hi i'm thinking about reloading for my .308 the press kit i will most likely buy will be a Lee 50th Anniversary Reloading Press Kit will i need to get anything else other then dies?? is it worth it to get keep in mind money is tight for me i'm a college student is there another kit ya'll would suggest for me that will be 120 with shipping??
thinking about starting reloading
- Thread starter unluckyjohn
- Start date
Re: thinking about starting reloading
I'm not sure what comes in that kit, but you need calipers, a case trimmer if doing rifle rounds, some sort of case lube, although it probably comes with the kit, the press and dies, and the scale which I'm sure comes with the kit. There are also lots of other handy things like the hand primers, powder ticklers, tumblers to clean the brass, primer pocket cleaners, etc that make the job much easier, but they aren't absolutely required.
I'm not sure what comes in that kit, but you need calipers, a case trimmer if doing rifle rounds, some sort of case lube, although it probably comes with the kit, the press and dies, and the scale which I'm sure comes with the kit. There are also lots of other handy things like the hand primers, powder ticklers, tumblers to clean the brass, primer pocket cleaners, etc that make the job much easier, but they aren't absolutely required.
Re: thinking about starting reloading
Part of the trick is to tell us what you want to do, including the volumes and for what purpose the ammo will be used.
Lee's kit is as low cost as it gets and it works fine, lasts a long time unless you abuse the press. But no "kit" at any price is complete.
Part of the trick is to tell us what you want to do, including the volumes and for what purpose the ammo will be used.
Lee's kit is as low cost as it gets and it works fine, lasts a long time unless you abuse the press. But no "kit" at any price is complete.
Re: thinking about starting reloading
check out hornady or rcbs. I know for sujre hornady has a kit, and it will more than likely be of higher quality than the lee. What you need to do basic reloading is the press, which will be used to resize and seat bullets, the case trimmer, something to clean your primer pockets, a way to seat your primers, scale of some sort (digital and automatic is the best, but some people still use the big powder dumpers and then trickle the rest of the way). You will also need the collet for the size of ammo you are reloading for, do not forget that when you buy your dies because I do not think dies come with them. I would also recommend multiple reloading manuals, I own speer, nosler, hornady, and one other I think. I hope this helps, and good luck to ya.
check out hornady or rcbs. I know for sujre hornady has a kit, and it will more than likely be of higher quality than the lee. What you need to do basic reloading is the press, which will be used to resize and seat bullets, the case trimmer, something to clean your primer pockets, a way to seat your primers, scale of some sort (digital and automatic is the best, but some people still use the big powder dumpers and then trickle the rest of the way). You will also need the collet for the size of ammo you are reloading for, do not forget that when you buy your dies because I do not think dies come with them. I would also recommend multiple reloading manuals, I own speer, nosler, hornady, and one other I think. I hope this helps, and good luck to ya.
Re: thinking about starting reloading
Lee publishes a great manual as does Lyman. Start with one of those and many of your questions will be answered.
This will of course lead to more questions but they will keep for now. With a name like UnluckyJohn,...well, you get the idea.
Lee publishes a great manual as does Lyman. Start with one of those and many of your questions will be answered.
This will of course lead to more questions but they will keep for now. With a name like UnluckyJohn,...well, you get the idea.
Re: thinking about starting reloading
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: unluckyjohn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">is there a trick to get people to comment on these things?
</div></div>
its been done many times before so its probably fatigue. Whatever.
My view would be not to buy a kit. If you want cheap and pretty damn good. Buy a lee press and collet dies. Basic lee tools are also plenty good enough. Scales are not, you need to buy another brand but don't have to be silly about it. Vernier gauge need to be decent quality. Don't buy all the other fiddly crap like tricklers stands - waste of cash.
This will load bullets but quality will be variable. If I wanted to upgrade in terms of quality loading I would buy (in order)
competition seating die
concentricity gauge - work out how bad your process really is
body die and competition shell holders
competition neck die
this will produce some damn good ammo with decent components
beyond that you need input from others.
been done before so searching will give you the answers
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: unluckyjohn</div><div class="ubbcode-body">is there a trick to get people to comment on these things?
</div></div>
its been done many times before so its probably fatigue. Whatever.
My view would be not to buy a kit. If you want cheap and pretty damn good. Buy a lee press and collet dies. Basic lee tools are also plenty good enough. Scales are not, you need to buy another brand but don't have to be silly about it. Vernier gauge need to be decent quality. Don't buy all the other fiddly crap like tricklers stands - waste of cash.
This will load bullets but quality will be variable. If I wanted to upgrade in terms of quality loading I would buy (in order)
competition seating die
concentricity gauge - work out how bad your process really is
body die and competition shell holders
competition neck die
this will produce some damn good ammo with decent components
beyond that you need input from others.
been done before so searching will give you the answers
Re: thinking about starting reloading
Before rushing to buy an entire reloading equipment shopping list, I would suggest buying some loading manuals and reading and becoming familiar with the processes and steps involved.
I may also recommend not settling on the cheapest equipment. I made that mistake when I bought the Lee anniversary kit. While it was ok for loading plinking ammo, I have since had to spend hundreds on replacing most of the kit with better quality equipment to produce good ammo.
Keep researching before you start buying equipment. It will save money and countless hours of frustration later.
Before rushing to buy an entire reloading equipment shopping list, I would suggest buying some loading manuals and reading and becoming familiar with the processes and steps involved.
I may also recommend not settling on the cheapest equipment. I made that mistake when I bought the Lee anniversary kit. While it was ok for loading plinking ammo, I have since had to spend hundreds on replacing most of the kit with better quality equipment to produce good ammo.
Keep researching before you start buying equipment. It will save money and countless hours of frustration later.
Re: thinking about starting reloading
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BFMF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Before rushing to buy an entire reloading equipment shopping list, I would suggest buying some loading manuals and reading and becoming familiar with the processes and steps involved.
I may also recommend not settling on the cheapest equipment. I made that mistake when I bought the Lee anniversary kit. While it was ok for loading plinking ammo, I have since had to spend hundreds on replacing most of the kit with better quality equipment to produce good ammo.
Keep researching before you start buying equipment. It will save money and countless hours of frustration later. </div></div>
This.
If you want to put a couple rounds together to go bang, a basic kit will get you there. If you plan to make all your own target ammo - and will strive for excellence, you'll end up replacing everything in that kit.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BFMF</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Before rushing to buy an entire reloading equipment shopping list, I would suggest buying some loading manuals and reading and becoming familiar with the processes and steps involved.
I may also recommend not settling on the cheapest equipment. I made that mistake when I bought the Lee anniversary kit. While it was ok for loading plinking ammo, I have since had to spend hundreds on replacing most of the kit with better quality equipment to produce good ammo.
Keep researching before you start buying equipment. It will save money and countless hours of frustration later. </div></div>
This.
If you want to put a couple rounds together to go bang, a basic kit will get you there. If you plan to make all your own target ammo - and will strive for excellence, you'll end up replacing everything in that kit.
Re: thinking about starting reloading
My shopping list in order of importance:
Press
Scale
Trimmer
Powder dispenser
This of course does not include all the small miscellaneous tools like chamfer/deburring, primer pocket cleaner, etc.
On a tight budget shop yard sales, e-bay, etc. for used. RCBS rockchucker, Redding Big Boss, or Lee classic cast would serve you well.
My shopping list in order of importance:
Press
Scale
Trimmer
Powder dispenser
This of course does not include all the small miscellaneous tools like chamfer/deburring, primer pocket cleaner, etc.
On a tight budget shop yard sales, e-bay, etc. for used. RCBS rockchucker, Redding Big Boss, or Lee classic cast would serve you well.
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