Getting Started

[memphis]

I am really interested in re-loading and am simply wondering what the bare essentials are (besides bullets, powders, and cases) to loading for a few common calibers. (223 REM, 9mm, and 357/38spc.)  Does the Lee Anniversary Kit have what I need, or should I invest in something in a higher price range?  Thanks for any help,

                                                Memphis

[Jack Crevalle]

I am really interested in re-loading and am simply wondering what the bare essentials are (besides bullets, powders, and cases) to loading for a few common calibers. (223 REM, 9mm, and 357/38spc.)  Does the Lee Anniversary Kit have what I need, or should I invest in something in a higher price range?  Thanks for any help,

                                                Memphis

With any kit you're going to eventually need something. You will need dies for what you are loading to begin with. Although Lee tells you to order a "case guage" for what caliber you'll be reloading you'll be better off with a set of calipers.

[huntsman]

I have the Lee Anniversary kit and consider it a good starting unit. It has so far reloaded two calibers and about 500 rounds without any problems. Please don't confuse Lee's "case length gauge and trimmer" with a tool to measure the length of your cases. The former is a necessary part of the Lee case trimmer setup (which I find quite accurate and better overall than other trimmers I have tried, by the way), and you need one for each caliber you are going to reload. The latter is best accomplished with a caliper, as Jack accurately noted.

Other purchases that I made to round out my setup with the Anniversary kit are:

1. Shellholders for all calibers to be reloaded (must have).
2. Dies for all calibers to be reloaded (must have).
3. Dial caliper (indispensible tool to me).
4. Loading block for 50 rounds (optional, but inexpensive and handy).
5. Empty ammo boxes (old boxes from factory ammo will do).
6. Case tumbler and media (optional but highly recommended unless you have lots of time on your hands).
7. Kinetic bullet puller (optional, but you will need one eventually).
8. Ball handle for Lee case trimmer (optional, but inexpensive and makes trimming so much faster and easier).
9. Lee case length guage for all calibers to be reloaded. Works with the universal trimmer blade supplied in the kit. (Lee really should warn folks that they need this to trim cases; it's not clear in the kit description that this is needed also, but it is essential).

I think that's it unless I have forgotten something. Good luck with getting started in loading. It is a worthwhile hobby and nothing beats creating your own unique ammunition (and then shooting it!).

[Riedog]

i am kinda in the same boat and so far have found savageshooters.com has some really good info hope this helps-

[skb2706]

as with any hobby as you do more loading you will find there are things that are not mandatory but extremely helpful. This would include but not be limited to : digital scale (much faster than a beam), venier calipers (case length gauges are worthless), hand priming system (so you don't have to sit in front of your press and hand drop them), as many loading books as you can afford (obviously more info. the better for cross referencing), take advantage of what free info. you can get from various component websites.....there are forums like this one that are specifically about reloading that you can also gain huge amounts of information from.

I personally don't care for the lower quality Lee Equipment myself...it does make good ammo but is the low end for quality.  At least take a look at the higher end equipment so you will know what this stuff should look like.

[memphis]

Just wanted to say thanks to all you folks for your help.  It is truly appreciated.

Memphis

[Daniel]

Hey Memphis, what the heck are you doing in VA? I just had to ask, I work in Memphis, TN you see, so I'm curious.

[1911WB]

Memphis- you'll have a lot of fun & satisfaction reloading. I started with Lee equipment and still have some pieces; but, I would strongly recommend RCBS as better overall. The Rockchucker press is the most sturdy single stage made. Also, RCBS dies (use carbide for pistol calibers) are great. I do love the Lee auto prime (hand primer), but RCBS has one very similar to it. Good luck & be safe!  

[Darrell Davis]

Good morning reloaders,

Guess IMHO I would agree for the most part with 1911wb's post.

Again, IMHO I have found Lee products to not be of the quality of the lines such as Redding, RCBS, Lyman etc.

The biggest problem, although some of Lee's ideas are good, is that some of the products don't last. The auto prime being an example, it worked great while it lasted.

RCBS has a bench mounted priming system that is by far and away the best system I have ever used. This is not the system with the primer strips, so will reserve judgement on that one.

As per dies, I DO NOT! like the Lee dies which do not have solid locking rings and those which do not have a solid connection on the decapping rod.

Again, just my very humble opinion, but I usually get what I pay for and only selectively by Lee products.

keep em coming! :wink:

[Dusty Miller]

I started out with that Rock Chucker kit that RCBS sells and have had to add little to it.  If you are not loading for high volumn shooting then it works just fine.