Just remember, heavy duty is only overkill if all you are going to load is 38spl. Personally, I would not waste my time or money on any handloader kit. They work but are painfully slow, pretty much a novelty imo. A bench mounted press is where I'd lay my money and again, an aluminum press will do just fine loading any pistol round. Titan reloading as well as amazon often have decent pricing on Lee equipment.
Wanting to get into reloading 38 SPL.
- Thread starter GA_Sheepdog
- Start date
Rick1967
Member
A Lee hand press is a great option. I have a bunch of different presses and equipment. But I started with the hand press. If you get that and a set of Lee dies you could get started. You don't have to get a scale right away. I went 6 months without one. You can use the dipper that comes with the dies. Just check which powder the dies recommend. And don't use max loads. I loaded several thousand rounds of 38 special like that before my wife gave me an RCBS press, scale and powder measure for Christmas. Good wife...really good wife. I now have a Hornady progressive press that I have spent at least $700 on with all the attachments. But last night I sat in my recliner with my wife watching tv while I reloaded some 38 special on my hand press. The Hornady is set up for 45 acp at the moment.
Clovishound
Member
At Titan reloading you can get
Classic SS breech press 114
Auto drum powder measure 36
Lee balance scale 26
Lee's reloading manual 18
.38 spcl/.357 3 die set 32
4 die set add 10
You can get everything for 226, or 236 with 4 die set. I don't use the factory crimp die for revolver loads. I do like it for auto calibers, and my lever rifle ammo. You will need to add shipping.
Now, I don't know which kit you were looking at. Some have the perfect powder measure. This a stand alone measure. The one I referenced here is the new drum measure that drops through the die when expanding the case. Much more convenient than a stand alone. The auto drum is a big improvement over the auto disc IMO. A lot of kits include a hand primer. I prime on press. You might want to go to a hand primer down the road, but you can decide later after some experience. If you don't like the Lee balance scale, you can get whatever you want, and want to spend. The Lee scale is slow, and somewhat finicky, but works and is accurate.
There are other things you will need, if you start loading other calibers. A dial or digital caliper for rifle and auto calibers. A trimmer for rifle calibers. Most of us end up with some kind of mechanical cleaner, but you can hand wash cases until you decide you want something powered.
The kits are great if they have the stuff you really want. Otherwise, put together your own kit, and get what you want. This is a list based on what I would get to go along with the press you have settled on. It is just my opinion based on my experience and likes/dislikes. FWIW I have used the perfect powder measure, and both the auto disc and auto drum. The auto drum is my hands down favorite. I have used the Lee balance scale, as well as an inexpensive electronic scale. Electronic is very convenient, and can be accurate, but the beam scale is very accurate and will last a very long time as long as you don't damage it.
You may find down the road that you would rather have something different. You probably won't know what you really want until you get some experience under your belt.
Classic SS breech press 114
Auto drum powder measure 36
Lee balance scale 26
Lee's reloading manual 18
.38 spcl/.357 3 die set 32
4 die set add 10
You can get everything for 226, or 236 with 4 die set. I don't use the factory crimp die for revolver loads. I do like it for auto calibers, and my lever rifle ammo. You will need to add shipping.
Now, I don't know which kit you were looking at. Some have the perfect powder measure. This a stand alone measure. The one I referenced here is the new drum measure that drops through the die when expanding the case. Much more convenient than a stand alone. The auto drum is a big improvement over the auto disc IMO. A lot of kits include a hand primer. I prime on press. You might want to go to a hand primer down the road, but you can decide later after some experience. If you don't like the Lee balance scale, you can get whatever you want, and want to spend. The Lee scale is slow, and somewhat finicky, but works and is accurate.
There are other things you will need, if you start loading other calibers. A dial or digital caliper for rifle and auto calibers. A trimmer for rifle calibers. Most of us end up with some kind of mechanical cleaner, but you can hand wash cases until you decide you want something powered.
The kits are great if they have the stuff you really want. Otherwise, put together your own kit, and get what you want. This is a list based on what I would get to go along with the press you have settled on. It is just my opinion based on my experience and likes/dislikes. FWIW I have used the perfect powder measure, and both the auto disc and auto drum. The auto drum is my hands down favorite. I have used the Lee balance scale, as well as an inexpensive electronic scale. Electronic is very convenient, and can be accurate, but the beam scale is very accurate and will last a very long time as long as you don't damage it.
You may find down the road that you would rather have something different. You probably won't know what you really want until you get some experience under your belt.
With all due respect you come to a handloaders forum admitting that you don't know anything and asking for advice then proceed to school us on what is quality, available and at what cost. This forum is packed with guys that are much better human beings than me because I'm inclined to just agree with anything you say at this point.
OK now that I have your attention, let me say this for probably the 100th time. When you purchase handloading tools, presses, dies, powder measure and so forth, you get what you pay for. It's just like buying a handgun. You can buy budget and you can buy quality. Both budget and quality go bang.
But since you are on a Smith and Wesson forum it is assumed, at least by me, that you might lean in the direction of quality. Believe it or not we all know how much this stuff costs and what you get for that money. But what we know doesn't do much for you unless you are willing to take it all in. The truth of the matter is, handloading is not the least expensive hobby you can get yourself involved in.
In summery, when you click on the "Buy" button, just remember you are getting what you pay for. No more, no less. To properly get started in this hobby and amass all of the stuff that you will need will cost about $500.00
More is better and some will argue that it can be done for less but when it's all said and done, $500.00
Yes I'm mean.
OP
GA_Sheepdog
Member
Thank you for taking the time to look up what I would need and even show the prices. Everyone has been very informative in giving there advice and knowledge. I'm actually going to go with this set up. I went with the Frankford Arsenal DS-750 Electronic Powder Scale, instead of the Lee basic scale. I also picked up an extra set of breech lock bushings.
Clovishound
Member
I have the little Frankford Arsenal scale. I have been very happy with it. It is far quicker to use than a beam scale. I checked mine against a couple beam scales when I first got it. It was dead on.
I will say it is nice to have a balance scale to use as a check on your electronic. Be sure and calibrate your scale periodically. It comes with a calibration weight. I find that mine is spot on with the calibration weight for a couple days after the last calibration. After that it will drift off a little. We are talking very small amounts here, but the calibration takes less than a minute, so I always calibrate it if I haven't used it earlier that day.
Be sure and do lots of reading before loading your first round. Err on the side of safety, and have fun.
I will say it is nice to have a balance scale to use as a check on your electronic. Be sure and calibrate your scale periodically. It comes with a calibration weight. I find that mine is spot on with the calibration weight for a couple days after the last calibration. After that it will drift off a little. We are talking very small amounts here, but the calibration takes less than a minute, so I always calibrate it if I haven't used it earlier that day.
Be sure and do lots of reading before loading your first round. Err on the side of safety, and have fun.
I started off with a Lee "wack a mole" set many years ago for 38 Special. I have no idea how many thousand of rounds I put up with that little kit, but it was a bunch. Sure it was slow, but it worked and at the time, time was cheap.
These days, I'm not much faster. I use a Lee Hand Press. Still not fast, but fast enough for me. Powder measure, dies, scales, primer tool, and all the other stuff is also Lee. It all fits into a drawer on the bottom of the desk here.
I load 38/357, 9mm, 45 acp, and 44 Special using that same hand press. I'm in no particular hurry.
These days, I'm not much faster. I use a Lee Hand Press. Still not fast, but fast enough for me. Powder measure, dies, scales, primer tool, and all the other stuff is also Lee. It all fits into a drawer on the bottom of the desk here.
I load 38/357, 9mm, 45 acp, and 44 Special using that same hand press. I'm in no particular hurry.
cowboy4evr
Member
I always like to recommend the Lee hand loader kit. You really don't know if you are even going to like reloading so why spend hundreds of dollars . Get the Lee kit , take your time and learn and enjoy .
I started years ago with the 38 spl kit . I set a goal of 1000 rounds before I would buy a press and dies. I actually loaded about 1250 before I moved up . It comes with reloading data and tells you which powders you can use the supplied dipper with . Good luck and enjoy
I started years ago with the 38 spl kit . I set a goal of 1000 rounds before I would buy a press and dies. I actually loaded about 1250 before I moved up . It comes with reloading data and tells you which powders you can use the supplied dipper with . Good luck and enjoy
Guys
Several post earlier the dude told us that he already bought his stuff.
Can someone please explain to me why this happens all the time. Someone asks for advice on what to buy. All kinds of advice is given. The OP makes a decision, announces his decision. But the advice continues to pour in.
But there still is time to make a difference in the world!!!
The dude still needs to buy a case tumbler, tumbler media, pullet puller, storage solutions, a handloading bench, calipers, loading blocks, priming tool, ammo boxes, spray lube and consumables. And I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
Several post earlier the dude told us that he already bought his stuff.
Can someone please explain to me why this happens all the time. Someone asks for advice on what to buy. All kinds of advice is given. The OP makes a decision, announces his decision. But the advice continues to pour in.
But there still is time to make a difference in the world!!!
The dude still needs to buy a case tumbler, tumbler media, pullet puller, storage solutions, a handloading bench, calipers, loading blocks, priming tool, ammo boxes, spray lube and consumables. And I'm sure I'm forgetting something.
RCBS-everything else is just junk [emoji41]
OP
GA_Sheepdog
Member
Haha, I was wondering the same thing. Idk, maybe their suggestions will help someone else out, who knows.
You are right though. I still have so much more stuff to get. Although I already have caliper's and a bench that I'll be using to set everything up at.
Magload
US Veteran
If it's not Dillion it is not a reloader.
Friends don't let friends buy Lee.
Friends don't let friends buy Lee.
cowboy4evr
Member
Because the later posts might help someone else wanting to get started reloading. That's why !
" friends don't let friends buy lee " ? The most popular brand of reloading equipment , we can't all be wrong !
" If its not dillon its not a reloader "? So Your saying that hornady , rcbs , Forster aren't any good ?
That's not correct !
" friends don't let friends buy lee " ? The most popular brand of reloading equipment , we can't all be wrong !
" If its not dillon its not a reloader "? So Your saying that hornady , rcbs , Forster aren't any good ?
That's not correct !
Last edited:
OP
GA_Sheepdog
Member
I agree and as I've stated above, it my help someone else with the same question.
As far as the friends don't let friends buy Lee. Some people like ford, some people like Chevy. In the end, they all do the same thing.
Reloaders and handloaders are, as a rule, absolute friggin' zealots about whatever brand they have selected. And it truly doesn't matter.
The first--and most important--question you need to ask yourself is, how much reloaded ammo do you want to shoot, and how many calibers do you want to load?
If you want to shoot IDPA/IPSC/ICORE/whatever, and run through 200 rounds or more a week on average, in one or perhaps two calibers, then a Dillon progressive makes a lot of sense.
If you only want to shoot a box or two a week, and can dedicate an hour a week to reloading, then a Lee Classic Turret will serve you well. Especially if you want to reload a bunch of different calibers, work in small batches, and swap often.
This is 2016. Lee, Redding, RCBS, Hornady, and Dillon all make quality equipment, capable of safely producing accurate ammunition. Get over it.
The first--and most important--question you need to ask yourself is, how much reloaded ammo do you want to shoot, and how many calibers do you want to load?
If you want to shoot IDPA/IPSC/ICORE/whatever, and run through 200 rounds or more a week on average, in one or perhaps two calibers, then a Dillon progressive makes a lot of sense.
If you only want to shoot a box or two a week, and can dedicate an hour a week to reloading, then a Lee Classic Turret will serve you well. Especially if you want to reload a bunch of different calibers, work in small batches, and swap often.
This is 2016. Lee, Redding, RCBS, Hornady, and Dillon all make quality equipment, capable of safely producing accurate ammunition. Get over it.
When I was getting all my stuff ready to start handloading I went to the local Harbor Freight and bought 2 pairs of digital calipers. They were on sale for something like $12.00 each. They work but they are a pain in the * because they have a tendency to pick up .020 when you extend them out to measure the cartridge. So I have to zero out and measure two or three times to be confident that I have the correct measure.
The problem is they do work just not as nice as I prefer. I'm going to replace them someday with a real good pair but that means $100.00 or so and no one brags about having a pair of really good calipers.
Something to think about.
limhyl
US Veteran
I started reloading about 15 years ago with the Lee Classic Turret Press kit and after six moves around the country, it still performs reliably today. I currently load about 150 - 200 rounds 38 SPL a week during the summer season and can do it in less than two hours at a leisurely pace. There are plenty of good information on Youtube on set-up and use.
Last edited:
OP
GA_Sheepdog
Member
How are the digital calipers? A lot of people seem to use and like them for reloading. The ones I have are pretty good but they are analog. I was interested in the digital one's for ease of reading it but I think what I have now are fine.
I think the digital calipers at the budget price point are probably better than the dial calipers. Another poster mentions that he has the Pittsburg brand (the harbor freight house brand) that I have and it works well for him. Mine work but as I said when you open the blades out they sometimes pick up .020 so you have to be careful. For $12.00 ok they work but as I say often you get what you pay for. I paid $12.00 and got $12.00 performance. I really want better so next pair will be about $110.00
