I think I am interested in getting in to reloading...

**crazymjb** · 02-12-2012, 06:00 PM

Hey, title kind of says it all. I have been doing some looking around for a few months, and I am getting increasingly more interested in getting into reloading. I'll let the experts direct me, but I think that I would like to start on a single stage or turret press. A big reason for this is initial cost, lower volume of ammunition production (and honestly I would consider this another hobby so I don't need to be hyper-efficient), and the likelihood that I will be back in a smaller college apartment soon so a small setup may be all I can get away with.

I was looking at something like the Lee four hole classic turret press, am I going the wrong direction? My understanding is if I moved up to a progressive press in the future that most big brand dies would carry over. I like the ability to use it as a semi-progressive and single stage press, and that it has a small foot print. With a more simple setup like this, what else would I need to get started? Powder measure, scale, calipers, tumbler/media, etc... Again to start out, I will be doing a relatively small volume at a time, and available space is a consideration.

My priorities in ammunition are .40S&W, 30-06, .223/5.56, 9mm, and I see .45 and and .308 on the horizon. I know I will need to figure out the whole living in MA situation with regard to getting supplies, and I'm hoping that doesn't drive the cost up to unreasonable amounts. Also, there is nothing wrong with running cast lead bullets through handguns I'd assume, as I've seen .40 for around 70/1000.

Thanks for any input

Mike

**AmmoSapien** · 02-12-2012, 06:36 PM

Hey Mike,

For whats it's worth I started out with the Lee Classic Turret press but moved on to a Dillon Progressive after about 3 months. The Lee wasn't bad, just "quirky" and I found myself spending more time tinkering/swearing at it than reloading. If I had to do it again I would have gone right to the Dillon 550 since it you can use it to work on one round at a time until you feel comfortable going progressive. Footprint seems to be the same with both presses and both can me bolted to a 2X4 and clamped to a sturdy desk. The big question is going to be, do you have more time than Money? Or more money than time? My Lee setup was about $350 for all the essentials, Dillon was twice that but at least 4 times faster and works perfect right out of the box.

**WanMan99** · 02-12-2012, 06:44 PM

I use a Lee turret press and it is fine for my needs (.40, .45, .38, 9mm). I usually do a run of 250 - 500 of a particular caliber at a time and it usually takes me around 2 1/2 hours (no rush, just puttering along). I don't currently reload rifle calibers so I can't comment on how a Lee performs with the larger rounds vs. pistol cartridges. One thing you need to be aware of is how much space you will need for that may different calibers. I have a large storage room that I keep my shooting supplies in and it is amazing how much space the components take up. I don't think you will be able to pull it off in a college size apartment.

**M1911** · 02-12-2012, 06:47 PM

I'd go with a Dillon 550b. Start with 9mm. Buy caliber conversion kits as you go.

**cfreedman** · 02-12-2012, 06:55 PM

With all of those calibers, get the Hornady LnL, you won't be disappointed. If you are like me and others, you will be upgrading to a progressive press in a few months and have "wasted" a lot of time and money on something like a Lee Classic.

**schermj** · 02-12-2012, 07:03 PM

A Lee Challenger kit includes everything you need except dies for $105. And you can use the dies if you decide to upgrade to another press later. Pickup a small desk for free off Craigslist and you have a setup that gives you the capability to try reloading without using much space or making a big investment. Lee is definitely the Yugo to Dillon's Cadillac but they work and a single stage press is easy to learn on.

**drgrant** · 02-12-2012, 07:08 PM

Turret presses are just serial in line masochism. I would get a 550B at a minimum and go up from there. They only way you will get hosed reloading is if you don't really shoot that much.

You're wrong about being efficient. If you can't produce ammo (relatively) efficiently in the volume required then you'll just stop doing it, unless you have lots and lots of time on your hands and are very bored.

I loaded pistol ammo on a single stage for a whole year and it sucked, although it did get the job done. I happened to have a lot of free time on my hands back then, if I went to go try the same thing today I probably just wouldn't be able to do it.

-Mike

**bpm990d** · 02-12-2012, 07:14 PM

If you are going to reload rifle ammo, I'd get a regular single stage press and then move up to a progressive. The added expenses of most turret presses is not needed with the breach lock type adapters they have now. I have a LnL and I still do a lot of my rifle reloading with a single stage.

B

**Knob Creek** · 02-12-2012, 07:24 PM

When I started 35 years or so ago. I uses a single stage RCRS Jr. I had to load one stage at a time up hill both ways. My own opinion is that everyone should start with a single stage and then get a Dillon but always keep that single stage cause you will use it from time to time.

**EddieCoyle** · 02-12-2012, 07:38 PM

I'm not a big fan of turret presses.

If you're interested in taking a class, I've got a few scheduled:

http://www.massreloading.com/schedule.html

If you take one of my classes and are dissatisfied, I will refund your tuition (and that goes for anyone that takes it).

I think I am interested in getting in to reloading...

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