My conundrum about getting into reloading

[Mr_Flintstone]

What I’d suggest is that you take an inventory of all that is included in this deal, and go to a reputable online dealer like Midway and compare prices to see what it would cost to buy the equivalent of what you want new. That way you will be better able to make a financial comparison.

 

[sparkyv]

I agree with Mr_Flintstone. This is a PROJECT, and I do enjoy a good project that is inexpensive such as this.

I’m going to disagree with some of my esteemed colleagues here. All of that equipment looks to be in good condition, and there’s nothing wrong with a single stage press; especially for starting out. There looks to be well over $200 worth of stuff there; and more importantly, everything you need to get started with .38/.357. Those dies probably aren’t carbide dies if they are the same age as the press, but there’s probably lots of life left in them. You’ll need case lube if they aren’t. You’ll also want to inspect the brass before you use it since it’s of unknown origin and number of uses. If you are going to be a casual reloaded (150-200 rounds per week) you might find it’s all you need; then again once you learn and become familiar with the process, you may decide you need to upgrade. That scale, even though a little on the flimsy side, is actually very accurate. You can start with it (if the pan is there with it), but you’ll probably want to upgrade it at some point if you decide to buy.

None of us can make the decision for you as to whether this setup is for you or not. You are the one who has looked at and gone through it, and you are the one who knows what you want to do with it. Everyone has given you good advice and opinions. Good luck, and use your own judgement.

 

[shoebox1.1]

With the KUNG FLU going on my work is very affected and all extra spending is on lock down. It’s gonna be a while before I do anything. Thank you all for your help. Look forward to visiting with you later. Take care. Gus

 

[stillquietvoice]

I don’t know how much primers cost or how big those boxes are but it’s a sealed big box of small and large. Tons and tons of fmj bullets

Primers here run 32 dollars per 1k. From the pic those are 1k packages, usually 10 100 piece individual boxes.
Cast lead bullets are about 35.00 per 500 from pic 148 wc a couple boxes, lrn 9mm is similar price wise and jacketed bullet price is higher.

With brass, powder measure, chrony it's well worth the investment.

(Now that ive looked at all the photos...)

There is a bunch of stuff there, what is odd is much of it is the same stuff I have, I bought in the late '80's and early '90's... so thats probably about how old some of it is. You can get up and running with whats there, and improve it as you go. You DO need a better scale, but thars easy enough to fix.

I agree.

I’d like to just use the lee scoops instead of the big measure.. I want to take my time and do it slowly

You don't have to go fast with the powder measure. In fact once you set the the throw weight it will probably be more accurate than using the dippers.

 

[12Bravo20]

Graf and Sons has a complete Lee Classic Turret press kit that has everything except dies for $210 plus another $9.95 for shipping. So you can get brand new for $220

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/23840

Or if you want to go with a single stage press, Graf's also has the Lee Breach Lock kit for $138 plus $9.95 shipping

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7524

Yes you would have to buy dies along with all the reloading components but it's all brand new.

Here is a Lee carbide 4 die set for 38 Spec/357 Mag

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/8298

You could start by getting a kit like I linked and saving your brass as you shoot. Also getting new powder and new primers would be better. I'm not saying anything wrong with older components as long as they were properly stored.

 

[reddog81]

Get a full inventory of the primer, bullets, and dies. If the value of those add up to over $200 I'd do it. You'll need to buy primers, bullets and dies even if you buy one of those cheapo LEE kits. If it was me I'd start with the single stage press that's pictured and go from there. No point in spending $220 on a turret press just to see if you want to get further into reloading. Once you get the hang of reloading and decide you want to buy a better press reevaluate your needs at that point.

 

[kmw1954]

Once again, I am a big proponent of buying used, it can provide a lot of value.
My take in this one. This lot is not a bargain but at $200.00 it looks to be a fair price. I believe you made a comment about 38/357 being uninteresting, well a good deal of that lead and brass appeared to be just that. 38/357. The red Lee single stage press is an entry level press and I would call that a starting point to build on. The beam scale as others have said is not the best but it is mostly accurate and serviceable until something better comes along. The Chony, while and expensive pc. it is electronic and there is no guarantee that it works. So in my mind if it works it's a bonus.

As was suggested I think you should either sit down and inventory what is there, decide what you would use and what you would need to sell or as in my case I would offer them $150.00 for the lot and sort it out later. I have a feeling you are going to find a lot you will not use. Doesn't make a lot of sense to pick up a ton of 38/357 bullets if you cannot use them.

 

[Typetwelve]

I'll admit that I'm weird about used items.

Solid, easy to test for condition items like a press, dies, projectiles other processing equipment like a brass trimmer...I'm ok with that.

Primers and powders...yeah, not so willing to take those on, no matter what the price. There's no telling how powder or primers were stored.

 

[Tilos]

I don’t think I got pics of the powder. I’m sure it’s from the 90’s. The bullseye can looked OLD. I for sure want carbide dies. These were lil rusty too. That 200 might be better spend on the new lee kit
https://leeprecision.com/50th-anniversary-breech-lock-challenger-kit.html

You won't get ANY components in a kit
Components alone are worth $200
Load with it and decide whether you are interested in loading, buy a turret if you are.
Don't fall into the "analysis paralysis" trap that's being suggested here.
Buy that stuff from your friend and start loading....
jmo

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

With the KUNG FLU going on my work is very affected and all extra spending is on lock down. It’s gonna be a while before I do anything. Thank you all for your help. Look forward to visiting with you later. Take care. Gus

I'm sure all of us here understand that. My disposable income has diminished as well. You don't have to buy the used stuff at all because you can always purchase what you need later for around the same price if you shop around. Who knows, they may decide to come down on the price if you hold out a little longer. All of that stuff for $125-150 would be a great deal. Take care and stay away from the Coronavirus.

On the other hand, that doesn't have to mean the end of this thread. I've thoroughly enjoyed reading what people have had to say on the subject.

 

[Zendude]

A new tumbler and sifter will set you back around $75 at least. The Lee Loader press is fine for handgun cartridges.

 

[shoebox1.1]

It has been fun discussing this stuff

 

[badkarmamib]

It has been fun discussing this stuff

If you think talking about it is fun, just wait until you start pulling the handle...

 

[AJC1]

Something was mentioned about not having to pay all upfront right now I would offer him $150 see if he took it and then you would have something to do for the next month while we're all in isolation. Not going stir-crazy has its own values

 

[Mr_Flintstone]

If you think talking about it is fun, just wait until you start pulling the handle...

I recall the apprehension I felt when I flared that first case. When I measured that first powder load. The first the first time I crimped a bullet into a case wondering will this work? Will it blow up? What will it do? Then when I loaded it in my Model 19 and pulled the trigger it went....Bang! After that I was hooked.

 

[Jesse Heywood]

With the KUNG FLU going on my work is very affected and all extra spending is on lock down. It’s gonna be a while before I do anything. Thank you all for your help. Look forward to visiting with you later. Take care. Gus

See if you can negotiate a deal for when this Kung Flu mess has settled down and you have some money to spend. Then you can sell what you don't need and buy a second press with the proceeds. In the meantime take inventory and decide what you don't need and what to sell it for. Good Luck.

 

[AJC1]

I recall the apprehension I felt when I flared that first case. When I measured that first powder load. The first the first time I crimped a bullet into a case wondering will this work? Will it blow up? What will it do? Then when I loaded it in my Model 19 and pulled the trigger it went....Bang! After that I was hooked.

My big fear was the first time I pulled the trigger and I had measured everything a dozen times triple check my powder seating depth and plunk test and I was still terrified

 

[shoebox1.1]

To be perfectly honest I’m terrified about messing up the charge or seating depth OAL and overpressure something. Also squib loads. All of this is to load specifically for plinking and idpa matches that I would like to attend twice a month. What if I were on a fast double tap type stage and Bang-bang, Bang-bang,POP-BANG!!!! And blow up my new king cobra or the match champion I want. That doesn’t sound fun. It does sound like something stupid I’d do. That scares the crap outta me. 1000 rds of geco FMJ was like 229.00 at SG the other day. That would last several outings. I’m not saying I’m not going to try it but I am nervous!

 

[kmw1954]

If you weren't nervous then I would be fearful for you. You have every right and reason to be nervous, this isn't baking cookies.

Which is why I always state to start slow stay with one load design until you find confidence and a repeatable routine. There is nothing wrong with checking twice and then checking again. I always stress to build a repeatable process, that way when something seems out of sorts or not right it usually is not right. Trust your method in other words.

I also suggest when first starting as was done for me was to look thru the data and try to decide what it is you want the load to do. then find the components, then match that data. Bullets, powder, primers and again stick with that one load until you know it well, build that confidence in what you are doing. Follow the generally accepted rules and you will stay safe.

 

[Jim Watson]

Many years ago when I got started reloading, I didn't have the Internet to keep me worried. I just read the book, followed equipment instructions, and turned out the ammo. You can do it if you will.

 

[film495]

I've only ever loaded a couple batches of handgun ammo. it is normal to be totally worried about making a mistake, but that is why you follow a defined process. you might even make a checklist, personally I've just started a log in a notebook, so I can figure out what is where and what state I left it in and what I did so I can repeat it or not depending on if it worked good, cause I wrote it down. I'm also not in a speed competition - would rather not do it at all - than try to go too fast and mess up. in all honesty - worrying about a double charge is a real concern, that is why you visually look in the cases once they are charged, take a few minutes and put a flashlight on them, and a double charge should be really obvious. if something looks off - you can just pull that one out of the rotation, or weigh the charge. you just don't move onto the next step, until you're 100% satisfied with the current step. I'm pretty sure I've made more dummy/test cartridges with no primer or powder at this point than actual loaded cartridges; well, that may be an exaggeration, but I've made a lot - maybe 30 or 40 just trying to satisfy myself that I know what I'm doing. There's really no risk if you don't get out powder and primers, but wear safety glasses anyways just to build the habit.

 

[35 Whelen]

I cannot imagine why anyone who shoots a revolver much at all wouldn't reload, and the .38 Special is THE perfect caliber with which to start. Even buying cast wadcutters from MBC, a box of 50 is going to cost less than $7.00 and will be of better quality than the cheapest commercial ammunition you can buy. I just switched my Dillon 550 over to .38 Special and since I've been scrounging brass and cast my own bullets, a box of 50 costs under $2.50 per box.

One thing few newbies consider when buying equipment is if you buy quality used equipment (read- NOT Lee) and you decide reloading is not for you, sell the equipment and recoup most if not all of your investment. I excluded Lee because although it will do the job for the most part, it doesn't have much resale value.

Contrary to what most think and say, shooting .38's in your .357 is going to damage anything. Yes, there will be a little carbon accumulation at the ends of the chambers, but when you clean the chambers with a brush and solvent, the fouling goes away with a very few strokes.

Now, get that equipment and get started.

35W

 

[shoebox1.1]

Interesting comments about the Lee resale. Rcbs does appeal to me. The rock chucker specifically

 

[Jim Bowie]

Ive loaded a boatload of .38 specials on my crappy little Lee press. I actually have four of them. That Lee auto prime is a pretty good tool too! You'll definately be able to load two hundred dollars worth of ammo.

 

[FROGO207]

If you can make some pancakes from a box without burning them you will be able to safely build better ammo than you can buy from the store. It takes paying attention and taking your time. Especially in the beginning until you get a system that works for you. Tripple check the amount of powder and make sure the bullet is in by measuring. Then shoot and grin. After shooting your first cylinder full it will be life changing. What you have shown is well worth the $200 used but you can always offer less and see. He will also take payment over time so that is good also.
ETA: Things are going a little wonky in the world now and being able to put your hands on everything without hunting around and waiting has a lot of value and insulates you from not being able to buy finished ammo from wherever in the future if store bought dries up. Just another plus to getting it.