reloading equipment advice

[Scibaer]

are the reloading kits worth buying ? i see kits by rcbs and others that offers "everything" you need to start reloading..  it this basically right ?

[greg916]

I started on a RCBS Partner press kit. It served me well. You will add to it in short order I'm sure, but it is all you really need to get started.

[quickdtoo]

Glenn,

It would behoove you to spend some time in the Handloading forum, there are several threads including a sticky on that exact topic, it's a topic that has been beat to death discussed many times.

Tim

[SM Bob]

Yea, what Tim said! The reloading forum has tons of great info. Check it out.

                                 Robert
 

[Scibaer]

ok, i'll do just that..thanks

[MS Mule]

In my opinion your first piece of handloading equipment should the latest Lyman Reloading Handbook. I believe they are now publishing the 48th. edition. It is a very comprehensive loading manual that will answer a lot of questions you will need answered before you purchase the hardware needed to handload. It is a standard recommendation that every handloader have at least two sources for load data. So it's not like you'll be spending money on a book you'll never use again. I personally have five manuals and also visit various websites for more loading data. As for the kits, they usually represent a good value as compared to buying each piece indvidually. I personally use RCBS and have had great luck with thier equipment. Thier warranty is outstanding as well as customer service. I have friends that are loyal to Lyman and some that mix and match. As to whether the kits offer" everthing" to start reloading, most will get you started. However, there will always be another gadget that you really, really, really need.

[Scibaer]

thanks. yeah i just ordered the lyman manual and a lee challenger kit.
thanks for your advice. i understand that knowledge is the first thing i need, and a few good maunals is number two.
 the Lee stuff is not the best, but what i can afford so i'll start there.

[aulrich]

My challenger packet it in 2 years ago, after nearly 20 years of service. when that happens or you can afford it just swap it out with the classic press

[Scibaer]

what? you only got 20 years of use out of it ? thats just nuts ! ... cheap crap !
 lol..joking.. i'd be more then happy with that, 
 i just plan to make some rounds for hunting and shoot tune up and  targets
if a 20 year life span works then its fine by me ...

[quickdtoo]

Glenn, keep the Challenger press lubed and it will last plenty long enough for ya, if it needs a part, Lee has it. I suspect that a lot of Lee problems are caused by lack of proper maintenance, probably the same kind of owner that drive their cars without changing the oil forever!!

If you want a chuckle, check this thread on a Lee Turret press.

Tim

http://www.marlinowners.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=19388&highlight=lee+press

[towpro]

I have read other threads like Tim posted.  After a 20 year break from reloading I had no 2nd thoughts buying a lee turret press.
Only problem I have found is I can't use progressive mode with the 45-70, overall length is to long and the bullet hits on the seating die as it comes out the die when the press tries to turn to the next stage.    What I saved is well worth the problem.

Oh, I forgot, the primer feeder will not feed the last 2 primers 

[superchunk]

i have have a few lee presses,i like them. they have cranked out thousands of rounds of quality ammo.

[Scibaer]

yeah, im kind of anal about tool maintance. im the guy who wipes down his wrenches after using them, lol ..
 i guess i have nothing to worry about then on the Lee press , thats good.
 i dont plan ( plan ) on loading 1000's of rounds per year. so i should be ok with Lee products and i have read that they have a great customer service too
 midway sent me a confirmation and they say my order will be here on the 26th.. now i just cant wait..
any recomendations on my first powder.. trail boss, reloader7 ?? something else ?

[Roudy]

Yeah, I had the same poor performance with a Lee turret press, bought it in the middle 70's of the last century and last year it let me down!  Just to spite Lee I bought a second Lee turret press.  I still have the original, wonder if I should just repair it....but then what would I do with two?

When I first got the turret press I set it up to function as designed and rotate the turret so that I got a finished round each time.  The first time I got a bullet stuck between the cylinder and the barrel on a revolver because I 'forgot' to put powder in the case I quit using the turret function.  For the last 20+ years I simply use it as a single stage press and actually look into each case to make sure it contains powder....it has become a habit now.

I still remember how difficult it was to get that revolver unlocked with the bullet stuck between the barrel and cylinder!


Roudy

[Scibaer]

well, i guess i'll need to start a regime of proper diet,exercize and clean living in the hopes i live long enough to wear out my press !
 it must be tough on the Lee company.. if they build a bad product , no one will buy it, if they build to good a product no one will need to buy another one, lol

and all the while they get a bad rap..
 the older i get the less i know..

[quickdtoo]

I orginally started with a Lee Loader for the 45-70, enjoyed that too much, and wanted to start loading for more chamberings, bought a Lee Anniversary kit, then upgraded to a Lee Classic Cast press, a real brute of a press in comparison to the Challenger that came with the kit, loading for the 45-120 was what prompted that change.

I weigh every charge, I didn't care for the Lee Safety scale, gave that to a new reloader here, Trapper Zach,  bought a used Lyman scale on Ebay, but that got old after not too long, I'm not long on patience, Mac talked me into a Lyman 1200 DPSII digital dispenser, and I've been happy as a clam since, it just beats the heck out of weighing powder on a beam scale. Since they offered the speed upgrade kit to the specs of the new DPSIII, it's been real smooth sailing even with magnum charges, it pours the powder while I seat the bullet in the last charged case, my version of "progressive handloading"!!

Then I got tired of setting dies up each time, so I bought the Lee Classic 4-hole Turret press and a dozen extra turrets at $7 each. I now have 28 turrets loaded with dies, plus one with a Lee Universal decapper die. Turrets have since gone up in price to $9 at Midsouth, but it's still a great way to load. I only use it as a single stage, I have enough problems doing one thing at a time without complicating matters!!

Tim

[Scibaer]

haha, you have your own porduction line going ..
 thats not a bad idea , i know you experiment alot , and shoot alot.
  i just got into this so i can shoot my 45-70 without selling blood and hunting for soda cans every weekend.
but i can see where having 2 presses would come in handy, taking some of the work load off a single unit and no longer having to swap out dies as often.
and for the cost of the press, maybe thats not a bad idea in general ..