Getting into reloading... so here is my shopping list

[Kokak]

S I have decided to take the plunge and get into reloading. After reading several books and watching multiple YouTube videos; I fell, even though I am probably wrong, like I have a slight grasp and want to check with the CalGun community to see what you think of my 1st reloading work station.

While I am on a bit of a budget, I am a firm believer in "Buy once and save".

Let me know what you think and what the strong points and weak ones are of the setup.

• Lee Challeneger Single Stage Press
• Lee Breech Lock Quick Change Bushing (8 Bushings)
• Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 45 LC
• Lee Auto-Disk Measure
• Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler
• Frankford Arsenal DS-750 scale
• Frankford Arsenal Dial Caliper
• Frankford Arsenal Impact Bullet Puller
• BLACK & DECKER Workmate 225

All in all, this should set me back about 350.00 to 400.00. I know I still have to add the consumables (primers, bullets, powder, tumbling media). But I think this is a complete list.

If anyone has better setup or sees any flaws in my thinking, please chime in and help me out.

[A.M.]

Get a turret or progressive press if you truly want to "buy once"-- the hornadys come with 500 free bullets too.

[Kokak]

I did the math on that as well... But it adds about another 300.00 to the total cost.

If I am looking at only reloading about 400 to 600 pieces a month I thought the Lee single stage would fit the bill.

But I am considering going with the Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive. But like I said. My math shows that setup to be around 700.00

[XDRoX]

IMO a single stage is never a waste of money. Every good hand loader needs at least one single stage on the bench.

That being said, loading 600 rounds a month will get old real quick on a single stage. 50 rounds per hour max, don't believe anything else people say.

If you have 12 hours to spend reloading, I think a single stage is a good buy. Even if you upgrade to a turret or progressive, you'll always use the single stage IME.

[Bunsen]

I would consider looking at an RCBS Single stage press over the Lee.

[Bill Steele]

IMO a single stage is never a waste of money. Every good hand loader needs at least one single stage on the bench.

That being said, loading 600 rounds a month will get old real quick on a single stage. 50 rounds per hour max, don't believe anything else people say.

If you have 12 hours to spend reloading, I think a single stage is a good buy. Even if you upgrade to a turret or progressive, you'll always use the single stage IME.

I agree with everything said above.

Having said that, you also might consider this kit. Add dies, caliper and components and away you go: http://www.fmreloading.com/Merchant2...oading+Presses Triple the output of a single stage press when loading handgun rounds.

On your list, I would ditch the Lee Auto Disk and upgrade to the Auto Disk Pro (big upgrade for little money) and also ditch the cheap FA digital scale, get a simple balance beam, with handgun you won't be weighing every charge.

[Clownpuncher]

Pretty much what I started with. I have a progressive now but I still use my Lee single stage for all rifle and "de glocking" my .40 brass.

I started with the 50 anniversary kit. Great kit. Personally, if you are going to go with a single stage get the lee kit. The powder drop that comes with it works great and you could scratch the auto disc from your list. If you're only going to load the 1 caliber, don't bother with that many extra bushings.

Check out the 50th here at Natchez. I've found them to be about the best price on everything I buy when it comes to reloading gear unless there is a sale or free shipping somewhere else.

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=LEE90050&src=exrbSrch

I'd still get the FA digital scale you have listed. The Lee one is the weakest part of the kit. It works but is finicky. I'd also add a reloading block as well. That way when you pull a piece from your pile of primed brass and drop powder into it, you put it in the block. It keeps it upright and you can easily check powder before setting a bullet on top.

http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=LY7728054&src=exrbSrch

[Kokak]

Ok...

1st off, thanks for all the information. This is really helping me a lot. So I have 3 different reloading setups for you to rate. My primary focus on reloading will be 45LC.

Kit #1

• Lee Pro 1000 Progressive Press Kit 45LC
• Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler
• Frankford Arsenal DS-750 scale
• Frankford Arsenal Dial Caliper
• BLACK & DECKER Workmate 225

Cost ~360.00

Kit #2

• Lee 4 Hole Turret Press with Auto Index Deluxe Kit
• Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 45 LC
• Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler
• Frankford Arsenal Dial Caliper
• BLACK & DECKER Workmate 225

Cost ~430.00

Kit #3

• Hornady Lock-N-Load AP Progressive Pres
• Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set 45 LC
• Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Case Tumbler
• Frankford Arsenal DS-750 scale
• Frankford Arsenal Dial Caliper
• BLACK & DECKER Workmate 225

Cost ~690.00

As time goes on, I will probably do other calibers but my primary focus will be 45LC for the 1st few months.

Thanks again for all the advice.

[ducati07]

I wish that I would have started with a cheap single stage to prep the brass, a nice SS tumbler, and a Dillon 550 to pump out fine quality ammo. I had to spend 3 times to realize that. Either do it right the first time, or save until you can. Don't buy that package deal crap unless you just want to spend all your time reloading with less time to shoot.

Go Blue and green....period.

Unless you just want to go cheap...go red. Old timers love it.

My 2 cents...maybe it's only worth that.

[Kokak]

I'm still finding it hard to swallow a 330.00 difference between kit #1 and #3 and if go with #3; I still have to feed the shells by hand. I am not saying it is not worth it, but what kind of difference in rounds per hour are we talking about?

[MIAMIbaseballer]

I'm still finding it hard to swallow a 330.00 difference between kit #1 and #3 and if go with #3; I still have to feed the shells by hand. I am not saying it is not worth it, but what kind of difference in rounds per hour are we talking about?

You'll be lucky if you can make 50 per hour. I make 500-600 per hour on my Dillon 650 at moderate pace.....

[Kurgan]

I love my Dillon xl650, but it is a pretty big investment. I'm not sure how much I have into it, but it's a lot more than you want to spend.

Nothing better if you are going to load multiple calibers, especially handguns. I reload 38 Special, .357 Magnum, 45 Auto, 44 Magnum, and 9mm. I'm going to start reloading 5.56 now that the prices and availability are getting crazy.

If you plan on only loading a couple of calibers, I see no reason to expend that much, but you should definitely look at some kind of progressive, rather than single stage if you plan on reloading the 6,000 rounds per year that you referenced earlier.

[the86d]

I can easily crank out 300-400 9mm in a hour on my XL650 without breaking a sweat.

I usually go slower with 5.56, but now that I have a swager for primer pockets, I have less ussies.

[blockfort]

I have a lee single and I have timed myself at 100 pistol rounds an hour. And I wasn't rushing. It just takes time to get your muscle memory down. I also recommend the digital scale over the balance. I hated that thing. But maybe spend more for a better scale, as it will help with rifle rounds in the future, and be more consistent on small pistol rounds as well. You can use the basic lee powder drop too. As long as you use the same motion, you can get within 0.1 repeatability.

I generally do a lot of work in stages. So now I've got a box of a few thousand primed brass of each caliber. Dropping powder, adding bullets and crimping is quite fast and I can do 250 easily the night before a competition.

[XDRoX]

I've never been able to break 50 rounds an hour on a single stage if you include all the steps, sizing/depriming, priming, expanding, powder drop, seat/crimp.

Here is me loading 100 rounds in 9 minutes which equates to approximately 667 rounds an hour (if I had the primer tubes pre loaded) on a 550b.