I just went to purchase a 100 round pack of winchester 9mm. It was $19 and some change. I'm going to start reloading but, know nothing about it. I was looking at the Lee's presses. They look a little cheaper than the rest and they come in kits. Are these good presses for the beginner? Anybody out there got one? If you do tell me what you think about it. Also if they have a good rep or not. Thanks
I just went to purchase a 100 round pack of winchester 9mm. It was $19 and some change. I'm going to start reloading but, know nothing about it. I was looking at the Lee's presses. They look a little cheaper than the rest and they come in kits. Are these good presses for the beginner? Anybody out there got one? If you do tell me what you think about it. Also if they have a good rep or not. Thanks
I have two that I've used over ten years. They are just fine for beginners on a budget, not into high volume reloading. RCBS and Lyman are better, but far more expensive.
I bought a 4 hole turret awhile ago and only problem ive had is the turrets breaking.Which pisses me off as the local shop i bought it from wont warrent the parts.The dies were set up as per instructions but they still break.
I picked up the anniversary kit a few months ago and have had no problems with it, other than the powder measure. It can't throw a consistant amount for anything. I like it and am planning on getting the turret press soon. When it comes time for me to get a progressive though, I'll get a Dillon.
If you are looking for a single stage, almost any will do you right for many years. I have an old-school Lyman that I use for rifle and low-volume pistol loads (.44, .45 Colt). I agree with getting a Dillon for progressive.
Single stage is just what it sounds like, one thing at a time. You seat one die, and run all your brass through it: typically resizing first, sometimes decapping (knocking the old primer out) at the same time. Then you put in a new die and run em all through again in the next step, which depending on your die brand, may be decapping or belling the brass to seat the bullet in the third step
This is a great way to learn, and a good way to get consistant loads. Accurate rifle loads, for hunting, competition, or impressing the neighbors, are almost always done on a single stage. It gives you more control and forces you to look at each piece of brass 3 or 4 times.
Turret presses allow you to set up all your dies so you only have to handle each piece of brass once, either by turning the dies between strokes to get the next die lined up with the brass, or by rotating the brass beneath the dies so each stoke does something different to multiple pieces of brass...
This is a great option for pumping out 5 thousand rounds of .45 ACP, 9mm, or .45 ACP in a realitively time-effecient manner.
Hope that helps...it can be confusing to start. It helps a lot if you know someone already set up who will walk you through the steps on both types of machines.
A good single stage is always useful, don't be afraid of picking one up over a progressive. You can get into a larger more $$ press later, but I would say a lot of loaders still have a nice single stage nearby waiting to be set up.
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Last edited by BaserRonin; 03-17-2008 at 07:14 PM.
Reason: Automerged Doublepost
get a reloading manual like the lyman #48 first and read it then
decide what you need
the rcbs kit is a good one to start out with
also think about your bench, and area where you will be re-loading
concentration is required progressive or single stage
Lee presses are just fine for most purposes. I've used my challenger for about 6 yrs now for everything from 9x18 Mak cases up to forming 8x57 Mauser from .30-06 cases. I've never had any problem that wasn't my fault (I left the bolt loose on the pivot arm and broke the casting). I like the fact that it's light enought to make it portable if need be.
I also have an old CH and an RCBS RockChucker II, but I always go back to the Lee.
If I spend any more money on a single-stage, it'll be for a Forster Co-Ax.
I have used my four hole Lee Classic Turrent for two years now and they make good ammo. I remove the turrent rod and de-prime after tumbling. I use the hand prime to prime. Then I put the rod back in, and hand measure the charge and hand drop it. After looking at the charge in the case, I press the bullet and use the factory crimp. I can put out a 1000 a weekend in three calibers by changing out the whole turrent. I know the primer is in right, and I looked at the charge. Just don't short stroke it and you will not strip the indexing square. It is a good press for under 100.00 Don't get the kit, [ with the stupid balance scale] just add a great digital powder measure and dies and turrents. The factory crimp is great.
I've been using an anniversay kit for about 10 years now. And yes the powder measure is a joke. Got a good one from Midway and a digital scale. But as far as use and abuse it has done me a good job.
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I havent work out any costs for a long time,,doesnt bother me.But i do remember when i was loading a shite load of 44 magnum it was costing me 16cents a round.And it was the best over the chrony with a spread of 6 fps.
I have the Lee Anniversary Kit and it is a pretty good deal, but I have to agree that the powder measure is not the greatest. It had pretty much everything I needed to start. If you have a couple of extra bucks get the case length gauge and cutter and a set of digital calipers.
Lee's presses 
