??? before getting into reloading

[Timberland]

Ok so Ive been doing my homework and am no wanting to start reloading, starting with .223, .45, and later .357, and .308.
I was consedering this Lee 4 Hole Turret Press with Auto Index Deluxe Kit http://http://www.midwayusa.com/epro...290&t=11082005
1. My first q is do the more expensive kits need this turret change to make changing dies easear?
2. I see some dies come in sets of 3-4 others single. http://http://www.midwayusa.com/epro...144&t=11082005On the above mentioned kit, do I do each step and then replace die and then continue process.

3. And the big question If I go with the Lee kit, what else do I need?

Im trying to keep everything sub $200 including kit and accesories to supliment the kit.

[Fjold]

With the four hole press you don't need to replace the dies. Get a turret for each set of dies and replace the whole turret when you want to change calibers. That way you don't have to keep adjusting dies all the time.

[C.G.]

Im trying to keep everything sub $200 including kit and accesories to supliment the kit.

Not going to happen for all those calibers, unless you buy it used.

I suggest buying a reloading book first(I highly recommend Lyman's). Not only will it give you reloading data, it will also give you all the basics and you will have a better idea what you are getting yourself into.

[Timberland]

Ya 200 is a lil low, but im more worried about what the kit does not cover. I know the dies wil add up in cost.

[schmud0811]

scrounge the for sale section, gunbroker ect... for used reloading gear. go to midway.com read reviews on intended buys. my best advice is buy the best you can afford piece by piece. that way you will keep all of your origional purchases. Myself i made the mistake of buying a lee press for mass producing .223. it was defiantly not up to par and sitting in a desk drawer in pieces while i am saving for a dillion 1050.

[Ugly Dwarf]

Save Up And Buy A Dillon 550B

I was consedering this Lee 4 Hole Turret Press with Auto Index Deluxe Kit .... Im trying to keep everything sub $200 including kit and accesories to supliment the kit.

Timberland,

No disrespect, but may I suggest you hold off on buying the Lee and save up for a Dillon 550B?

When my brother and I were getting into to the reloading game years ago, we tried to go budget with a Lee progressive and had nothing but problems with getting it to index and load properly. After many days of struggling to make it work, it went back and was replaced by the Dillon.

The 550B has loaded quite a few rounds for us over the years. Swapping tool heads is a breeze. The toughest part of caliber changes (not difficult mind you) is switching the primer and powder bars when going from little pistol to magnum rifle ammo.

The up front cost will be twice your current budget (~$400 with one caliber), but it works great and will last forever. It's one of those cases where you really do get what you pay for.

Perhaps someone else on the forum has had better experience with the Lee. I didn't see any references to direct positive experiences. Perhaps their product has improved in the last 10-15 years.

[Parag]

No personal experience, but from my scouring of the 'Net, the Lee "Classic" presses are apparently the ones to get. They have a single-stage and a 4-turret model. I think the kit linked above has the regular aluminum press rather than the "classic" iron one.

Several folks recommend the turret press for beginners as it is only slightly more complex than the single-stage press and only a little more expensive. It can be used as a single-stage to begin by disconnecting the auto-index and is still handy to have even after upgrading to a fully progressive press later.

I found an interesting review here: <http://www.realguns.com/archives/122.htm>

-- Parag

[xrMike]

See my post in this thread:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=48573&highlight=lee+classic+turret

regarding Lee Classic Turret. It's a great starter press. I'm loading .45 and .223 with it now. The parts list I give there will get you started loading .45. If you want to load .223 you'll need to get a few more things (better scale, case trim and chamfer tools). It is what it is -- a cheap way to load quality rounds in modest amounts.

[ar15barrels]

No disrespect, but may I suggest you hold off on buying the Lee and save up for a Dillon 550B?

When my brother and I were getting into to the reloading game years ago, we tried to go budget with a Lee progressive and had nothing but problems with getting it to index and load properly. After many days of struggling to make it work, it went back and was replaced by the Dillon.

While I fully agree with the Dillon suggestion, the OP was not looking at a progressive press at all.
He is looking at a turret press which is nothing more than a single stage press with an indexable die plate.
One operation per cartridge per handle pull.
He's obviously more concerned with initial startup cost than with production capability per hour or he would be looking at progressive presses instead.
50 rounds per hour is pretty normal with single stage or turrett presses.

[Timberland]

After reading some more I think I want to go with the LEE BREACH LOCK CHALLENGR KIT, just because I think it would be easer to take my time with, and learn the basics. Does anyone know or youse one of these.

[sava6e]

+1 for the dillon 550 if you do get a turret press id suggest doing it one round at a time till you figure it out etc and get used to reloading, ontop of the press, dies you need a scale, powder dump (unless coems on your press) primer seating tool (again unless its on your press), calipers, sometime soon youll need a case trimmer but that can wait, reloading manual, safety glasses, then your supples. how many casses are you looking to relaod at a time? i have a single stage press works fine for me i just process all my brass say 200 rounds then start dumping powder and setting bullets then crimping done i can do about 100 rounds an hour all 3 stages on my single stage press.

[supersonic]

After reading some more I think I want to go with the LEE BREACH LOCK CHALLENGR KIT, just because I think it would be easer to take my time with, and learn the basics. Does anyone know or youse one of these.

My buddy just bought one (I have a Classic Cast next to my progressive RCBS PRO2000), and all I can say is : IT IS WAAAY WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD....BUY IT - YOU WON'T BE SORRY!!!