Help with my first reloading setup

[futurerider103]

So my fiance said that she's going to buy me a reloading setup for Christmas but I don't want her to spend a whole lot of money.
I'm really only going to be reloading for my 223 / 5.56 ar and my 9mm pistol.
I know I'll still need to buy a reloading book, bullets, powder, a scale, powder, dies and cases to put the ammo on plus more.

 

[Gadawg88]

It would help everyone to give advice if you could define your questions more specifically and also provide some info. on your type and volume of shooting.

 

[futurerider103]

What reloading setup would be best to start off with.
I like to shoot between 100-200 rounds every other week or so.
I do expect to start with a single stage press but that's about all I know

 

[grogetr]

I started with the Lee classic cast turret press. It can be used as a single stage when you are learning what your doing then put the auto indexing rod in as you get comfortable with the process and can get good volume. I can get around 150 an hour on 9mm some say more. The kit is around $200 or you can get the press by itself and buy the rest by the piece.

 

[MILLERTIME]

Don't over look the Lee CLASSIC Turret. Works as a single stage and a turret press. Search for any post from Lost Sheep about this press he is an authority on it. It will fit your price range too. Enjoy the new hobby/obsession.

 

[VulcanChecks]

+1 on the Lee Classic Turret. I started out with this and there is definately some good benefits. Using as both a single stage and turret is a huge plus in a starter press. Also you can pick up multiple turrets and set up multiple calibers as time permits. Then simply plug in a new turrent to switch calibers.

The price point is also a plus. You can pick up just the press for roughly $65 from midway. You can also pick up the deluxe kit for $209 that includes a scale, Lee's Modern Reloading Book (Good data!), Primer feeders and a autodisk powder measure.

Let us know how things turn out! Wish my wife was more willing to let me buy more reloading equipment

 

[Magnum Shooter]

Yes you will want the Lee Classic Turret, but NOT the Lee Deluxe Turret.

 

[Gadawg88]

Yes, the Lee Classic Turret press will suit your needs quite well. It will run about $100 depending on where you buy it. Just saw it on Amazon for $98 with free shipping. I would suggest you get and read the ABCs of reloading. You may be able to check it out of your local library instead of buying, I did. It will give you a good baseline knowledge which you need before you even get started. Then get a good manual (this is a must have). There are many, but the Lyman 49th is a favorite. The Lee manual that comes with the Lee press kits is good to have also. It gets disparaged by some because Lee does not do their own load testing, they just reprint data from other sources. You will also need calipers, and for the the .223, a way to trim brass and remove the crimped primer pockets on any military brass you may have.

 

[futurerider103]

I have digital calipers already. So if I get the Lee classic turret what else will I need besides the case trimmer, scale and die hardware wise just to get started. I have a bunch of brass from ZQ1 ammo I've been using. Along with other brass I have from the ground at the range.
This is all the 223/5.56 I have now

 

[Gadawg88]

The LCT comes with one 4 hole turret, get extras for each caliber you will load. They can be had for $10 to $12 each. I would suggest you get the Lee pro auto disk powder measure. Since you intend on loading .223 get the double disk kit. It allows you to drop larger charges and more combinations of charges than the single disk. I also use the Safety prime system and it works great for me and speeds things up considerably. If you use it with the Pro auto disk, you will need the auto disk riser which just raises the powder measure up out of the way of the priming system when the turret rotates. When you trim brass for the .223 you will need chamfer and deburing tools. There are many types and brands.
I use these: http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-VLD-Ins...eywords=lyman+chamfer+tool&pebp=1418661694152 And
http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-7810222...1418661672&sr=8-2&keywords=lyman+chamfer+tool

You will also need case lube to size the rifle brass. This is very important as a case stuck in your die is no fun to deal with. I use the Dillon pump spray variety and it works very well. An 8oz bottle will last many thousands of rounds. I have also used the Hornady One Shot aresol spray type and never had a problem, but I prefer the Dillon. Regardless of what you get, follow the supplied directions and you should be fine. Allowing the prescribed drying time (just a few minutes) is important. If you have brass with crimped primer pockets, you will need a way of removing the crimp, either swaging or reaming.

I would also suggest at least one loading block.

 

[MILLERTIME]

If cash is tight right now and you don't mind upgrading a powder scale later there is a classic turret kit that will cover everything you need except the brass, primers, power, and bullets. +1 for a loading block too.

 

[futurerider103]

Which kit is that

 

[vaalpens]

I think you have received some great advice so far.

+1 On the loading block also, but I would go further and say it is better to have at least 2 loading blocks, especially if you are new to reloading. The 2 loading blocks will allow you to separate the brass ready to receive powder and the brass that already received powder, especially if you use a single stage press. It is a safety issue and the last thing you want to have when new to reloading is double charge.

 

[Gadawg88]

Here is the delux kit: http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/Item/0000690304 for $199.99. It is what I ordered when I got started in Jan. 2013. I quickly replaced the scale with an inexpensive digital from Frankford Arsenal and I never liked the chamfer debur tool. Too small and hard on your hands. The scale works fine and is very accurate, it was just too tedious and slow for my personal taste. It sits in a drawer now, but I am glad to have it as a worst-case backup. Also never took to the brass trimmer, but it will work till you can upgrade. The kit is a decent deal if you use everything in it, but knowing what I know now, I would probably buy things separately and skip the Lee scale and case prep tools. Just my 2 cents.

 

[drband]

You won't go wrong with the Lee Classic Cast Turret kit. Check fsreloading.com, Titan Reloading, Amazon, even eBay and you'll find these kits. Particularly Kempf Reloading Supplies, too. They will be glad to customize a setup for you--I'm told their pricing is competitive.