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Posted: 4/28/2012 11:08:15 AM EDT
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I'm sure you get this question all the time...I looked through the first few pages and didn't see anything though.
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 |
| 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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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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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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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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Quoted: 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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Thanks!!!
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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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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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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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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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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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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 |
| 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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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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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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Quoted: 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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Quoted: 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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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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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. I was doing about 100/hr with the single stage. My Lee 4 hole turret I was doing about 200/hr My Lee LM will run about 300-350/hr This is all pre-primed brass, the LM doesn't care, priming is just as fast in that thing, but slower to do on the turret press. The single stage I gave back to my friend, the turret gets used for all kinds of tasks, decrimping primer pockets and pulling bullets and small batches |
| I do everything in stages. For instance, a have several hundred cases that I've cleaned, resized, trimmed, removed primer crimps, cleaned again, and primed. I've also found its easiest to load in terms of 100 or more so your not constantly swapping dies. The benefit to the breech lock is if you buy the quick lock bushings you only have to set your dies once, that being said I don't have any. |
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The ABC's of reloading should be here Tuesday. I think I may buy the Hornady Lock n Load Classic Kit though. I found it on sale pretty good and it seems like a good setup.
Any more suggestions before I pull the trigger? Thanks, Paul ETA: Do I need something to clean the brass? Is there a cheap decent one that I can start with? Also, do you know if the Hornady kit comes with something to trim the brass? It seems this is something that is a necessity but I didn't see anything in the description and it says it has everything you need to start reloading. Thanks! |
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I plan on reloading 5.56 nato, 45 acp and eventually probably .40 s&w and .308. Quoted:
You need dies and a holder for each caliber you wanna reload? Quoted:
The ABC's of reloading should be here Tuesday. I think I may buy the Hornady Lock n Load Classic Kit though. I found it on sale pretty good and it seems like a good setup. Any more suggestions before I pull the trigger? Thanks, Paul ETA: Do I need something to clean the brass? Is there a cheap decent one that I can start with? Also, do you know if the Hornady kit comes with something to trim the brass? It seems this is something that is a necessity but I didn't see anything in the description and it says it has everything you need to start reloading. Thanks! Few things. 1) The Hornady press is fine, I bought the same kit a few years ago to get started. 2) Loading straight walled pistol brass is easier (less steps) than necked cases. 3) The idea of buying "The ABC's of Reloading" was to read it before you actually buy anything. 4) Several people have tried to point you to the tacked threads which, amoung other things, show step-by-step reloading for different calibers and give a comprehensive list of what is needed for both rifle and pistol brass. 5) The kit you are buying will almost do straight walled pistol brass, but you need dies, shell holders and a set of calipers. 6) Yes, you need a set of dies and a shell holder for each caliber you are loading. 7) You also need powder, primers and bullets. There are several chices of each for any given caliber. 8) You can clean brass as easily as washing it and letting it dry. Iosso makes a chemical cleaner that will clean the brass, or you can buy a tumbler of some sort. I am not trying to be mean, however the biggest component of safe reloading is READING, ATTENTION TO DETAIL and UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WHY. |
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I plan on reloading 5.56 nato, 45 acp and eventually probably .40 s&w and .308. Quoted:
You need dies and a holder for each caliber you wanna reload? Quoted:
The ABC's of reloading should be here Tuesday. I think I may buy the Hornady Lock n Load Classic Kit though. I found it on sale pretty good and it seems like a good setup. Any more suggestions before I pull the trigger? Thanks, Paul ETA: Do I need something to clean the brass? Is there a cheap decent one that I can start with? Also, do you know if the Hornady kit comes with something to trim the brass? It seems this is something that is a necessity but I didn't see anything in the description and it says it has everything you need to start reloading. Thanks! Few things. 1) The Hornady press is fine, I bought the same kit a few years ago to get started. Lots of people here love their progressive presses and crank out thousands of rounds in a weekend. Also I hear advice to get a progressive now since you will end up with one. I have been reloading for a few years now, and am still perfectly happy with my Hornady LnL single stage. 2) Loading straight walled pistol brass is easier (less steps) than necked cases. 3) The idea of buying "The ABC's of Reloading" was to read it before you actually buy anything. 4) Several people have tried to point you to the tacked threads which, amoung other things, show step-by-step reloading for different calibers and give a comprehensive list of what is needed for both rifle and pistol brass. 5) The kit you are buying will almost do straight walled pistol brass, but you need dies, shell holders and a set of calipers. 6) Yes, you need a set of dies and a shell holder for each caliber you are loading. 7) You also need powder, primers and bullets. There are several chices of each for any given caliber. 8) You can clean brass as easily as washing it and letting it dry. Iosso makes a chemical cleaner that will clean the brass, or you can buy a tumbler of some sort. I am not trying to be mean, however the biggest component of safe reloading is READING, ATTENTION TO DETAIL and UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WHY. |
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read read read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i can not stress this enough. do not buy anything until you have read that book cover to cover 2 times!!!!!!!!!! please read my earlier post it will help you a ton and save you a crap load of time and money. reloading can save you a lot of money, but the tool can cost, but they just about last forever so look at it that way. please do buy the hornady reloading book also. you will really need this also. it is a very complete book on loads |
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read read read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i can not stress this enough. do not buy anything until you have read that book cover to cover 2 times!!!!!!!!!! please read my earlier post it will help you a ton and save you a crap load of time and money. reloading can save you a lot of money, but the tool can cost, but they just about last forever so look at it that way. please do buy the hornady reloading book also. you will really need this also. it is a very complete book on loads This is excellent advice, However, if you get the Hornady Kit, it comes with the Hornady reloading book. |
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Quoted: Like I said, no kit comes with everything. You will need a trimmer. The ABC's of reloading should be here Tuesday. I think I may buy the Hornady Lock n Load Classic Kit though. I found it on sale pretty good and it seems like a good setup. Any more suggestions before I pull the trigger? Thanks, Paul ETA: Do I need something to clean the brass? Is there a cheap decent one that I can start with? Also, do you know if the Hornady kit comes with something to trim the brass? It seems this is something that is a necessity but I didn't see anything in the description and it says it has everything you need to start reloading. Thanks! Kits are put together to meet a price point. Look at the lathe type trimmers, they can be used for multiple calibers. Lee trimmers are the cheapest, but only do 1 caliber. They are slow, but work fine.
Get some decent case lube, get a stuck case removal kit if you decide to use the supplied One Shot. I suggest Midway's FA spray lube or Dillon spray lube. Look for a tumbler kit, tumbler and media separator. Should be around $65-$75. These are made in China and rebranded and colored for whoever is selling them, so look for the best price. IMHO Hornady is asking too much for theirs. Hi quality tumblers are made by Dillon or Thumblers, but are more money. Use walnut media for cleaning cases before sizing, and plain corn cob for removing the lube. The Hornady manual that comes in the kit is a good one. |
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I plan on reloading 5.56 nato, 45 acp and eventually probably .40 s&w and .308. Quoted:
You need dies and a holder for each caliber you wanna reload? Quoted:
The ABC's of reloading should be here Tuesday. I think I may buy the Hornady Lock n Load Classic Kit though. I found it on sale pretty good and it seems like a good setup. Any more suggestions before I pull the trigger? Thanks, Paul ETA: Do I need something to clean the brass? Is there a cheap decent one that I can start with? Also, do you know if the Hornady kit comes with something to trim the brass? It seems this is something that is a necessity but I didn't see anything in the description and it says it has everything you need to start reloading. Thanks! Few things. 1) The Hornady press is fine, I bought the same kit a few years ago to get started. Lots of people here love their progressive presses and crank out thousands of rounds in a weekend. Also I hear advice to get a progressive now since you will end up with one. I have been reloading for a few years now, and am still perfectly happy with my Hornady LnL single stage. 2) Loading straight walled pistol brass is easier (less steps) than necked cases. 3) The idea of buying "The ABC's of Reloading" was to read it before you actually buy anything. 4) Several people have tried to point you to the tacked threads which, amoung other things, show step-by-step reloading for different calibers and give a comprehensive list of what is needed for both rifle and pistol brass. 5) The kit you are buying will almost do straight walled pistol brass, but you need dies, shell holders and a set of calipers. 6) Yes, you need a set of dies and a shell holder for each caliber you are loading. 7) You also need powder, primers and bullets. There are several chices of each for any given caliber. 8) You can clean brass as easily as washing it and letting it dry. Iosso makes a chemical cleaner that will clean the brass, or you can buy a tumbler of some sort. I am not trying to be mean, however the biggest component of safe reloading is READING, ATTENTION TO DETAIL and UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WHY. I appreciate it! Sometimes I get caught up...it sounds stupid but the biggest reason I wanna start reloading is because of my concern of readily available ammunition as the election gets closer. My fear is the same goes for the presses. The Hornady is on sale and available, I'm afraid if I wait that will change. I don't think that by buying the press I'll be ready to start reloading, I'm just wondering if it is a good deal/place to start when I am ready....if that makes any sense. I have a lot of respect for you guys and I hope I didn't offend anyone by making it seem like I wasn't listening to your advice. I completely understand where you guys are coming from. Hopefully you can understand where I am coming from too...sometimes I don't make sense Thanks Paul |
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read read read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i can not stress this enough. do not buy anything until you have read that book cover to cover 2 times!!!!!!!!!! please read my earlier post it will help you a ton and save you a crap load of time and money. reloading can save you a lot of money, but the tool can cost, but they just about last forever so look at it that way. please do buy the hornady reloading book also. you will really need this also. it is a very complete book on loads Thanks!! I plan on it, I really do appreciate all the advice!! Sorry if I came off like I wasn't heeding the advice Thanks, Paul |
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I guess to sum it up...I have been paying attention to everyone's advice and I plan on reading a lot before I start.
I may sound like a nut but I'm concerned if I don't buy some of the equipment now by the time I am ready to start reloading it may be unavailable or much more expensive(due to the election and the way gun and ammo purchases have been) Thanks for everyone's help I welcome more help and comments, Paul |
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Quoted: Your concerns are justified. Last time this happened components and some presses were hard to get. I guess to sum it up...I have been paying attention to everyone's advice and I plan on reading a lot before I start. I may sound like a nut but I'm concerned if I don't buy some of the equipment now by the time I am ready to start reloading it may be unavailable or much more expensive(due to the election and the way gun and ammo purchases have been) Thanks for everyone's help I welcome more help and comments, Paul Primers especially.
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Your concerns are justified. Last time this happened components and some presses were hand to get.I guess to sum it up...I have been paying attention to everyone's advice and I plan on reading a lot before I start. I may sound like a nut but I'm concerned if I don't buy some of the equipment now by the time I am ready to start reloading it may be unavailable or much more expensive(due to the election and the way gun and ammo purchases have been) Thanks for everyone's help I welcome more help and comments, Paul Primers especially.
I guess i'm not completely crazy 
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Like I said, no kit comes with everything. You will need a trimmer. The ABC's of reloading should be here Tuesday. I think I may buy the Hornady Lock n Load Classic Kit though. I found it on sale pretty good and it seems like a good setup. Any more suggestions before I pull the trigger? Thanks, Paul ETA: Do I need something to clean the brass? Is there a cheap decent one that I can start with? Also, do you know if the Hornady kit comes with something to trim the brass? It seems this is something that is a necessity but I didn't see anything in the description and it says it has everything you need to start reloading. Thanks! Kits are put together to meet a price point. Look at the lathe type trimmers, they can be used for multiple calibers. Lee trimmers are the cheapest, but only do 1 caliber. They are slow, but work fine.
Get some decent case lube, get a stuck case removal kit if you decide to use the supplied One Shot. I suggest Midway's FA spray lube or Dillon spray lube. Look for a tumbler kit, tumbler and media separator. Should be around $65-$75. These are made in China and rebranded and colored for whoever is selling them, so look for the best price. IMHO Hornady is asking too much for theirs. Hi quality tumblers are made by Dillon or Thumblers, but are more money. Use walnut media for cleaning cases before sizing, and plain corn cob for removing the lube. The Hornady manual that comes in the kit is a good one.
Just wanted to let everyone know that I appreciate the help. I have picked up a bunch more of the stuff I need and have been reading and researching how to reload to a nauseating degree. My first batch of brass has finished cleaning and is being polished currently in my new Cabelas Tumbler kit. Very well reviewed and seems like it will be perfect for what I need. Thanks for all the help....I know I am gonna need a lot more in the future. Thanks Paul |
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