What is a good starter reloading kit?

**Cole125** · 12-12-2010, 22:28

I want to get into reloading and need some advice on where to start. I would like to get a complete reloading starter kit and I would like to know what a good one is to get. To start with I would like to reload .38 special and .357 mag, I have 1000s of brass pieces I have saved for each.

So school me on the basics of what I need to get started.

chris in va · 12-12-2010, 22:35

I wanted to see if reloading was for me, so I bought the Lee Hand Press kit. Runs about $40, includes the priming tool.

Since then I've added a few other things for my reloading setup, but it's really nice to sit and reload while watching the game(s). Could have bought a fancier setup you mount to a bench, but frankly I don't want to sit in some chair pulling a long handle. The hand press is more intimate, everything is right in your lap and you can check every step of reloading up close and personal.

Otherwise, have a look at the Lee Classic Cast Turret. You can start out using it as a single stage, then later switch to turret mode.

BTW here's a list of what I've accumulated for reloading:

Hand press
Digital calipers (Ebay, $12)
Used beam scale
Homemade dippers using shell casings/wire
Lee Auto Prime XR (square tray)
Countless plastic tubs
Lee carbide dies (three or four die set, your choice)
Funnels
Case trays (can use ammo box trays if you want, free)
Case lube (for rifle cases, Hornady is great)

EL_NinO619 · 12-12-2010, 23:25

Uh oh, here goes a 14 page thread. I say LEE is a decent starter kit but if you have the money you can't go wrong with Hornady or Dillon progresive presses.

Boxerglocker · 12-13-2010, 00:30

Start with the Abc's of reloading, read it cover to cover...

What you go with as a starter, depends on many factors. Calibers, amount you shoot a month and time you have free to reload. Then of course your budget will be the determining factor, for both you initial tool investment and purchase of components.

Generally of you want to shoot alot, with little time at the bench your budget will need to be higher going with a turret or progressive. If you have all the time in the world.... a single stage or as advised above hand press may be enough with much less initial investment.

Bello · 12-13-2010, 04:07

id go with a redding big boss single stage starter kit

IndyGunFreak · 12-13-2010, 04:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boxerglocker

Start with the Abc's of reloading, read it cover to cover...

What you go with as a starter, depends on many factors. Calibers, amount you shoot a month and time you have free to reload. Then of course your budget will be the determining factor, for both you initial tool investment and purchase of components.

Generally of you want to shoot alot, with little time at the bench your budget will need to be higher going with a turret or progressive. If you have all the time in the world.... a single stage or as advised above hand press may be enough with much less initial investment.

The best thing about a Turret or Single stage, is if/when you start shooting more, you'll be able to find some use for it. A Hand press, it's gonna get chucked in a drawer, and eventually thrown out.

Cole... Read Colorado4Wheel's sticky, everything in the original post is covered in that thread.

shotgunred · 12-13-2010, 04:52

Everyone's idea of a starter kit is difference. A lot depends on your budget.
So from my point of view a lee classic turret press is a starter press. Someone can point you to the (kempt?) web site and deal. If you are willing to spend more than that then the LNL AP or 550.
Read this thread for a start.
http://glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1291422

Myke_Hart · 12-13-2010, 04:54

Definately get your ABC book first.

Of all the kits, the rockchucker supreme master kit is my favorite, as it comes with everything you need, and it comes with the better Metal RCBS scale. Another advantage is that the Rockchucker Supreme has the larger press hole so you can use the larger specialty dies or use a hornady LNL conversion bushings in them for super quick die changes. $289
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=646599

The LNL conversion bushings cost $15.(worth it's weight in gold)
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=858110

Add Dies, powder, primers, brass, and bullets and you are getting started.

The RCBS partner kit has a crappy plastic scale, but it is usable. It has the smaller die hole so you can't use anything but standard dies. $170
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=140616

The lee kit is OK but the scale that comes with it is really hard to use and read. This press has the smaller hole, but I really hate this scale. $92
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=423081

I have not used any other kits.

I still use every peice of my rockchucker supreme master kit (except for the powder despenser) till this day. Nothing wrong with the powder despenser just never used it.

The only thing better than the supreme master is the new Cabela's RockChucker Supreme Deluxe kit. But at $699 it might be hard for a beginer to swallow. But it has everything I have added to my rockchucker kit later down the road at a unbelievable price.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabel...tt=rockchucker

Two peices you need and will keep forever are the press and the balance scale. For the press I recommend one that has the larger 1 1/4 hole and for the scale that it is made of metal and easy to read.

Damon555 · 12-13-2010, 10:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myke_Hart

Definately get your ABC book first.

Of all the kits, the rockchucker supreme master kit is my favorite, as it comes with everything you need, and it comes with the better Metal RCBS scale. Another advantage is that the Rockchucker Supreme has the larger press hole so you can use the larger specialty dies or use a hornady LNL conversion bushings in them for super quick die changes. $289
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct...tnumber=646599

The rockchucker is the way to go......Do yourself a favor and skip the Lee hand press. I own one but it's tedious to use and will dump spent primers and loose powder everywhere if you aren't careful.

When I started reloading 15 or so years ago I bought the rockchucker supreme master kit and was very impressed. I ended up having to sell it and regretted it ever since. I purchased the Lee hand press just to do some light loading and quickly tired of it. Don't get me wrong.....I use plenty of Lee equipment and am well pleased, but that darn hand press is junk.

Trust me on this one.....buy several loading manuals and read them both twice then purchase a quality reloading kit and you won't be sorry.

dla · 12-13-2010, 10:05

Lee Classic Turret - don't go any lower to something, say - like a rockchucker.

MrOldLude · 12-13-2010, 10:53

I'd vote for the Lee Challenger kit or Lee Classic Turret kit.

I'd probably vote for the turret as it'll do single stage just fine, and if you ever want to sell it, a turret would sell slightly faster than a pure single-stage.

That said, I love my Challenger.

unclebob · 12-13-2010, 10:57

Right now don’t worry about what people are telling you what to buy. What they need and what you need may or may not be what you want. Like what has been said before, get the ABC of Reloading. Read the Sticky at the beginning of the reloading section by Colorado 4 wheeler. You have stated what you have right now to load but what do you have plans for in the future? Do you plan on getting other guns? Get into any type of competition? How much do you shoot in a week, month, etc.? How much time well you have to reload? Do you the space too set up a reloading bench? How much do you want to spend on getting into reloading? Ease and speed come with a higher price tag.
Get the book, read it, and then you well have a better understanding of what people well telling you. If you can see they have any reloading classes in your area. Or try and find someone to teach you reloading. When trying to find someone. Remember just because a person reloads doesn’t mean he knows how to reload.

GioaJack · 12-13-2010, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclebob

Right now don’t worry about what people are telling you what to buy. What they need and what you need may or may not be what you want. Like what has been said before, get the ABC of Reloading. Read the Sticky at the beginning of the reloading section by Colorado 4 wheeler. You have stated what you have right now to load but what do you have plans for in the future? Do you plan on getting other guns? Get into any type of competition? How much do you shoot in a week, month, etc.? How much time well you have to reload? Do you the space too set up a reloading bench? How much do you want to spend on getting into reloading? Ease and speed come with a higher price tag.
Get the book, read it, and then you well have a better understanding of what people well telling you. If you can see they have any reloading classes in your area. Or try and find someone to teach you reloading. When trying to find someone. Remember just because a person reloads doesn’t mean he knows how to reload.

Hey, look, unclebob just came up with a title for his autobiography!

Ah, I think I better go take a nap now.

Jack

unclebob · 12-13-2010, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by GioaJack

[/COLOR]

Hey, look, unclebob just came up with a title for his autobiography!

Ah, I think I better go take a nap now.

Jack

If I remember right you are the one that keeps taking naps.

I do think you know what I mean by that statement.

fredj338 · 12-13-2010, 13:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclebob

Right now don’t worry about what people are telling you what to buy. What they need and what you need may or may not be what you want. Like what has been said before, get the ABC of Reloading. Read the Sticky at the beginning of the reloading section by Colorado 4 wheeler. You have stated what you have right now to load but what do you have plans for in the future? Do you plan on getting other guns? Get into any type of competition? How much do you shoot in a week, month, etc.? How much time well you have to reload? Do you the space too set up a reloading bench? How much do you want to spend on getting into reloading? Ease and speed come with a higher price tag.
Get the book, read it, and then you well have a better understanding of what people well telling you. If you can see they have any reloading classes in your area. Or try and find someone to teach you reloading. When trying to find someone. Remember just because a person reloads doesn’t mean he knows how to reload.

This is your best advice. Walk before you run, it's always safer that way. After reading ABCs, determine how much ammo you need per week, how much time you have & then how much money to spend. That will be the final deciding factor.

unclebob · 12-13-2010, 13:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredj338

This is your best advice. Walk before you run, it's always safer that way. After reading ABCs, determine how much ammo you need per week, how much time you have & then how much money to spend. That will be the final deciding factor.

Isn't that what I said?
You need to know what your needs are and will be before you decide in what press you well need.

shotgunred · 12-13-2010, 15:36

Or you could just buy a 1050 for each caliber and be done with it..

GioaJack · 12-13-2010, 15:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotgunred

Or you could just buy a 1050 for each caliber and be done with it..

Make sure FedEx delivers them UPSTAIRS!

Jack

dudel · 12-13-2010, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyGunFreak

\A Hand press, it's gonna get chucked in a drawer, and eventually thrown out.

Cole... Read Colorado4Wheel's sticky, everything in the original post is covered in that thread.

A hand press can be very useful for working up loads at the range. Many advanced loaders do it.

+1 on reading Steve's sticky. Also + 1 on reading (and re-reading) ABC's of reloading. That will teach you enough to ask intelligent questions.

Fred and Uncle Bob are spot on again. After ABC's you will be in a better position to judge what you need. We can all give you a list of equipment that will do the job; but we can't pick the optimal solution for you. At this point, you can't even do it for yourself. Determining your needs and a budget will help with your equipment selection. Walk before you run. You'll go much farther in the long run.

**Cole125** · 12-13-2010, 19:44

Thanks for all the input guys.

I just ordered ABCs of Reloading on amazon.com and will read it and go from there.

As far as my budget, I am willing to spend $600 on a kit. I do want a progressive press.

**DWARREN123** · 12-13-2010, 20:02

For me it was/is the Lee Anniversary Kit. I got it a few years ago and still use it. I only do 40 S&W and 10mm now but have loaded 32H&R mag, 38 spl/357mag, 9mm and 45acp.

abq87120 · 12-13-2010, 20:04

I just went the LnL AP route. I figured I'd get there anyway no matter where I started. I just started where I'll probably end up. I spent around $800 with two shell plate and Lee 4-die Deluxe sets, scale, etc. I will spend another $70 each for shell plate and die sets for three more calibers I when I feel more confident in my reloading skill. Also another $30 for a Hornady Powder Cop.

If that kind of cash is not in your budget, I've seen several Starter kits at Cabelas and MidwayUSA for around $250. I do sometimes wonder if that might have been a better choice for the money. I'm still soliciting advice on GT regarding screwing up the OAL on my first batch. However, that batch is extremely consistent in its dimensions, crimp and powder load, a very fine press.

Dan in ABQ

shotgunred · 12-13-2010, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole125

Thanks for all the input guys.

I just ordered ABCs of Reloading on amazon.com and will read it and go from there.

As far as my budget, I am willing to spend $600 on a kit. I do want a progressive press.

In that case look real hard at a Dillon 550 or a LNL AP. I would lean a little more towards the LNL because you can add a case and or bullet feeder. It is a 5 station press vs the 550 4 station press. But it is really hard to go wrong with either one of those presses.

abq87120 · 12-13-2010, 20:11

I just went the LnL AP route. I figured I'd get there anyway no matter where I started. I just started where I'll probably end up. I spent around $800 with the press, two shell plate and Lee 4-die Deluxe sets, scale, etc. I will spend another $70 each for shell plate and die sets for three more calibers. Also another $30 for a Hornady Powder Cop. I expect more as I get more experience.

If that kind of cash is not in your budget, I've seen several Starter kits at Cabelas and MidwayUSA for around $250. I do wonder if that might have been a better choice for the money. I'm still soliciting advice on GT regarding screwing up my first batch. However, that batch is extremely consistent in its dimensions, crimp and powder load. The LnL is a very fine press. Even I screw up with consistency, lol.

Dan in ABQ

IndyGunFreak · 12-13-2010, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cole125

Thanks for all the input guys.

I just ordered ABCs of Reloading on amazon.com and will read it and go from there.

As far as my budget, I am willing to spend $600 on a kit. I do want a progressive press.

$600 and you were gonna get a hand press?..lol.

LNL or 550b would be a good choice I think.