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Reloading kit for beginners?

callen3615

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Jan 27, 2010
90
12
35
Peidmont, NC
I have been wanting to reload for awhile but I dont want to invest 400 bucks in all the progressive kits and stuff. I dont mind if it takes me awhile to load some ammo just as long as its right.

Ive been looking at this lee press just to get started with.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=735723


Will this work with my .308? I know I need a tumbler and something to cut the neck of the brass, Will I need anything else?
 
Re: Reloading kit for beginners?

Thanks, maybe I wasnt clear. I dont want to spend a bunch of money. Im a beginner I just want to learn how to reload quality ammo, then I can buy 700 dollar reloading kits.
 
Re: Reloading kit for beginners?

I would try to find a used press somewhere- craigs list, on-line. Any RCBS, Redding, Hornady, CH Tool, Lee single stage will work. I wouldn't get the $20 hammer thing. Get a balance beam scale ($20-$40), set of 308 Win full length dies for $25, and it's a good start.
 
Re: Reloading kit for beginners?

I have thousands of $ worth of reloading gear, and use very little of it.

I started with a rockchucker kit, and still use the:
1) Uniflow powder measure
2) 505 weight scale
3) chamfering tool.

From the rockchucker kit, I no longer use:
1) "Speer 12" handloading book
2) RCBS lube
3) Rockchucker press
4) loading blocks
5) RCBS powder funnel
6) Lube pad
7) RCBS priming system
8) RCBS case trim system
9) RCBS primer pocket cleaner brush

It is best to go to someone's house and watch them handload, and try it there. Other than that, one should either get started as cheap as possible with Lee, or cut to the chase and buy the Forster equipment.

I am thinking that the cheapest is the way to start.
Many people do not take to reloading.

Here is a cheap way to start:
1) Skip cleaning the brass used brass you found lying around.
2) Lube the outside of the case with Redding Imperial die wax.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=519525
$7.79
3) Put the sizer die in the press and screw the press to your work bench.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=807734
$27.99
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=738184
$13.49
4) Take the decapping stem out of the sizer die.
5) Put a shell holder in the press:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=616684
$3.49
6) Put the case in the shell holder in the press and push down on the press handle until the brass goes all the way into the die. Pull up on the handle until the brass comes out.
7) Spin the decapping stem in a drill while you grind off enough of the expander ball, until the expander ball will fit in the sized case mouth without touching.
8) Put the decapping stem back in the die and size the die again so the spent primer pops out.
9)Put the primer in the priming tool:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=556149
$14.99
WOLF LARGE PISTOL PRIMERS - per 1000 in stock at Powder Valley $25.50
put the case in the shell holder.
Put the shell holder in the priming tool.
Put the priming tool in the press.
Seat the primer.
10) Weigh out 40 gr IMR4895 powder
IMR 4895 - 1 LB. in stock at Powder Valley
$19.00
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=712103
$21.99
11) Pour the powder into the case
12) Put the seater die in the press. Seat a bullet into the case until the cartridge length is 2.81", as measured with the calipers.
Sierra .308 168 gr. HPBT Match (100)in stock at Powder valley
$27.92
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=128288
$25.99
13) Put the loaded cartridge in a plastic baggie with a post it with these words written, ".308, 2.81", 40 gr IMR4895, Sierra 168 gr HPBT"
14) Go to the range and shoot groups.
15) Return from the range and write up an email range report listing the date, the rifle, the scope, the wind, the rest, the group size, and the load data on the post it.
16) Print the range report and staple it to the targets.
17) File it under "range reports".

I am adding up that it cost you $162.65 + shipping.
 
Re: Reloading kit for beginners?

I reload on a single stage Lee Press. I got it from a friend of mine at a good price. If I was going to buy new I would get the RCBS kit. They just seem to be the better of the two for the little dirrernace in money.

The single stage is the best way to get great rifle ammo reloaded. If your going to be loading lots of pistol then after you learn the ropes of reloading a progressive press will get you done a lot sooner.

Also if you know your going to be shooting and reloading for a long time to come get the better equipment. Even if you have to save a little more.
 
Re: Reloading kit for beginners?

I started out with the Classic Lee Loader. It gets the job done but I think the Lee hand press is far superior.

Get this instead:
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=624416

I'm still reloading on the Lee Hand Press. Never saw any need to buy anything more. And I reload up to the .300 Win Mag though the .338 Lapua mag is doable too. My bullets get great groups as well. Both my .300 Win Mag and my .223 accuray loads shoot .25MOA groups.

Focus on getting good dies instead. They are the real workhorses of a reloading system.
 
Re: Reloading kit for beginners?

I started out with the Lee Loader a very long time ago. In spite of what some people will tell you about them THEY WORK. The link below will show how to use one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeEl9wZyabc

One caution on the Lee Loader, get the Lee Auto Prime for priming. The one with the Lee Loader works but can at times can set off the primer as you are trying to seat it.

I've also used the Lee Hand Press. The biggest advantages to it are that you have to use regular dies and shell holders. At first I didn't think that it would be good for anything but neck sizing. I was wrong, in addition to full length resizing I have made 222 Remington from 223. As long as the cases are well lubed there was no problem.
 
Re: Reloading kit for beginners?

<span style="text-decoration: underline">The</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline">ABC's</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline">of</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline">Reloading</span> and Lyman's <span style="text-decoration: underline">Reloading</span> <span style="text-decoration: underline">Handbook</span> are good reading. There are some good DVD's available. Once you've familiarized yourself with reloading you'll be able to better choose your equipment. It's not difficult to get the right stuff the first time. You'll be ahead by avoiding the kits.
 
Re: Reloading kit for beginners?

Lee classic kit gets you a scale,powder measure,case trimmer,primer tool,and press, All you need is dies. Now this isn't the best stuff out there BUT it gets you started. all for under $100 at my local gun store.
 
Re: Reloading kit for beginners?

Thanks for the help guys.


Any suggestions on what powder to use? Im going to be shooting 175smk .308 in my 1 in 10 22" savage.
 
Re: Reloading kit for beginners?

I had the best luck with Varget when I was shooting 308. I also tried H4895 and IMR4064. Varget beat them both in accuracy and velocity in my rifle (20" Rem LTR).
 
Re: Reloading kit for beginners?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BULLET SPONGE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lee classic kit gets you a scale.... </div></div>
Debatable. The POS can get you killed.
 
Re: Reloading kit for beginners?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Winchester 69</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BULLET SPONGE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lee classic kit gets you a scale.... </div></div>
Debatable. The POS can get you killed. </div></div>
I use a RCBS rangemaster digital now, but I checked the LEE scale (the ball bearing one) with the 50 grs of check weights. Its accurate with 10,20,30,50gr weights. YES its cheezy.. but its not off. Unless I got a good one?
 
Re: Reloading kit for beginners?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BULLET SPONGE</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Winchester 69</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BULLET SPONGE</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Lee classic kit gets you a scale.... </div></div>
Debatable. The POS can get you killed. </div></div>
I use a RCBS rangemaster digital now, but I checked the LEE scale (the ball bearing one) with the 50 grs of check weights. Its accurate with 10,20,30,50gr weights. YES its cheezy.. but its not off. Unless I got a good one? </div></div>

I must have gotten a good one too. Just wish I had gotten the check weights a long time ago.