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Posted: 1/17/2010 8:17:12 PM EDT
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Hi, I'm about to dive head first into the world of reloading and have a couple questions. I read through most of the tutorials up top but I haven't gotten any reloading manuals yet. In the summer I like to get to the range once a week or so. First I'm trying to figure out which press to start off with. Would the Hornady Lock n Load single stage be a good place to start or can I get away with something a little cheaper, if so any examples? Or would I be better off starting with the Lee Classic Loader to get the basics down? Will the Lock N Load work from for 9mm and up to 30.06, or do I need something else for the smaller pistol cartridge? Lock N Load kit is $325 and comes with pretty much everything I need, including a reloading book. Rather than the Lock N Load I could get a Lee classic turret instead for $100. I'm afraid that after I get the basics down I'll want to get a turret press so it might be a waste to start off with the single. On the other hand...it'd more than likely be easier to get the basics down on a single. Bottom line:Lock N Load, Classic turret, or another option?
Next up would it be a bad idea to start loading 30.06 rounds or will I be alright? Seems pretty straight forward, and if I follow the loads I should be just good to go? Or should I start .45 first, but I've tracked everything down for 30.06 (bullets, primer, powder, brass), haven't searched for .45. My order is in for a Garand from the CMP so I could start gathering things now while I'm waiting. Price for 30.06 brass, I'm looking at .12 per case, is that an alright price? I think that's everything for now, but I'm sure I'll have more after some more reading tonight. I know it's a lot of questions but any help will be appreciated, I've already learned a lot. |
| I just got into reloading myself. I started out with the Redding Big Boss because I wanted to start off with a single stage so that I have control over everything I do and so that I can get the steps down. Right now I have been loading up 9mm with it no problem. I also have a 7mm that I plan on loading for and I dont think I would have a problem doing that on the Redding. If you are serious I would say buy good equipment now. I also thought about the turret press but decided against it. Im really happy with my set up now. With the Redding Big Boss, my Redding 3BR powder throw, and RCBS Rangemaster 750 scale I know what everything in my loads are. For example, today I loaded up some 9mm. I know that every case has 4.7 grn of Bullseye topped with a 125 grn Lead RN bullet seated to 1.153. You maybe able to do that with a turret but I like my set up. For books grab the ABC's of reloading and I like my Lee 2nd editon. I decided against the kits because I wanted to but the components together that I wanted not just whats in the box. Hope this helps. |
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I wouldn't bother with the Lee classic loader.
Hornady makes a great press, and reloading tools in general. I prefer the Redding presses, but they cost a bit more, and I can't definately say they're any better, I just like them. You'll want a single stage regardless, so I'd go there first. You'll slowly go crazy loading pistol ammo on a single stage, but I definately prefer them for rifles. To do any kind of pistol volume, you'll eventually want a progressive, but that should definately come later. There's no problem jumping into loading 30-06. Just get a Dillon or Wilson case gauge, and use it on every piece of brass you size. Loading for gas-op automatic rifles is a bit more challenging than for bolt actions. Also, find loading data specifically for the Garand, don't just use 30-06 bolt action loads. |
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I have the Hornady LnL Classic kit you are looking at.
Straight walled pistol ammo, I can load about 100 rnds/hr (not including tumbling). It is fast enough for me, perhaps I have way more time on my hands than others here. I enjoy the time I spend loading the ammo, it is a hobby in and of itself. I may get a progressive press later, but I am still learning. In addition to the kit, you will need to buy calipers, a trimmer for bottleneck cases, and a bullet puller. I added the auto-primer to mine. I like it better than the hand-primer. ETA: I started with .38spl and .40S&W as straight walled pistol cases have less steps than bottle-necked cases. YMMV |
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Quoted:
Start with a Dillon 550B It isn't difficult to learn. There is no need to learn on a 4 cylinder Model T with a manual transmission when a nice V8 Thunderbird with a automatic is just waiting for you. Did you ever drive a Model T? Most modern people can't start one, let alone figure out how to shift gears! Quoted:
Thanks for the replies. If I understand correctly, you can remove the rod in the Lee classic turret and essentially turn it into a single stage press. Seems like this would be the way to go since I can switch to operating as a turret when I get the basics? The Classic Turret is a sort of hybrid progressive press. The turret head turns over a fixed shell holder. Disconnecting the advance is simple, and changing turret heads is simple. It's as easy to learn as a conventional single stage press. Whether to start with a more complicated progressive press depends on the individual and his tolerance for fiddling with the adjustment of the press while getting started. Just learning the basics of reloading is a pretty steep climb for many people and they don't need to be overwhelmed by adjusting a press mechanism, particularly when things need to be tweaked. Someone that is accustomed to setting up machinery in a shop would most likely have no trouble with the basic adjustments. I wouldn't recommend an automatic advance progressive for a new reloader, there's a lot to track and when something goes wrong it's more complicated to sort out. The LEE Classic Turret is the exception, and that's because of the single shell holder. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Start with a Dillon 550B It isn't difficult to learn. There is no need to learn on a 4 cylinder Model T with a manual transmission when a nice V8 Thunderbird with a automatic is just waiting for you. Did you ever drive a Model T? Most modern people can't start one, let alone figure out how to shift gears! Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. A Dillon 550B isn't that complicated. Any high school graduate can figure it out with little effort. The capabilities of the 550B far exceed a single stage without being exceedingly difficult to assemble and operate. |
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I just sold a like new Lee Classic turret press and all the Lee stuff you would get in a kit plus a new Auto Disk PM with the Pro update kit on it just last week, I tried listing it on here but no one bit and it was a smoking deal with dies and everything.
But a very good press to learn on, and if you want just a single stage try the Breech Lock. I have one also and even though I got a new Hornady LnL single and AP I kept the Breech Lock because it's just a good solid press and the dies/bullet pullers I use in it are all setup in the quick change bushings (kinda like the LnL), so changing dies is a snap and no adjustment at all, plus it's on sale.for $49 at Factory Sales. Breech Lock $49.00 scroll down the page till you see it. |
Another vote for the Lee Classic Turret
I started with the Lee Classic Turret last year and couldn't be happier. I load 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP, 38 spl, .357 mag, .223, 30-30 and 45/70 govt now. I got the kit from Kempf Kempf Link I started with the upgraded .223 kit. I suggest you give them a call and talk to Sue, she's very knowledgeable and helpful. Extra turrets are about $10 so you can easily switch calibers |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Start with a Dillon 550B It isn't difficult to learn. There is no need to learn on a 4 cylinder Model T with a manual transmission when a nice V8 Thunderbird with a automatic is just waiting for you. Did you ever drive a Model T? Most modern people can't start one, let alone figure out how to shift gears! Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. A Dillon 550B isn't that complicated. Any high school graduate can figure it out with little effort. The capabilities of the 550B far exceed a single stage without being exceedingly difficult to assemble and operate. I almost agree, but I think the user's personality, patience, and prior experience are a factor of success with these presses. |
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Start with a Dillon 550B It isn't difficult to learn. There is no need to learn on a 4 cylinder Model T with a manual transmission when a nice V8 Thunderbird with a automatic is just waiting for you. Did you ever drive a Model T? Most modern people can't start one, let alone figure out how to shift gears! Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. A Dillon 550B isn't that complicated. Any high school graduate can figure it out with little effort. The capabilities of the 550B far exceed a single stage without being exceedingly difficult to assemble and operate. I almost agree, but I think the user's personality, patience, and prior experience are a factor of success with these presses. Agreed, A huge factor. Progressive loading is all about timing and tuning. Some reloaders pick it up real quick and others do not. Understanding Theory and Principles of reloading is a big plus before moving to progressive. Just to suggest a progressive to start is assuming too much. Lee's turret is a great way to start. It's not a lot of money. You'll never out grow it, you'll just re-task it. Then you can move up to progressive when your consistantly making match grade ammunition. ETA: Like most reloaders I pick up a lot of brass. I could teach a class on what not to do when reloading based on the unfired rounds I pick up at the range. All the problems I see are newbie mistakes. Having seen some of these droppings from " seasoned reloaders " using progressives lead me to question just how much reloading theory they understand. I'm led to believe in many cases they are just pulling the handle. |
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