Start Up Cost for Single Stage Press and Accessories?

[kbm6893]

I have never reloaded but I am seriously considering it. I don't shoot much, so I buy a box of ammo here and there to stock up and spread the cost out. But I have not seen a box of .38 Special in over a year at Walmart. I know I can buy them online, but with shipping it's more expensive. I don't need progressive press. I see myself doing 100 rounds at a time here and there to stock up. So what would I be in for? I'm talking all the cost, not including the powder and primers. I have the brass. I figure press, scale, dies, case trimmer, lube, funnel. I'm sure I left a few things out.

 

[MyDads38]

My first thought is for you to look at some of the LEE brand kits that come with everything you need, except a set of loading dies. The Reloader press is a simple "C" design press and is the most inexpensive press LEE offers. Next would be the Challenger press/kit. The Challenger is an "O" type design press. From there you get into the Turret presses. If you don't want a progressive, but want something more than a single stage; this is the route to go! I have owned/used both the original 3 hole turret and just upgraded to the LEE Classic Cast 4 hole turret w/auto index. I wish I had upgraded sooner! With the Classic Cast you can load several hundred rounds per hour, or simply remove the auto index rod and use as a single station press. With the turret, you have complete control over the loading sequence at every stage.
Do an online search and also check out some of the youtube videos of LEE products. And BTW, I also use an older RCBS single stage press for some things, but the majority of my loading is for 38 Spec, 9mm and 45acp pistol rounds. I also load 223 rifle ammo. All can be loaded on one press.

 

[H Richard]

I am a fan of the more heavier built presses, such as RCBS and Hornady. There are lots of others just as good for your purposes. One thing, if you have no deadline, is to watch estate sales and auctions. You would be surprised how much reloading equipment is out there and winds up at sales and auctions. For a complete kit, the RCBS has one that includes just about everything possible yo need at a reasonable price. You will probably need to spend in the vicinity of $300 for new equipment. The most important piece of equipment is the reloading manual, get one and read it fully before starting.

 

[Just another 22 shooter]

H Richard said pretty much every thing that I was going to tell you . I'll add to watch the classified ads on this and other shooting forums. Presses , dies and even reloading manuals can be bought at reasonable prices.

 

[Sansho]

So far, in reloading 45 cal, I've only come across one case in the last 500 that needed trimming. You could probably delay or even not buy one, until you determine you really need one. More valuable to me is the Wilson max cartridge gage, which ensures the shell and loaded cartridge meet caliber specs.

 

[tlay]

If I were starting now I would go with the Lee turret press. It will do the same job as the single but much easier and faster. Just take the rotating mechanism off and do each step, resizing/depriming, powder/flaring, and bullet seating/crimping.
You can buy the kit for the turret press from Cabelas for $129.99. The classic turret press kit is $229.99. This will give you all the basic stuff to start with. If you can afford it get the classic. It comes with much more stuff and is a heavy duty press. You will need more turrets they cost $12.99 each, you will need one for every caliber you load.
You will need a bullet puller, $19.99. You will need dies, I recommend Lees. I recommend getting the 4 die set for handguns, $47.99 each set and the 3 die set for rifle, $31.99 each set.
You will need a powder measure for rifle, $24.99.
You will need case loading blocks, $7.99 each, you need 2.
You will need a way to clean brass, get the Cabelas kit, $74.99.
You need calipers, $24.99.
You need to buy as many manuals as possible and start reading now. I suggest, Lee, Lyman49, and Hornady.
And of course you need a bench. This is the basics you need to start. When you get more experienced you will change some things.
Of course you will need the components such as powder, bullets, brass, and primers. Good luck finding them.

 

[series guy]

I started loading about 8 years ago with used equipment I picked up at gun shows. If you belong to a club ask around and you may be able to purchase everything you need at "friend" prices. I really like the old Lyman All American presses so that's all I use. You can find them pretty easily for $100. Add a good scale, a powder measure, and a set of carbide dies and you're ready. I've never trimmed a case yet and rarely check overall length since I only load for revolvers. It's not rocket science but you do need to be attentive.

 

[Collo Rosso]

Armslist has been good for me. Twice I've picked up deals on equipment that was used very little if at all. The only thing I had to buy new when I started was a scale and a set of dies.

 

[formernuke]

Just a warning I've got all my dies and presses however nowdays powder is almost impossible to find.

 

[Granddad]

You can't go any cheaper than this: Lee Loader 38 Spl - Lee Precision. I actually used these in 2 calibers about 30 yrs ago and they produce decent rounds but are quite slow.

For a single stage press, it really does depend on what you are able to spend for equipment, but you need to realize that real savings associated with reloading depends on buying bullets, powder and primers in bulk (either as an individual or with a group). If you don't want to buy in bulk, you're not much worse off buying ammo.

You can get by with basic Lee equipment for a little more than $100 and spend another 25 or so for the Lyman #49 manual. You don't need to trim pistol brass and you can get by without a tumbler if you don't shoot where your brass gets covered with dirt and debris. Buy carbide dies and don't worry with buying lube. I'm not a fan of the cheaper beam or electronic scales, but the Lee beam scale works although a bit of a PITA.

Just my 2 cents...good luck.

 

[epj]

Lots of used reloading equipment on eBay.

 

[MyDads38]

I have gotten some very good deals on E-bay for reloading equipment and accessories. Most with free shipping, some with little/reasonable rates.
Bought my new Lee Classic turret press for $97+change w/free shipping & rec'd in 2 days! Factory Crimp Dies for $18.79 each w/free ship. 4 die pistol dies also at a good price, although I don't remember right now what I paid.
Take your time and look for best price, but keep in mind the shipping cost. Best reloading manual to start with, IMO, would be the Lyman #49. Don't forget to check amazon.com-some good deals there sometimes too.

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

Ditto on the Ebay and auction route. I inherited most of my reloading equipment but have augmented it with an RCBS Jr press and Lee powder measure found on E bay for about $40. Bought a $10 digital caliper at Harbor Freight with coupon, and a new Lyman Turbo brass cleaner and Lee Hand primer at Brass Pro. I've bought odds and ends at yard sales too. Good loading blocks can be made from a scrap piece of 2X4 or just use the plastic case holders that come with a box of ammo. The more reloading manuals the better. I like the Lyman series but any of the older manuals are as good as gold.
John

 

[Boox]

+2 on eBay...I just recently, in response to a similar thread, figured the cost of my reloading hardware, to wit;
Lee challenger press
Pacific press
Ohaus powder measure (I have 2)
Redding powder measure(just for rifles powders)
RCBS 10-10 scale
Lyman 5-10 scale
dies for; 9mm, 40S&W, 45acp, 38/357, 41 mag, 45acp, 45 long colt
.243 win, 30-30, 300 savage, 303 savage
Lyman case trimmer
little odds n' ends, primer pocket brushes, case length tools, thumbler tumbler,
you get the idea, all bought on eBay. less than $450 invested, with shipping included.
i bought it over time, about a year, started with the basics then upgraded, or bought as i added new calibers, some things, especially dies are new, mostly what i bought was "broken in".

 

[mr-mom]

Look for someone who reloads and get to know them. Most will be glad to help a new guy out. They often either have, or know of used equipment for sale. When I started years ago, bought all used RCBS equipment, except for the scale. Buy a good scale no matter what else you get. Years later, I'm still using everything I purchased used. Don't buy cheap, or poorly made, reloading stuff. Remember, you most often get just what you pay for.
Dave
SWCA #2778

 

[M&PUSER]

I have never reloaded but I am seriously considering it. I don't shoot much, so I buy a box of ammo here and there to stock up and spread the cost out. But I have not seen a box of .38 Special in over a year at Walmart. I know I can buy them online, but with shipping it's more expensive. I don't need progressive press. I see myself doing 100 rounds at a time here and there to stock up. So what would I be in for? I'm talking all the cost, not including the powder and primers. I have the brass. I figure press, scale, dies, case trimmer, lube, funnel. I'm sure I left a few things out.

As often as you're going to be shooting, you're better off buying by the box or better yet by the case than reloading. Use gunbot.net as a good starting source.

 

[blujax01]

Anyone remember the movie: "Groundhog Day"?

 

[novalty]

If you are going to reload you can only do it on a Dillon 550, if you are going to get a 550, you might as well get a 650. If there is anything that I've learned from these posts, Blue really makes the press and your ammo will be considerably better if the warranty is expressed as "NO BS."

 

[Krell1]

Just a warning I've got all my dies and presses however nowdays powder is almost impossible to find.

That was my biggest problem. I always loaded Bullseye and couldn't find any. I was searching for alternatives on gunbot when a forum member suggested Alliant Promo that was available at Natchez. I bought a container and immediately after I placed my order it was out of stock. I guess I was lucky to get it and haven't seen any available since. You may see some bashing of the Lee press but I've found it to be the cheapest way to reload and I'm not at all disappointed with the quality of the press or the reloads I'm able to make. If you don't do a huge amount of shooting, a single stage is all you need.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Any MAJOR press company should work for you......one that has replacement parts and dies is also a plus..........
I have a really old RCBS and it is my work horse for every thing.

Some load manuals and books to read while waiting for the equipment is a good idea............ Never hurts to have a little idea of what is needed for the loads that you want to first try.

Yes.. it cost you money............
but in the long run you will understand that you made a good move. It looks like the powder , primers and components all cost a lot of money.............and they do !!
If you can take a deep breath and buy in "BULK", you can save or at least, break even in two to three years, just that most that start out do not have the money and start out with minimum supplies, which is still ok.

You have to understand that by loading your own ammo, you will now be able to load three or four to one of what you would buy in the stores. That is 3:1 or 4:1 or 500 vs 1500 to 2,000 rounds.
Best of luck.