First time reloader

[big k]

What is the best way to go about geting my first reloader. I will mainly be reloading my 44 magnum and 243, 223 cartriges.

[longwinters]

If you know what you want, used,  post on the "classifieds" here on Graybeard.  If you want new stuff then read up on the different brands out there and get the best you can afford.  Unless you are going to go progressive, which I would not do for rifle, I would never get anything but a turret style press.  You can put 3 different calibers (for rifle) on one turret so you don't keep having to put dies on and take them off again.  You just turn the turret to the next die you want to use and you are on your way.  

Long

[ricciardelli]

No magic involved...just find the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit and the RCBS Accessory Kit at the lowest price and buy them.

[bigjeepman]

You might try Cabela's for the RCBS equipment that ricciardelli suggested. I totally agree with him mostly because of RCBS's quality products and great customer service.

[victorcharlie]

I've got to agree with Ricciardelli on this one......I've priced it out separately and the kit is cheaper....has everything you need to start except dies and reloading components themselves.   The problem with the kit as I see it is there are no substitutions, so if for example you would rather have the 10/10 scale you would have to buy it and sell the 5/5 that comes with the kit.  

Midsouth shooters supply has about the lowest price I've found, and Midway also has pretty good prices.  I haven't ordered powder online, but understand there is a hazardous materials fee for shipping it as well as primers....so, unless you order a lot of powder it seems cheaper to buy it locally.

[Lloyd Smale]

I may get slammed for this but what i recomend to a new reloader is to pick up one of the inexpensive lee kits. For about 90 bucks you can get everything you need to reload. that way if you decide you dont like to reload your not out much and if you find your really into it you can start upgrading equip. Hell i still have a couple of there presses set up to do bullet sizing ect.

[MGMorden]

I may get slammed for this but what i recomend to a new reloader is to pick up one of the inexpensive lee kits. For about 90 bucks you can get everything you need to reload. that way if you decide you dont like to reload your not out much and if you find your really into it you can start upgrading equip. Hell i still have a couple of there presses set up to do bullet sizing ect.

I agree with this.  The Lee kit allows you to get started with a lot lower cash levels, and you can replace equipment with better stuff as needed/desired.  I started out with a Lee about 2 years ago.  I've replaced some equipment (and gotten some extra stuff) with different brands, but it was just because I felt "ready" to move on to something better.  Being able to replace a piece at a time (whilst still having a complete working setup) is good for me though; I don't think I'd ever drop all the cash into RCBS, Redding, or Dillon complete setup, just because it's so expensive to buy all at once.  On the flip side, I don't mind picking up some of their higher end stuff a little by little. YMMV.

For your die sets though, one thing I HATE about the Lee dies are the locking rings (if you can even call them that on a Lee die).  The little rubber o-rings do a pretty poor job of keeping the seat depth consistent.  I bought a lot of of the Lyman clamping-type lock rings (they run about $2 per ring from Midway w/ a dealer discount)  to put on all my Lee dies that I have (and most of the new sets I buy are Lyman, Hornady, or RCBS).

[Redhawk1]

I am not knocking Lee, I have several of there dies and factory crimp dies. But I would go with the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit, you won't be disappointed.  

[Flash]

Yes, the Lee equipment should get you started but if you like high end, Cadillac quality I would recomend doing a lot of reading before buying. You'll find Dillon, Lyman, RCBS, Hornady just as good or better then Lee.

[victorcharlie]

Yes, depending on the situation, a lee kit would be fine.  I understand that we all operate on a different budget, and there is some value in the lee product line, and will certainly get you shooting quality ammo for less money than the other kits.

Some people drive Cadillac, some Buick, Ford, etc.

My advise would be buy the best equipment you can afford......as you run the cost over many years the cost difference between the two becomes almost nill.

[Dave in WV]

Lessons learned for starting with Lee products: The dies seem like a good buy and work well. The lock rings supplied suck and don't work well unless you are very careful. Replace them with RCBS, Lyman, Redding, Hornady, etc, lock rings and the bargain goes south. I had a Lee challenger press. It broke after 15 years of use. I know Lee would have replaced the broken part free but I bought a Lyman Crusher II press. The good Lyman, RCBS, Redding, and Hornady cast iron presses have better leverage and strength than the Lee challenger press. Lee now has a cast iron press and it may well be worth a look. The press is the heart of metallic cartridge reloading so my suggestion is to invest there now and save $$$ by not upgrading later. Buying used dies is probably money saved as long as they are not scratched or otherwise damaged.

[Lloyd Smale]

I sure wasnt trying to argue quality. I spend some serious money on reloading gear theres 6 dillon presses on my bench right now. But theres still two lees and a lyman and a co-ax  as much as i hate lyman the orange one would be the first to go!! Hell theyll even charge you for orings for there sizers that blow because of a crap design. At least Lee stands behind there stuff. I would never buy anything new from lyman again. There service dept sucks!! Like is said ill spend money when necessary but personally i like lee dies. Other then redding id take them over anyones for pistol calibers. Couldnt live without the hand primers and the little hand press is as slick as snot for loading at camp or sizing in front of the tv. My point is that ive seen to many people go hog wild buying reloading gear and finding out they dont use it like they thought. Just look on ebay sometime. For the price of going out friday night you can buy a complete set up from lee. IF you like it you can progress into something better and even pass it on to another beginer. If you dont your only out the price of a good hangover! One thing i will agree with is that if you want to by high quality you cant go wrong with rcbs. Theres a company that stands behind there products they only have one equal and thats dillon.

[Lloyd Smale]

one more piece of advise stay as far away as possible from those pos lee progressives though. Been there done that!!

[AZ223]

I just got the Lee Classics and loaded up some .223's yesterday. Slow going, but I really enjoy it. I'm getting about .01" variance in seating depth; going to the range today to see whether my H&R Ultra cares one way or the other. I made a point to measure the die length; it hasn't changed since I set it. What seems to change when I seat the bullets is how hard I wack it at the end...:shock:

The powder dippers are nice, but you don't get the variation you'd otherwise get with a scale. As much as I'm enjoying reloading, I should have just gone for the Anniversary kit; it has the scale with it and wouldn't have been that much more.

Being a newbie on a budget, I'd say get what you can afford. The Lee Classics are great for starting with "small" volumes. I spent three evenings after work prepping 200 cases in front of the TV, and primed and loaded 70 of them in a couple of hours yesterday morning.

Whatever you decide, good luck! And remember, in most cases you'll develop another shooting-related addiction for which there is no cure. Plus, you can tell your wife you're doing it to "save money." Hehehehehe.... :-D