Posted: 9/7/2006 7:37:24 AM EDT
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Can anyone recommend a good reloading kit for a beginner? I would prefer a single stage because many people have told me that it is much easier for a beginner and it makes more accurate ammo because more time and attention is spent on each round. I can't really say if this is true or not but the people who've told me that have much more experience than me. I was looking at the Lee Anniversary reloading kit with Modern Reloading Manual on MidwayUSA.com. Here's the link: www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=820810 My birthday is only 10 days away and Midway is offering discount birtday prices. I figure now is the best time to get it cheap. Any suggestions on this or any other kit? Thanks! |
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The kit you are looking at is just fine for the beginner, but as you progress you'll find that you'll like other things better. With the very kit you are looking at my buddy took 3rd with it at the 1000yd Hardrock Match using plain jane dies and not any of the other high speed things that are available. It really depends what you want to do. If you want to load high quality reloads for your .308 bolt rifle, then you'll find the kit to be just fine. If you are wanting something that will load a lot of pistol or plinking ammo in quantity, then you'll find a single stage lacking. The kit works well, but make sure you get the following items to ensure accurate Long Range ammo. -Flash Hole Deburring Tool -Powder Trickler -a Competition Seating Die is very nice (Micrometer Adjustment) -Primer Pocket reamers -Good set of dial calipers Other things you'll only need once and can be borrowed, like an Overall Length Gauge or a Headspace Case Gauge. For plinking ammo, dropping directly from the powder measure works fine. If going for Precision Ammo, make sure that you trickle up to your desired weight as a) you are frequently working with a hotter load and b) the powder measure can be off by up to 2 grains which can be bad if you are working with A. |
The Lee is cast and is made of lightweight metal, the problems you see with breaking are usually from those that are really working the brass. Are they prone to breaking? Yeah, but at $20 for the press alone from Midway I wouldn't worry about it. If it breaks, then get a better press or buy another one for $20. The Dillon's are awesome but pricey, my first press was a 550r. It worked well, made accurate enough precision ammo when I didn't use it as a full progressive and was fast. I went to the single stage though as I can get plinking ammo cheap enough and wanted it for better precision ammo, which is all I load anymore. My first single stage was an RCBS Partner and I recently changed to a Redding T7 only because I like the rotating turret feature, not because the RCBS was a bad press. |
I would be plinking with my .223 and 8mm Mauser mainly and my .308 sometimes. The .308 will mainly be used for target shooting though. Should I go ahead and get a progressive stage or stick with a single stage? I don't mind buying the plinking ammo for the .223 as I really don't shoot that a whole lot anymore but the 8mm ammo can get very expensive. The price of the 8mm is really what made me want to start reloading. I can get the new Wolf Gold ammo but it's still $12-13 a box and I know I can save by reloading,as long as I don't shoot more than I load. I know that tends to happen a lot! Also what kind of dies do you recommend for plinking? All I need to do after I get the reloading kit is find a place to put all of it and I'm good to go.  |