Which press to buy - The Firearms Forum

hunte567 · 10-16-2011, 06:36 PM

Im new to this and want to start reloading. I want to reload 9mm, 30-06, and 7mag. Im not sure which reloader will do all three. I think the lee turret will but I want to be sure before I start spending any money. Any help yall can give me would be great. Thanks, Neil

woolleyworm · 10-16-2011, 07:01 PM

Welcome to TFF Neil ! Take a read on the sticky threads at the top of the reloading forum. LD has put together some great must reads. First step in reloading is to read a couple of manuals first before buying any equiptment. This will make chosing a press much easier for you. Do you know any local reloaders? A few hands on lessons and getting familiar with the process would be ideal.

The Lee turret will do them all. What is your anticipated 9mm usage? If you're going to do high volume 9mm, then the time factor comes into play.

There's much to consider, so if you could give a little more detail on these specifics, we'll answer whatever questions you may have in order to get you heading in the right direction for you.

Budget -
Purpose,ie hunting, plinking, benchrest -
Volume -
any future calibers you may load -

Semper Fi,

Woolley

hunte567 · 10-16-2011, 07:21 PM

Hey Woolley, thanks for the quick reply. There are some guys my gun range that im going to talk to this week. They were'nt sure about which press to use for the 7 mag. I use it mainly for hunting, but I like going to the long range and shooting. As far as budget im trying to stay as inexpensive as I can. I dont use alot of 9mm but if I can make them, I bet I'll shoot more. I'll like to get dies for 9mm, 30-06, 7mag, 243 and later on 380. Thanks for the help, Neil

JLA · 10-16-2011, 07:24 PM

Sounds like a good single stage will fit your needs nicely. And is the easiest to learn on too. I started on a LEE anniversary kit and it served me well, and was still functioning strong the day I sold it on ebay after I bought better equipment. I use a good mixture of all manufacterers. Lee dies exclusively, RCBS press, Lyman 55 powder drop, RCBS scale, etc etc etc. And I reload about a dozen different cartridges. Both pistol and rifle.

312shooter · 10-16-2011, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

after I bought better equipment

Makes ya wonder if he meant to admit that!!! (Donning Flamesuit)

LDBennett · 10-17-2011, 07:22 AM

Better than LEE? Why, that must be blasphemy!

LDBennett

carver · 10-17-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunte567

Im new to this and want to start reloading. I want to reload 9mm, 30-06, and 7mag. Im not sure which reloader will do all three. I think the lee turret will but I want to be sure before I start spending any money. Any help yall can give me would be great. Thanks, Neil

I also use the Lee turret press, and I love it. No changing dies, and no adjustments. I reload .38, and .357. If you only have one set of dies, you must adjust them each time you switch calibers. With the turret press, just buy another turret, and another set of dies, and you are set to reload both calibers with no adjustments being necessary. Changing form one caliber to another is easy, just change out the turrets, and you are ready to reload.

howlnmad · 10-17-2011, 10:00 AM

The Lee Classic Turret will handle all you want to do. For loading the rifle calibers you can deactivate the auto advance and go single stage. Put it back in auto advance for your pistol loads and you'll be cranking out 100's of rounds an hour.

hunte567 · 10-17-2011, 12:17 PM

Thanks guys for all the help

JLA · 10-17-2011, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 312shooter

Makes ya wonder if he meant to admit that!!! (Donning Flamesuit)

Yeah i meant it. RCBS does make a better press IMO. and scales too.

Cant beat LEE dies tho, unless you buy redding. Nuttn better than redding.

JLA · 10-17-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LDBennett

Better than LEE? Why, that must be blasphemy!

LDBennett

Only thing blasphemous IMO is spending a buncha unnessary money on a buncha blue paint..

woolleyworm · 10-17-2011, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLA

Only thing blasphemous IMO is spending a buncha unnessary money on a buncha blue paint..

See signature below......

American Leader · 10-17-2011, 10:26 PM

Now Now boys, lets play nice. We all know LD secretly longs for a LEE press and JLA is just a pussy cat!

gdmoody · 10-17-2011, 10:33 PM

I agree that it sounds like a single stage press will work for you. I am using the same LEE single stage that I started with about 35 years ago, and it is still going strong. I load all of my rifle cartridges on it and a few pistol rounds. I do have one of those blue presses that I use for 9mm, .38, .40, and .45.

JLA · 10-18-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gdmoody

I agree that it sounds like a single stage press will work for you. I am using the same LEE single stage that I started with about 35 years ago, and it is still going strong. I load all of my rifle cartridges on it and a few pistol rounds. I do have one of those blue presses that I use for 9mm, .38, .40, and .45.

And its still covered in that wonderful shade of crimson isnt it..

Quote:

Originally Posted by American Leader

Now Now boys, lets play nice. We all know LD secretly longs for a LEE press and JLA is just a pussy cat!

Shhh, dont tell..

hunte567 · 10-18-2011, 09:47 PM

Im just getting started in reloading can yall tell me what im going to need other than the press, dies, bullets, primers. I want to start getting what I need. Thanks again for the help.

woolleyworm · 10-18-2011, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunte567

Im just getting started in reloading can yall tell me what im going to need other than the press, dies, bullets, primers. I want to start getting what I need. Thanks again for the help.

Best thing to do is have a notepad and make a list as you read through the manuals. Since you're doing rifle, you'll need a trimmer, but not right away. You'll need lube, lube pad and I'd recommend a trickler too. Case neck brushes, primer pocket cleaner, deburr tool. ( I have 3 rcbs deburr tools, drop me your addy and I'll save you a few bucks )
You'll also need a tumbler and media. Depending on the press, you may want to hand prime or add a priming system.
Scale is a must have, digital or beam is ok either way, just make sure that is a purpose made reloading scale. If there is one tool that you DO NOT skimp on, it's your scale.

There will be more added to this list I'm sure, so start your list and start some research online to find the best pricing.

Best of Luck to ya and we'll be here to answer any more questions you got !

Woolley

312shooter · 10-18-2011, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hunte567

Im just getting started in reloading can yall tell me what im going to need other than the press, dies, bullets, primers. I want to start getting what I need. Thanks again for the help.

AS for the tumbler, I have a spare sitting in the corner of the garage with a bunch of walnut media and polish. PM if you want to work something out I'd be willing to give you a steal on it.

sliclee · 10-21-2011, 05:02 PM

Hunte567- I would advise you to travel to other web sites where shooters compete, such as USPSA,IPSC,IDPA,CAS,long range shooting,hi-power shooting, just to give you some ideas.
Reading, browsing those web sites will give insight of what equipment is being used today by modern shooters and reloaders.
You must enlighten yourself before purchasing anything, such as how much shooting, how little shooting,what kind of and of course caliber.
Go to Dillon web sites, there you will find shooters and reloaders. They make the finest reloading equipment next to RCBS, they both give you NO BS GUARANTEE for life! Read it again A NO BS guarantee for life!
I dont work for them. I use some of their stuff.
There is Hornady,Lyman, Redding,a few small others and Lee. Lee makes nice presses for the casual reloader, they are inexpensive. You must learn to read before you buy. Redding,Lee,Lyman, Hornady make a turret press,BUT NOT THE SAME WAY. Find out the differences of the presses for your use. Good luck! Lee

10-16-2011, 06:36 PM	#1
hunte567 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 57	Which press to buy Im new to this and want to start reloading. I want to reload 9mm, 30-06, and 7mag. Im not sure which reloader will do all three. I think the lee turret will but I want to be sure before I start spending any money. Any help yall can give me would be great. Thanks, Neil -->

10-16-2011, 07:01 PM	#2
woolleyworm TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: SW Fort Worth Contributor Posts: 4,884	Re: Which press to buy Welcome to TFF Neil ! Take a read on the sticky threads at the top of the reloading forum. LD has put together some great must reads. First step in reloading is to read a couple of manuals first before buying any equiptment. This will make chosing a press much easier for you. Do you know any local reloaders? A few hands on lessons and getting familiar with the process would be ideal. The Lee turret will do them all. What is your anticipated 9mm usage? If you're going to do high volume 9mm, then the time factor comes into play. There's much to consider, so if you could give a little more detail on these specifics, we'll answer whatever questions you may have in order to get you heading in the right direction for you. Budget - Purpose,ie hunting, plinking, benchrest - Volume - any future calibers you may load - Semper Fi, Woolley __________________ . What are you gonna do, talk the alien to death? -- (on Sigourney Weaver's worry about Guns in Aliens) "Safety is something that happens between your ears, not something you hold in your hands." "I carry a small gun to compensate for my huge Blue press." .

10-16-2011, 07:21 PM	#3
hunte567 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 57	Re: Which press to buy Hey Woolley, thanks for the quick reply. There are some guys my gun range that im going to talk to this week. They were'nt sure about which press to use for the 7 mag. I use it mainly for hunting, but I like going to the long range and shooting. As far as budget im trying to stay as inexpensive as I can. I dont use alot of 9mm but if I can make them, I bet I'll shoot more. I'll like to get dies for 9mm, 30-06, 7mag, 243 and later on 380. Thanks for the help, Neil Last edited by hunte567; 10-16-2011 at 08:21 PM..

10-16-2011, 07:24 PM	#4
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,328	Re: Which press to buy Sounds like a good single stage will fit your needs nicely. And is the easiest to learn on too. I started on a LEE anniversary kit and it served me well, and was still functioning strong the day I sold it on ebay after I bought better equipment. I use a good mixture of all manufacterers. Lee dies exclusively, RCBS press, Lyman 55 powder drop, RCBS scale, etc etc etc. And I reload about a dozen different cartridges. Both pistol and rifle. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

10-17-2011, 07:22 AM	#6
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,719	Re: Which press to buy Better than LEE? Why, that must be blasphemy! LDBennett Last edited by LDBennett; 10-17-2011 at 08:20 AM..

10-17-2011, 10:00 AM	#8
howlnmad Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Harriman, Tn Contributor Posts: 2,573	Re: Which press to buy The Lee Classic Turret will handle all you want to do. For loading the rifle calibers you can deactivate the auto advance and go single stage. Put it back in auto advance for your pistol loads and you'll be cranking out 100's of rounds an hour. __________________

10-17-2011, 12:17 PM	#9
hunte567 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 57	Re: Which press to buy Thanks guys for all the help

10-17-2011, 10:26 PM	#13
American Leader Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Contributor Posts: 1,630	Re: Which press to buy Now Now boys, lets play nice. We all know LD secretly longs for a LEE press and JLA is just a pussy cat!

10-17-2011, 10:33 PM	#14
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,362	Re: Which press to buy I agree that it sounds like a single stage press will work for you. I am using the same LEE single stage that I started with about 35 years ago, and it is still going strong. I load all of my rifle cartridges on it and a few pistol rounds. I do have one of those blue presses that I use for 9mm, .38, .40, and .45. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

10-18-2011, 09:47 PM	#16
hunte567 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 57	Re: Which press to buy Im just getting started in reloading can yall tell me what im going to need other than the press, dies, bullets, primers. I want to start getting what I need. Thanks again for the help.

10-21-2011, 05:02 PM	#19
sliclee V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Miami Beach Florida Posts: 65	Re: Which press to buy Hunte567- I would advise you to travel to other web sites where shooters compete, such as USPSA,IPSC,IDPA,CAS,long range shooting,hi-power shooting, just to give you some ideas. Reading, browsing those web sites will give insight of what equipment is being used today by modern shooters and reloaders. You must enlighten yourself before purchasing anything, such as how much shooting, how little shooting,what kind of and of course caliber. Go to Dillon web sites, there you will find shooters and reloaders. They make the finest reloading equipment next to RCBS, they both give you NO BS GUARANTEE for life! Read it again A NO BS guarantee for life! I dont work for them. I use some of their stuff. There is Hornady,Lyman, Redding,a few small others and Lee. Lee makes nice presses for the casual reloader, they are inexpensive. You must learn to read before you buy. Redding,Lee,Lyman, Hornady make a turret press,BUT NOT THE SAME WAY. Find out the differences of the presses for your use. Good luck! Lee __________________ NRA Life SASS Life Gold Coast Gunslingers Okeechobee Marshals trust but verify