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I'm a little overwhelmed as to all the doodads I need to reload. Can anyone make a buy list for a simple (cheap but will last a long time) single stage setup? .223/300BLK/9mm are what I would like to load. I'm going to start piecing everything together as deals pop up.
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I really like the Anniversary Kits offered by Lee and Hornaday. They have a lot of parts already included and you would only need to purchase the dies and hand tools to complete the setup.Originally posted by GAP View Post
Always go Carbide on the dies as they stand up much better than the standard dies. I just got into this myself and there are A LOT of options out there, good luckOriginally posted by Sean88gtOriginally posted by Baron Von Crowder -
Most of the manufacturers have some kind of FAQ on their website. This guy does a series from the perspective of a newb starting out:
Also look on youtube - just search beginner reloading equipment or something similar.
I went simple and dependable. Lee classic cast press with breech-lock with Lee dies - very pleased with the press; it's built like a rock and less than $100. The breech lock is awesome - adjust your dies once instead of every time you use them. Hornady has a similar system called Lock-N-Load on several of their presses.
I use a Lee Ergo-Prime hand primer, which I like way better than priming on the press. The classic cast press comes with large and small primer tool in the package and it works just fine.
Some kind of a scale - might as well go digital since they're cheap and accurate. Just make sure it reads in grains.
I use a dial caliper to measure overall length, bullet seating, etc to make sure the ammo is up to spec.
Something to charge the cartridges - you can go with a set of Lee powder dippers for around $20 or something with a hopper that allows you to adjust the size of the charge you're throwing.
Like Gtracer said - the anniversary kits are a good value but some come with low-end stuff that you might not want (cheap, low-end scales, etc) Then again, ebay is your friend when it comes time to upgrade.Comment
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I've thought about getting into this recently and have looked at some kits, these look pretty good. I do have a couple questions though, are all the components readily available for reloading or are they hard to get now too? I'm talking like primers, projectiles, brass...etc? I would be doing mostly 9mm and .40, maybe some .223Originally posted by Nash B.Comment
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Every place I've ordered from says they're having a run on everything right now, but there are enough places that sell it you can still find everything you need.Comment
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I visit the gun shows for the primers, or Bass Pro and Cabelas. The prices per brick are about $34 pretty much anywhere.Originally posted by Wicked98Snake View Post
The stuff you will have difficulty finding online is brass, projectiles although they are coming in and out of stock on a weekly basis. This appears to only be the case for .223/5.56 though.
But considering some of the components are the same for all small rifle calibers, you may also run into shortages in powder, primers for these.Originally posted by Sean88gtOriginally posted by Baron Von CrowderComment
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I was going to start one of these threads this morning, glad you started it already. I would like to get set up to do this as well. Not looking for anything fancy, I don't shoot a lot so I think a single stage will be just fine for me. I was looking at the lee kits, what I didn't like was the seemingly cheap scale.Originally posted by LeahComment
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Determining the right loader for you will determine how much time you want to spend in front of your loader when you go to load. If you're only planning on loading a couple hundred rounds at a time, a single stage press is the more affordable way to go. It will take a little longer but you save money on the initial setup. If you're planning on doing 500-1000+ rounds at a time, then a progressive stage press will save you time but your start up cost will be greater.Originally posted by GAP View Post
Buying your primers and powder in bulk will save you more money, especially powder since it has a hazmat fee for shipping.Originally posted by JesterFORGTN SOLD1ER - xbox gamerOriginally posted by DennyComment
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Yep. The Lee scale is just kind of junk. Sell it on ebay and people will line up to buy it. I had a few parts left over from a Lee turret press package I bought a couple of years ago. Turned em on ebay with a quickness. If you want a scale, find a used RCBS 5-0-5 or just get a digital scale that you has a tare feature and measures in grains. I'm way happier with the digital than I'd ever be with a manual balance scale and it was less than $25.Originally posted by black2002ls View PostComment
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The more I look, the more I think I might be better off to just order a kit and add a digital scale to it.Originally posted by JP135 View PostOriginally posted by LeahComment
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This may just me being OCD but I'd keep a manual scale on hand just to double check the consistency of the digital scale.Originally posted by black2002ls View PostOriginally posted by JesterFORGTN SOLD1ER - xbox gamerOriginally posted by DennyComment
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I'm trying to decide between these two kits...
I'm leaning towards the RCBS kit.92 LX 5.0
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We're on the same page! I tried to piece it together, but i'm better off buying a kit and digi scale.Originally posted by black2002ls View PostComment
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I'm thinking the RCBS kit as well. With this scaleOriginally posted by bobs94formula View PostI'm trying to decide between these two kits...
I'm leaning towards the RCBS kit.
And 500 free projectiles. More if you break up the orders and mailing addresses and submit multiple rebates. I think that might work.Comment
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You can get $50 off a $300 purchase of RCBS stuff, but you got to by a Hornady Lock n load kit for the 500 free projectiles.92 LX 5.0Comment
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