm a low volume reloader too.

I do batch brass prepping -- clean, resize, trim, deburr, clean primer pocket, and bell so that way I always have brass ready to be loaded. This speeds up in some ways when you do the actual loading.

Do get a powder dispenser. It beats weighing the powder charge each time. Since you are planning to load one caliber at this time, you can leave the setting as is.

[Lead Waster]

I agree 100% with Bill Steele's suggestions! I'd add upgrading the press with hormady bushings adapter and bushings for quicker die changing.

Or lee classic turret.

[hairtumor]

Good and interesting post,1st tell me what apps did you test other than EQ if any others?if you use other then should be enhance your stage volume.

sorry, but I'm not understanding what you are asking.

[Javi]

I would stay away from the Lee safety scale and get a dillon eliminator instead. It is well worth the extra $.
The rest of Lee's pistol equipment should work just fine.

Is this because it's inaccurate or is it personal preference? I looked up the 'eliminator' and it looks a lot more straight forward and nicer looking then the Lee. I plan on getting the Lee anniversary kit but might sell off the scale for that Dillon

[hairtumor]

https://factorysales.com/html/xcart/catalog/pistol.html

what about this one if I'm just going to be reloading 45 acp?

[Divernhunter]

It is your money.

[gunboat]

I really like the lee turret -- I do not use the indexing feature though - a matter of personal preference.
The lee scale is accurate enough but does require some fiddle'n --
I prefer the standard RGB lee dies, again a matter of personal preference.

[Javi]

I would stay away from the Lee safety scale and get a dillon eliminator instead. It is well worth the extra $.
The rest of Lee's pistol equipment should work just fine.

Is this because it's inaccurate or is it personal preference? I looked up the 'eliminator' and it looks a lot more straight forward and nicer looking then the Lee. I plan on getting the Lee anniversary kit but might sell off the scale for that Dillon

Also, are there any worries to be had when buying a used(I'm told it's like new, wasn't used very much) powder scale?

[gunboat]

The biggest worry on a used beam scale is the condition of the knife edges.
Just visually check them and then the scale with check weights.

[rsrocket1]

I've been using the saftey scale now for over a year and developed many loads for .223, .308, 45ACP, 40SW, 38/357 and have loaded about 6k rounds (and shot about 5k). If you lack fine motor skills (i.e. couldn't fathom opening up your digital watch to change the battery or learn how to use a slide rule), then the Lee Safety Scale is not for you. You don't want to fidget with the little plastic locking button or read the vernier window every time you reload and a few times during each session.

When operated properly, it is as accurate as any other balance beam scale and 100% repeatable. After zeroing the scale, I simply set the 10's weight in the proper slot and adjust then lock the slide in the 1's and 1/10 grain setting and dial in the desired drop with my Lee Perfect Powder measure or Hornady LnL AP drop. They both work perfectly and repeatably with Red Dot, Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol, H335, Varget and RL7.

If you don't want the Safety Scale, don't expect much of a return on your investment. They typically go for $15-$20 on ebay which won't get you much closer to a 5-0-5 or Dillon Eliminator.

To the OP.
The Lee Classic Cast Turret reloader is probably your best choice for the price range, quantity and type of reloading you want for now. It will last a lifetime. You can go with the Deluxe Turret press which uses an Aluminum base rather than a cast iron base for about $100 less. It is just as capable of producing fine ammo, it is just not as "overbuilt" as the Classic Cast Turret. An autoindexing turret press is a good leap above a singe stage press and you can still use it as a single stage press by disabling the indexing. Your output will double and if you are loading a couple hundred rounds at a time, you'll really appreciate the increase in speed after your 3rd or 4th month of reloading.

[maschronic]

going shooting 2-3 times a month is quite often for most. i would spend a little bit more and get a progressive press. Dillon 550 is a great press.

you will not regret it. i promise.

[Bill Steele]

I've been using the saftey scale now for over a year and developed many loads for .223, .308, 45ACP, 40SW, 38/357 and have loaded about 6k rounds (and shot about 5k). If you lack fine motor skills (i.e. couldn't fathom opening up your digital watch to change the battery or learn how to use a slide rule), then the Lee Safety Scale is not for you. You don't want to fidget with the little plastic locking button or read the vernier window every time you reload and a few times during each session.

When operated properly, it is as accurate as any other balance beam scale and 100% repeatable. After zeroing the scale, I simply set the 10's weight in the proper slot and adjust then lock the slide in the 1's and 1/10 grain setting and dial in the desired drop with my Lee Perfect Powder measure or Hornady LnL AP drop. They both work perfectly and repeatably with Red Dot, Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol, H335, Varget and RL7.

If you don't want the Safety Scale, don't expect much of a return on your investment. They typically go for $15-$20 on ebay which won't get you much closer to a 5-0-5 or Dillon Eliminator.

To the OP.
The Lee Classic Cast Turret reloader is probably your best choice for the price range, quantity and type of reloading you want for now. It will last a lifetime. You can go with the Deluxe Turret press which uses an Aluminum base rather than a cast iron base for about $100 less. It is just as capable of producing fine ammo, it is just not as "overbuilt" as the Classic Cast Turret. An autoindexing turret press is a good leap above a singe stage press and you can still use it as a single stage press by disabling the indexing. Your output will double and if you are loading a couple hundred rounds at a time, you'll really appreciate the increase in speed after your 3rd or 4th month of reloading.

I could not have said it better. +1

[shadowofnight]

Redding T-7 turret press

What I would recommend as well, built like a tank...and can purchase spare turrets so you never have to change a die again.

[Javi]

The biggest worry on a used beam scale is the condition of the knife edges.
Just visually check them and then the scale with check weights.

It was an item on eBay that looked really good to me. Unfortunately, I didn't realize it ended today so I didn't get the $50 scale haha. Ah well!

I've been using the saftey scale now for over a year and developed many loads for .223, .308, 45ACP, 40SW, 38/357 and have loaded about 6k rounds (and shot about 5k). If you lack fine motor skills (i.e. couldn't fathom opening up your digital watch to change the battery or learn how to use a slide rule), then the Lee Safety Scale is not for you. You don't want to fidget with the little plastic locking button or read the vernier window every time you reload and a few times during each session.

When operated properly, it is as accurate as any other balance beam scale and 100% repeatable. After zeroing the scale, I simply set the 10's weight in the proper slot and adjust then lock the slide in the 1's and 1/10 grain setting and dial in the desired drop with my Lee Perfect Powder measure or Hornady LnL AP drop. They both work perfectly and repeatably with Red Dot, Bullseye, Unique, Power Pistol, H335, Varget and RL7.

If you don't want the Safety Scale, don't expect much of a return on your investment. They typically go for $15-$20 on ebay which won't get you much closer to a 5-0-5 or Dillon Eliminator.

Thanks for the post. I saw the Lee scale used in a youtube video and it seemed fine to me. Little weird to use with all of the lines but workable. I do dig the more cleaner look and operation of the Dillon, though. I googled some Lee prices so I would definitely sell it for $25 or so if I wanted to, no worries. I'm not buying the Lee kit for a while so we'll see what happens.