A lot depends on how much you are going to be reloading and what you expect. The LEE kit is good if you are loading for a couple different calibers but not too good for large volume pistol shooting. I started out with a well used LEE press and now have a LEE three hole non progressive turret press. I also have an old Lyman All American and an old Hornady-Pacific. I mostly use LEE dies except for a couple RCBS specialty dies.
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"1. Mass produce ammo quickly
2. Not afraid to spend a little money"
To start with a single stage press will give you quality ammo. But not quickly, they are easy to use, but they are not fast. If i were going for a single stage press i would look at the Lee Classic 4 hole turret system.
If you want "mass produce" then you will need a progressive type system. If your not afraid to spend a few extra dollars then i highly recommend you look into a Dillon 550B. Lee makes fine dies and they will work on just about any press so you can save a few bucks there.
The Dillon 550B is very easy to set up and easy to use. Once you get a rhythm going you can do around 250 to 300 rounds per hour with it without even working up a sweat. Quality machine with a great guarantee and backing from the company that will produce ammo of good quality in good numbers.
Dillon, RCBS, Hornady are all good systems. I DO NOT recommend the Lee Loadmaster however, to many problems.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by James41
"1. Mass produce ammo quickly
2. Not afraid to spend a little money"
To start with a single stage press will give you quality ammo. But not quickly, they are easy to use, but they are not fast. If i were going for a single stage press i would look at the Lee Classic 4 hole turret system.
If you want "mass produce" then you will need a progressive type system. If your not afraid to spend a few extra dollars then i highly recommend you look into a Dillon 550B. Lee makes fine dies and they will work on just about any press so you can save a few bucks there.
The Dillon 550B is very easy to set up and easy to use. Once you get a rhythm going you can do around 250 to 300 rounds per hour with it without even working up a sweat. Quality machine with a great guarantee and backing from the company that will produce ammo of good quality in good numbers.
Dillon, RCBS, Hornady are all good systems. I DO NOT recommend the Lee Loadmaster however, to many problems.
a FEW dollars?
you mean around 300+ more dollars.....
i paid $70 for the lee ann. kit.no dies
i paid $400 for my dillon.they dont come with dies either
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...it's a manual indexing press, so you've got to manually advance the shell plate through each stage of the process.
For a few bucks more you can own a Dillon 650 and have it automatically advance through each stage of the process...
...or, for several bucks less you can buy a Hornady LNL AP and it'll amaze you what it can do, for less money (and 1,000 free bullets through the end of the month).
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LiveToShoot
About progressive presses:
One thing about the Dillon 550B...
...it's a manual indexing press, so you've got to manually advance the shell plate through each stage of the process.
For a few bucks more you can own a Dillon 650 and have it automatically advance through each stage of the process...
...or, for several bucks less you can buy a Hornady LNL AP and it'll amaze you what it can do, for less money (and 1,000 free bullets through the end of the month).
I traded in my 550B for a LNL AP...
...and I like the choice.
now we are getting into ford vs. chevy territory
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Some time ago, I chanced upon an RCBS loading kit. It had the RS3 press, Omark powder scale, primer insertion adaptor, and some other odds and ends. I don't remember what I paid for it, but it seemed like it was less than 100 bucks at that time (early 1990s). I have added RCBS 8x57JS and 7.62x54R dies and a 7x57 Herter's and Lee .44 Magnum dies.
Everything works just fine and I am having a blast (Ha ha) with it.
tom
I don't care what brand but I would start with a C or O press. They are simple and will last longer than you do. These presses need the least amount of special equipment. With a C or O you need simple shell holders( I have a set that will do 90% of the shells I load) If you have a Dillion or other progressive you need special shell plates and other stuff. I started loading in 1971 and a C press did it all for me I still have the same one. I now have a Dillion to speed up my loading but still use the C more often. You can load from the 25 auto to a 458 mag on the same C or O press. Don't forget to get a case lengh gage. Brass tends to strech most of all on rifle cases and need to be trimmed you can do this with a case trimmer( a little lathe type tool you turn a crank and the cutter trimms the case mouth) or get a file and trim die, you just file what sticks out the top of the die.
a guy just getting into relaoding, should stick to a single stage or a basic turret press. progressive presses are not the right tool for someone just starting out. if you buy rcbs,redding, lymann, hornady, lee (some lee stuff is okay, some is junk) you'll be just fine. first purchase should be a reloadin manual or two. read them, then determine what equipment you need and can afford.
yes lube 1st
SIZE AND DECAP at the same time
reprime by hand
fill with powder charge.
seat bullet.
crimp if desired
Dies come in different numbers for different style cases. My press is an RCBS Rock Chucker. For pistol, using carbide dies:
1) Lube a few cases
2) Deprime and resize in a ratio of about 1 lubed case for every 5 or 10 non-lubed ones (Die 1)
3) Reprime with the press in the same operation that opens the neck just a bit (Die 2)
4) Charge with powder from measure, check about 1 in 10 to make sure it's throwing the right amount
5) Place bullets in charged cases while visually making sure none have a double charge
6) Seat bullet and resize or crimp case neck. (Die 3)
For bottleneck cases
1) Lube all cases
2) Deprime, resize case body and neck on downstroke (Die 1)
3) Expand neck on upstroke (still Die 1)
4) Reprime with press (no die)
5) Charge with powder
6) Start bullet into neck, checking for double or partial charge of powder
7) Seat bullet, crimp if desired (Die 2)
Bottleneck cases that are used a lot or loaded hot will need to have other things done from time to time for best accuracy and ease of loading into the chamber. Most common of the extra operations will be trimming for length. The brass will tend to flow forward into the neck over time and you may need to inside or outside turn the neck to thin it out once in a while. The necks can become work hardened from many loading/firing cycles and you may need to soften them by annealing, which consists of heating the necks to a dull red and then quenching them in water.
Cases also need to be cleaned fairly often. A build-up of dirt on the cases can wear your dies, make feeding problematic, and cause other irritations. Besides, you want to be proud of your work, don't you?
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I don't care what brand but I would start with a C or O press. They are simple and will last longer than you do. These presses need the least amount of special equipment. With a C or O you need simple shell holders( I have a set that will do 90% of the shells I load) If you have a Dillion or other progressive you need special shell plates and other stuff. I started loading in 1971 and a C press did it all for me I still have the same one. I now have a Dillion to speed up my loading but still use the C more often. You can load from the 25 auto to a 458 mag on the same C or O press. Don't forget to get a case lengh gage. Brass tends to strech most of all on rifle cases and need to be trimmed you can do this with a case trimmer( a little lathe type tool you turn a crank and the cutter trimms the case mouth) or get a file and trim die, you just file what sticks out the top of the die.
What is a "C or O Press"? I'm not familiar with that term. Rookie at reloading here. Only one experience and I had a very patient teacher. Thanks Mike!!!!
Maybe I am a cranky old purist, but I believe handloading is "HANDloading" and not to be confused with machine loading. If you need to turn out a lot of ammo quickly then a machine (progressive) press is what you need.
Now for what I feel are quality handloads are done one at a time in several steps. Just detailing 20 rounds of brass after decapping can seem tedious or maybe to some it is enjoyable to check it over real close. Each step is time consuming but with beautiful results in the end.
For the beginner - what can your pocket stand and what quality loads do you expect?
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if i could figure out how to make match rifle ammo with a MACHINE press.
i would never touch a single stage or turret again.
reloading to me is like doing dishes.
something i have to do.
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