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what`s the best reloader for me?

2K views 20 replies 20 participants last post by  PlanoAttorney 
#1 ·
I`m wanting to get into reloading, and would like to know what would be the best reloader for me. I`d only be reloading 100 - 200 shells at a time, possibly once or twice a month. Depending on who much I work. Any info would be appreciated. New to the sight, I`m glad I found it!
 
#3 ·
You don't mention the price range you want to be in. There are so many different options available that it would be hard to single out just one. You don't mention if you are going to be reloading rifle or pistol. That makes a difference. Larger rifle calibers have different requirements then smaller ones. Look at the kits offered by the different manufacturers and see what meets your needs and price range. LEE offers great value but if you get serious you most likely will want to upgrade. Dillon is one of the best but more expensive. If cost is a matter then check eBay for some used products. most never go bad or get worn out and can save you big money especially on basic die sets.
 
#5 ·
My grandson has been my Brass monkey since he was three. When he turned four he wanted to start making his own rounds. I lied my butt off and told him that there was a law that said that he couldn't reload until he was six. He was a little disappointed but he accepted the "stupid" law.

I had forgotten all about what I told him, but on his sixth birthday, he informed me that he was now six and could reload. Well, I bought him a Hornady single stage and gave him a set of Lee dies and he reloads 380s for his Nana. Now, I do decap and resize and do the primers for him. But, he does the rest.(I don't think it safe for him to prime yet) I Check every round at each stage and for what I can see he learned very well. He loads 100 rounds at every setting. So I don't think you would have a problem in loading 200 once a week with a single stage.
 
#7 ·
You just asked, in an offhand way, whether you should buy a Chrysler, GM, Ford, or an import.

Many would say a single stage press, so you can learn, appreciate, and understand, each process, resizing, depriming, priming, flaring, charging, seating, and crimping (did I miss any?).

I'm of the school, of starting with a turret press. You can still reload one step at a time, but don't have to buy a new press when you are ready to step up your output.

I would avoid a progressive unless you really want to crank out ammo in a hurry simply due to cost. Others would disagree, because like a turret press, the progressive has all the advantages of the single stage and the turrent, but can also increase production as you see the need.

I only load 10mm and 40 S&W now. I have a Lee Classic 4 hole press, two turrets, and one set of dies. I de-bulge, deprime, prime and resize with one turret, and flare, charge, seat and crimp with the other.

To me, the disadvantage of a single stage, is having to set up each stage (die) as you go. The advantage of the turret and progressive is the removable heads, that can be set up for each caliber, or as in my case, different but similar operations, set and forget.

Like others have said, shop around, see what's available, and you can also find good (and bad) info on YouTube. There are several articles on this forum that you will find informative too.

As an addendum, invest in at least 2 reloading manuals, and a good scale. I prefer a balance (beam) scale because they are less susceptible to variance due to EMI, over a digital scale, but that's just me.

Welcome to the forum, and the addiction of reloading:D
 
#8 ·
Stodgy old man's opinion: As with anything, start with the basics and advance from there....:D

Reloading can take so many directions and especially as our skill grows and interests possibly change. Some become consumed by the habit, like me and some other guys on the board. Others stay rather casual and the masses of reloaders probably fall somewhere in between. The beauty of that is they're all right!!! My thought is start slow and basic, become proficient and knowledgeable and see where it leads you.
 
#9 ·
I have all, single stage, turret and progressive, and would still be using my Lee Classic turret for all loads if kids had not gifted me a Dillon 550B 4 years back...(I have Great kids) I like 'em all, and agree with Ksman above..a turret would solve all your needs...fast, accurate and makes great stuff! Invest in a couple of good manuals before you make the leap though. I like the Lyman manuals, have three different ones going back several years, but there are others.
 
#10 ·
Welcome to the FORUM. IMHO start with a reputable brand of single stage press. RCBS, Redding, Forster, Hornady or Lyman, several of them offer kits that have most everything needed to start. Some of the members recommend LEE, but I've had as much or more bad luck with their products than any other brand. As has been posted before, they sometimes have innovative ideas but they are executed with inferior materials. A prime example is the lousy lock rings that come on their die sets. The first thing you should buy is a couple of reloading manuals, and read through them before making your decision, Speer and Hornady are two I'd recommend. This like most everything else, buy the best you can afford.
 
#11 ·
I have never used a turret press so I know nothing about them. I have both a single stage and a progressive. I will add my vote for a single stage press.

With that said, I will add that if you have the funds, buy yourself a Dillon RL550 which can act as a single, turret, and progressive presses. As I have heard it said many time "buy once, cry once" or something like that and you will have what you need when you are ready to load more than that 100 to 200 shells at a time.
 
#13 · (Edited)
I have 99% "the green stuff". My brother had a Rockchucker so I got an RCBS Rockchucker. Just went with green after that until I actually got enough in to to start having my own opinions. By then my opinion was green was as good as anything and better than most so unless it was free, I stuck with what I KNEW worked.

Along the way I got a free Lyman starter kit and it worked just as good as what I already had so I use it to some times now. I started picking up stuff at estate sales if it looked good and I figured I could figure it out but I like to stick with simple to use stuff, one step at a time plans.
 
#14 ·
My vote goes for getting a Lee 4 hole turret. I started with a Lee single stage. I still have it and use it to load my real low volume (50 per year) rounds. Everything else is done on my turret press. I say go ahead and get the turret because you can learn on it as a single stage and then bump up production with it as a turret press. Get some good manuals and have fun.
 
#15 ·
I have had them all and the turret is a fantastic compromise of everything, price, capacity, ease of use, and strength. Since I don't really shoot anymore I have enough factory loaded ammo to last a lifetime I just recently sold a Dillon 650 with all the bells and whistles. It was fast but still took time to change calibers and get everything right. I still have a basic RCBS Rock Chucker and the needed accessories since I do have a lot of guns in calibers that ammo is not readily available in. I started with a LEE 3 hole turret and it was a very good press but I quickly added other items to improve the speed and ease of use.
 
#16 ·
Welcome to our addiction. As you can see there are a multitude of options. All the advice above is valid if not somewhat confusing for a newbie.

I started with a single stage Pacific 007 about 38 years ago. That press served me very well for many years. I ran onto a RCBS Rockchucker and swapped, the green machine is heavier and a bit easier to use due to geometry than the old Pacific and it still gets a lot of use. However, nowadays 95% of my ammo comes off my Dillon RL550B. But progress is expensive so your budget should be a big part of your decision process.

I suggest reading the stickies at the top of this reloading forum and maybe buying the ABCs of Reloading and Lyman's 50th. Both are invaluable resources as you learn.

As far as equipment goes, my strong recommendation is to start with a kit that includes a scale, a powder measure and the basic case prep tools. All the manufacturers offer these and you can build your toolkit later based on your needs. You will also need a good caliper, this is an essential.

Good luck, ask questions, don't use load data from unknown sources, take your time and be safe.
 
#18 ·
Welcome to the wonderful and oft frustrating and confusing world of reloading...

You've asked the $64,000 question and can get 64 different answers. Ninety-nine percent of the answers you get will be what the poster prefers/uses and no actual comparisons or tests. Not a bad thing just be aware. Also remember there are a lot of tools/equipment that may be suggested that are nice to have but not necessary (I reloaded for 12 years without a tumbler. I just wiped each case with a solvent dampened rag as I inspected it. No ruined dies and I could spot all defects in the case).

Before you buy any equipment I recommend two things; one think K.I.S.S.! Second get a copy of The ABCs of Reloading. This text will tell you not only how to reload, but the equipment needed. Unless you have an unlimited budget, think about the item/tool before you buy it, it may be a nice tool, but is it necessary? (I have a primer pocket cleaner that has never seen the inside of a primer pocket. It's at least 25 years old).

Go slow, double check everything, and most important, have fun...

P.S. Most reloading forums have stickies concerning equipment for the beginner...
 
#20 ·
I have been loading since 1995 & recall when I was trying to decide how to get started. Really thought I wanted or should begin with single stage because so many advisors had that opinion. But then I found myself thinking: What if I really like this and get into it heavily? Ended up buying a Dillon RL550 B, which has recently become a C, I think. Learned on the 550 just as easily as a SS press, but had the advantage of loading faster if I wanted. I now load more than 14 calibers. But a few years ago, I decided to move my larger rifle loading to a Hornady Classic SS press, because I was only loading 20 rds at a time. For my high-volume shooting (all pistol rounds & 5.56/.223) I still load everything on the Dillon. Have been thinking I would like to upgrade my SS press to a turret though, if I do it will be with Redding T-7. Hope my experience and opinions give you some insight.
 
#21 ·
Jeff,
Welcome to the forum. I figure by now you feel like you have been forced to drink water from a firehose - I will offer this: go to a local outfitter who has many choices on display and touch and feel them see if one brand, one color, or one style just appeals to you. The least expensive brand is loved by many hated by many, the most expensive brand has a very loyal following but in this niche market, no one makes a bad product.

Next ask around the local range, you are likely to find someone who reloads willing to show you how to set up and run rounds.

It really comes down to how much you are willing to spend and how you assess value. Don't forget to check the want ads and estate sales, you may get lucky and find something used that exceeds your needs but for the price . . .

Now that I have said that, I have a Forrester Co-Ax which I absolutely believe is the best single stage press in the world at any price. But that is just my .02.
 
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