Looking for a reloading setup

[SteveCase]

Im very new to reloading and I have been looking at getting my own setup. Im mostly going to be reloading 9mm, .223, .30-06 and maybe .300WSM. And I would like to get a kit that is going to do both large rifle calibers and pistol, I've been looking at the lee kits but from what I heard they are not very reliable for large rifle calibers. So I looked on and found the Hornady kits and the RCBS, I don't mind spending a little more for quality. Now I know some people are gonna post about its not a good time to get into reloading, But I have had almost no problems finding primers and powder, Suprisingly I have had trouble finding .30-06 brass(not big issue got plenty of emptys sitting in the closet). So any information would be greatly appreciated along with any recommendations you guys have

 

[fireflyfather]

The lee kits are fine for large rifle calibers, provided you buy one of their beefier presses. The classic cast, classic turret, and breech lock are fine for that purpose. If you are just starting to reload, you probably should be learning on a single stage or turret anyway, if not a lee loader (hand tools). I use mostly lee stuff because it's cheap and it does a good job, but I use some lyman (scale), frankfort (tumbler), Hornady (lube), and other branded equipment, so I'm not a fanboy. If you want real quality, go Dillon. That said, the quality of the finished ammo isn't really any different. The reason for a more expensive press would be for either speed (progressive), or doing unusual activities like bullet swagging (using your press to smoosh lead wire into a bullet mold to make lead bullets without melting lead) (Rock Chucker Bullet Swagger = RCBS) for which some of the lower-end presses probably wouldn't be suitable. But for the calibers you list, almost any press will do the job. I load 7.62x54R (on the rare occasions I need to full-length size) on the cheapest Lee C-clamp type press, and it works just fine.

 

[oldreloader]

Lee Breechlock, Lee Classic Cast,Hornady LNL,RCBS Rockchucker,Lyman Crusher II are all ok.

 

[kludge]

I've been looking at the lee kits but from what I heard they are not very reliable for large rifle calibers.

False.

The classic cast, classic turret, and breech lock are fine for that purpose.

True.

The Lee Breechlock kit is a great place to start. Make the sure the kit you're looking at comes with all the shell holders.

15 years later I still use most of the stuff that came in my Lee Anniversary Kit (not exactly the same now as it used to be), including the Challenger press. If you don't mind spending more on a press then the Classic Cast or the Classic Turret is the way to go.

All the presses oldrelaoder mentioned will likely give you a lifetime of service.

 

[Deavis]

Now I know some people are gonna post about its not a good time to get into reloading

It is always a good time to get into reloading! You don't give a lot of information about your expected volume, which is important for that 9mm. Reloading pistol on a single stage or turret is painful if you are shooting large volumes.

 

[longdayjake]

I just got the hornady lock and load ap. I don't think I would do anything different. It is an awesome press and very easy to use.