Just getting started

Lng Rng · 06-19-2007, 11:28 PM

After getting sick of ammo selections and prices, I have decided to start handloading. I was thinking on getting the Lee kit to test the waters, and was wondering if anyone here had used it before. Also, I was also wondering if there were any other peices of equiptment not included in the kit (other then the dies) that you guys think would be benefical to have. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

lefty o · 06-20-2007, 01:28 AM

best thing you could get yourself is a couple of loading manuals. lymann , sierra, and hornady are the ones i use most.

Despoiler · 06-20-2007, 01:44 AM

Three good manuals, listen to Lefty. I prefer the Sierra over the others, maybe because it was the one that my father used.

Reloading is pretty straigt forward, and if you are a resonably inteligent person, you can do it. When I see most problems occur is when I am distracted. I had the lee kit and I found that the powder thrower and scale were major distractions.

If you can afford it I would go with Dillon or Rcbs, they cost about 3 to 4 times as much but worth it. I am just about fully converted over to RCBS.

But if you are thick headed like me, then go ahead and get the lee to start with, it is cheap afterall, and then you can vent here, we will feel your pain.

Despoiler

lefty o · 06-20-2007, 01:57 AM

alot of people do like lee equipment, but like despoiler- i aint one of 'em.

DWARREN123 · 06-20-2007, 10:36 AM

I would suggest getting the manuals first. I have a few but my first was the "ABC's of Reloading" which I feel is very good to get started with.
I got the Lee Anniversary Kit which does just fine for me since I reload for 357 mag and 32 H&R mag only (so far).

Johnny_Revolver · 06-20-2007, 01:16 PM

Start with the Lee, if you get into it, you can upgrade onto other coloured stuff.

IF you get stuck, ask here. Billy bought a Lee Anniversary and we basically walked him through it in the forums here, he is a reloading nut like the rest of us now

toolman · 06-20-2007, 01:58 PM

The Lee kit is a good place to start but you'll probably want to upgrade some of the stuff later. You'll need the Anniversary kit, dies, components, and the case-length trim gauge for whatever caliber you want to load. There is a wealth of load info on the 'net and the powder co's have free load books for the asking. As stated previously, start with getting a couple of good reloading manuals. If you're gooing to be loading a popular caliber, the magazine-type Hodgdon manual is pretty good as it has info for Hodgdon, IMR, and Win. powders in one spot. The Lee manuals are pretty good as well and they have a cd called the Lee Shooters Program that contains info for five different powders.

Midas · 06-20-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnny_Revolver

Start with the Lee, if you get into it, you can upgrade onto other coloured stuff.

IF you get stuck, ask here. Billy bought a Lee Anniversary and we basically walked him through it in the forums here, he is a reloading nut like the yest of us now

Agreed

time of flight · 06-20-2007, 11:17 PM

The Lee kit will do fine for any reloading you wanna do the scales aren't the best though might wanna invest in some 505's or something along those lines and i dont think the lee sizing paste is that good used it for about a week then tost it out but every thing else is good from my experience.sorry and a neck sizer if you are into ring the neck out of your loads
Just remember to be carful and enjoy it's a blast if done right nothing like watching you prey fly 3ft into the air with a load you made yourself.

.22guy · 06-20-2007, 11:43 PM

I have the Lee kit and it works OK. As someone mentioned above the powder thrower and scale are more trouble than they are worth. I actually tossed the scale in the trash, and I hardly ever throw anything away. I just knew that I didn't trust it, and with reloading it's not worth taking the chance.

It's definitely a starter kit, but I like it. Also, if you decide to upgrade later, you can always use the single stage press for tasks. Good luck.

Lng Rng · 06-21-2007, 06:32 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I just orderd a couple of manuals, now I just need all of my components. Ill put up a post if I run into any trouble.

Snakebite · 06-21-2007, 08:55 PM

I am a little surprised at the response of the Lee powder throw and scale.
They arent the best , I agree.
I still use them and with
practice they are very accurate.
Toss out that dang starter press. That thing is crap. My reloads immediately were improved with a better press.

tinker · 07-17-2007, 02:19 AM

Hi folks, I just started loading .223 on my loadmaster (lee). I haven't messed with other loaders, but I am generally happy with my machine. I have loaded about 1000 rounds so far, in small batches to work out kinks. Is it worth it? Not really. I save about $10 an hour with my current setup. I have the zip trim and it is clever and fast for the price, but 3/4 of my time is in trimming brass. I plan to pick up a dillon electric trimmer, put it on a seperate turret with lube/decap at #1, my rcbs x sizer at #2 (shorten case BEFORE trim) and dillon trimmer at #4. Then I am looking at 2 seconds per case in prep and 2 in loading. Plus The jerky sizing operation will be on the other turret so I can feel the primer. Then I will be saving myself about $100 an hour and FULLY PROCESSING 900 rounds an hour. Dillon because then the loading machine handles the brass IE faster!! Load because it is kinda fun- you gotta shoot A LOT to make it worth it.
Oh, books are always good.

billy · 07-17-2007, 06:34 AM

i am looking at a loadmaster myself to feed my .45acp
the ann.kit works well for loading .308
those are the two cals. i use the most.
but i do have dies for .303 brit.

i still buy .308 in 1000 rnd. lots but i reload because i want to.

Cyrille · 07-24-2007, 07:32 PM

Most of what is published here is good advice, but I like Lee products!
I don't have the powder throw and scale by Lee but I do have a hand held singlestage reloading press that I use for my reloading and Lee dies and other reloading tools by Lee. No complaint. I also have an old RCBS "Rock Chucker" that was left behind in a house I helped demolish after Katrina hit the New Orleans area, haven't used it yet but its' there when and if I need it.

Oz n Bolivia · 07-24-2007, 08:47 PM

Lng Rng I use Lee equipment. If you load a lot 200 rounds a week or more do not use the single stage press. I manage to shoot 50 to 100 plus a month so the single stage press is nice. I have a fair amount of problems with the scale and do not have a volume measure. I finally ground a 9mm case and wrapped a wire in the extraction groove. This with tapping to settle the powder will give me 4.2 to 4.3 grains of W231. The autoprimer2 when it workes, workes fine, keep it full and watch the primers so they do not flip just before pressing into the pocket.

Set the dies correctly and all workes well.

What are you reloading?? I like reloading almost as much as I do punching holes in paper, but shooting groundhogs is a lot better.

Oz

Deersniper · 07-24-2007, 08:56 PM

I got the Lee kit but I'm not using the powder scale, or the Auto prime II. With that said, Get the press, for about 89.00 and add things that you like.

RugerBob · 07-25-2007, 12:12 AM

Lng, if you don't mind, what caliber will you be loading? I am new to this also , and have got great info/input from this site. Have to agree that the more manuals the better.

06-20-2007, 10:36 AM	#5
DWARREN123 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: BETWEEN TN & KY Posts: 774	I would suggest getting the manuals first. I have a few but my first was the "ABC's of Reloading" which I feel is very good to get started with. I got the Lee Anniversary Kit which does just fine for me since I reload for 357 mag and 32 H&R mag only (so far). __________________ Have a nice day!

06-20-2007, 01:16 PM	#6
Johnny_Revolver Gun Liker Join Date: May 2005 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 1,209 Blog Entries: 6	Start with the Lee, if you get into it, you can upgrade onto other coloured stuff. IF you get stuck, ask here. Billy bought a Lee Anniversary and we basically walked him through it in the forums here, he is a reloading nut like the rest of us now __________________ It`s a good life, provided you don`t weaken. Last edited by Johnny_Revolver; 06-21-2007 at 02:39 AM.

06-20-2007, 01:58 PM	#7
toolman Mr. Fixit Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: abilene,tx Posts: 5,582 Blog Entries: 22	The Lee kit is a good place to start but you'll probably want to upgrade some of the stuff later. You'll need the Anniversary kit, dies, components, and the case-length trim gauge for whatever caliber you want to load. There is a wealth of load info on the 'net and the powder co's have free load books for the asking. As stated previously, start with getting a couple of good reloading manuals. If you're gooing to be loading a popular caliber, the magazine-type Hodgdon manual is pretty good as it has info for Hodgdon, IMR, and Win. powders in one spot. The Lee manuals are pretty good as well and they have a cd called the Lee Shooters Program that contains info for five different powders. __________________ Don't be messin' with my gun!

06-20-2007, 11:17 PM	#9
time of flight Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: varmint central NSW Posts: 20	The Lee kit will do fine for any reloading you wanna do the scales aren't the best though might wanna invest in some 505's or something along those lines and i dont think the lee sizing paste is that good used it for about a week then tost it out but every thing else is good from my experience.sorry and a neck sizer if you are into ring the neck out of your loads Just remember to be carful and enjoy it's a blast if done right nothing like watching you prey fly 3ft into the air with a load you made yourself. Last edited by time of flight; 06-20-2007 at 11:21 PM.

07-17-2007, 06:34 AM	#14
billy spiritual counselor Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca Posts: 12,157 Images: 9 Blog Entries: 146	i am looking at a loadmaster myself to feed my .45acp the ann.kit works well for loading .308 those are the two cals. i use the most. but i do have dies for .303 brit. i still buy .308 in 1000 rnd. lots but i reload because i want to. __________________ Last edited by billy; 07-17-2007 at 06:35 AM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost

06-19-2007, 11:28 PM	#1
Lng Rng Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 944	Just getting started After getting sick of ammo selections and prices, I have decided to start handloading. I was thinking on getting the Lee kit to test the waters, and was wondering if anyone here had used it before. Also, I was also wondering if there were any other peices of equiptment not included in the kit (other then the dies) that you guys think would be benefical to have. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

06-20-2007, 01:28 AM	#2
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,806	best thing you could get yourself is a couple of loading manuals. lymann , sierra, and hornady are the ones i use most.

06-20-2007, 01:44 AM	#3
Despoiler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: The Occupied Territory of California Posts: 2,232	Three good manuals, listen to Lefty. I prefer the Sierra over the others, maybe because it was the one that my father used. Reloading is pretty straigt forward, and if you are a resonably inteligent person, you can do it. When I see most problems occur is when I am distracted. I had the lee kit and I found that the powder thrower and scale were major distractions. If you can afford it I would go with Dillon or Rcbs, they cost about 3 to 4 times as much but worth it. I am just about fully converted over to RCBS. But if you are thick headed like me, then go ahead and get the lee to start with, it is cheap afterall, and then you can vent here, we will feel your pain. Despoiler

06-20-2007, 01:57 AM	#4
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 4,806	alot of people do like lee equipment, but like despoiler- i aint one of 'em.

06-20-2007, 11:43 PM	#10
.22guy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 4,157	I have the Lee kit and it works OK. As someone mentioned above the powder thrower and scale are more trouble than they are worth. I actually tossed the scale in the trash, and I hardly ever throw anything away. I just knew that I didn't trust it, and with reloading it's not worth taking the chance. It's definitely a starter kit, but I like it. Also, if you decide to upgrade later, you can always use the single stage press for tasks. Good luck.

06-21-2007, 06:32 PM	#11
Lng Rng Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 944	Thanks for all the advice. I just orderd a couple of manuals, now I just need all of my components. Ill put up a post if I run into any trouble.

06-21-2007, 08:55 PM	#12
Snakebite Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tucson, Mexico Posts: 1,839	I am a little surprised at the response of the Lee powder throw and scale. They arent the best , I agree. I still use them and with practice they are very accurate. Toss out that dang starter press. That thing is crap. My reloads immediately were improved with a better press.

07-17-2007, 02:19 AM	#13
tinker Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1	Hi folks, I just started loading .223 on my loadmaster (lee). I haven't messed with other loaders, but I am generally happy with my machine. I have loaded about 1000 rounds so far, in small batches to work out kinks. Is it worth it? Not really. I save about $10 an hour with my current setup. I have the zip trim and it is clever and fast for the price, but 3/4 of my time is in trimming brass. I plan to pick up a dillon electric trimmer, put it on a seperate turret with lube/decap at #1, my rcbs x sizer at #2 (shorten case BEFORE trim) and dillon trimmer at #4. Then I am looking at 2 seconds per case in prep and 2 in loading. Plus The jerky sizing operation will be on the other turret so I can feel the primer. Then I will be saving myself about $100 an hour and FULLY PROCESSING 900 rounds an hour. Dillon because then the loading machine handles the brass IE faster!! Load because it is kinda fun- you gotta shoot A LOT to make it worth it. Oh, books are always good.

07-24-2007, 07:32 PM	#15
Cyrille Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 1,850	Most of what is published here is good advice, but I like Lee products! I don't have the powder throw and scale by Lee but I do have a hand held singlestage reloading press that I use for my reloading and Lee dies and other reloading tools by Lee. No complaint. I also have an old RCBS "Rock Chucker" that was left behind in a house I helped demolish after Katrina hit the New Orleans area, haven't used it yet but its' there when and if I need it.

07-24-2007, 08:47 PM	#16
Oz n Bolivia Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: La Paz, Bolivia Posts: 112	Lng Rng I use Lee equipment. If you load a lot 200 rounds a week or more do not use the single stage press. I manage to shoot 50 to 100 plus a month so the single stage press is nice. I have a fair amount of problems with the scale and do not have a volume measure. I finally ground a 9mm case and wrapped a wire in the extraction groove. This with tapping to settle the powder will give me 4.2 to 4.3 grains of W231. The autoprimer2 when it workes, workes fine, keep it full and watch the primers so they do not flip just before pressing into the pocket. Set the dies correctly and all workes well. What are you reloading?? I like reloading almost as much as I do punching holes in paper, but shooting groundhogs is a lot better. Oz __________________ Education gives us a data base of knowledge, what and how we use that data base is wisdom.

07-24-2007, 08:56 PM	#17
Deersniper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,688	Lee Classic Turrent or kit I got the Lee kit but I'm not using the powder scale, or the Auto prime II. With that said, Get the press, for about 89.00 and add things that you like.

07-25-2007, 12:12 AM	#18
RugerBob Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 67	Lng, if you don't mind, what caliber will you be loading? I am new to this also , and have got great info/input from this site. Have to agree that the more manuals the better.