Reloading newbie

[Shepard]

If your planning to add pistol bullets to your loading program I would suggest a Lee turret press. Loading pistol bullets on a single stage press would get old real fast.


http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/lee- ... -press-kit

[0933]

Dane, I've got more than a few books (you can never have too many), though more and more you can find just about anything on the internet.

You'll never stop acquiring tools either... once you get a setup, you'll add more and more tools to fit your needs.

Currently I've got tools from RCBS, Lee, Hornady, Redding, Forster, Frankfurt Arsenal, Sinclair, and a couple more off-name specialty tools.

Any of the 'kits' will get you started (minus dies of course), and you can figure out what you want, or need, on top of those tools.

Good luck, and welcome to the wonderful world of rolling your own!!

[Even11]

So I am looking for opinions again. I have 2 press kits that I have found and like. Anyone have any input on why I should get one over the other?

RCBS Partner kit
http://www.amazon.com/RCBS-Partner-Pres ... ding+press

Lee 50th Anniversary Kit
http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-50t ... ding+press

The major differences that I see are the RCBS comes with a manual, a tray, and a case lube pad. The Lee comes with powder measure, and costs quite a bit less. My brother in law has the lee and likes it, but he only reloads 9mm pistol ammo. There is a RCBS for sale near me for $100 still sealed in the box too. Decisions, decisions......

-Dane

[Grimstod]

RCBS is a much more respected brand. My grandfather has that kit and it is excellent. There products are of better quality.

Lee is about the cheapest stuff out there. That said the lee kit comes with a powder dumper but every lee user I know says it is useless.

For the record I have some RCBS products. Dies and some other odes and ends. But my main stuff is Redding and I think Forster dies are the best.

[ShootnMathews]

That's the Lee set that I have and it is worh every penny. Not as nice as the more expensive presses but still pretty nice.

The powder measure I use religiously. With it I can load 30 precision rounds in the same time my friends do 10. I set the measure to drop loads About a 1/2 grain light into my weigh pan then hang it on my balance scale and trickle powder to finish the charge. Must faster than the scoop method. I have used a couple electronic scales but have not found one yet that will equal the balance scale in accuracy. I guess I have not spend enough money on one yet. A powder trickle to fine tune the loads on the scale will be your best investment.

[Shepard]

I like my Lee equipment, its accurate and it comes with a guarantee like most good grade equipment. Some of use can't afford high dollar presses -- we work with what we can afford. As far as I'm concerned -- if it sizes to SAAMI standards --- that is the best any die can do -- weather it cost 5 dollars or a 1000. There is no die set on the market that can do better then SAAMI specs. So whatever you spend on your loading equipment the out come is the same.

The Lee kit would probably be your best bet. Here is the same kit only somewhat cheaper. http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/lee- ... ersary-kit
There are a few things you will use and a few you won't -- I bought a digital scale as I don't have the patiences to wait for it to stop moving. I wish I had a powder dump like pictured. The one I have is for my progressive turret press - made to work on the turret for pistol bullet loading. Its a toss because theres items you'll buy on top of each kit no matter which one you buy -- so sense I have to watch how I spend my money -- I'd go with the Lee. You'll be able to buy a little powder with the left over cash.

[farmerboy78]

I would get the rcbs rockchucker, I have it and love it...

[hdjason]

Ether one is good. But I am set on the Lee press. Especially if you are going to other calibers in the future.

[Shepard]

Ether one is good. But I am set on the Lee press. Especially if you are going to other calibers in the future.

Love your setup -- I really like the double press idea. I want to get a single stage press -- after 3 times on the collet die I do a full resizing and its a little hard sizing them. By that time they need annealed.

[hdjason]

I use the press on the left for .223 and the one on the left is just for the mosin.