Which press to start with?

[LiquidTension]

Ok guys, I'm finally getting the reloading itch. This is going to be my Christmas present

I've got $250 to spend, but less would be better. I'm going to be reloading mainly .45acp, but I also want to reload some 7.62x51 for my FAL if it's cheaper than getting surplus shipped. Once I get my bolt gun I'll be reloading for it as well (.308). .357mag is also one that I'd like to reload, but it's not a priority.

Basically I need gear for reloading pistol and rifle cartridges. I've got plenty of space on the work bench. I know about the manuals that I need, I'm just looking for advice on the equipment. Lee, Dillon, RCBS - I've read great things about all of them, but I just don't know enough to make an educated decision. I've read several of the threads for beginners here and on TFL, but still don't know which press to get.

Help?

 

[Sven]

Having asked similar questions and listened to the varied answers: there are many good choices.

Let me be the first to recommend a Dillon 550. Dillon's product is solid and their customer service is top notch. One great place to buy it from Brian Enos at http://www.brianenos.com . Brian is an authorized distributor so your service will be just as good as direct from Dillon.

A local gunsmith (Hell, John Jardine) had a bunch of people ask him about reloading at the SHOT show, 'what press should I get'). He told me that he pulled them all together and told them all at once: go to Dillon's booth.

I recommend a progressive. One pull of the handle performs 4 operations at once - the little assembly line just keeps on moving until you stop loading brass, bullets, or powder. The Dillon 550 can be used both as a single-stage or a progressive. Single stage mode can be more accurate, but many top competitive shooters load their match ammo in progressive mode - believe it or not.

I recently loaded 500 rounds in 1.5 hours at a local THR member's house - It works out to single digit pennies per shot of 45 ACP. Makes practicing easier not thinking "$0.20.... $0.20..." every shot.

Enjoy!

-s

 

[LiquidTension]

The 550 looks like it would be more than sufficient - they only problem is that it is out of my price range. $250 is the max I can spend and even at the be.com site the press alone is going for $300. I "work" for a gunsmith, so I could get dealer prices on anything I order if a discount is available.

I appreciate the advice Sven, but I just don't have the money for that setup - especially after buying all of the other goodies that are necessary to get started (dies, etc.). Any suggestions for something slightly cheaper?

Thanks,

- LT

 

[achadwick]

Take a look at the RCBS Rock Chucker kit. Midway has it for about $260 here:http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/646599

Midway also has the RCBS starter kit for ~ $50 less, but I would suggest the Rock Chucker press instead of the Reloader Special.

You would still need dies and components of course.

 

[mrbill]

for on the cheap, i would suggest the Lee Anniversary Kit. you can get it here for less than $80.

http://www.lockstock.com/cart/webca...+Reloading+Kit&ZN=TEXT&CODE=1852663&ITEM=2896

that would leave you plenty of cash to purchase the various other components you will need. for what it's worth, i'm about to start reloading myself. my kit is on it's way, i found a little cart thingy at Target for my reloading station. now all i need are dies, components and a set of calipers. i did my research, and everyone says dillon is best, but for bang for buck(especially on a budget) i haven't found anything that beats lee. just my .02

 

[ms1200]

the dillon at 500 sells for $193.95 and you can upgrade it to a 550b
later when money allows.

 

[PDshooter]

Here's my little outfit!
RCBS...........

 

[BEARMAN]

Check the bulletin boards at your range, the gunshows and the the BUY SELL OR TRADE type newspapers. Any used RCBS, LYMAN HORNADY or LEE single stage press with the standard 7/8 x 14 threads will get you going. Most of these are made out of pretty tough material and if they haven't been left out in the shed for 10 years, will probably be in good shape, a lot of people don't load that much , even if they have the gear. Get a good POWDER SCALE , new or used, stay away from the LEE scale, the others are better. Get new dies unless they are thrown in when you buy other stuff, I have had very good luck with new LEE dies over others and they are cheaper too. If you have problems SEATING or CRIMPING with a set of dies a LEE FACTORY CRIMP DIE AFTER SEATING WITH YOUR PRESENT DIE WILL USUALLY FIX IT. An adjustable POWDER MEASURE makes loading much faster, I have an RCBS and it works quite well, very solid and heavy construction. Most of the cheap CASE LENGTH TRIMMERS and PRIMER POCKET TOOLS made by LEE work and are inexpensive. Get the BIG LYMAN RELOADING BOOK it is one of the best. Most of the powder companies have WEBSITES that you can download or print LOADS with their powders. Polishing your cases is not necessary but it makes every thing look like new, which is what we are trying to do ,MAKE NEW AMMUNITION, it can wait, unless you have an old ROCK POLISHER usually available at SWAP MEETS or GARAGE SALES. SHOP WISELY AND YOU MAY HAVE MONEY LEFT OVER FOR POWDER AND BULLETS. When I reload, I INSPECT ALL THE BRASS, then I SIZE AND DECAP, then if handgun I SLIGHTLY BELL EACH CASE, I then PRIME WITH A LEE HANDPRIMING TOOL ( RCBS or ANY OTHER WOULD WORK.). These are stored in plastic yogurt containers til such time as I need ammo, then it is POWDER , BULLET, CRIMP. DONE. IT WORKS FOR ME. GOOD LUCK IN YOUR HUNT FOR GEAR.

 

[oldfart]

I caan't even guess how many times I've seen this question come up. Also, in every case, someone suggests going out and buying a Dillon.

Bad idea!!!

Yes, the Dillon is a great press and you may very well end up with one-- eventually. But you also may end up going to the store and buying an occasional box of shells rather than loading your own. Not everyone who tries reloading sticks with it. That's why there's so much used equipment for sale.

Buy cheap, used stuff until you're sure you want to continue then go out and buy what you need. If you're going to load a bunch of ammo every week-- that Dillon will come in handy. But if you're only going to load 40 or 50 rounds a week, a Lee Challenger will do the job just fine.

If, as some find, you decide not to continue, you'll be able to resell you stuff for just about what you paid for it, whereas you'll take a hefty loss on the Dillon. Also, if you do decide to buy a bigger and better press, that old single-stage Lee Challenger will still work for a lot of minor jobs.

 

[LiquidTension]

How 'bout this one?

Are the tools that come with it good, or would I do better to buy this one and piece together the rest of the tools from different manufacturers?

 

[Black Snowman]

Used name brand is good. Especially if you can find a used Dillon since their warranty is so incredible the origional buyer already shelled out for your support and replacement parts

Depending on the volume you plan to reload I'd recommend new getting the Lee Anniversary Reloading Kit or the Lee Deluxe Turret Press Kit.

Even if you get a progressive or turret press down the road you won't be out much money and you'll have a lot of VERY useful accessories already.

Even if you get a progressive to start with it's nice to have a single stage for "fixing" things and misc other duties. Much less intimidating to set up and get used to the process as well.

The T-Mag is good press but I'm not incredibly fond of the design. I like the 3 post design of the Lee better. More interference accessing the ram but not excessively so, extremely stable, can swap out turrets to quickly change calibers, and much more cost effective. YMMV and all that jazz.

 

[SASS#23149]

I started out years ago with the Lee anniversary kit,and it is still used for ocasional loading of 'once a year' calibers.
This will leave some money for tumbler and supplies......brass,primers,bullets.
If you could step up to the Dillon AT,more the better,but you did say 250 was max,so.....
It IS one extra step but I always seat and crimp in 2 diff. operations.That way you're not shaving lead and lube,or brass on jacketed bullets.
You'll need some loading blocks to stand the cases in that have powder in them.You can make 'em out of wood,or just get rcbs plastic ones.
and boxes to put the loaded rounds in.They're cheap too.
Loading for bottle-necked rifle rounds is a whole 'nuther game.MUST lube the cases,and trim lenght is more critical than on straight-wall pistol cases.
Above all,load safe!! triple check those powder levels,and WEAR SAFETY GLASSES."stuff" happens!

 

[lee n. field]

Don't forget Ebay, but be aware of the actual value of what you're purchasing is.

I just picked up a (older, used) Lyman D-5 scale, 500 grain capacity, for $15 delivered.

 

[Ross]

Liquid Tension,
I do not often advise new loaders to buy new. If you ever get to a gunshow, you know that there is often a pile of presses and dies available at a fraction of the cost of new. The brand name is usually not very important; some are better, but almost all are adequate to good, even if a bit rusty. Your gunsmith can probably help if he would inquire if his customers had any redundant tools that could help a beginner get started.
It is not unusual to find a press for $10.00 to $15.00.
Do not suppose that one tool is enough. A single stage is needed even after you get a mechanized motorized mile-a-minute machine. Start simple and add as needed.
Remember too, that most makers offer good customer service. If you find a problem with a used Dillon or RCBS tool their warrenty is astounding.
Cheers from Darkest California,
Ross

 

[larryw]

I fail to see the logic in buying inferior equipment, then going out and buying the good stuff at a later date. If you buy inferior equipment, odds are you WON'T stick with reloading and will wind up selling it off. Good tools make any job easier and more enjoyable. And the resulting product is always better.

Buy the best you can afford. That way you spend the money only once.

Part of the anwser to your question will depend on your volume of shooting. If you shoot a bunch, you'll want to buy a progressive to speed things up and keep reloading from becoming a time consuming chore. Dillon is, IMO, the only progressive worth owning. If you shoot a couple hundred rounds a month, then a single stage may be better suited for you: RCBS is the way I'd go here. Both companies build outstanding products and back them up.

 

[JA]

I have recomened the Lee Annerversy kit to over a dozen family,friends,and co-workers over the years. All have been happy with it especially the price. All the tools needed except dies and a case trimmer gauge for rifle cartridges for under $75. After buying the dies you need you will still have plenty of cash left over from the $250 limit for bullets,primers,and powder. If you decide to upgrade to a progressive press at a later date you will still use the Lee equipment for loading a few rounds when testing a new bullet/powder combo and the cartridges you don't load very many of in a years time.

 

[LiquidTension]

After a long talk with my trusted gunsmith (who has been reloading for decades), this is the setup I've pretty much decided on:

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press - $90
Lee hand priming tool - $10
Dillon Eliminator 5-0-5 scales - $50
Dillon case gauge - $9
RCBS carbide dies - $29
RCBS shell holder (x2) - $10
RCBS Uniflow powder measure - $60

Total: $258

It may come out a little cheaper after dealer discount, but I haven't had time to call. Most of the stuff is coming from Natchez, scales from Dillon, and maybe something from Midway, can't remember right now.

I know there are a few more things I need: calipers, manual, cartidge holders, tumbler, etc. This is the gift part though, the rest I can pick up myself after Christmas. The gunsmith is giving me one of his reloading books to use (he's got about 20) and the calipers can be had anywhere.

How's this setup look?

 

[Thirties]

For a turret press, I recommend a Redding T7 from mid-south Shooters Supply (about $165).

see it here:
http://www.redding-reloading.com/pages/t7turretpress.html

You will never regret this, and you will never sell it.

 

[bogie]

Here's what I'd do...

RCBS Partner press - light enough to take to the range, strong enough to do just about anything but size .50s or swage bullets.

Lee Pro 100 or whatever it is progressive press for the handgun stuff.

Lee dies for both - they're both just fine, accuracy-wise, and for bolt rifles, you're gonna love their collet dies.

Lee scale, unless you want to spend 2x as much for something less sensitive. Downside is that the Lee only weighs up to about 100 grains - can't weigh large bullets.

Lee priming tool

Lee "perfect" powder measure for your rifle loads. Uniflow would be #2 choice.

Buy used when possible.

 

[LiquidTension]

Thanks guys

I really appreciate the help and suggestions. As always, my fellow THRers have come through

Here's what I just ordered from Natchez:

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press
Lee Auto Primer
RCBS carbide dies .45acp
RCBS shell holder
RCBS Uniflow powder measure

Total price with shipping: $210.40

I'm getting SS calipers, scales, and case gauge from Dillon but haven't ordered yet.

 

[Black Snowman]

Nothing wrong with that setup I got my SS dial calipers localy for $20 from Cummins Industrial Tools. Also picked up a set of 3 micrometers from them cheap. Haven't used them for reloading yet but I have used them for some motorcycle repair work.

I got my scale from Cabela's $90 for a 1500 grain capacity digital scale. Not too shabby. It seems plenty accurate and warms up quite quickly (less than a minute).

Never used a case guage so no comments there