Being organized is the key...
...if you lay the loaders and components (with a good mallet) out in front of you, you can reload a cartridge in about 45 seconds.
I used them for a good while before I got into more 'serious' handloading.
If you use the Lee scoops you will need a powder scale to verify your throws. Digital scales are inexpensive now, I have a Lee balance scale to double check things. In the early days I even made a few scoops for pet loads out of cut down shell cases. Constant technique is VITAL. A sideways shake does it. Otherwise you could use a powder measure (I use the RCBS Uniflow) but still need to check your throws. Once I get the measure adjusted I check every 8-10 rounds.
I cleaned my cases in a collander and Dawn soap for years before I bought a tumbler.
If you reload rifle cartridges you will need a caliper or case gauge and some means to trim them. I have cheap Lee trimmers that I chuck into my drill press. A Lee case mouth chamfer tool is good, too.
Get a Loading manual and read up on reloading in general and the types of cartridges you plan to load. There are differences between rimmed cartridges, rimless cartridges and rifle cartridges. You don't HAVE to know this to use Lee Loaders but it is helpful and the knowledge is there for the reading. Things like Overall Cartridged Length, Headspacing and other aspects are worth knowing, especially from a safety standpoint. Besides, it is INTERESTING.
I started out with bullets, primers and a can of Bullseye powder. Decide what powder you want to use that will be versatile. Medium powders like HP-38/Win231 and Hodgdons Universal do well. After a while I added Unique and 2400 (Magnum powder)
I only use one powder for rifle, IMR 4789, though I have some others for light loads, etc. But the 4789 works with everything I load, from .223 up to 30-06, 7.62 x 54 Russian and 8mm Mauser. The Alliant powder are great, but they are geting harder to find. Hodgon sells their own power and also Winchester, Accurate, IMR and Ramshot.
DOUBLE CHARGES of fast powders like Bullseye and Titegroup can be DANGEROUS! Safety is paramount. Work out a routine and do it that way EVERY TIME. I always work from left to right.
A couple of reloading blocks are needed. I have one I bought and a couple that I've made on my drill press. (The Russian cartridge are big and rimmed)
Primers. I mosly use small pistol and small rifle, but I have large pistol and rifle on hand. I have some magnum primers but with the powders I use I don't really need them.
I've always been the 'King of Cheap' and only added tools/equipment as my operation grew. I use a lot of Lee stufff because they are simple, cheap and work well
All you need for your work area is a small amount of benchtop. Right now my work area, including my press, is about a 1 1/2 foot of desktop. Storage of all the components, tools, dies, etc, take up much more.
Have fun and call us again when you want to move to a reloading press!
CAVEAT!!!! Wear hearing, eye protection. I had a primer go off once when tapping on it with the Lee tool.
