Gonna take the plunge

[holahead]

Well I have been wanting to get into reloading for a few years now but was just kinda scared to get started. I know nothing about reloading and thats what has keep me from starting. I have been doing alot of reading and watching some demo's on you tube and I think I am ready to make the plunge.
I want to question some of ya'll who know more than I do to make sure I am headed in the right way. I have very limited space to reload. Thus I have narrowed my choices down to one of two ways to reload. To start off I will be reloading just the 30-30. I am looking at the Lee loader and the Lee hand press. Which one do ya'll think would work better for a first timer?
I will very thankful for any and all help. Thanks

[stimpylu32]

The Loader will work ok if your only using the loads in 1 rifle , with a few exceptions , as it only neck sizes the case's ( not the best choice for some pumps & auto loaders ) .

The hand press will require you to buy a set of standard dies like any other press  and not save you all that much room , but will make storage easier when not in use .

stimpy

[smith85619]

also, the hand press will give you a workout trying to full length resize rifle brass if you have a bunch to do.  You just don't have the leverage of a bench mounted press.  If you think you may expand to other calibers later on, it may be better to use that money towards a portable stand and a single stage press.  You could stick it in a closet when not in use.

[necchi]

Go with the press, I built my bench 2' x 4' and I have plenty room, my local gunsmith, (very good feller I might add) started with a 12" x12" area to mount his press, a guy at work has been loading for 40 years, he mounted his 1st and only press, a Rockchuker to a section of log,(read firewood stump) when he first started.
The press can/will give you much more control over the many variables, allowing more versatility.
Be sure to watch e-bay for used stuff, I got alot of my stuff there and saved 50%,,all was money back if not happy,,I'm happy
 I've got a little RCBS Partner press for 30$+12 shipping, and guess what,,I'm loading for that 308 just fine, haven't got a real accurate load worked up for it yet, as I've been spending most of my time with my other barrels in the limited time during winter, but it handles that size case just fine.

[Autorim]

I highly recommend going ahead and buying a good bench press. If you get into reloading you will ultimately buy one. I recommend RCBS or Redding. I started with a Pak Tool hand toggle type reloader about 1962 and still have it. I use it to prime all 30-06 cartridge head size cartridges. I then bought the RCBS Jr. press which I still have and use to deprime all cartridge cases - keeps the other equipment cleaner. I then bought the RCBS Rockchucker which I use to load all cartridges that are not shot in volume. I use the Dillon for all volume loading in 9mm, .38 special, .45AR and .45 Colt.

I love reloading, especially on those days when the weather is not fit for shooting. Take the plunge. It is very rewarding.

Ken

[ButlerFord45]

I wouldn't be without my lee hand press!!  It's not my only press but has become the one I used most.  Many hundred 30-30 and others.  It is a good choice, you'll always use it for one chore or another, the portability is something the other presses can't touch, it's cheap and works well.  The only reason these other folks don't have one is that they've never tried one and found out how handy they can be.   If you decide you like handloading and want to go further you'll already know enough of the basics that you can make an informed decision based on YOUR experience (this alone will pay for the Lee Hand Press with the money you save on buying stuff that you decide that you didn't like or need).  The Lee balance beam scale can be had for around $15 if you look hard enough, get one.  $50 and you're loading ammo as good as it gets.
Is it the most effecient way to load?  Of course not  but you'll not have spent the grand on a 650 either.

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

Gotta agree with BF45.
I started out with the LEE Hand Press. I've since moved up to bench mounted presses but still use the hand press as a dedicated universal deprimer.


Bill

[goodconcretecolor]

I started with a Lee loader and quickly moved to a a Lee Handpress which was my only press for more than 15 years. If reloading for lever actions, full length sizing capability is important and Lee loaders only neck size. I would recomend a scale other than Lee. I am a fan of Lee gear in general but tried the Lee scale and found it difficult to read, even with reading glasses. I have used a Lyman scale for the same 15 years I have had the hand press. A good scale and a set of Lee dippers will serve you well. I also recommend the Lee auto prime.
Good luck and good reloading

[holahead]

Thanks fellows for all the advice. I am sure ya'll will see me here alot once I get started.

[teamnelson]

Bought Classic loaders in .38/357 and .44 last year when I took the plunge. Rapidly switched to hand press and dies, and very happy. Tonight I reloaded 50 rounds of .38 special. Used a Lee magnetic scale. Highly recommend carbide dies, and I just got a crimp die for .38/357 and couldn't be happier. I don't have dedicated shop space, and reloading is more about stress management for me.

[Victor3]

 I started with a Lee loader in 38/357 and a Lee "auto prime." Also have the hand press, but didn't use it much before getting a rockchucker. One could get along forever and quite nicely with the basic Lee hand tools and a few other doo-dads. An electronic scale is a handy luxury item if it's in your budget.