Afternoon,

I have several S&W and Ruger .357 and 38 revolvers. Have been shooting for several years. Haven’t ever reloaded or know much about it at all. With the rising costs of .38 and .357 ammo, I would love to be able to continue to shoot my revolvers consistently and hopefully for more affordable prices while learning a valuable skill. Can someone tell me the current costs to reload .38 and .357 with the various costs of necessary components primers powder ect, would a Lee Loader be all that’s needed and a simple as it gets ? Thank you

If you have brass already, figure 7-8 cents per primer, and about the same per powder charge, and about the same for the bullet.
So 20-25 cents a round is a good rough estimate. That's $10.00-$12.50 a box of 50
Of course that doesn't count cost of equipment - but if you're shooting and reloading a few thousand a year you'll recoup that cost pretty quick saving $20 a box of 50. Especially of you buy used equipment and don't go for the really high-dollar brands.

A simple, basic, single-stage setup can be had for as little as a couple of hundred bucks.

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

The cost of the case represents about 40% of the cost of a loaded round of ammunition in the current retail market. By reusing the case several times, even allowing for the fact that you will be paying retail for your supplies you will still save a lot (roughly 50%) by rolling your own and you can get exactly what you want. A Lee Loader will do the job, I started with one. It is , however, slow. You could probably buy a single stage press used somewhere pretty cheap and that would go a LOT faster. The LEE powder dippers will also do the job though a scale and adjustable powder measure will, again, be faster and more versatile, at a cost. I have not bothered to calculate what the cost comparison is if nothing else due to the fact the .38 and .357 ammo is scarce in my neck of the woods, I have little to compare it too.

Invest $20 in a Lyman handbook (the regular one, not the cast bullet manual) and read the front part, before the load data. You'll not only know what to buy, you'll also figure out if you really want to get involved in the handloading process.

Any recommendations on what single stage used press and what to look for when looking at used?
Regarding the Lyman reloading manual is this the one, the 51st reloading handbook? Also is it considered the holy grail of reloading books? You are being redirected...

$10 a box is about right at today's component prices. If you're not 100% sure about the hobby, or you are cost limited, buy a Lee Loader for about 40 bucks to get started. You can upgrade later.

If you are pretty sure you want to do it, buy a Lee Single stage "kit" for less than $200, plus about $50 more for .38 spl dies. They will load .357 as well.

I started with Lee Loaders when they were only 10 bucks. Then I started casing my own bullets. Then moved up to a press. Since I anticipated the current shortages, I stocked up when stuff was cheap. My 50 round boxes only cost $2.50.

If cost is your motive, think twice. If you are not mechanically inclined, or not a home craftsman, the task may bore you. Personally, reloading to me is as much a valuable hobby as shooting itself.

I keep costs down by buying used equipment, cherry picking what I need, then selling spares and what I won’t use. Where in Florida are you?

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

I didn't know there was a newer one than #50. It's more expensive, but get it; money well spent. I don't think there is a "holy grail" in loading manuals or anywhere else in the hobby, but it's a good book. So are the Sierra, Speer, and Hornady. The Lee is okay, also, but the others are probably better for the beginner. I'd still go with the Lyman if you're only going to buy one.

As for single stage presses new or used, there's probably not a bad one on the market. Some like to criticize one brand over another, but take your time and get a basis first so you can make a more educated decision than what some Internet maestro or YouTube crackerjack suggests.

I started out with a Lee Loader ... the mallet powered "whack-a-mole" Classic Loader ... it is a workable loading system ...But
Lee has a better mouse trap now ... The Lee Hand Press !
The Hand Press is a small hand held single stage reloading press , it's not bench mounted , it is held in your hands and there is no pounding with a mallet .
I've been reloading 50+ years , have several bench mounted reloading presses but prefer to do all my handgun and 30-30 with the hand press ...
sit inside the house or office with ac or heat and reload at computer desk or kitchen table ... everything fits into s gym bag...
I will be honest ...the Hand Press has the Classic Loader beat Seven Ways to Sunday and then some . The kit has a primer seating tool .
Just buy the Lee Hand Press Kit add dies / shell holder and you are in business .
Gary

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Certified Cajun
NRA Member

The hand press is great but last I looked the Reloader Press was actually cheaper.

The Lee Loader will get it done (lots of tapping to annoy others in the house) ... but .. I'd get Lee's Priming Tool to use instead of the Loaders' "tap the primers in" function. The tool is cheap and no popped primers
Even if you move up to another single stage press, you'll probably still make use of the priming tool.

Spend the extra hundred or so and get a turret press. It makes life easier since you can set the dies once and leave them alone.

Look at the different sites that sell reloading equipment and watch their sales. You can likely get a complete kit for less than buying one piece at a time.

I started reloading about a 18 months ago for .45 ACP , .357 Magnum and .38 Special for pretty much the same reason you are looking into it .
Using my own brass I can reload for about .25 per round at current prices , That's about $12.00 -$13.00 per 50 rounds ,
Many are complaining about the current high cost of reloading components but that still works out to less than half the cost of factory ammunition .

I bought a Lee Classic Turret Press Kit when they were on sale for $265.00 ...not sure how much they are now .
This kit got me started reloading and I have no complaints with it.

I did upgrade the Lee powder scale with an RCBS 502 I bought off ebay for $50.00...it was new old stock and was an improvement.

Overall I have very much been enjoying the reloading process . I still consider myself new to the hobby and am still in the learning stages.

One thing to think about . Up until very recently both primers and powder were pretty difficult to find due to component shortages .

It appears we may be heading into another shortage the coming year so if you're considering getting on board with reloading it might be a good idea to get stocked up on the necessary supplies somewhat soon.
When I first purchased my reloading equipment it was during the last shortage ...not too long ago by the way .

As a result it sat unused for a little over a year before supplies ...particularly primers became available.

I'll second that, but for a complete novice, I like and recommend the Lee Reloading Handbook. IMO, it is the most new-reloader friendly manual, because it is written in the simplest terms for those with no prior knowledge or experience at the reloading process.

But you really can't go wrong either way. You will want to have multiple reloading handbooks to cross-reference as you get into the hobby of making your own ammo.

So which manual you buy first isn't a major issue - because if you decide that reloading is for you, you'll want more than one anyway.

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

The Lee turret (not progressive) press can put out a lot of ammo pretty quickly without breaking the bank. And if you expand later, you can keep a caliber setup on the turret and just swap them out.

Check pawn shops and local 'for sale' ads... last week at one of our local pawn shops I saw a turret press with 3 turrets, two die sets and a powder measure for $150.

I also prefer the Lee hand priming tools to on the press priming. More control, and it gives you the opportunity to inspect your cases.

I believe you want a single stage press that uses 7/8"-14 TPI (threads per inch) dies these have been the universal standard since the 1950's there are others. They are not bad, they are just not interchangeable with the common dies.

When looking at used presses, the main part that moves up and down is called the RAM. You shouldn't mind a very light surface rust, but if pitted or with RUST SCALE move on to the next one. You want one that the ram moves freely up and down. You don't want any twister frames or sprung linkage. Some companies used PROPRITARY SHELL HOLDERS. Unless the press comes with the shell holder for 38 Special OR the adapter to common, walk on by. Old presses are often very heavy for added strength and often look obsolete, not a problem (Unless you are shipping it!)

Shell holders have numbering systems that differ from brand to brand.

I have the Lee Hand Press and one other light weight Lee aluminum press; IF you are only going to own one press and it stays at home, I would avoid them, and the lightweight aluminum presses from RCBS too.

Good used single stage presses are from:

RCBS
Hornady
Pacific
Herter's
C-H
Lyman (Spartan & All American)
Texan
Hollywood
Bonanza

I have not bought any for several years. But I have put together many reloading kits for Missionaries in 3rd world countries. Into the late 1980's I would have a press, one die set, shell holder, lube pad & lube and necessary priming tool in a metal toolbox, for $25 to $35. (This was bought retail, at gun stores not yard sales!) Prices have most certainly gone up, but at $70 you would be well served!

38 Special is the most common used handgun die set you find, 30-30 is the most common rifle.

Have fun and enjoy.

Ivan

If you are serious about this then start with a press. Everytime I can get a Lee Loader that a friend has started with I throw it in the trash. An old Lyman 310 Tool is way superior to a Lee Loader. The Lee Hand Press is the present day Lyman 310. Cost savings at first will not be great, in fact to buy all the stuff to reload you will be going backwards at first. Once you get on the right side of the costs to reload after the initial outlay, things get better. You can tailor your loads to your guns for better accuracy. The variety of loading available to you is immense. If you know anyone that reloads try to get them to show you how it is done. Once you get the feel for it, you may decide reloading is not for you.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

In a different post I said if I was starting out on a budget, Id probably go with the lee breech lock challenger kit. But the lee hand press kit, set of dies and the lee powder dipper set would be even less money and as posted above has a few advantages. And a few disadvantages compared to the challenger kit.
The hand press is portable and requires basically nothing for a dedicated bench. The challenger would need a bench or a board and clamps, something for the powder measure and scale. But would be faster than the hand press. Neither are fast, but if you don't need high volume they will work.
Actually after reading gwpercle's post I'll probably end up getting the hand press kit just so I can sit in font of the tv and process brass. LOL
Reloading is fun, give it a try. And like others have said you
won't need to worry if you can find 38/357 ammo on the shelf anymore. At least once you have a nice little pile of supplies.
Making your own ammo has it's own satisfaction.

Lee Classic turrent press is great. That is what I use for 38Special and my wife’s 380Auto .

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Respectfully
JoeDice

I started out with the Lee Turret press, and it worked great, and produced very accurate ammo. Used it for a couple of years before upgrading to a progressive press. I now have three progressive presses, 2 Dillons and a Hornady. The only reason I upgraded to progressive was for more production/speed. I’d honestly go insane if all I had was a single stage press, no, no, no on that! Single stage is okay for rifle load development, but no way would I suffer through that process for my main reloading. The Lee Classic Turret is a nicer option than the regular Lee Turret press, and is still very affordable. Plus, that’s a good platform to also develop rifle loads instead of using a single stage press.

I also used Lee dies, and they have never failed me, they work well. I’ve upgraded some calibers to Redding dies, just because I could, but still use Lee dies, as well. The Lee powder thru expander die is a nice set up, and the factory crimp die works well for production ammo.

One thing that you’ll figure out if you get into reloading is that it is much more than just a cost savings. You’ll learn the beauty of building accurate ammo, and that’ll help make you a better shooter, and enjoy shooting more. And if you’re good at buying components when times are good and they’re plentiful, you’ll never be subjected to ammo shortages and price gouging. That’s a nice situation! Of course the cost savings is nice, especially when you’re reloading expensive calibers…

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Also, I recommend reading Richard Lee’s book on reloading. It’s a very, very informative and interesting book. I wouldn’t start reloading until you read it…

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NRA Life Member

Handloading is an expensive way to save money.

I started out in 1972 with plain old 222 Remington and about 100 calibers later .....

IMG_0867.jpg

41 Rimfire. Actually, I use the Lee HandPress to reload the rimfire cartridge. Kind of jury rigged it, but it works. I made up a rig to hold the press to a board, very transportable but easier to handle.

If you have a bit of self control and use it for 50 or 100 rounds at a time of 38 Special or 20, 40 rounds of 30.06, 30 WCF and such it's a great set up. But I'll be there's no one here who reloads that didn't expand to more calibers, more guns and a whole host of "hey that would be neat to have" reloading equipment, followed closely by more guns.

That's not a criticism, just a warning.

If the OP shoots $100 worth of factory ammo per month, IMHO reloading can make $ENSE... If it is a purely financial determination there are many less time-consuming and potentially less expen$ive "hobbies"!

I have multiple presses, including the excellent LEE Hand Press, which (also) IMHO is a good place to start. But, a used single stage press and a set of dies is hard to beat.

Being ABLE to make your ammo is a positive accomplishment: a pound of powder can mean a thousand reloads. How many "typical gun owners" will ever shoot a thousand rounds in their entire life?

Just something to consider...

Cheers!

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Sit Reloader Sentiret

Conventional wisdom is reloading doesn’t really save you money, it just allows you to shoot more.

In the name of full disclosure, I started loading in 1979 with a Lee Loader in 303British. I now load for 117 cartridges and am down to 1 Turret Press, 1 single stage press, and 1 progressive. (and a couple of bullet sizers.) From 3 Turrets, 6 single stage presses, and 2 Progressives And still have 17 or 18 Lee Loaders & 4 Lyman 310 tools and about 20 sets of dies. From 32 S&W Short to 450 3 1/4" Nitro Express. I have loaded more than Half a Million Rounds.

Ivan

Look for used equipment and estate sale components. Don’t shoot other guys reloads though, tear them down for the components. The current prices of primers, powder and the availability are crazy. Lead bullets aren't too bad. I have bought some post pandemic powder but my other components are pre pandemic. I shoot a match or two a month. Good luck.

“Down to”…

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Richard

When our sons and his two grandsons were in their early teens, my buddy and I would shoot most Sunday afternoons. Being recently divorced, I soon realized that I needed to reduce/minimize my cost of ammo for my son and myself. Given that my buddy had his teenage son and two grandsons and I was on an limited recently divorced budget, we did the math.



Casting our own bullets and loading our own ammo for .38 spl was less costly than the .22 RF. So, we invested in a progressive press and loaded for the .38 spl. As I recall, it was less that 3.5 cents per round/

I moved to a condo and went from 17 running feet of loading bench in a 12'x15' dedicated room to a 5' bench in the laundry room. The only reason to "DOWN TO"

Ivan

I started shooting Sporting Clays in the late 90's and 2 of my 4 kids shot with me every week the club had an event. Not counting back yard and skeet for practice, I shot 100+ shotshells a week and the kids shot 100 to 200 rounds of 20 gauge. Their range fees were half price, but at times 500 rounds a week would have been prohibitive without reloading!

In the mid 90's I started shooting SASS Cowboy Action. In the 9-month season I shot 100 rounds of shotgun a week for practice, and 50 rounds a week of 45 Colt. This was my practice. Matches were 120 +/- 45 Colt and 25-30 shotgun once or twice a month. Again, the reloading allowed much enjoyment at little cost! The kids didn't start using my cowboy ammo until they were adults! 4 of us shooting a 3-day event, plus a day or two of practice might burn two to three thousand rounds that week!

I had friends in SASS that had enough brass to load once a year, I got it down to 4000 rounds twice a year for that sport. Thank you, Mike Dillion!

I even remember one summer in the mid 80's I went through 25,000 round of 9mm in my full auto MAC-10. Without a good reloader, I couldn't afford any of my shooting sports! Good 338 Lapus mag is $7 to $12 a round; I can reload mine for around $1.75 (current prices + Brass).

Ivan

I prime all my cartridges with the hand primer, still.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

From the unheated, un-air conditioned garage to my all weather 'middle room', a combination internet router, printer, storage, former desk for my son's business into a reloading area by clamping my Rockchucker onto the desk. I have your basic 5' of desktop plus some cabines, shelves and drawers for most of my gun/reloading needs.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

My side half of the laundry room has a 7' bench, Dillon 450, Dillon 550 on either end, a Kennedy top chest on the right end with the Kennedy roll away under the bench. The small upright freezer for meat fits under the other end. This was a major upgrade from the garage without a/c. The Rockchucker, Lee cheapo press, Lyman trim tools can be clamped in the middle of the bench. I started reloading in 1974 to save money, then casting bullets in 1976, and finally have $485 in savings for my next "Got to Have It".

In my spare time I've fired 200K rounds of centerfire ammo from 222 Rem to 45-70 and 30 Herrett to 45 acp.

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S&WHF 366

My reloading/collectibles/gun room is a 12' X 20' room I enclosed on the old back porch. To get into it you go through my "office" which is a computer/gun & military book library/collectibles room that is 12' X 15'. Still seems crowded!

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

How many rounds do you send down range annually? Do you shoot regularly, weekly or monthly?

As a reloader I see it as a great hobby. But friends who have failed at it, did so because it was a necessity to shoot and was a “chore” and not a “hobby”.

Start with used equipment. Plus watch out for obvious reloaders at your range. People who pick up brass are often reloaders. Having a good reloading mentor is very helpful.

I did virtually the same thing, except my loading bench folds up when not in use.

You still have much more equipment than I; I’m “down to” just this Lee App press.

Attached Images

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Richard

About 10 years ago, I was shooting my model 52 at a local range. I was alone. Asked the RO why nobody was there. Said ammo hard to find, nobody wanted to shoot. That’s when reloading was cost effective. I’ve been reloading for 40 years but the cost never really made a difference until then.

FLGun, you should have your Speer #11 manual by the 21st if you can believe usps, enjoy.

A Lee Loader will work, but it is somewhat slow and tedious to use if you plan to shoot much. I started handloading using several LL sets, and loaded lots of rounds, rifle, pistol, and shotgun, with them over several years. But it is the least expensive way to go. You do not really need a powder scale as you can buy a Lee dipper set. Also the cheapest way to go. Someone mentioned the Lyman 310 tong tool, and that is a step up from the LL. Not nearly as bad as using a hammer. If you look, you can find lots of used reloading tools and accessories of all kinds for sale at gun shows and on online auction sites. You do not need new. In fact, nearly every reloading item I have was bought used or given to me. You will find that after a few years, reloading items will breed in the dark rapidly.

Also, If OP wants to shoot during ammo droughts or when ammo gets taxed or regulated or restricted out of existence, he'll take up this essential skill. He'll lay in as much powder and as many primers as he can reasonably afford/store and replace it as he uses it.

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Just Say No - To Social Media

Reloading has always been a chore to me but casting and reloading are the only way I could afford to shoot as often as I do. My old stash of powder, primers, bullets, wads and shot kept me shooting during the drought. Though I did start shooting .22 2gun shoots too. Its all about amortization of your equipment. If you shoot a box of ammo a month or only during deer season to sight in your rifle you will never amortize your initial costs. But if you shoot a couple matches a month over years you will.

I shoot three days a week. Mondays and Thursdays are rifle days, sometimes a centerfire. Usually it is a heavy barrel .22 LR, and not even an entire box. On Fridays we shoot handgun, centerfire and rimfire. Maybe two to three boxes then. Don't hunt anymore and don't shoot matches anymore. Get meat at the commissary and don't need to prove anything to anyone, just myself. Have enough stashed to last at least 10+ years.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

Yes, a Lee Loader will work. After the first primer you accidentally set off ditch the hammer and pick up a small arbor press at Harbor Freight, ePay, or similar and you'll be a lot happier and only very slightly poorer.
That said, I cranked out 1000+ rounds of 45ACP yesterday on my Dillon progressive and it just didn't take that long. Using a mix of components I'd bought over the years I think the cost was $.06/round ($3/50). If I were using all new components then it would have been $.17/round.
It's a coated lead bullet over 5 grains of Green Dot, but the paper doesn't seem to mind. I will say my .45 prefers jacketed bullets for accuracy and the cast are a cruddy 4" at 25yds. Plenty good enough to shoot action pistol. If I were shooting Bullseye or something where I needed a group size half that, then Jacketed bullets and the cost goes way up to like $.40/round.
It's worth noting lead wears barrels a lot less than jacketed bullets, so it's also easy on the gun.

Setting off primers is what lead me to be against Lee Loaders. I learned on a 310 Tool then graduated to a Lyman Spar-T press. I had a friend that used a Lee Loader and was loading at my house. He set off two primers in about 5 minutes. I got out a 310 Tool and showed him how to use it and told him it was his. I said I wanted the Lee in exchange, took the Lee Loader and threw it in the trash.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.

You shoot a lot more than I do AJ. Good for you. Hard CCI primers are your friend if you are using a whack a mole. Federals are the most sensitive and the worst. My first foray into the dark arts of reloading was a whack a mole in .30-30 and a cookie cutter lubing system for 45-70. Now I have 2 Dillon 550s and 2 Lyman T2s with s few other single stage presses. Have 2 Lyman lubrisizers too, one in 311 and the other in 45.

Between 1971 and 1994 I used nothing but whackamoles. I only bought a press when Dad bought a Model 57 and Lee didn't offer their original loader in .41 Magnum. I had a bunch of calibers at the time and yes they were slow, but I had the time and I admit I was too cheap to invest more money. THEN, equipment amortization was of no concern because the first box of ammo took care of that.

Now, in that 23 year period I NEVER once popped a primer.

I never used a hand press, but wouldn't even consider one. I can't imagine squeezing my hands that much. My arthritis is bad enough as it is.

I turret is also not in my future. Those extra turrets are expensive and since I load several different types of bullets for each caliber I have to readjust every time anyway.

My choice is a Cast Iron press for resizing and I use several small (cheap) Reloader Presses for the other tasks. This is MY progressive - I move from one station to another....LOL.

I had a whole stack of Lee Loaders in many different calibers that I saved for all these years. Needing more room to store massive quantities of primers (pre pandemic $28) I offered them for sale as a package deal. I got lots of calls and sold the lot for more than 3x what I paid for them. All were well used but not abused.

I would start with an RCBS single stage press. You may be able to buy the press, scales and other accessories in a kit. This will give you a good start. The biggest thing is RCBS will guarantee their equipment for life. I f you ever have a problem call them and a new part will arrive in the mail. I inquired about a newer style handle they sent me one at no charge. I also wanted a newer black spent primer holder since i blasted and repainted my press battleship gray. I called asked them to send one. i asked how much and the reply there will be no charge today. Great company to deal with. My old Rockchucker (discontinued) is about 45 years old and still going strong.

I agree. RCBS equipment is top notch. I have some of their stuff in my stable. But Lee isn't too shabby either.

The comparable Lee "kit" is about $300 cheaper than the RCBS kit. My Lee press is about 30 years old and still works like new. But then again, I only load about 3000 rounds a year.

It all depends on whether you "want" to get the job done, or whether you "need" the best. But then again, the best may be a personal opinion.

Ditto that. You can get the Lee Classic Turret "kit" for less than the RCBS single stage.

The really cool thing about the Lee Classic Turret is that beginners can use like a single-stage press. Then as they get more comfortable with the reloading process, it can be used as a manually-advanced turret. And finally, when they get comfortable with that process it can then be used as an auto-advancing turret, which is just one step short of being a full-on progressive press.

In terms of flexibility and bang-for-your-buck I don't see how you can do better than that.

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

Buying new is great if you can afford it. buying used can be more cost effective. Lots of good used equipment out there at reasonable prices. At our local gun shows there is always reloading equipment for sale. Most are willing to deal with you, so they don't have to lug it around anymore.

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USMC 69-93 Combat Pistol Inst.