MyDads38
Member
I started with a Lee Handloading kit...
Around 1979/1980, I got my first 357 revolver, a Ruger Security Six. With it, a Lee Handloading kit. Spent many hours with that introduction into handloading/reloading.
As is mentioned above, the Lee kit only neck sizes the brass, and as I found out the hard way, if the brass wasn't fired in MY gun, it sometimes would not load into the cylinder. Lee used to offer a Full Length Resizing die for these kits, in some calibers; I bought one and used it and it made things much better!
I have used many different presses over the years, but just this year bought Lee Handloading kits for the calibers I still load, one being 38 Special. I loaded 30 rounds with the Lee kit and 30 rounds on my Lee Turret Press with Auto Disk Powder Measure. The scoop in the Lee Loader threw 2.8 Grs. Bullseye, while the Auto Disk threw 2.7 Grs. With a 158 Gr. cast SWC, this made for a nice light target load. No difference in Point of Impact or group size/accuracy. All 60 rounds blew out the X-ring of a standard 25 yard pistol target shooting from 15 yards.
Yes the Lee Loader is slow and loud using a plastic mallet for all the functions. But in my case, I wasn't going for speed, just the pleasure of "doing it again, because I wanted to".
On a budget, this can be a way to get started and find out if you REALLY want to get into reloading. A step up in a bench mounted press would be a Lee "C" type Reloader press at about $28 online; plus a set of dies and at least a scale and loading manual. A Lee Turret Press w/auto index will get you into the 250-300 rounds per hour area without actually being a "progressive" press.
Just be careful, be mindful of what you're doing and don't get in a hurry! Reloading can be fun, relaxing and rewarding!
Around 1979/1980, I got my first 357 revolver, a Ruger Security Six. With it, a Lee Handloading kit. Spent many hours with that introduction into handloading/reloading.
As is mentioned above, the Lee kit only neck sizes the brass, and as I found out the hard way, if the brass wasn't fired in MY gun, it sometimes would not load into the cylinder. Lee used to offer a Full Length Resizing die for these kits, in some calibers; I bought one and used it and it made things much better!
I have used many different presses over the years, but just this year bought Lee Handloading kits for the calibers I still load, one being 38 Special. I loaded 30 rounds with the Lee kit and 30 rounds on my Lee Turret Press with Auto Disk Powder Measure. The scoop in the Lee Loader threw 2.8 Grs. Bullseye, while the Auto Disk threw 2.7 Grs. With a 158 Gr. cast SWC, this made for a nice light target load. No difference in Point of Impact or group size/accuracy. All 60 rounds blew out the X-ring of a standard 25 yard pistol target shooting from 15 yards.
Yes the Lee Loader is slow and loud using a plastic mallet for all the functions. But in my case, I wasn't going for speed, just the pleasure of "doing it again, because I wanted to".
On a budget, this can be a way to get started and find out if you REALLY want to get into reloading. A step up in a bench mounted press would be a Lee "C" type Reloader press at about $28 online; plus a set of dies and at least a scale and loading manual. A Lee Turret Press w/auto index will get you into the 250-300 rounds per hour area without actually being a "progressive" press.
Just be careful, be mindful of what you're doing and don't get in a hurry! Reloading can be fun, relaxing and rewarding!
