Reloading basics.... Help needed.

[9399NOLES]

To keep it simple for the holiday seasons this year I am going to allow my wife to spend my money on a loading press for me....

So basically.... What is a good starting up loading press, or kit or whatever it is that I need? I plan on reloading .38 and .357. Nothing else. Ever.

So what all do I need, or is there a full kit I can get that has everything but the brass, primers, rounds and powder?

Thanks for any wisdom that may be bestowed upon this humble enthusiast.

 

[9399NOLES]

Guess I should also add in that I just want a single stage press. I wont reload a whole lot. Really I am not even doing it to save money, but just for the satisfaction of doing it myself and trying different things.

 

[jhvaughan2]

The lee precision kits are the easiest and most value conscience way to get started all at once. I started with the 4 hole turret press and have been very happy. However after a year or so I did upgrade to a the better powder dispenser and got an electronic scale.

Edit: crossed with the second post, but Lee makes press kits in single stage too.

 

[9399NOLES]

So something along these lines? Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit

Is there not a specific press for the caliber you use? For instance .38 or .357? If I understand correctly you do have to have the correct sized dyes for the casings. But is this kit all I need plus the dyes fit for my size?

 

[venomballistics]

I started out with the lee challenger kit many moons ago and I still use it
if I were to change anything I think I'd have opted for a turret press to save me the wrath of die changes. that way you can avoid screwing up your adjustments.
whats often overlooked by newcommers is a good manual or three. In fact get a few and start reading ahead of time. Its just too easy to glance at the table of contents and jump to the press giddy as a school girl.

 

[venomballistics]

So something along these lines? Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit

Is there not a specific press for the caliber you use? For instance .38 or .357? If I understand correctly you do have to have the correct sized dyes for the casings. But is this kit all I need plus the dyes fit for my size?

its the dies and shell holder ... it'll load anything short of a 50 BMG otherwise

 

[9399NOLES]

Sounds good, you got any that you recommend? I have nothing but time being in the military and often being on duty sitting around waiting

 

[venomballistics]

really any of the turret presses would serve you well. The Lyman and the Lee seem to be leading the pack as turret presses go.
Im sure you'd do fine with either.
I use my old challenger for developing handgun loads, once hammered out the load is set up on a Dillon progressive.
all rifle loading is still done on the old Lee single as well

 

[jhvaughan2]

So something along these lines? Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit

That's what I was refering to. Also check out this one. It cost less, but allows you to prime on the press rather than with the hand-held primer. With the first die you size and remove the old primer and then on the upswing you seat a new primer. -- A matter of preference.

I also recommend a turret press for handgun cartridges. It saves several steps and your dies stay aligned.

Check out youtube for videos of how each work.

 

[blujax01]

Novalty started a thread a couple days ago with the info that Cabela's is having a Black Friday sale on the Rock Chucker Supreme. Worthy of consideration ...
http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/216456-gonna-start-reloading-black-friday-sale.html

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Consider the Hornady Lock and Load Classic. Bushings make it easy to change dies and keep their settings. Even if you get another press most of them will accept these bushing with a conversion kit. There are good reloading kits but I found it better to research each component separately. You can Google Search and/or use the search portion on this forum under reloading, i.e. "scales", or "dies", etc. Over the last year people have discussed just about every aspect of reloading, you just need to access this information. You can also ask, as I did many times when I returned to reloading, for recommendations. From powders, brass, bullets, to trickles and primers it's all there. Good luck.

 

[beach elvis]

Lee Hand Press. Cheap, portable, and I've loaded easily 30,000+ rounds on mine without a hickup.

 

[Skip Sackett]

I know what you said BUT, I would go no less than this:

https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php...facturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41

Buy it single item, or in the kit, this is the BEST way to get started reloading. You can use it like a single stage, but the dies are all set up and all you do is turn them into place OR use it as it is designed with the auto turret advance.

What really make this nice is when you change calibers. Keep the heads stored and all you do is change the tool head, put in the right shell holder and away you go!

I don't have a dog in the hunt, i.e., I am not affiliated with Kempf at all. Buy the kit somewhere else if you find it cheaper BUT, for me, this is where I would start.

 

[GTbob]

Hornady has a deal through the end of December.... Buy the Lock-N-Load kit and get 500 bullets for a shipping and handling charge. Has same thing running on Dies and other accessories. Check their website.

And Sportsmans Warehouse has the Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic kit for $259.99!

Gonna buy me one before end of year and 3 die sets.... That gets a total of 800 bullets with the mail in form.

Bob

Consider the Hornady Lock and Load Classic. Bushings make it easy to change dies and keep their settings. Even if you get another press most of them will accept these bushing with a conversion kit. There are good reloading kits but I found it better to research each component separately. You can Google Search and/or use the search portion on this forum under reloading, i.e. "scales", or "dies", etc. Over the last year people have discussed just about every aspect of reloading, you just need to access this information. You can also ask, as I did many times when I returned to reloading, for recommendations. From powders, brass, bullets, to trickles and primers it's all there. Good luck.

 

[Black_Sheep]

So something along these lines? Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit

Is there not a specific press for the caliber you use? For instance .38 or .357? If I understand correctly you do have to have the correct sized dyes for the casings. But is this kit all I need plus the dyes fit for my size?

I've loaded many thousands of rounds with Challenger press kit, including a 500 round batch of .38 Special this afternoon. The powder measure and scale included in the kit are cumbersome, I've been using an auto-disc powder dispenser instead.

With the kit and correct size dies you are ready to start reloading, I suggest ordering some loading blocks too...

 

[papajohn428]

I started off with a Lee Turret press 30 years ago, and while I've thought about upgrading numerous times, I can't find anything that would work any better. The press came with an auto-index feature, but I disabled it the day I bought it, and have used it as a single-stage ever since. The joy of the turrets is that you set them ONCE, and never have to mess with them again unless you want to change something. I have a couple dozen turrets set up in different calibers, and I can change one for another in about 15 seconds. I load in batches, generally 300 at a time, and prime off-press with a Hornady hand tool, which allows you to feel the primers seating.

 

[charliek]

Got into reloading with a freebie Lee loader, the cheapie that you use a mallet with. In '73, bought an RCBS Reloader Special, with .38 spl. dies for around $35.00 at the old Allied Sporting Goods store here. Along with a Lee Pro 1000 I picked up in the mid '80's, I still use the RCBS to this day, has loaded countless rounds in many calibers for me.

 

[venomballistics]

I started off with a Lee Turret press 30 years ago, and while I've thought about upgrading numerous times, I can't find anything that would work any better. The press came with an auto-index feature, but I disabled it the day I bought it, and have used it as a single-stage ever since. The joy of the turrets is that you set them ONCE, and never have to mess with them again unless you want to change something. I have a couple dozen turrets set up in different calibers, and I can change one for another in about 15 seconds. I load in batches, generally 300 at a time, and prime off-press with a Hornady hand tool, which allows you to feel the primers seating.

say ... whats that six string in the background

 

[CMD-KY]

To keep it simple for the holiday seasons this year I am going to allow my wife to spend my money on a loading press for me....

So basically.... What is a good starting up loading press, or kit or whatever it is that I need? I plan on reloading .38 and .357. Nothing else. Ever.

So what all do I need, or is there a full kit I can get that has everything but the brass, primers, rounds and powder?

Thanks for any wisdom that may be bestowed upon this humble enthusiast.

Dillon Square Deal

 

[papajohn428]

say ... whats that six string in the background

1967 Fender Mustang......it was my late brother's. I also got his Gibson Ripper Bass, and a sweet Music Man amp. But I'd rather have him back.