Reloading Equipment

[torizus]

The Lee will do just fine along with the carbide dies.
Probably the most important tool other than the above that you will need is at least 2-3 current load manuals.

Exactly how I started then picked up a Rock Chucker and 550.
It can get expensive as you go along but the relaxation,tailored control and satisfaction has become, in my experience, just as enjoyable if not more than actually shooting.

My Lee Turret is now a dedicated deprimer,bullet puller and crimper all in one turret head.

 

[RonPagan]

Nothing wrong with starting on a single stage. That way you can use it for dirty depriming and keep your progressive cleaner or sizing bullets if you make your own. Lee dies are ok but I hate their expanding dies. They look like you're smashing a traffic cone into the shell. Not good for lead bullets. The expander plug in rcbs dies work much better but no charging with powder while expanding.

 

[.38SuperMan]

No question I wouldn’t even think about anything other than Dillon for pistol. I started shooting seriously over thirty years ago and inherited my dads Rock Chucker he used for many years. The Rock Chucker is about as good as it gets for a single stage press but it didn’t take long to outgrow it. I was probably shooting a thousand rounds of 45acp a month and my son started competing too with a 38 special then I had a 38 super race gun built. You can see where I’m going here.

The Rock Chucker just wont produce in quantity efficiently. A friend I shot with suggested Dillon and I bought a Square Deal B then soon a second one. I can’t even guess how many rounds I loaded on these. I had one setup for large primers and one for small. I never had any issues.

Several years later I wasn’t competing any longer and sold one of the Dillons to my brother. He’s still using it and I’m back competing and loading several hundred rounds at a time.

I had one plastic part crack from age recently and Dillon sad they don’t even use the part any longer and to throw it away so I did. I’ve disassembled it and cleaned and lubed once in a while and it keeps going.

In the beginning I bought a Dillon digital scale and in the last few month it became unreliable. I contacted Dillon and they sent a brand new one at no cost, no question. Dillon has without a doubt the best warranty anywhere.

I’m back using the Rock Chucker too. I loading limited 44 mag, 357 and 45Colt. I have a box full of RCBS and Pacific carbide pistol and rifle dies and if I shoot more in these calibers than I have time to do on a single stage press I’ll buy a 550C Dillon and be done with it.

I’m sure Lee is good but if you shoot much you’ll eventually want a Dillon.

 

[AJ]

Lots of suggestions. Some good and some not so good. I started years ago with a Lyman 310 Tool. Went to a Lyman Spar-T press. Then to a Dillon Square Deal B, Now I have the larger Lyman Turret Press with three extra heads and a RCBS Rock Chucker.

Look at used equipment if you can find it. A lot of it is gently used and the prices can be a lot cheaper. A lot of what I have is Pre-Owned and works as advertised.

Do not buy the Dillon Square Deal B, pay the extra money and get a Dillon 550. It is more versatile (read more bang for the buck)

 

[Daniel Howe]

My go to press is a Lee single stage that I bought at a yard sale back in the 70's for $5. Little slow but very accurate. If I get in a hurry I can make 300 rounds an hour with my Lee 1000 press.

Next get something to accurately measure the powder and case lengths. Everybody makes a press that works good, but its best to find one brand you like and stick with it. You don't want to have to buy conversion plates and special oils and special cleaners etc, etc. Start with a Lee single stage press and you can reload anything that uses gun powder. And all the accessories play well with each other.

just my 2 cents

 

[4barrel]

I bought a Dillon 550b in the 80s when I couldn't afford it. Now I have 2 and the bells and whistles and a 15x20 reloading room that I spend 30+ hours in each week and never looked back. That is what credit cards are for.

 

[AJ]

This is my loading bench, Most of the equipment is Pre-Owned.

 

[BC38]

Another vote for the Lee Classic Turret. I've been using mine for several yars and don't feel the need for anything faster. 50-100 rounds per hour is fast enough to produce plenty of ammo for my use. If I got into some kind of competition shooting I might need something faster but until then the Lee works great.

I load about 9 calibers, so the quick switch using a different turret plate for each caliber is a big plus for me. If you decide to add calibers later that easy expandability will be a plus for you too.

You can disable the auto index feature and use it as a single stage, or use it as a manually indexed turret, or enable the auto index and speed it up. That flexibility is a big benefit too.

 

[AJ]

Another vote for the Lee Classic Turret. I've been using mine for several yars and don't feel the need for anything faster. 50-100 rounds per hour is fast enough to produce plenty of ammo for my use. If I got into some kind of competition shooting I might need something faster but until then the Lee works great.

I load about 9 calibers, so the quick switch using a different turret plate for each caliber is a big plus for me. If you decide to add calibers later that easy expandability will be a plus for you too.

You can disable the auto index feature and use it as a single stage, or use it as a manually indexed turret, or enable the auto index and speed it up. That flexibility is a big benefit too.

How many dies does your turret head hold? The Lyman that I use hold two sets of pistol dies in each one and I have three (so I have six different calibers ready to go and actually I can load two different caliber 38/357 and .38 ACP/,38 Super so a 8 different rounds). One nut holds the turret plate in place.

 

[raisedin99]

I would buy one

I think you will be well served with the Lee Turret Press. It’s a great press for handgun calibers.

I've been actively reloading nearly 60 years and agree with starting out with a Lee Classic Turret.
You will have little invested and produce quality ammunition. I'd buy one if I was to start over.
While you're researching look at the videos of them on youtube.

terry


YouTube

 

[BC38]

How many dies does your turret head hold? The Lyman that I use hold two sets of pistol dies in each one and I have three (so I have six different calibers ready to go and actually I can load two different caliber 38/357 and .38 ACP/,38 Super so a 8 different rounds). One nut holds the turret plate in place.

The classic turret plate holds 4 dies - which is what you need if you are seating and crimping in separate steps as I do. Swapping a turret plate doesn't even require removing a nut. Just turn it backwards about 1/8-1/4 turn and lift it out.

Having two sets of dies in one plate kind of eliminates any use of auto indexing doesn't it? I love the auto index feature of my Lee. Makes it just one step short of being a progressive.

 

[AJ]

The classic turret plate holds 4 dies - which is what you need if you are seating and crimping in separate steps as I do. Swapping a turret plate doesn't even require removing a nut. Just turn it backwards about 1/8-1/4 turn and lift it out.

Having two sets of dies in one plate kind of eliminates any use of auto indexing doesn't it? I love the auto index feature of my Lee. Makes it just one step short of being a progressive.

The Lyman Turret is more or less a single station press. What it eliminates is having to replace the dies each time you go from size/deprime to belling to seating (you just turn the head).

Indexing is like a progressive press and I find that I have more control over the ammo that I produce. I had a SDB for about 20 of the 46 years that I have been reloading. In that time it went back to Dillon twice (will give them credit their customer service is first class), once the entire press body was cracked and had to be replaced. After that I had a chance at the new Lyman Turret Press with three heads for $125.00 with many, many extras. So here I am now. Will never go back to a progressive press of any make.

 

[Empe]

Wow ...lots of replies to my original post just over night ! I do a fair bit of shooting most of it with .22 rimfire handguns/rifles . I will frequently go through several hundred rounds each range trip . Because of the cost of .22 ammo I don't take notice of how many rounds I go through at a time. I also shoot a Glock 34 & 19 both in steel plate matches & some USPSA . Since 9mm ammo is not real expensive but still costs more than .22 rimfire I do take notice of the amount of rounds I go through ...but not too much.
Enter my S&W 14-1 and also a Colt 1911 in .45 that I just ordered but have not received yet and a shooting session is now getting expensive and yes I will take note of the amount of rounds I use at this point .
Which brings me to my interest in reloading . Hoping to be able to bring down the cost of shooting the .38 & .45 by reloading over purchasing factory ammo . Plus from what I understand I can in all likelihood load a more accurate round than from the factory. Also it looks to me to be an enjoyable hobby .
Very much appreciate all the replies & advice ...thank you !

 

[AJ]

Wow ...lots of replies to my original post just over night ! I do a fair bit of shooting most of it with .22 rimfire handguns/rifles . I will frequently go through several hundred rounds each range trip . Because of the cost of .22 ammo I don't take notice of how many rounds I go through at a time. I also shoot a Glock 34 & 19 both in steel plate matches & some USPSA . Since 9mm ammo is not real expensive but still costs more than .22 rimfire I do take notice of the amount of rounds I go through ...but not too much.
Enter my S&W 14-1 and also a Colt 1911 in .45 that I just ordered but have not received yet and a shooting session is now getting expensive and yes I will take note of the amount of rounds I use at this point .
Which brings me to my interest in reloading . Hoping to be able to bring down the cost of shooting the .38 & .45 by reloading over purchasing factory ammo . Plus from what I understand I can in all likelihood load a more accurate round than from the factory. Also it looks to me to be an enjoyable hobby .
Very much appreciate all the replies & advice ...thank you !

If you are just getting started in reloading you will find that initially it is a bit pricey. Presses, scales, powder measures, dies and other accouterments will take a fair chunk change. Not to mention powder, primers, cases (cheap if you have been saving yours or can pick them up at a range) and slugs. If you won't be in it for the long run, then just buy factory ammo. The main advantage to reloading nowadays is the quality of ammo you can produce and tune to your respective guns.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

The way you present the problem,I consider the Lee Classic turret press a very good investment if you want to load and shoot around 100 rds/week(or 5000/year whichever suits you).
I understand that you don't want to immobilize too much cash initially;this is a good way to load some quality ammo at a moderate amount of cash layout and a moderate rate of reloading.Plus the bonus that,with the purchase of an extra toolhead,you can switch caliber in a matter of 2 to 3 minutes(counting the time to go fetch the toolhead at the other end of the shop).
If on the other hand you shoot 10K or more rds/year,you'll soon get tired of pulling that crank 3 or 4 times to get 1 round.My thinking then would be to bunch up the additionnal $s and go with a Dillon progressive.
I shoot way over 10K rds/year but only 2K rifle rds,the rest being handguns.All my rifle rds(45-70,38-55 and 30-30 all with cast bullets)are loaded on my Lee Classic turret and am not considering to make a change.That's how satisfied I am with it.

 

[Univibe]

The RCBS press is made in Red China


The Big Boss is made in USA

guess which one I got when my 39 year old RCBS finally wore out?

Also: I highly recommend a 4 die set for pistol. Normally the third die both seats and crimps. Get another seater die. Set the first one up to seat only. And the second one to crimp only. So you have four dies:

1. Size and decap
2. Expand and flare.
3. Seat
4. Crimp.

 

[AJ]

The RCBS press is made in Red China


The Big Boss is made in USA

guess which one I got when my 39 year old RCBS finally wore out?

Also: I highly recommend a 4 die set for pistol. Normally the third die both seats and crimps. Get another seater die. Set the first one up to seat only. And the second one to crimp only. So you have four dies:

1. Size and decap
2. Expand and flare.
3. Seat
4. Crimp.

Why four dies? I have been reloading since 1973 and only for pistol. Have used my loads for plinking/fun, IPSC and match bullseye. Never felt the need to use four dies. None of the guys that I know use four dies for pistol. So again, why? Please enlighten me.

 

[4barrel]

It is a lot easier to adjust the fine tuning of the crimp with a 4 die set. Also a lot quicker. When changing styles of bullets you just adjust the length. I back the crimp off a little on wad cutters. I use Dillon dies since the 80s. You don't know what you are missing.

 

[AJ]

It is a lot easier to adjust the fine tuning of the crimp with a 4 die set. Also a lot quicker. When changing styles of bullets you just adjust the length. I back the crimp off a little on wad cutters. I use Dillon dies since the 80s. You don't know what you are missing.

Will stay with what I am using. No need to buy more stuff.

Had a Dillon SDB for twenty years and used it quite a bit. I feel I have a better product by using what amounts to a single station press. More control of the end result. I load between 10-15000 a year. Sold the SDB a couple of years ago after I broke the press body (they replace it).

 

[LostintheOzone]

I've been using a Lee Classic Cast press for about 5 years exclusively. It's loaded thousands of 38, 357, 45 acp, .223, 30 carbine, 32 long, and 9mm. I have a few Lee dies but prefer RCBS. It's a robust press for sure.