need help on reloading equipment please

[sffred]

Hello fellow calgunners!

I've been contemplating on reloading now for about a couple years, and I decided to bite the bullet!

Primarily i would be reloading for 5.56/.223 and 7.62x51/.308. I also want to reload .45acp and .40s&w but that will be later(I have stacked up on handgun ammo for now)

I don't know if I should buy a turret style 3-4-5 hole, or a single stage style press?

I am around the $250-$350 range? Any recommendations? I was told a single press is best for match recipes, but a multi hole would make it easier and faster?

I've been considering the lee classic 4 hole, but since I'm recycling brass I need to purchase an ultra sonic cleaner also into the price so I'm kinda stuck here.

So basically should I piece up multiple tools for a single stage or go with the lee classic or any other recommendations?

Thanks
Sffred

[dbbspider]

U can use the lee turret as a single stage as well, so I recommend the lee turret.

[Cowboy T]

If you're going to be doing both handgun and bottleneck rifle cartridges, and you're on a budget, the Lee Classic Turret Press is absolutely the best way to go. It happily reloads anything from .25 ACP to .460 Weatherby Magnum. Cartridge changes are very inexpensive and quick 'n' easy to do.

[Darklyte27]

I started with a lee single stage, it takes time to do 50 rds from scratch.
I just got a dillon xl650, and it does 5 things at once. more if you have the low primer, low powder, powder check sensors. It cost me about 1350$ though with the auto shell loader and doodads, the benefit is that it will take probably 1/10th of the time to do the same amount of ammo or less.

If you plan to shoot 100-200 rds of pistol turret should be fine anything more save up for a auto indexing press so it will be as simple as cranking the slot machine arm.

Dont forget,you will need to buy powder, primers, bullets, tumbling media, tumbler, brass shine, case lube, dies for each caliber, case trimmer, calipers.

[john16443]

Agree with the Lee Classic Turret press selection, and the kit that has everything to get you started is about $200 from Kempf. https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php?...mart&Itemid=41

Comes with a set of dies, so choose wisely. I strongly suggest you upgrade to the Pro auto disk measure. Extra turrets are about $10 each and Lee die sets are under $40 easy.

Ultrasonic cleaner, that's an expense you may not need. Vibratory tumbler for under $50 should work just fine for you.

You can get all of this for under your $350 price cap.

For a slightly different kit that has EVERYTHING to get you started for just over $200 is the kit from FS reloading. That includes a scale and a Lee load book. With this kit you'll need to add a set of dies and a tumbler. Cheap calipers (digital or dial) able to measure to 0.001" should also be purchased, less than $20 on sale or on ebay.

[Cowboy T]

John16443 just gave you some very sound advice. Ever since Lee came out with the Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure, I've wondered why they even bother making the original Auto-Disk anymore. The Pro version is just that much better.

Don't bother with ultrasonic; it cleans cases well, but can be a bit of a pain. Vibratory tumbling will do very nicely and is what the vast majority of us use.

I prefer the analog dial calipers because I got sick of having to always buy batteries for the digital ones.

[Dark Mod]

I prefer the Lee single stage to the turret press, and heres why:

I find the turret process completely unusable, the turret press ended up getting used in single stage mode all the time, and its not as ideally suited for that. Theres alot more play in the moving parts, its bulky and the handle is left comfortable, the primer disposal system leaves much to be desired, and it just didnt feel as locked in to me.

The Turret press is currently banished to an unused corner in my garage, while my Lee single stage and my progressive get used constantly. The single stage press is just more ideally suited to the task, plus it was cheaper.

I also forgot to mention my problems with the auto disk powder measure but it may not be as big a problem for most people.

[XDRoX]

I prefer the Lee single stage to the turret press, and heres why:

I find the turret process completely unusable, the turret press ended up getting used in single stage mode all the time, and its not as ideally suited for that. Theres alot more play in the moving parts, its bulky and the handle is left comfortable, the primer disposal system leaves much to be desired, and it just didnt feel as locked in to me.

The Turret press is currently banished to an unused corner in my garage, while my Lee single stage and my progressive get used constantly. The single stage press is just more ideally suited to the task, plus it was cheaper.

I also forgot to mention my problems with the auto disk powder measure but it may not be as big a problem for most people.

Wow Mark, I've read a lot of posts on reloading forums in the last 11 years and this is a first. Most guys have nothing but good things to say about Lee's turret press.

I read so many good things about it I actually went out and bought one. I must confess that I've probably loaded less than 300 rounds on it in the two years I've had it, but i was entirely impressed with the way it worked. I never tried it in single stage mode, just turret, and it worked flawlessly, even the priming system.

Maybe a second chance is in order.

I'm pretty picky myself and after loading exclusively on a Dillon for years and then buying the LCT just for fun it met all my expectations and more.

[john16443]

If Mark is using the Lee Deluxe turret press, he is justified in his comments related to primer disposal, what a total afterthought. The Lee classic is head and shoulders better in this area. I have the deluxe, but still deprimed on my Lee Challenger prior to tumbling so it didn't matter to me. So far as play in the turrets, yes, there is some, but the overall results are very consistent when it comes to powder drop and seating depth. My volumes (300 - 500 per week) in two calibers convinced me to get a LNL AP earlier this year.

[XDRoX]

If Mark is using the Lee Deluxe turret press, he is justified in his comments related to primer disposal, what a total afterthought. The Lee classic is head and shoulders better in this area. I have the deluxe, but still deprimed on my Lee Challenger prior to tumbling so it didn't matter to me. So far as play in the turrets, yes, there is some, but the overall results are very consistent when it comes to powder drop and seating depth. My volumes (300 - 500 per week) in two calibers convinced me to get a LNL AP earlier this year.

Good point, I forgot Lee even made two different turrets. I have the Classic. I have read numerous complaints about the regular turret over the years.

[Dark Mod]

Not trying to rag on the Lee turret, i just think the anniversary lee is superior. This is only because i use the turret as a single stage and i feel the Lee single stage is superior in this regard

[latesvak]

I went head. First because I new I would like reloading . So I went with a lnl ap and love the heck out of it .after a while I did get a 30$ lee single stage but just for resizing and little jobs. But I am still glad I waited and saved up the $ for the lnl ap.


Latesvak

[Artsville]

drink the blue koolaid..........j/k

depends on the type of shooting you plan to do with rifle....if just plinking rifle rounds then i say go progressive....
i have a 650xl also....i run about 1000 pistol rounds in about 70mins with a partner...

but if you are a precision rifle guy then a progressive might not be the answer......

[sffred]

thanks a lot for the many replies!
i appreciate the help!
I pretty much think I'm sold on a lee classic 4 hole turret kit.
i know i have to purchase a 3 piece .223 die set, and a pro auto disk powder measure, i have a digital caliper, im also thinking of purchasing a cabelas case care kit.

is there anything else im missing besides powder, primers, bullets, and brass?

[roc_my_tims]

Bullet puller, primer pocket cleaning tool, tumbling supplies.