Noob getting into reloading..

[adramalech916]

Hello,

I am currently looking to get into reloading to maximize my ability to shoot and flex my spending. I am trying to be smart and not break the bank. I have been researching alot in the past couple days and I have found to be on the fence for my first press, a good powder scale, powder dispenser, calipers, and case trimmers.

I will mostly be reloading: 9mm, 45acp, 223/5.56mm, and 308/7.62mm.

I have read that buying one of the different "starter kits" will get me started down the right path, but I will most likely will be wasting some money on things I will either; A. won't use, or B. will have to replace with more accurate, or more reliable parts. So I am probably looking at buying the parts separate as my initial reloading solution.

For a press:
I was thinking a good single stage press, as I am not going to be shooting too much to validate using a progressive press. Is it better to have a 3/4 stage turret versus a single stage? From what I have read a single stage is cheaper, and a turret allows for more flexibility and less time consuming as a single stage but costs a little bit extra.

For a good way to measure powder:
I have seen a good old balance as a good way to go, but can be not as accurate as an electronic scale, however many electronic scales can be more expensive and not as accurate as they say they are leading to having to manually check them twice. Would it be good to splurge on something like a RCBS ChargeMaster or another electronic solution versus a manual scale solution?

For dispensing powder:
Lee and RCBS has some plastic powder dispensers. I do seem to have read numerous reviews stating that they are not ideal and would lead to overcharging and inaccurate loads. Would going with a more electronic dispenser be more ideal or is just splitting hairs?

For a good set of case trimmers:
I did like the Lee case trimmers which could be set as a stage in a press. Seem to be good way to go with that, is there any pros with going with a separate station that just does case trimming like the Horandy Camlock case trimmers? Does it make it more accurate, or is it negligible?

Thanks for any and all help I can get in this matter.

[highpower790]

Loading on a single stage will give you the greatest quality control.Use of calipers doesnt need to be expensive,any $15 variety should be sufficient.
I use the RCBS powder measure and while it flucuates +/- 2 tenths that is good for me as I shoot service rifle in the caliburs you mentioned.
For trimming brass I use Gracie Trimers setup with carbide cutters...makes quick work of trimming.,and for weighing powder a digital scale is a plus.

[24Sailor]

A balance beam scale is ideal....vs. the expensive electro ones. Get a set of grain weights to calibrate it.

Cheap charging dispensers usually work fine with pistol powder but are only good for pre-loading rifle powder to scale tray. A powder trickler will do the rest.

So now you can load everything but the .223 faster and cheaper than you will shoot it. But it still takes practice and experience

I use all RCBS gear ( my presses are 30+ year old RCBS Jrs.) excepting 2 sets of Lee dies (30-30 and 375 H&H mag.)

I have .223 dies but I don't own a gun to shoot the ammo out of.

I also have so much stuff reloaded after a one year frenzy 3 years ago, I haven't touched it since.

[adramalech916]

Thank you both HighPower790 and 24Sailor for your comments really helped alot.


I have compiled a parts list of things I will need:

Lee Precision Classic Turret Press Kit - Amazon for $224

Frankford Arsenal Quick-n-Ez Case Tumbler - Amazon for $39

Frankford Arsenal Quick-n-Ez Impact Bullet Puller - Amazon $15

Lee Precision Universal Press Shell Holder Set - Amazon for $27

Hornady 50140 Camlock Case Trimmer - Amazon for $72

Lastly I did look up and like Lee's shotshell reloading setup so I added this too the list:

Lee Precision II Shotshell Reloading Press 12 Gauge - Amazon for $51

MTM 50 round shotshell tray - Amazon for $5


For books I did add a bunch, maybe slim it down depending on if any are good:

Lyman Shotshell Handbook 5Th Edition - Amazon for $18

Hornady 9th Edition Handbook of Cartridge Reloading - Amazon for $23

Lyman 49Th Edition Reloading Handbook - Amazon for $18

The Beginner's Guide to Reloading Ammunition - Amazon for $10


Grand Total: $541.54 (w/ CA tax %7.875 local + state, and with free amazon prime shipping)


I still need to figure out a good die set for 9mm, 45acp, 223, and 308win. I did see that 9mm and 45acp has good die sets from Lee.

[highpower790]

Before you order check Natchez Shooters Supply And Mid south Shooters Supply .These places may have a lower price for your reloading kit .I have seen them listed recently for $276.

[XDRoX]

You can load 50 rounds an hour on a single stage press. That gets really old after like 50 rounds.

IMO no one should buy a SS press to load pistol rounds. It takes too damn long.

Skip the RCBS SS kit and get a Lee Classic Turret. It's one of the best presses ever built and can easily load 250 rounds an hour. And it has no problem loading 223 and 308.

I have owned most all the different presses out there. Currently I load on an RCBS SS and a Dillon. The LCT is by far the best bang for the buck quality press you can buy.

Your $650 grand total made my throw up in my mouth a little.

[highpower790]

Skip the powder trickler,not worth the money.Harbor Freight will will have calipers cheaper than Hornady and there both made in China.

[XDRoX]

I don't know where Rancho Cordova is but if you can you drive to San Diego I'll sell you a fully loaded LCT with every upgrade they make for $100. I think I have around $185 into it. I've loaded maybe 100 rounds on it. Probably closer to 50. I bought I simply to see if all the internet rumors where true. They are. It's a great press. I'll even through in some 9mm/45/223 brass for you

[nahpungnome]

I only load .45 ACP, but I returned 2 sets of Lee 4 die sets. The decapping pin bent inwards twice. After that I said no more and got a Hornady 3 die set and a Lyman taper crimp to crimp separately. If you get the Hornady set, they'll send you 100 xtp bullets for $6.95. They basically charge you shipping. I got them pretty fast. I totally dig my Hornady die set and have had zero problems with bent pins. They also include 2 extra ones just in case.

[adramalech916]

You can load 50 rounds an hour on a single stage press. That gets really old after like 50 rounds.

IMO no one should buy a SS press to load pistol rounds. It takes too damn long.

Skip the RCBS SS kit and get a Lee Classic Turret. It's one of the best presses ever built and can easily load 250 rounds an hour. And it has no problem loading 223 and 308.

I have owned most all the different presses out there. Currently I load on an RCBS SS and a Dillon. The LCT is by far the best bang for the buck quality press you can buy.

Your $650 grand total made my throw up in my mouth a little.

Yea the bottom line price is a more of a really big rough estimate. I am going to be dialing back the cost with switching out things with less costly things.

Sooo knocking off the calipers and getting a nice pair at like harbor freight, and removing the powder trickler takes off close to $43.


Modifying the list I had before I did take in account for the LCT is edited in my 2nd Post.

[adramalech916]

I don't know where Rancho Cordova is but if you can you drive to San Diego I'll sell you a fully loaded LCT with every upgrade they make for $100. I think I have around $185 into it. I've loaded maybe 100 rounds on it. Probably closer to 50. I bought I simply to see if all the internet rumors where true. They are. It's a great press. I'll even through in some 9mm/45/223 brass for you

Thanks for the offer. Where I live is above Sacramento on West US-50 by 10 miles. Which is pretty far drive from SD.

[stand125]

Lee classic loader kit is a great bang for the buck.

[adramalech916]

Before you order check Natchez Shooters Supply And Mid south Shooters Supply .These places may have a lower price for your reloading kit .I have seen them listed recently for $276.

So thanks for that. I did look into the website and it has some savings over some of the parts. However I wonder how much shipping will cost and how long will it take to get here. I did do cost analysis list below:

Natchezss Cost:

Lee Classic Turret Press Kit - $204$65

So drops around 24ish bucks off but again how much would it be in shipping and is it like 5-10 days to ship?

[adramalech916]

I only load .45 ACP, but I returned 2 sets of Lee 4 die sets. The decapping pin bent inwards twice. After that I said no more and got a Hornady 3 die set and a Lyman taper crimp to crimp separately. If you get the Hornady set, they'll send you 100 xtp bullets for $6.95. They basically charge you shipping. I got them pretty fast. I totally dig my Hornady die set and have had zero problems with bent pins. They also include 2 extra ones just in case.

Nice thank you for the information. Yea I rather get the better parts and spend more on dies than cheap out and have pieces bending.

One other question guys, is a Sonic cleaner versus a manual tumbler better? Are there good Sonic cleaners out there?

[highpower790]

Harbor Freight has sonic cleaners...but I would reserve use for the cleaning of gun parts.A good tumbler(lyman) has been all ive needed,but im not looking for the highly polished factory look.