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Posted: 4/7/2009 12:14:03 PM EDT
| Im new to the reloading idea and so Im wondering, where can I find a simple, inexpensive reloading setup? Im on a tight budget and I have a few casings on hand already but with ammo getting more expensive and hard to get ahold of I figuered reloading is about to become the order of the day. |
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Lee might sell a starter kit. I know hornady does, and Lyman might as well. Lee is going to be the cheapest..but u get what you pay for.
I suggest you get a reloading handbook first and familiarize yourself with the procedures, tools, and materials required to get started with reloading before you commit yourself to any purchases. |
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Yes.
Before, you buy anything........do your research into how things are accomplished.......your buy list will vary from others due to your decisions on how you want to do things. Here's an old post to get an idea of costs............ OK.....so, I've been thinking (dangerous). Assuming, that I'd want more safety than just dipping powder and I'd like to expand someday to more than just one caliber. What would I do IF I had a limited budget? So........the Classic LEE Loader ($23.39). It can only be use with one caliber. It will only neck size cases, it's slow and I'll need to get a scale (for more safety) and I'll need a better way to handle powder. Anyway, I'll pass. Then, the Lee Hand Press Kit #90179 ($34.95).........it's a little better. Though I'd prefer a bench mounted press for ease of use. And, I would still have to buy dies ($22.59), powder handling equipment (scale and measure/hopper), and brass trimming equipment. I had one, once.......what a PIA. IMHO, bench mounted is the way to go. Hmmm........so, maybe the Lee Reloader Press w/ free manual #90700 ($27.79)..........well, it's a bench mounted "C" press and that's OK. But I'll still need dies ($22.59), a scale ($24.99) and powder measure/hopper ($23.39). Then, a primer tool ($10.19) and brass trimming tools ($5.39 cutter/holder & $4.59 length gauge). But, I'm already up to $118.93 and still short some small items. Next up........the Lee Breech Lock Press 50th Anniversary Kit #90050 ($88.99).......it's a standard press and it comes with a scale, powder measure/hopper, primer seater tool, plus a few extras. Sounds like everything except for the dies ($22.59) and brass trimming case length gauge ($4.59). Total $116.17 w/o shipping. Or, the kit that I prefer........the Lee Breech Lock Press Challenger Kit #90030 ($100.79).......it's just like the 50th Anniversary Kit but it has a separate hand primer tool w/ a variety of shell holders. Then, I'll need to add dies ($22.59) and brass trimming case length gauge ($4.59). Total $127.97 w/o shipping. I could add a LEE manual ($12.99) or I could just use the supplied data sheet that comes with the LEE dies. BTW, LEE prices vary, so shop around. And, I'm not mentioning where I saw these prices (as of 12-5-08) because, the seller was "out of stock" on some of the items mentioned. And, there is always USED equipment. HTH. Aloha, Mark PS…….I picked LEE for this example, only because, they make good inexpensive products. It's not meant as an endorsement over any of the other brand(s) out there in the market. Aloha, Mark |
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Once you get to the point of buying, I suggest this kit (or another kit) from Kempf's. The Lee Classic Turret and Lee Classic Cast are both high quality presses and much tougher than other Lee products.
https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=630&category_id=26&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41 |
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My local dealer said he has sold more reloading kits in the last 5 months than all the presses he sold in the last 13 years he's had his shop open. A pretty telling statistic. Of course you can tell just by looking at the shelves and out of stock listings online.
My biggest concern is that they hold up the quality on everything; equipment, powders, bullets, primers. We all know what happens when you are rushing to do a job. |
| thanks for the info so far. Right now the only ammo i can reload is .45cal and 7.62x54R. I would say 5.56/.223 but I havent got my AR build yet so thats a no go for the time being. Im wanting to say that Id like to start with a simple "handheld" kit, if they exists (ill do my research on that also) just to get a feel for the reloading art. Hell I might even look into used kits. |
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Quoted:
thanks for the info so far. Right now the only ammo i can reload is .45cal and 7.62x54R. I would say 5.56/.223 but I havent got my AR build yet so thats a no go for the time being. Im wanting to say that Id like to start with a simple "handheld" kit, if they exists (ill do my research on that also) just to get a feel for the reloading art. Hell I might even look into used kits. There's a boat load of information in the FAQ's, Equipment Reviews, and Resources to keep you busy for a while, including links to manufacturers, suppliers, and on line tutorials you can read while you're waiting on a manual or three. Unfortunately, the links in our own tutorials are hosed, but you can still pick out the URL's to paste in a browser window, so the information is still available, it's just a little more effort to pull up. Speer manuals are easy to find at used book stores and so on; there have been zillions printed. Craig's List is a pretty source of equipment, but you have to stay on top of the ads as the stuff doesn't last long. The Equipment Exchange is another good source for equipment. |
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