Reloading Advice...

[toddyboman]

The wife and I have started shooting handguns alot lately.....so I thinking I want to start reloading.....

My dad currently does and has for many years. And I have helped him with about every step of the process.....So I do know the basics.....but I would classify myself as a beginner.

I could just use his stuff.....but I thinking I want my own stuff at my house instead of going to his all the time......

So for different options and suggestions I am asking you guys; he has already gave me his input.

Should I get a single stage press kit, turret press kit or progressive kit press?

I see that Lee press are much cheaper than others......why? Are they cheaply made?

What other recommendations, tips or advice does anyone have?

Thanks:gunsmilie:

[Jeramie]

I have a single stage and would prefer the more convenient presses. All it takes as money.... It doesnt bother me when its my alone time. I crank the radio at like 10:00pm on a weekend and go squeeze out rifle shells (dad does our pistol rounds). Then the step by step process is kind of nice and relaxing.

Personally I would NEVER own a Lee. Their quality isnt worth a hoot. I use a RCBS Rockchucker. Those things are solid as all get out. Ive heard some people brag about Lee but typically there are more bad things said than good. You rarely if ever hear anything bad about RCBS.

The one major thing I would suggest is dont rely on a balance scale. Granted they are accurate enough but the digital make life 100x easier. I am wanting one of the load masters. Hopefully I can swing one in the next year or so. Buy a tumbler, it makes life better too. The cleaner the bullet the easier the process and the better they turn out.

Also, there is a DVD on ebay about reloading. Its an older bearded man (big guy) that makes it simple for guys like me. He has some great information on that DVD. Pick it up. It helps loads! I bought it and loaned it to Dad right after mom got him a press. Within a couple of days he was loading pistol round and doing a dang good job. I used it to start Rifle round and it has been really handy.

Write down all load combos you have and are using. I put them in the back of my manuals on the blank paper. Always start with the lowest powder suggestion and work your way up. Granted 90% of the time the lowest is pretty light but its important. You dont want to go full on when starting a new round. Once you have figured out where you like the powder amounts you can stick to it. However, until you do keep the loads light!

And one VERY frustraiting thing I fugured out is to keep the dies CLEAN. If you get to much case lube in the die it will mess up the brass. It took a while for me to figure that out. Once I did it was much easier.

And finally, dont question your brass. If it looks like it could have issues toss it. Brass is far too cheap to take a chance getting hurt over!

Reloading is fun and it will save you money per box. You may shoot more but thats ok too! I use brass about 4 - 6 times before it gets tossed. Combine that with bulk powder and bulk bullets and it works out to be a pretty good deal! Not to mention its a lot of fun...

[hunterbobb]

The biggest question you need to answer is are you more concerned with turning out a large amounts of ammo that is not quite as accurate or is accuracy your main concern.

If accuacy is the main concern a single stage press is the way to go. They are slow but they maintain their consistancy better than a turret press or a progressive. Plus a single stage press is less expensive than a comparable progressive. It is also easier to operate a single stage press. Progressives and turrets are more difficult to set up.

If your main goal is a large amount of ammunition then a turret or a progressive is the way to go. Keep in mind though that it is difficult to maintain consistancy with a progressive press and the loads won't be as accurate.

Finally Lee presses are inexpensive cause they are cheap. I think they are made from an aluminum alloy. If you are only reloading handgun ammo they would probably be ok. If you have any plans to reload magnum rifle cartriges they just don't have enough leverage to consistantly size the case.

:gun2:

[toddyboman]

Thank you both for the input...

The biggest question you need to answer is are you more concerned with turning out a large amounts of ammo that is not quite as accurate or is accuracy your main concern.

Great point!

For my handgun I think I am more concerned with turning large amounts of ammo.

For my rifles I would want accuracy...... Yeah I know....can't have both.

Finally Lee presses are inexpensive cause they are cheap. I think they are made from an aluminum alloy. If you are only reloading handgun ammo they would probably be ok. If you have any plans to reload magnum rifle cartriges they just don't have enough leverage to consistantly size the case.

:gun2:

Thanks for that info.... I won't be purchasing a Lee press.

[m gardner]

Look at what Dillon Precision has to offer. Most of the high volume shooters here use their progressive presses and they make some very good ammo. But as with any progressive press if you pull the trigger and it doesn't go bang check the barrel to see if it's clear. The single stage presses where you are dumping powder and can actually look into the case mouths in your loading block are much safer in that respect.

[doubleA]

I too would reccomend Dillon. Initial cost are going to higher than others but in the long run( if you and the mrs continue to shoot in volume) it will more than pay itself off. You wouldnt have to start with their best but the 550B can put some ammo out.

You did mention that you had some experince with handloading which is really needed when going with a progressive as they are a bit more complicated to set up but once they are and you keep the powder and primer feed going it's a snap.

Handloading for a couple of handguns can take some time and be laborious with a single stage. A Dillon progressive can help make shooting more fun.

[AJ]

For my handgun I think I am more concerned with turning large amounts of ammo.

For my rifles I would want accuracy...... Yeah I know....can't have both.

Actually, the Dillon will give you accuracy also. I reload my .223 and .308 rounds for my sniper rifle on the Dillon 650. I can shave about 1/8" off my groups on average for 5 seperate 5-shot groups by using a single stage but it is way too slow.

[hangunnr]

I've never even once heard anyone lament the purchase of Dillon gear. I've heard a double handful squealing that they should've bought Dillon in the first palce after burning cash on lesser equipment.

I'll do load development on the single stage Forster, then when I find what I want it's the Dillon for production.

As far as precision..... I just sold my Dillon 1050 to the Captain of the US Palma rifle team so he could speed up his production. I'd say that's a pretty good venue to prove the capabilities of a progressive press.

hangunnr

[snapper]

Right now I have a RCBS supreme single stage but will also invest in a Dillon down the road.

Only thing I didn't like about using my buddies Dillon on rifle cases...they tend to rock when cycling. I will be doing small amounts of rifle cases...so the single stage is the way I'll prob. go. As for handgun ammo...can't really beat the progressive...can knock out alot of ammo in a short time.

[johnf]

I have the cheapy lee challenger press and haven't had a single issue with it. Granted I'm not loading a lot. I've loded about 1000 rifle rounds and nearly 2000 9mm rounds. I might get a single stage for rifle and the progressive for the pistol rounds. I like to make sure all my rifle rounds are very consistant.

[RangerClay]

I have the cheapy lee challenger press and haven't had a single issue with it. Granted I'm not loading a lot. I've loded about 1000 rifle rounds and nearly 2000 9mm rounds. I might get a single stage for rifle and the progressive for the pistol rounds. I like to make sure all my rifle rounds are very consistant.

Agreed! I also own a Lee and I have no complains. I have a single stage and I load approximately 2000 .45LC's every year. I have had it for 7 seven years and it has worked flawlessly. I could have bought a Dillion ( they are a great product) but I don't reload enogh to justify that cost. Like someone else said, it's my me time. On cold winter days I reload down in the cellar and shoot them up all summer. When set-up I can reload a box of 50 shells in less than a half hour. If you shoot a lot, you will probably want a Dillion. Also be sure to buy a digital scale as Jeremie recommended.

[toddyboman]

thanks for all the info guys!!! Keep it coming!

[Shaun_300]

I also own a Lee Challenger press and haven't had an issue with it at all. Actually bought it off JimT because I wanted to try reloading, I was hooked after the first round was loaded. I don't shoot a lot, but like to make sure all my rounds are perfect, and have had nothing but good luck with this setup. I load .22-250, .220 Swift, .25-06, .308, .300 Win Mag, and .300 WSM. I've loaded approx 500 rounds so far, it's a blast. :gunsmilie:

[toddyboman]

I too would reccomend Dillon. Initial cost are going to higher than others but in the long run( if you and the mrs continue to shoot in volume) it will more than pay itself off. You wouldnt have to start with their best but the 550B can put some ammo out.

This is kinda the direction I am leaning towards........Most of the reviews I read on them are good to great!

I will get a scale, tumbler, calipers, and other the must have stuff.

But what accessories do you guys recommend getting for making life easier.

Extra primer tubes, machine cover, case gauge, strong mount, ect??

Thanks!

[Shaun_300]

I always liked the Lee Auto-Prime, that saves some time! Also use the powder measurer from Lee as well that is very handy.

[hunterbobb]

Power case trimmer. Trimming cases is a horrible job. Stay away from the RCBS zip trim it is a piece of junk.

Make sure you set aside plenty of time to set up that dillion press. Plus get a seperate die plate for every caliber you will be reloading. It is much easier to just remove the plate so you don't have to readjust the dies everytime you reload.

[ousoonerfan22]

I had a rockchucker years ago and enjoyed reloading 30-06 ammo now my son is interested in reloading. I don't know whether to buy another rockchucker or a progressive loader because I'm only interested in my .270 but my son has pistols. I looked at the rockchucker kit but I also would like the digital scales so I'm wondering if buying the components seperately might be best.

Is the dillon press better than the new rockchucker?

[Leo]

I always liked the Lee Auto-Prime, that saves some time! Also use the powder measurer from Lee as well that is very handy.

I use the Lee Hand Priming tool. I think it gives you a little more control over the operation than priming cases with the press. It's also a lot faster.

I use the Lee Powder measure as well. It is a big time saver to throw the bulk of the charge but I still weigh and trickle each individual charge after I throw it with the measure. Stick powders in powder measures will vary.