Lee, Redding or Lyman- your thoughts?

[scootrd]

I am looking at possibly one of these 3 set-ups, Your thoughts

Lee 4 hole Turret Press with Auto index Deluxe Kit  109.00
Kit Includes: Auto Disk Powder Measure ,Lee Safety Scale,
primer pocket cleaner, cutter and lockstud, chamfer tool

Redding 3-Die 7mm-08 Remington set 87.00
Redding Powder Scale 505 Grain Capacity 65.00 (reviews I have read are Lee scale is awful)
Lee Rifle Charging Die 12.98
Powder measure riser 7.19
Safety Prime 14.99
Total (minus misc items)..  $296.16

or

 Lyman T-Mag 2 Turret press 339.00
    Kit includes:
Universal Trimmer with Expanded Pilot Multi-pack , 1000XP Electronic Scale, #55 Powder Measure
Universal Priming Arm, Primer Tray, Auto Primer Feed, Extra Decapping Pins, 48th Edition Reloading Handbook
Primer Catcher,Deburring Tool,Powder Funnel,Case Lube Kit, Quick Release Turret System,7/8" x 14 Adapter
(mounts #55 powder measure in press turret)
Redding 3-Die 7mm-08 Remington set 87.00
Shell holder x-2  7.00
Total minus misc items  $ 433.00

or

Redding T-7 Turret Press  224.00
Redding  3-Die 7mm-08 Remington set 87.00
Redding 3 Powder Measure with Universal Metering Chamber 117.00
Redding Powder Scale 505 Grain Capacity 65.00
Redding 2400 Case Trimmer 137.00
Total minus misc items  $ 630.00

[Tom W.]

How much do you want to spend? Are you going to stick with the program? I'd get the Redding press, case trimmer,  dies, and  a Pact electronic scale, plus other mix and match to whatever suited me. I'm not really fond of Lyman stuff, except their manuals, no reason, Just prefer RCBS and Redding, mostly...Altho the Lyman set up that you have listed sure looks good....

[KyBeast]

I would get the Lee kit with the Redding powder scale.  Why spend all that money?  I agree, the Lee scales aren't all that... even Lee himself in his reloading book kinda looks down on his own scale.

[Savage]

Kind of a "No Brainer" for me. I'd go with the Lee Turret, and pick up a used Lyman/Redding/RCBS scale. I'd heep the Lee scale for a backup.
Savage

[wncchester]

Seems you will be loading for the 7-08?   If so, no turret is likely to offer you any advantage.  And kits only offer a bit of a cost advantage IF you stick with the kit contents.  Seems you are smart enough to avoid that.   

Let me suggest:

Lyman Loading Manual.

Dies: Any conventional dies; Lyman, RCBS, even Lee (the Delux set includes a shell holder AND a neck die)  rather than the expensive Reddings because it's highly unlikely you will see any advantage to them for a few years.  Conventional dies are quite good!  Later, IF you still want to go that route, you will have the experiece to make your own choices rather than relying on web/catalog reviews and recommendations.

Lee Factory Crimp Die (IF you really WANT to crimp your rifle ammo - we rarely do that but, sometimes... yeah.)
Lee Classic Cast (all iron/steel) single stage press.
Lee AutoPrime ( + a dedicated shell holder for it. Keep it lubed, don't try to push the primers too deep.)
Redding or RCBS beam type powder scale (any of them will do nicely).
Redding Mod. 3 powder scale and stand + a sturdy Redding powder trickler.
RCBS Precision Case Mic OR the Hornady LnL case and seating length tools.
RCBS hammer/impact type bullet puller.
RCBS Stuck Case Remover
Lyman Universal Case Trimmer + a Lyman or RCBS debur tool.
MidwayUSA OR Harbor Freight 6" stainless steel dial caliper.
Midway or Cabela's vib. type case tumbler (nut or corn media; any polish, including Nu-Finish auto polish)
MidwayUSA's case neck lube kit with the (clean) dry, mica lube
Imperial Die Wax OR Hornady's Unique Case Lube.  (NOT a nasty case lube pad or spray!)
Loading blocks (2 each)... any type that will take your cartridges
Powder funnel ... any brand
Primer Pocket Cleaner tool ... any, including a screw driver ground to fit

All of these are quality tools that function quite well and offer the best bang for the buck, all will do well for any level of experience.  IMHO.


Later, for most critical reloading, you may want to add a primer pocket uniformer (Lyman), a flash hole uniformer (RCBS), hand operated neck turner (Forster HOT-100), a cheaper digital type scale ONLY for weighing cases, etc.

Finally, only IF you want to load in excess of perhaps 200 hand gun rounds at a time, one of the Lee four hole auto-index turrets would be good.  Or, if you want to load maybe 500 + at a time, get a Dillion or Hornady LnL AP press.  Otherwise, any type of turret press will really do nothing for you.

[Savage]

Missed the 7mm/08 thing. While the turret press will do a decent job loading rifle calibers, it offers no real advantage over a single stage in that application. I got into reloading by buying equipment piece by piece. That's still a good way to do it. All the major manufacturers of reloading equipment have good stuff to offer.
Savage

[goodconcretecolor]

I am a big fan of Lee equipment with the exception of their scale. I have used a Lyman scale for more than 20 years and tried a Lee scale and it collected dust until it got knocked off the shelf and broke and I threw it away. My scale is theONLY piece of non-Lee equipment I use regularly. I have an RCBS small base die for .243 win. a hammer type bullet-puller and a case lubing kit. Unless you are in benchrest competitions, anything more expensive is overkill. IMHO

[scootrd]

I'm really considering a Turret design Press.
I have a 7mm-08, S &W 357 , 30-06, and am about to be purchase a .223 for my wife, and a CDL SF (Haven't decided Caliber) for myself.

Hence the 3 choices

• Lee 4 hole Turret Press with Auto index Deluxe Kit  109.00
• Redding T-7 Turret Press  224.00
• Lyman T-Mag 2 Turret press 339.00

Additionally, though I do not want to go - overboard , I also am not one to invest in equipment only to have to graduate a few years later into another purchase because the first purchase did not meet my future needs. I would rather invest in quality equipment up front one time.

[helotaxi]

I have a turret press that I started off with (Lyman T-mag2).  It worked great for pistols and that is all I use it for anymore.  It just didn't cut it for rifle.  The turret area would flex more than I liked.  Bought a Lee Breechlock single stage and it does all my rifle loading now.  If I had it to do again, I'd have gotten the Lee press or a Hornady Lock-n-load from the beginning and never bothered with the turret.  The Lee Breechlock and the Hornady Lock-n-load presses use quick change bushings to make die changes almost as fast as with a turret but in a much more sturdy press.  At some point I might get a progressive but the turret hasn't provided any benefit to me.

[wncchester]

"I'm really considering a Turret design Press.... I do not want to go - overboard , I also am not one to invest in equipment only to have to graduate a few years later into another purchase because the first purchase did not meet my future needs. I would rather invest in quality equipment up front one time."

That's what I suggested, considering the quality and utility of each item/brand the first time.  I've used a LOT of reloading tools over the past 48 years.  You will note that I am not tied to any brand, that list is not exactly what I have now but it IS most of what I would buy if I had to replace all my gear tomorrow. 

You should understand that moving to a turret is NOT a step up, it's simply a step sideways.  A turret loses a measure of "quality" of the ammo to attain slightly more volume in a given time and, unless it's an auto-index turret, you won't even gain much time.   A conventional turret does not give you the 'best of both worlds", it generally  gives you the worst of both worlds between a single stage and a progressive.  My old six hole Lyman turret is a good one but it has seen very little use over the twenty + years since I got a good single stage.

A quality single stage press will NEVER be out grown or useless, even if you later add a progressive. 

[John R.]

I'm not a big fan of Lee (there's nothing in my reloading room with Lee on it). I've always used RCBS or Redding and have had excellent results. I also bought my equipment piece by piece over the years.

[Savage]

Simple answer:  Of the presses you are considering, without a doubt, the Lee is the best bang for the buck. I've owned a Llyman "T" Mag, good press but the design of the Lee is miles ahead, IMO.
Savage

[KyBeast]

I myself am just getting into reloading.  But all the veteran reloaders I work with strongly urged that I get a Lee Classic Cast press, with the Hornady lock-n-load conversion kit, a Lee Perfect Powder measure, and a Redding or RCBS beam scale (when I move up in experience from Lee Dippers).  I loaded 200 .38spl rounds in about an hour and a half... not bad with Lee Dippers mind you!   And with that press I have the capability of loading everything except a .50 BMG (but I could with a different conversion bushing).

The Classic Cast press is about the strongest press out there, and it's pretty much the easiest on your wallet too.  If you're loading rifle rounds, I wouldn't go with a progressive press.  You're not loading THAT many rounds (lotta .223 maybe for an AR) so why spend the cash for a progressive or turret press when a Lee Classic w/ Lock-n-Load conversion is just as easy as a turret and stronger than a progressive?  Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast!

Now if you're the type of fella that wants 20 clips for every weapon just in case Zombies attack, then all I would say to that is... good luck finding the powder and primers!! 

[wncchester]

"I'm not a big fan of Lee (there's nothing in my reloading room with Lee on it)."

John, just curious, what Lee equipment have you tried and how did it fall short for you?

[LaOtto222]

I started with a Lee Kit for the 22 Hornet, then I added a 222 Remington to the mix. I then decided to go the whole nine yards and bought a RCBS Rock Chucker. That was 25+ years ago. I am still loading with the old Rock Chucker. I load for 3 223, 4 44 Mags, 2 357 (one is a max now),  2 30-30, 444 Marlin, a couple of 221 Fireballs, 3 22 Hornets and 222. I thought about getting a Turret Press, and decided the Redding T-7 was the only one worth having - but then decided that the Rock Chucker was still putting out quality ammo and I did not have to spend a dime for it. I enjoy the reloading process, so a lot of speed is not needed for me. I have and do use every manufacture's dies. I am most partial to the Redding dies that are the precision type(expensive, but good). I also for the money think the Honady dies are an outstanding buy. I usually get Lee for the carbide pistol die and the collet dies for the rifle necks. Any of the set-ups you mentioned are going to be satisfactory, but as I stated earlier, if you get a turret, get the Redding T7. It has the least flex of any of the Turrets currently on the market. But as I also stated, I do not think you need a Turret Press - but as always, the decision is yours, not mine. Good Luck and Good Shooting

[scootrd]

I am very much appreciating all the input , I am weighing options and digesting everything.
As my wife says I'm not one to move too fast in spending $$.

What a downer this weekend though.
I swing my my local  gun shop to pick up some 30-06 and 7mm-08 ammo and the owner is there so I ask him his thoughts. He responds
I am always excited to talk to people interested in reloading But,,,,,,, and this may be the only time you here me say this  ...save your money..it's just not worth it right now. Primers and powders are in short abundance and I am having difficulty getting deliveries from my distributors. Maybe later in the year things will free up, and if it does come on by and I will go over all the options and help get properly set up. I always like people to spend $$$ in my store but right now I'd say keep the money in your wallet for a while.

Of course he had to have a few CDL SF'S in various calibers in the shop , so at least I finally got a chance to cycle a few.
Aside from being able to handle the CDL SF's up close and personal .. I walked in all pumped up and walked out a little depressed. kinda took the wind right out of my day. 

[Lloyd Smale]

out of what you listed the redding stuff is the best. I would give some thought to another route and save a few bucks. I just lost all my stuff in a fire and have been replacing it and picked up a hornady lock and load single stage press. With its fast die change and no need to adust dies its probably as fast as a turnent press. Its seems like a nice strudy press. I tend to stay away from lyman because they dont have the warantee that companys like hornady rcbs and redding have. Those companys will stand behind there products for your entire life even if you buy them used. Lee is hit and miss with there warantee. Sometimes they are great but other times they make you pay. It seems to depend on who you get on the phone. `Lees turent presses are a good bang for the buck though. As to dies. I find redding are usually the best but lees are good and have some real nice features. the best being there decapping pin set up. I wish all die makers would follow suit there. Powder measures are all pretty good with the exception of the lee disc measure. to me there a pain in the but and tend to leak. Like was said it depends on how serious you are and if you know for a fact your going to continue loading the rest of your life. Alot of people try it and find its just not for them. Sometimes picking up cheap lee stuff is a good idea. If you decide you dont like it your not out much. As to the shortages they wont effect you much. A guy starting out is not going to need a ton of powder and primers and they seem to be trickling in around here anyway. A guy like me that buys powder by the keg and primers by the case may be scrambling but ive yet to go into a store around here that didnt at least have a couple lbs of powder and a few packs of primers.

[LaOtto222]

My understanding is that ammo is as hard to get as reloading components - maybe more so. Primers are difficult to get, but not impossible. They show up on web sites and in store shelves, they just do not last long, before they are sold out. It is the same way with ammo around here. About the only thing you can buy is odd ball stuff or the real expensive ammo. All hand gun ammo is like primers, it shows up on the self and is sold out in short order. .223 and .308 is practically impossible to get and the more popular rounds like 30-06 and 30-30 are not easy to get. Even 22 Rim Fires are scarce around here. If you got the money to buy the reloading equipment, go ahead and get it. Start scrounging for components. You will not need a large supply of any thing until you decide what load your gun likes. Buy powder in 1 lb cans, primers 100 - 200 at a time and bullets in 100 round boxes. Only buy a large quantity of some thing if you have an opportunity to do so for trading material. Until you find a load, you could trade the primers or bullets for other components you may need. i just missed on small rifle primers in two places last week. Just a few hours too late in both cases.

[scootrd]

I do have a Newbie question regarding primers - I see descriptions for Small and Large Primers -  can someone expand on this separation for me. Small primers for what loads and pressures? .. Large for what loads and pressures? (if that is even the correct way to divide the two categories up).
I'm assuming (without knowing at this point) until educated by you all.
for example sake: 7mm-08 or 30-06 would use a Large primers. But then what determines what type of large primer after that ? (Federal 210, Federal 215, Remington 9 1/2 , CCI 200, CCI 250,) If one manual calls for CCI primers , can Remingtons be substituded?
Can a magnum primer ever be substituted for when a standard large primer may be listed?
Does type of powder being used determine what primer should be used?
Does Bullet selection and/or seating depth play a role into what type of primer should be used?
If Interchangeable how much of a role does primer selection play into accuracy?
Does temperature (inside the case ) as well as outside ie: winter vs summer?

[Tom W.]

I can say that I had two Lee powder measures and got rid of both of them. I preferred the scoops to those measures.... As I progressed from Lee stuff, I sold all of my  Lee dies and got Redding, RCBS, and Hornady dies. I do like the  Lee factory crimp dies, however. I also got an RCBS Rockchucker, altho if I get another it will be a Redding ( but why, when the RCBS has a lifetime guarantee?)

[SHOOTALL]

Both Redding and RCBS have sent me replacement parts free . Lee charged me for parts ( lee eguipment was not as well built and broke more ) . I have a lyman press from late 50's or early 60's that works fine I also have a pafic that works fine . If i can find Redding dies i always get them . I have one set of lee dies and will not get another .
To me a company that won't stand behind their product is a bad choice .

[KyBeast]

Small primers for what loads and pressures? .. Large for what loads and pressures? (if that is even the correct way to divide the two categories up).

.40 S&W down to .25 Auto (Small Pistol)
10mm up to .480 Ruger (Large Pistol)
.500 S&W takes a Large Rifle primer.

Regular or Magnum primer?  Depends on what the powder load is.  Most detailed reloading manuals will specify what primer to use.

[JustaShooter]

I have mostly Lee, as well as some RCBS, Lyman and Redding, and have had good experience with all of them.  I've not had to use Lyman or Redding customer service, so I can't say anything about them. 

RCBS service was good, and replaced a die part no questions asked and no cost. 

Lee has replaced both die and press parts no questions asked and no cost as well. The press parts were for a 2nd hand Pro 1000 that had been abused - I even offered to pay, and was told the invoice would be with the parts.  Parts arrived, invoice was stamped "No Charge".

Just a Shooter

[John R.]

A friend of mine used to own a Lee press (Pro 1000, I think) He was less impressed with it than I was, and I wasn't impressed at all. I let him use my Dillon 550, and he all but gave the Lee away and bought a Dillon. That was 4 or 5 years ago, and he's been happy ever since. My single stage presses are RCBS Rockchucker and Redding Big Boss II, both excellent presses. (The Rockchucker is my Dad's old press, 35 years old and still cranking em out.)

[Tom W.]

Small primers for what loads and pressures? .. Large for what loads and pressures? (if that is even the correct way to divide the two categories up).

.40 S&W down to .25 Auto (Small Pistol)
10mm up to .480 Ruger (Large Pistol)
.500 S&W takes a Large Rifle primer.

Regular or Magnum primer?  Depends on what the powder load is.  Most detailed reloading manuals will specify what primer to use.

Don't forget the .454 Casull using small rifle primers..

[KyBeast]

Don't forget the .454 Casull using small rifle primers..

I still consider that one to be an "oddball caliber."  When you have someone's name at the end, it's a specialty cartridge IMO.

[gypsyman]

Redding has my vote. You'll find alot of compition shooters using Redding. Plus, still have all their castings made right here in the U.S. I know that several company's outsource to China, Lee being one of them. gypsyman

[wncchester]

"Both Redding and RCBS have sent me replacement parts free ...To me a company that won't stand behind their product is a bad choice."

No company gives away any "free" parts.  It can't be otherwise, you just pay for them up front.  Even if you never get any "free" parts, you HAVE paid for them! 

Lee seems to cover manufactoring defects pretty well but they are less likely to replace parts damaged from my misuse; seems reasonable to me.  That way, the price is lower 'cause others won't have to pay for my foolishness!

----------------------------------

"I know that several company's outsource to China, Lee being one of them."

Actually that's RCBS, I know of no others being made in China.  Who else would that "several" include?

Lee's tools are made entirely in the USA.  And their big presses are the more desirable cast STEEL, not IRON!

[SHOOTALL]

kybeast , then all Colt , Smith and Wesson , Ruger , Remington and Winchester marked ammo must be specialty ammo ?
38 Colt , 38 S&W , 300 winchester mag. 708 remington , 480 Ruger

[Tom W.]