I am very interested in learning about reloading, beginning with .38 special rounds to shoot in my 642.

Would the Lee Breech Lock Hand Press be a reasonable loader for a beginner? Other than the press itself, the dies, primers, bullets and powder, what else do I need to get started? (I already have several hundred pieces of used brass.)

Thank you in advance for your input.

A scale,some dippers and/or a powder measure,a hand priming tool and a current reloading manual.You might look around for a package deal with a single stage press too.It's a fun hobby,been reloading everything for about 30 years.

the hand press is a handy thing for sizing and expanding cases while you watch TV but for actual loading of more than a few test rounds .. its a pain.
get something bench mounted like their c frame or challenger O frame if your running a tight budget ... if you can loosen up the funds a little bit more, one of the turret presses would meet with approval.
Powder handling equipment ... a scale, trickeler and dippers would be the dead minimum. a powder measure is the favored tool over dippers.
even more important is knowledge, get a few manuals as well as a line on the online data from alliant and hodgdon.
Lyman and speer manuals seem to be the most common references in these parts with ample referrals to the abc's of reloading for newcommers.

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it just needs more voltage

thanks guys. Perhaps the best way to get answers to all the questions rolling around in my head would be to ask how much should someone expect to spend to get started with an average grade bench system?

Google is your friend. There is a lot mail order places that you can order reloading equipment from. Check these out for the best prices. There are a couple of gun sites based here in Tennessee that you might find some used Lee reloading equipment but you need to know your prices so you can recognize a good deal. Here is links to the sites. Don
http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/forum.php

http://www.gunownersclub.com/

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"Don't worry be happy"

Get off of the fence. There will NEVER be a better time to start reloading.

Prices go up every day and NEVER come back down. The good thing, factory ammo does too so the comparison stays the same.

In 9 short months, there is an election. If we end up with the same administration we have now, watch out for ammo availability or components. Buy your stuff in quantities that don't break your bank but are the biggest your disposable income will allow. If nothing else, set the stuff aside and build on it. Buy a manual, purchase something and get started.

FWIW

I just got the Lee 4 Hole Turret Press kit for Christmas, fully set up, 9mm and 38 special carbide die sets, auto prime. Price for the whole set up, shipping handling, etc., was almost $250. I'm nearly done loading my first 1,000 rounds, (500 9mm, 500 38 spl), including the price for primers, lead bullets, (Space Coast Bullets), powders, (Power Pistol, Bullseye, 1lb ea), I will just about own the press for nothing comparing the reloading cost to buying at Wal Mart. Skip Sackett adds a VERY sobering outlook which I fully agree with.

Lee Classic Turret press kit. The best easy way to get started and even if you do one day buy a bigger progressive press, you will find that you still use the Classic Turret.

First off, don't approach reloading as saving on the cost of ammo only. In all actuality, you won't save money. Yes, ammo you make will generally be cheaper--a box of .45 ACP costs me $9--but you'll shoot more, thus negating the savings.

Reloading is a hobby unto itself. You can create the exact load you want, customized to your needs. There's a great deal of pride in sending your handmade rounds downrange.

Think of a '32 roadster. Would you rather rather sign a check for a completed one that's pretty close to what you had in mind, just needs repainting, new wheels, etc. to be what you dreamed of? Or would you be happier spending your weekends for 2-3 years creating the exact hotrod you always wanted, built by your own hands?

I have the Lee handpress, and it's great for resizing brass while I watch TV. But I wouldn't recommend it as my only press as you'll become frustrated with it. I'd start with a simple Lee setup, a turret press if you feel the need for more speed. You can always upgrade later if you really get into reloading. I still use the single-stage press I bought in 1975.

I perfer a good micro-adjustable powder drop and a beam scale such as the RCBS 505. You'll find it more consistant and accurate than automeasures and there's no warm up period or batteries to fail with a beam scale. Modern beam scales stabilize almost instantly, so they really don't slow you down.

A good source of reload data. One thing you'll find is that no two sources agree on a particular load for a particular bullet weight. Each source uses different parameters to develope their data. I prefer to use powder manufacturer data, but used the Speer manual for years. It's good source of information beyond powder loads.

Reloading is perfectly safe--IF one pays attention. It should NOT be done with any distractions. One double-charge is all it takes to create a disaster.

"don't approach reloading as saving on the cost of ammo only"....Blah... Start for any reason- you'll find the rest of the benefits after you begin.

My third gun I bought was a 445SM, try to find ammo for that- factory ammo wasn't an option (going rate then- $60/box). Then I found I could make enjoyable mid range, non leading, inexpensive .44mag ammo that shoots like a laser beam in my 29.

Then I bought a model 58....7.5 grains of unique with 215swc let me envision how the gun was intended. This is my interpretation of a .41 police load. That is just fun to shoot.

My first press was a RCBS single (Rock Crusher), then a couple years later picked up a Lee turret. I started small as not to be overwhelmed at first. My first few batches of ammo: I cleaned the brass by hand.

I started with a Lee Loader in 1972 in an effort to save money. The RockChucker came home in 1974. Today I have an 8x10 room dedicated to the hobby.

Doubt I've saved much, but I've sure had fun.

I'm guessing you are in Memphis, but if by chance you are in middle Tennessee, I'd be happy to let you come over and try your hand at reloading. Assuming you are in Memphis, I would suggest you become a member of tngunowners.com, and you'll probably find someone there who is local, and would make you the same offer.
As for being on the fence for beginning reloading, that comes with a 38 Special. Buy gun in somewthing less common; eg. 41 Mag, 401 Powermag, 32-20, 218 Bee, 303 Savage, 22 Savage High Power, etc., and you'll fall off the fence, firmly on the side of reloading.

Greg, you're correct, I'm in Memphis, and a member of TGO. I've seen your posts there, and recognized your screen name when I saw it on here. I know one TGO member who used to reload here in Memphis, I'll shoot him a pm to see if he still does. Thanks for the good suggestion.

Just looked at the Lee 4 hole turret press over at Midway USA. Not a bad price. There is also a gun show here this weekend, so I may do some looking for components while I'm there. Any reloading recipes/suggestions for a beginner as far as loading .38 specials for target shooting my 642? I would probably like to shoot some semi wad cutters, so which powder and which primers are good partners for the swc?

Guess I'll also need to pick up an old police turn in Model 10 for range time to avoid wearing out my 642.

Thanks to all who have responded for your input.

I started reloading ammo in 1980. In my teens I had a nieghbor who reloaded for a Colt Python, I used to hang around and watch him and it looked interesting. My first set up was an RCBS rockchucker kit that my new wife had bought for me. I had no one to show me how but just read the book a few times and dove in.
It has turned into a lifelong hobby. I currently load for 30+ calibers and started casting bullets about 20 years ago.
I would recommend one of the 'Kits', I'm partial to RCBS, that is a good starting place, a single stage press gives one the basic foundations for learning and the versatility to load for just about every cartridge there is.
I've built on the basic kit utill now I have two Rockchuckers set up, also due to arthritis I now have discovered the auto case trimmer (a blessing) and the electric case prep station.
You will find, as one poster said, that the money savings is a small part of the hobby, the satisfaction of 'rolling your own' and a sense of being able to be self sufficient in making something usefull play a big part in it as well. I use my loading time as a time for meditation and relaxation. I've never used nor owned a progressive press, the single stage has served me well for 32 years.
I was lucky enough to start stockpiling components starting in the late '80s and have a huge supply of brass, powder, primers etc, enough to load 30K rounds or more, to say this has grown into a huge amount of stuff would be an understatment, but the recent 'run' on ammo and components hasn't affected me one bit.
It is enjoyable, cost effective and as safe as you make it. Don't be afraid to ask questions and think things thru would be my advice. Also a good rule of thumb for reloading is: If it don't fit, don't force it, stop and think about it.
If I can be of help please let me know, I'm on the opposite end of the state from you.
RD

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Got a Phd from Hard Knocks U

If money is tight, I wouldn't be afraid of buying a used press. They're are a bunch out there, and it's pretty hard to wear one out. I started with a RCBS Rockchucker press - you can load anything on it, but it is a single stage press, and after a while, it got old when I was shooting handguns in competition. Unfortunately, money was tight, but then, I picked up a Piggyback II kit - which turned the Rockchucker into a kind of fussy, semi-progressive press. Some 20+ years later, I'm still using the Rockchucker and Piggyback to load handgun rounds, and I'm still having a lot of fun doing it. I purchased 2 used single stage presses for less than $20.00 each that I use for depriming, resizing, or making small runs of ammo that I don't want to set up the Piggy for (remember, I said it was kind of fussy?). If you want to go the used press route, take your time and do your research. It might take you a bit longer, but you could probably get everything you needs for well under $100.00 - and we're talking quality equipment. I would recommend buying a digital powder scale as they are very fast and accurate, and they're pretty cheap as well (I bought one recently on sale for under $20.00).

Best of luck,

Dave

Any available small pistol primers will do, and Bullseye or Unique would be two fine powders for the SWC target load. I bought the Lee anniversary kit as a starter going on 20 years ago. So far, I've yet to find the need to improve upon it.

I reloaded back in the 70's and stopped after several years, returning a year ago. Based on my experience I would suggest you start with a couple of good manuals, such as Hornady, Speer or Lyman, and the latest ABC's of Reloading. After you read them carefully, then make a list of components you'll need, i.e. press, scales, powder, brass, etc, etc. Then search this (reloading) forum for past posts and use Google for each component. If you can find a person reloading in your area take advantage of this. The problem with "jumping into" anything is you're likely to make a mistake and buy something you later regret. At the very least don't hesitate to ask for advice on this forum before you buy. Saves on buyers remorse. The bottom line is the wealth of information on this forum, in past posts and through advice, is a gold mine just waiting to be tapped. Welcome aboard.

Even a small standard O Ring press would be better then a Hand Press. My first press was(and still is) an RCBS Partner Press. I've loaded thousands of rounds on it and it's still going strong. O-Ring style is much better then the C style and go with a quality press like RCBS, Lyman, Hornady, ect. and stay away from the pot metal Lee presses. Lee makes quite a few inexpensive things that are pretty good but I just don't like their presses.
You can buy kits that'll have pretty much everything that you'll need or you can piece stuff together and make up your own "kit". Hit the Midway USA site and check out what they've got, they have pretty decent prices and just about anything you could want.

You can go bare minimum with just a press w/primer seater and a set of Lee Dies and and use the dipper that they put into the Die set. That'll get you started loading but you'll be limited to the powders and bullets that match the dipper you get and the small instruction sheet that Lee gives you. You can add something like a Lee Perfect Powder Measure and an RCBS 5-0-5 Powder scale and a good loading manual(Speer, Lyman or Lee) to the mix and set the powder charge that you want(recommended) and you can also add a set of Dial Calipers(I've got the RCBS ones that my wife got me for my Birthday many, many years ago and they still work great) and that'll help you with measurements and OAL when you handload.
If you really want to stay minimum and be really portable you can get the Lyman 310 Tool(Nut Cracker) and a set of Lee Dippers and that'll give you everything you need to get started and you can carry it all easily.
Main thing is to just get started and learn how to handload and you can figure out what other things you'll need as you progress. You also can save a lot of money by "rollin' your own" too. I cast my own bullets and can load up a box of 38spl(50 rounds) for under $3 bucks.

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

Don't fool with the cheap stuff, buy RCBS equipment & don't look back. You'll never regret it. Be sure you get a quality powder scale, a Mitutoyo dial caliper, as well as the very best 0-1' micrometer you can afford,you'll need 'em. Also get yourself at least 3 recent loading manuals, and STUDY them before attempting to load.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far guys. I can feel the passion you all have for this activity. I'm very motivated to jump in with both feet, but I tend to over-think purchases like this. I spend more time reading, studying and evaluating relatively small investments like my hobbies, guns, golf clubs, etc., whereas I've bought two homes in my life without so much as a sleepless night. Go figure.

I started out reloading by buying used equipment on ebay. Got everything I needed for a fraction of the cost for new. My Rockchucker, case trimmer, scale, and dippers are still going strong.

As for saving money reloading, I find that it depends on what caliber you want to reload. I started out reloading for antique S&Ws. Anyone loading for .44 Russian, .38 S&W, 32-20, 44 American, 45-70, etc. will find big savings, and even more if you cast your own bullets. Lee dies cost less than one box of these calibers.

Once you have the equipment, the actual cost to reload even 9mm and 38 Special is less than manufactured ammunition. Problem is whether you want to value your time or not.

Good luck.

Don't be afraid to use Lee Dies, I've used em' a lot over the years and never had a problem with em'. Also, I guess if you're just starting out one of the On Sale Lee Kits with the O-Ring style press would be ok to start out with, Midway USA has em' for $99 bucks right now. You can upgrade the press later on and anything else that you find lacking.
I can't believe that my Partner Press is going for $82 bucks now, I got mine on sale for under $30 back in the late '80's, man, things have gone up a lot.
Anyway, don't be shy, get a Kit and jump in there and start saving some money on ammo buy loading your own.

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

Get The ABCS of Reloading & the LYman #49 manual & read them TWICE. Then you'll have a better understanding of the process & what you will need vs want. Any decent bench mounted press is far better than a hand press. Cost, between $200 & $300 for a ss press & most everything you need. About the same amount for a Lee Classic turret.
Yes you save money, as little as 50% to as much as 75% depending on caliber. The idea you will shoot more may or may not happen, but your per round cost will always be less.

Thank you Fred. I stopped by Bass Pro after dinner tonight and picked up a copy of the Lyman manual. Picking up one or both of these books has been a recurring suggestion from many folks who reload. I hope to know more after I've read this one.

I just got started reloading, for the wife's .38 special 442, I'm using Bullseye powder, 4.2gr, 125gr lswc, 1.440" OAL. I originally loaded 50 rounds with Power Pistol, 6.1gr. I then had second thoughts, did some more research, (.38 special using Power Pistol was a bit tough finding enough info that didn't conflict, and it IS the wife's gun ), since this was my first 'effort', I came to believe this was a bit too hot, (I've since found MORE info that I now believe the loads would have been fine, snappy maybe, but safe), but I found a lot more info using Bullseye powder, so I loaded with that. I bought and learned how to use a bullet puller, re-did all the Power Pistol rounds with Bullseye. The Power Pistol is being used for my 9mm loads. The wife has shot about 100 of the reloads through her .38 snubbie, all went bang AND the gun still works.

Look for a starter set by a name brand. RCBS had one for around $300. Need dies-get carbide and also a Lee factory sizing die (some may differ but I love it-we shoot several guns in the same calibers)==About $40 and about $25 for the Lee die. Get at least two manuals. Most useful would be the Speer, Sierra, Hornaday, etc. Some like Barnes are more limited in use (but can be VERY useful, if you need them).

Many LGS have evening classes and will let you sit in and use their equipment

While you will find that few agree on which is "the best", most if not all agree with what BearBio said. Any name brand starter set will get you pointed in the right direction.

Happy shooting and be safe.

In the FWIW department, I stay away from minimum and maximum loads no matter what I'm loading. I research and find the middle ground, then bump it up or down a little to experiment. And I've learned a lot from asking Forum members for advice before loading. I leave the experimenting to those who have more decades of experience than I have years. At my age I can't afford to damage a gun, or myself.

Also, FWIW you don't always need the best when you're getting started out. Sometimes good enough is fine to start with then you can add better if you stick with it or as you can afford it.
With the RCBS Partner Press being $82 bucks now I'd say that'd be more then enough to spend on a press. Like I said, I've used mine for over 25 years without a hitch. Just clean and lube it every now and again and it'll last a lifetime.
Lee Dies are fine and you get a shell holder and loading info with them also the Lee Perfect Powder Measure has been great and it's half the price of what the other powder measures cost. For a scale I'd spend the money and get a good one like the RCBS 5-0-5, I've had mine for years and it's still working perfectly, I use it then put it back in the box and take care of it so it stays calibrated.
Main thing is to get started with something to get your feet wet so you can see if it's for you or not. If you don't like it you can always sell your stuff but if you do like reloading ammo and saving money then you'll have found yourself a hobby that'll give a lifetime of enjoyment and you'll be shooting quality, inexpensive ammo when other guys are wishing they had the money to buy a couple boxes of stuff from WalMart.

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

Please go to your local Library and find ALL the books you can regarding reloading,educate yourself First!. Lee does make very good components but I would stay away from the progressives at this point. I use a Lee turret press for my .45ACP`s. All I need. Education and Safety is Paramount Always!.

Good points Frank. I picked up some components at the gun show this weekend, one pound of Bulls Eye Powder, 1000 CCI primers and couple hundred 9mm JHP bullets. Now comes the hard part and finding a press and dies, along with the powder measure and a scale, and also calipers to measure with. This purchase coupled with the Lyman Reloading Handbook are at least the first steps on the journey.

Now why would you buy a powder without completely understanding the reloading process & how to correctly choose components? IMO, BE is NOT a beginners powder & especially for the 9mm. Yes it will work, I can make just about any powder work in any caliber, but you want as much safety margin as you can get starting out. Powders faster than W231 are NOT good starters powders. I prefer them even slower than W231 for noobs. Just a bit safer to use, especially in small volume/high pressure rounds. See if you can take it back & swap it unless your heart is set on it. If not, put it aside & get something slower. If you need to know what slower is, turn to the brun rate chart in your Lyman. Also Lyman lists powders in their data from fastest to slowest.

Thanks for your input. I can't take it back as it was purchased at the gun show this weekend. I have a friend who has loaded for a long time. I'll swap it to him for something milder, or just put it back until I get a little more experience. I read the burn chart before I went, but I confused the Bulls Eye with Unique. Appreciate you catching that and pointing it out me before I get started.

I also purchased a Lee Anniversary Kit and it should be here this weekend. I've talked to my friend about coming over once I get it assembled and helping me get started the first time or two, just to make sure I'm on the right path.

Thanks to everyone who has responded for all of your input.

Tiger.

Just save the bullseye til you get some experience.It's a great powder for target loads in 38 special and 45 acp.The amounts used are quite small so you just need to be sure of what you are doing and really take a good look in each case before you load the bullets.It's a great hobby.Enjoy!

Yeah, bullseye kind of scared me off because it is easy to double charge, maybe easy isn't the right word, but the possibility goes up.

It is why I picked AA#7 for(I'm pretty new to reloading) 9mm, it is slower, and a starting charge can't be doubled, it would overflow the case. So it has a built in safety factor. When I am more comfortable I will try other powders, HS6, W231, Power pistol(PP is also a case filling powder for 9mm, I think). I am saving bullseye for my .45, mostly.

Now you're gonna scare the poor boy to death. There is no such thin as "beginner powders". My first loads were Titegroup on a progressive in 45 caliber.
Any reasonably intelligent adult can do this. There is no magic and it sure ain't rocket science.

Flamible dirt, I mean Unique is what I started with, and given the volume needed for most cartridges it does reduce the chance greatly for double-charges.

Right ON!

While I hate Titegroup, I have to agree with the last part of this statement.

It just ain't that hard for an adult to grasp.

Nope, it aint rocket science,but advising caution over the net seems a smart way to go.I've got a few real world friends I would never teach reloading to ;-)

You know, in all the years I've been reloading I've never used Bullseye. Always stuck with Unique, you get a good amount of powder in the case so it's harder to get a double charge and it works with just about any handgun ctg. that you'd care to load.
If it was me I'd just pick up a $99 buck Lee Kit from Midway USA and upgrade your press at a later date. Then you can add to it as needed but at least you'll be reloading and saving a few bucks in the mean time.
I'm not crazy about Lee presses but it'll do fine for 9x19mm until you can get a better one, ditto on the little Lee powder scale that comes in the kit, it'll work but an RCBS 5-0-5 is better but you can get by with what's in the Lee kit for now. Not sure if it comes with dies or not, if not just get a set of Lee dies too and be very careful with your loads, it's real easy to double charge with Bullseye because you use so little of it that it doesn't fill the case much.

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S&W M642-2,
ATI 1911a1, 4.25"

Thanks TNFrank,

I did buy one earlier this week. Should be here Friday or Saturday. Bought the Anniversary Press with all the stuff that comes with it. There are still some things I'll need to pick up, .38 special bullets, dies for 9mm and .38, digital calipers and some other, perhaps slower burning powder than Bullseye.

As an aside, I noticed that Lyman's manual lists the "most accurate load" in bold face for each bullet type. Now, I'm still reading and hopefully learning, but I do not remember reading how a guy just starting out is supposed to figure out the right powder for "me". My instinct tells me to use the powder with the largest suggested starting load for that particular bullet, meaning it's probably a slower burn rate powder, and large loads help to decrease the chance of a double load or overloading the charge. Am I getting close on this, or am I just missing the boat entirely? The kit I purchased also includes the Lee Reloading Manual, so I'll have at least one more source for recipes, assuming that helps.

You are going to spend alot of money

Do NOT let my wife see you say that.....

I started out with a jug of Titegroup and loaded 9mm, 38 special and 45 with it because that was the only powder I had. Everything went "bang" and no one got hurt.
There are lots of sources for "recipes" in books and on line and you can usually find one somewhere to fit your components.
Obviously there are better combinations and I am learning what my guns like by experimenting with different powders, bullets and loads, which of course is half the fun!
An oldster who runs a little basement shop near me doesn't buy into the hype at all. He swears by W231 and uses it for everything.
Sez "It ain't the arrow, it's the Indian".

Thanks. I appreciate that insight...more than you can know.