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 fatboyslim34
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 Posts: 363 Feedback: 100% (15) |
Posted: 4/28/2012 3:08:15 PM
THE IMAGE ABOVE IS A PAID ADVERTISEMENT I've been wanting to get into reloading but wanted to start out inexpensively. I'm outta work right now so I have extra time but less money, basically it's ok if I don't have the tools to make things faster...just the ones I need. I was looking at the the Hornady Lock n Load classic press. Is this one good or is there a better/cheaper one? What else would I need for sure to start out? I plan on reloading 5.56 nato, 45 acp and eventually probably .40 s&w and .308. Thanks, Paul |
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Posted: 4/28/2012 4:05:11 PM
The Rockchucker is a very good press and will outlast you. The last I knew they were around $100 new. Buy used, they generally don't wear out.
Stay away from aluminum presses. Cheap frequently means shitty. |
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Posted: 4/28/2012 4:29:11 PM
I agree with the above posts. There are 2 good ways to save money. First, buy used. Try guns shops, pawn shops and estate sales. A good steel press virtually never wears out. Same for most other stuff like dies, unless they've been abused. And you're smart to spend time figuring out what you really need, and not buy a bunch of "nice to have, but not really necessary" stuff. The other way to save money is with the bundled kits that most of the reloading manufacturers offer. The prices for the kit are a lot better than if all the stuff was bought separately. Sometimes you'll see such kits on sale at places like Midway or Natchez. And I always say you're first purchase should be a couple of good handloading books. Good luck –– it's a great hobby and saves money if you really like to shoot.
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dryflash3
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Posted: 4/29/2012 12:37:49 AM
The Hornady is a good press.
Be sure to read the FAQ's and Tutorials at the top of the page.
In Reloading Tools and Equipment there are lists of needed equipment to get started.
 First get this book and read it.
It explains the reloading process in detail with pics. Also how to choose reloading tools and components.
Yes, we get this question often.
But that means we have experience helping the new guys start reloading.  |
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Posted: 4/29/2012 1:25:10 AM
go here. best prices on LEE stuff period.
http://fsreloading.com/ |
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Posted: 4/29/2012 12:13:59 PM
Originally Posted By USAF007:
go here. best prices on LEE stuff period. http://fsreloading.com/ I hate to say this but it is no longer the best place to get LEE equipment. Was cheaper at Natchez even with their insurance I do recomend shopping around. Once in awhile you will see stuff on the EE for a great deal. I will say buy your press used but as for your dies buy new. Lately ive seen used dies in terrible shape. Buy Dies new. Lee Dies will be your least expensive unless you get a hell of a deal (clearence or sale) on other brands. As far as i know RCBS and Hornady has rebates going on. RCBS = Cash Hornady= Bullets + shipping. For the bullets it roughly equals half of the cost of the 100 ct. But if you want to go super cheap you could get the Lee Hand Press (Yes I do own that as well) Hope some of my insight helped |
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Posted: 4/29/2012 3:10:51 PM
Or a LEE single stage A.K.A. Lee reloader press. $25 bucks. I have one of their progressive presses but you can't "really" reload .308 in it (bullet too long). I use the reloader press for seating the .308 bullet and decapping all calibers before cleaning. My neighbor just started reloading for .40's and purchased this plus pretty much all other equipment to get him started for around $100. Lee dies are inexpensive but work well. It is a nice, and inexpensive, way to find out if reloading is for you and once you upgrade you will still be able to use your first purchases for other things.
I reload .223, .38 spl, .357, 45 ACP, .45 Colt and .308 all on Lee equipment. I am not reloading for super match performance. YMMV. |
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Posted: 5/1/2012 2:16:12 PM
I never thought about going to Nachez for reloading!!! Ill have to check them out! thanks
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dryflash3
Global Warming Hoax Skeptic before it was cool
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Posted: 5/1/2012 2:28:21 PM
Originally Posted By USAF007: I never thought about going to Nachez for reloading!!! Ill have to check them out! thanks When you have so time to kill, go up to Reloading Resources, (top of the page) scroll down to the links at the bottom of the page that opens. There you will find many venders that you can trust, and some you may of never heard of.
How I first found Graf's, Midsouth, and Powder Valley.
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Posted: 5/3/2012 6:57:55 PM
Thanks!!!
Originally Posted By dryflash3:
Originally Posted By USAF007:
I never thought about going to Nachez for reloading!!! Ill have to check them out! thanks When you have so time to kill, go up to Reloading Resources, (top of the page) scroll down to the links at the bottom of the page that opens. There you will find many venders that you can trust, and some you may of never heard of. How I first found Graf's, Midsouth, and Powder Valley. |
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Posted: 5/3/2012 7:48:51 PM
Originally Posted By USAF007:
I never thought about going to Nachez for reloading!!! Ill have to check them out! thanks Natchez actually has some pretty good prices on reloading supplies. Power and primers are cheaper than some other large suppliers and they usually have a good amount in stock. |
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fatboyslim34
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Posted: 5/4/2012 11:30:46 AM
Thanks for all the replies. I ordered the ABC's of Reloading but still waiting for it to get here.
What is the minimum I need to start reloading? A press obviously.... what else? Thanks Paul |
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fatboyslim34
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Posted: 5/4/2012 11:44:49 AM
[Last Edit: 5/4/2012 11:45:16 AM by fatboyslim34]
If I bought this kit would it have everything I needed to start reloading after I read the ABC's of reloading?
Is there a better kit for a similar or less price? Thanks, Paul |
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Posted: 5/4/2012 12:19:21 PM
[Last Edit: 5/4/2012 12:19:52 PM by Obo2]
you would need dies as well as actual load data from a manual or online.
I got the lee anniversary breechlock kit much cheaper Hornaday is reportedly better quality |
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Posted: 5/4/2012 1:25:41 PM
I bought the Lee Challenger starter kit (it ran like $115 after shipping). I had the dies from getting started on a friend's press. I like the Lee kit, very budget friendly, especially if your not really looking for extreme accuracy (I use mine for reloading .223, .22-250 and .284) but I may only shoot 40 .22-250 rounds per year and 5 .284 rounds per year. .223 on the other hand, I've gone through 1500+ rounds in 3 months since I got my first .223.
I ran through the math versus what you would save. If you reload .223 with the Lee Challenger using Lee dies and reload using mil-surp components it takes roughly 1000 rounds to pay off the purchase. When you start reloading calibers other than .223 pay off of course comes much quicker. |
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fatboyslim34
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Posted: 5/4/2012 1:45:16 PM
Originally Posted By Obo2:
you would need dies as well as actual load data from a manual or online. I got the lee anniversary breechlock kit much cheaper Hornaday is reportedly better quality They have a book that comes with the kit. That would contain the load data or do I need another? |
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Posted: 5/4/2012 1:50:03 PM
honestly I don't have any books.
I have only used hodgdons powder thus far and use the database on their site as well as looking in the manuals at the stores when I buy new components. |
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Posted: 5/4/2012 2:14:19 PM
Originally Posted By fatboyslim34:
If I bought this kit would it have everything I needed to start reloading after I read the ABC's of reloading? Is there a better kit for a similar or less price? Thanks, Paul Just orered this kit yesterday. Grafs has it on sale. http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5985 |
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Posted: 5/4/2012 2:35:07 PM
I started out with the Lee Challenger Breech Lock kit for about $90 last year. I use it for .223 and .308. I couldn't be happier with it. It is a great kit for beginners to learn with and comes with the basic requirements needed to reload (minus dies and holders). When you want to get more technical, you can easily upgrade to better parts as needed.
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fatboyslim34
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Posted: 5/4/2012 2:56:42 PM
Originally Posted By berry79:
Originally Posted By fatboyslim34:
If I bought this kit would it have everything I needed to start reloading after I read the ABC's of reloading? Is there a better kit for a similar or less price? Thanks, Paul Just orered this kit yesterday. Grafs has it on sale. http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5985 You need dies and a holder for each caliber you wanna reload? |
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Posted: 5/4/2012 2:59:53 PM
How many rounds of .223 are you guys reloading using the single stages?! I shoot alot of .223 and .45 and I'm having trouble deciding between the Lee single stage or turret kit to start out with?
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Posted: 5/4/2012 3:05:25 PM
Yes u will need dies specific to each caliber
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Posted: 5/4/2012 4:18:38 PM
Originally Posted By fatboyslim34:
Originally Posted By berry79:
Originally Posted By fatboyslim34:
If I bought this kit would it have everything I needed to start reloading after I read the ABC's of reloading? Is there a better kit for a similar or less price? Thanks, Paul Just orered this kit yesterday. Grafs has it on sale. http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5985 You need dies and a holder for each caliber you wanna reload? Yes. I'll also be picking up a tumbler here shortly as well. So I can clean my fired case and seems to be the easiet method of removing the lube after resizing your brass. |
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dryflash3
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Posted: 5/4/2012 4:39:58 PM
Originally Posted By fatboyslim34: If I bought this kit would it have everything I needed to start reloading after I read the ABC's of reloading? Is there a better kit for a similar or less price? Thanks, Paul Top of the page in Reloading Tools and Equipment are the lists of needed equipment. I suggest Lyman 49 as a first reloading manual. |
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dryflash3
Global Warming Hoax Skeptic before it was cool
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Posted: 5/4/2012 4:42:23 PM
Originally Posted By USAF007: How many rounds of .223 are you guys reloading using the single stages?! I shoot alot of .223 and .45 and I'm having trouble deciding between the Lee single stage or turret kit to start out with? Start with the Turret kit, but sounds like you will end up with a progressive. |
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handym3000
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Posted: 5/4/2012 5:04:19 PM
[Last Edit: 5/4/2012 5:07:53 PM by handym3000]
i would highly recommend reading a alot before i even spent a dime. spend 3 months just reading then spend some dough
here are some helpful cheap items that i have found that are must haves buy the hornady load book, this is a must for reloading it has plenty of loads you will need to have the lyman manual is incomplete for what it is, i do not care for it, not in depth enough for me. missing tons of info the hornady book puts it to shame with all the different specs and loads, min and max load data. as to get a turret or single stage, get the turret, makes setting up calibers very easy. i just set my caliber up one time and done for life, buy a new head for a caliber and the start over again. hornady lock rings for dies, they use a great design for dies all the others suck. http://www.midwayusa.com/product/391359/hornady-sure-loc-die-locking-ring-7-8-14-thread?cm_vc=wishList get a case length guage for each caliber you intend to reload for makes setting up for trimming easy as pie http://www.midwayusa.com/product/290405/hornady-lock-n-load-overall-length-gage-modified-case-223-remington?cm_vc=wishList use this tool to deprime brass it saves your decapping pins on your normal dies i put on on each of my caliber head for my turret press http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136543/lee-universal-depriming-and-decapping-die?cm_vc=wishList use imperial sizing wax for lubing dies trust me it works wonders never have stuck cases, http://www.midwayusa.com/product/519525/imperial-case-sizing-wax-2-oz?cm_vc=wishList how to swage primer pocket for super cheap and use your press saves a ton of dough and saves you from buying a new tool http://www.midwayusa.com/product/235832/rcbs-primer-pocket-swager-combo-2 now for a really cheap way to trim alot of brass fast and use one for each caliber and leave it alone. you can use a corded drill http://www.midwayusa.com/product/736582/lyman-universal-trimmer-power-adapter?cm_vc=wishList goes with this trimmer http://www.midwayusa.com/product/435802/lyman-universal-carbide-case-trimmer-kit-with-9-pilots buy the lee 4 die set for 223 it works great and comes highly recommended vs all of the others great die use mine a hell of a whole lot. bought this kit and it has worked wonders for me: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/305282/lyman-t-mag-2-turret-press-expert-kit some other tools you may want to get in the future to save your hands when doing a lot of cases http://www.midwayusa.com/product/565099/rcbs-trim-mate-case-prep-center-110-volt a accurate way to measure powder and quickly also http://www.midwayusa.com/product/772151/rcbs-chargemaster-1500-powder-scale-and-dispenser-combo-110-volt?cm_vc=wishList |
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