Christmas is coming. Reloading kit for a beginner?

[hq]

So I think I've raised my oldest son pretty well. He's hunted big game and upland bird since his early teens, he's proficient in dressing a deer, he's shot IPSC since high school and even makes killer chocolate pancakes for the whole`moose/deer/grous hunting party if need be.

But he doesn't reload.

I don't want to shove him in front of my Dillon 650, all set up and tell him to start pulling the handle. No. It's a good idea to have him learn everything from the ground up. How to set up dies, prep the cases, develop loads and so on.

So, Santa's bringing him a press/kit of his own. Single stage or turret, doesn't really matter. He shoots mainly .308, .223 and 7.62x39 so the learning curve is a bit steeper than with pistol cartridges, but that shouldn't matter. He's an engineer and knows better to read the manuals first.

The question is, which press would fit the bill? Yeah, I know, any of them, but I'm currently torn between Lee Challenger kit and Classic Turret kit. Others, maybe, but these seem to be the best value at the moment and if/when he learns the ropes, he can use my Dillon to his heart's content.

Help?

 

[Demi-human]

Lee makes good, affordable equipment.
Though, I prefer a little more substantial heft in quality, so I bought a Hornady classic kit.

If he will be using your Dillon upon “graduation”, I don’t see the point in spending more, even for a turret. With three separate cartridges there won’t be enough room for all of them anyway. It doesn’t take much to twist them into the press.

Though it’s out a ways, Merry Christmas, from Michigan!

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

That's a hard one.

I was 12 going on 13 when my parents and my mom's brother decided to get me my first center-fire as a 13th birthday present. My uncle had been a handloader since he got back from Korea, my dad could shoot okay but wasn't enthusiastic, and my mom had always carried a Colt's 38 Automatic her dad gave her at 18 but I don't think she even knew how to load it. So the decision was my uncle's and he got me a Lyman C-Press, Lyman dies for .38/.357 and two cans of powder - 1lb of Unique and 1lb of Bullseye. The modern version of what he got me would be the Lyman Brass Smith. A good solid foundational piece of equipment, for sure.

However, it sounds like your eldest is well over 13 and his needs are for more volume than a Brass Smith could deliver. I think the Classic Turret Press kit comes with lot of junk most beginners are better off avoiding - the turret-mount priming system, among other things - and I could recommend a dozen scales better than the Lee Safety. My suggestion is to buy him the press alone and assemble a kit on your own using what you would want for components: dies, scales, powder measures, etc. And lights! Turret presses need powder-check lights and some need mirrors!

Congrats on raising a good kid and good luck on the gift-giving.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Get him a Lee APP!

 

[Seedy Character]

RCBS Rock Chucker kit

Yes, it is a single stage. How is it best to learn?
1 step a time.

Beefy press that will last forever. Mine is over 40 years, loads 17 calibers, reforms brass, loads precision ammo. Couldn't ask for more.
Well, maybe more speed, but it has done everything I needed, for over 40 years.

I bought a 550 Dillon, 2 years ago. I still use the Chucker.

 

[GONRA]

GONRA notes he's loadin' necked rifle cartridges.
Will be LOTTSA (beat up) range brass too - as tyme goes on.....

BIGGEST STRONGEST SINGLE STAGE PRESS HE CAN AFFORD!
BOTTLE OF STP OIL TREATMENT for case lube too.....

 

[Mark_Mark]

RCBS Rock Chucker kit

Yes, it is a single stage. How is it best to learn?
1 step a time.

Beefy press that will last forever. Mine is over 40 years, loads 17 calibers, reforms brass, loads precision ammo. Couldn't ask for more.
Well, maybe more speed, but it has done everything I needed, for over 40 years.

I bought a 550 Dillon, 2 years ago. I still use the Chucker.

Everyone has a Chucker or a version of a Chucker, I think it’s invaluable to a reloading room

 

[Misplacedtexan]

Rcbs rock chucker, be around for his grandkids!

 

[GoldieMI]

There's always room for a single stage at a bench..my two cents
I kept my single stages, gifted my turret as a present to someone getting into reloading. I use the 650 for large runs or processing, but the single stage is used constantly.
Being you are in Finland, any chance of an Italian or German press being more common than the Lee units there? Just curiosity on my part.

 

[GW Staar]

If my son showed that kind of interest, I'd get the RCBS Rebel press and a hand primer. He'll use it for life, and always remember who gave it to him. I like Lee APP's for case processing, but not for my main press for rifle. I bought my Rockchucker over 40 years ago. The Rebel is better still. (next Christmas get him a bench primer and/or a Lee APP.)

There isn't any brand that takes care of overseas customers like RCBS does....not even Dillon.

 

[1KPerDay]

Lee Classic Turret. Very versatile, can be run as a single stage if you prefer. Nothing else like it.

 

[NeroM]

I've heard from a number of shooters who are suddenly interested in hand loading.
Have suggested The Lee kit with a "O" style press, powder measure and scale.
The press is pretty good, I have one on the bench alongside one with green finish.
Scale is fine, perhaps a little flimsy. Powder measure is good for rile loads, not optimal for real small pistol loads.
I use the Lee "C" style press as a primer station, has a good feel for seating.primers.
This unit is also nice for straight wall pistol cases, don't suggest it for rifle cases. During the summer, A co-workers son was interested in hunting with a handgun and hand loading . Set him up with the Lee "C" press and Lee scale and a high end measure for pistol charges. His loads are looking quite good, the "feel" of this press is also good for getting a good crimp on revolver loads.

 

[NeroM]

A follow-up thought....
However give your description - might not be a good fit for your son's needs.
For 38SPL, i have a highly portable loading kit with a Lee hand press and use a RCBS Little Dandy powder measure, dies are Lee also. While not real fast, it is quite satisfying to turn out "hand" loads with this set up. Have used this press also for 357, 41, 44 mag and 45 Colt.

 

[Phantom 309]

I vote Lee classic turret kit, it's got a pretty good bang:buck ratio, and you've got the experience to show him which bits are keepers and which ones are replaceable down the road. Plus, considering that he is an engineer I figure he's got an eye for detail and can tune the turret to really hum.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Don’t get the Lyman 8 turret for a 1st. I got one and the primer system is a fail.

 

[ImjinScout85]

I started my reloading hobby on the Hornady Lnl AP and glad I went with a progressive press. My friend had one and showed me the ropes on his setup before I purchased my own. Once I had my own setup he came over and we went into more detail on reloading, hands on was the best experience. For the amount of ammo that I load the AP was the best way to go,

 

[hq]

Lots of great advice here. Thank you, gentlemen.

To define and elaborate the situation a bit further, my son is no longer a teenager. He's 25 and a civil engineer with several years of background as construction foreman, so he kind of knows his way around anything mechanical and is proficient in metallurgy as well. He'll be reloading by himself and I just want him to have hands-on experience how to do it from the ground up.

Market situation and availability around here is much the same as in the US. RCBS, Lee and Dillon are the most common brands, Hornady and Redding right behind them. Brownells has a localized web site and, unsurprisingly, they offer lots of less common items smaller distributors and gun shops don't.

I mentioned Lee because his LGS stocks them, including spare parts, meaning that if something breaks or he needs accessories, it's a short drive to get them over the counter. Like back in the 80's the closest shop to me stocked RCBS so it was an obvious choice. That's a consideration but not a deal breaker if another brand is a better choice as a whole?

It's such a long time since I've used anything but progressive presses that I don't have a clear picture of single stage and turret market nowadays. I'm veering towards a turret press and a couple of spare turrets so caliber change is quick and easy once you've set up the dies for each, but a single stage isn't out of the question either.

He's been talking about getting a .300WbyMag or a .375H&H next season so this is a perfect time to get into reloading before that happens, with a risk of breaking your wallet unless you do.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Lots of great advice here. Thank you, gentlemen.

To define and elaborate the situation a bit further, my son is no longer a teenager. He's 25 and a civil engineer with several years of background as construction foreman, so he kind of knows his way around anything mechanical and is proficient in metallurgy as well. He'll be reloading by himself and I just want him to have hands-on experience how to do it from the ground up.

Market situation and availability around here is much the same as in the US. RCBS, Lee and Dillon are the most common brands, Hornady and Redding right behind them. Brownells has a localized web site and, unsurprisingly, they offer lots of less common items smaller distributors and gun shops don't.

I mentioned Lee because his LGS stocks them, including spare parts, meaning that if something breaks or he needs accessories, it's a short drive to get them over the counter. Like back in the 80's the closest shop to me stocked RCBS so it was an obvious choice. That's a consideration but not a deal breaker if another brand is a better choice as a whole?

It's such a long time since I've used anything but progressive presses that I don't have a clear picture of single stage and turret market nowadays. I'm veering towards a turret press and a couple of spare turrets so caliber change is quick and easy once you've set up the dies for each, but a single stage isn't out of the question either.

He's been talking about getting a .300WbyMag or a .375H&H next season so this is a perfect time to get into reloading before that happens, with a risk of breaking your wallet unless you do.

Your Boy is going to load the big stuff, and He’s going to need a solid Single stage RCBS. Buy the Rock Chucker Supreme Kit and a Starret caliper. I started loading the big boy caliber too, and I still use my same kit. It’s not a stater kit by any means, just a solid press. RCBS has great customer service and just a phone call away, and their stuff don’t break.

 

[bersaguy]

While I'm a big proponent of Lee products, especially the Lee turret press, if your son will be loading primarily bottleneck rifle cartridges, I'd recommend a heavy single stage. RCBS rock chucker would be a good one. Lee Challenger Breech Lock is another. If he is also doing pistol calibers, the turret is a good option. Mine has been going strong for 10 years now, but the only rifle cartridge I load so far is 30 carbine, so nothing that puts a great deal of stress on the press.
Now, that being said, there are plenty of kits sold around these presses, but I'd also recommend getting a decent set of calipers, loading blocks, trickler, and a decent digital scale

 

[Walkalong]

Considering his aptitude for engineering, he could likely start with a progressive press, but a single stage always has uses, and the learning curve is easier. If you go the single stage route, it's going to be hard to beat an RCBS kit to start with.

 

[hq]

Like I mentioned earlier, I have a Dillon 650, a bunch of dies from 9mm all the way to .375H&H and all associated gear so he can use it whenever he drops by. This is more about a soft learning curve ie. understanding what's going on during each phase and him having a press of his own for load development and limited production.

He lives out of town so he can shoot (and hunt!) on his back yard so there's an incentive to be able to make anything from a few to a couple of hundred rounds at home. For several hundreds and up a round trip to my reloading room is in order, of course.

 

[lordpaxman]

The question is, which press would fit the bill?

I started off with an RCBS Rock Chucker and gave one to each of my sons. It works fine and still in use for some cartridges.
I think you’re using your 650 as a means to get your son to visit more often….C’mon Dad, don’t be Joulupukki and get him an RL1100 for his own. I’m pretty impressed with the machine, and it doesn’t have to be run in full progressive mode. Given your son’s background he can certainly handle a progressive, and use it in that mode or single stage. I just got done with some .40 load development and it works just fine if you want to use one station at a time. It will last him a lifetime and he can add to it as he needs. Then you can visit him, his Dillon, and all the grandkids. Good luck.

 

[Varminterror]

For what purposes will he be reloading? If volumes are sufficient to dictate a progressive, get a progressive.

If not, get a Lee Classic Turret. The only single stage press I would wish into anyone’s life is a Forster Co-Ax.

I’m not sure I’d buy any kit - unless the kit were virtually the same cost as the press alone (as used to occasionally be true for the LCT). Piece together better, more useful gear, otherwise your gift includes a drawerful of crap he won’t use within 6 months.

 

[GeoDudeFlorida]

The only single stage press I would wish into anyone’s life is a Forster Co-Ax.

Now that’s a darned good press and I did have a buddy - no longer with us, RIP Russ - who loaded big game cartridges with one. I recall he was loading up to .458 Win on it. That’s a good option if available.

 

[drband]

If he’s going to load significant numbers of pistol rounds, a LCT is in order. It will also handle rifle rounds well and can be used as a single stage. I don’t think there’s a down side to the LCT for his purposes.
If he’s not going to load pistol rounds, then get him a really nice SS press. He will always thank you.