Does a Cheap Reloading Setup Last?
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- Опубліковано 10 лют 2019
- Here are some awesome reloading tools
Lee anniversary kit amzn.to/2I0rKno
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Lyman multi tool amzn.to/2MX0q8k
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Redding turret press amzn.to/2GlHksh
Hornady reloading manual amzn.to/2SFBUOn
Digital calipers amzn.to/2DqXSLv
Neck thickness caliper amzn.to/2E5hBBM
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I feel like johnnys reloading bench is teaching all of us. Also thanks for your videos because they don’t just show the loading development phase and go to the field to show the results in real world applications. Your content rocks dude
Picking up a truck load of gear from a fellow shooter, he has gotten up in age and decided to stop fooling with it. He had been reloading since the 70's so his collection of stuff is vast and almost unending! Cant wait to get started!
For drying brass I found a food dryer at a garage sale for $5 bucks. Works great.
Great video, brother! Really nice overview.
good job logan keep them coming man I think you are down to earth and much easier to watch than a lot of the other channels..
Excellent details on many tools, thanks.
Reloading equipment is like cars. You have your Chevy guys, your Ford guys, your Mopar guys, your Toyota guys. We all have our opinions on this topic and most are right... for them. Go with what works for you and doesn't break the bank. You made two excellent points in this video. First, you talked about taking care of your equipment and it lasting a long time. Nothing could be more true. Second, you did research on this topic by reading reviews and listening to other reloaders. Two great pieces of advice for people to hear prior to getting into this pursuit. Great video.
I used that Lee press for about two years, the retention mechanism for the dies ended up giving out on me. Just upgraded to a Forster co-ax and I'm in love. The Lee was fine but the co-ax is a significant upgrade.
I started and bought all my loading equipment on Elmendorf AFB in 1980.
I use an empty 338 win mag case as a powder trickler
The hand priming tool will wear you out if you are going to load 1,000 + rounds in an afternoon.
if your reloading bolt action a neck sizing die may improve accuracy for autoloaders Small Base dies may improve reliability
I use Dial caliper it doesn't take BATTERIES.
A 5 gallon bucket with hot water and cascade dish detergent works well for case cleaning.
I'm with you. Started with most of the same stuff and upgraded over the years. Got a Forster press now 😁
Great video, thanks for the context makes it easier to relate.
Great video, I started back in 2016 as well, watched a lot of channel videos on what was needed, made a list and hit the stores. I have definitely added a lot of items to the bench, now a shelf or 2 lol.
I had to come back, very well presented. Great way to show people the kits do work but as you said there are some items that work better. Thanks for sharing WDS
Great Job!! Thanks for sharing all of this important info. I went through all the struggles you went through and came to the same conclusions, same devices lol,
This should be a go to learning vid for anyone getting into this great sport we love so much.
Best regards
🍻😷👍
Awesome video. I've reloaded since 1980 with a basic RCBS Rockchucker kit and a couple of extra pieces of equipment. Absolutely correct on maintaining equipment to keep it working nice. I've stayed gadget free with my reloading, but there were a couple items I found interesting in your equipment that I will be looking carefully at. Thanks for sharing.
I started reloading in the 70s when one of my mother's friends gave me a couple boxes of reloading tools and supplies as a thank you, besides being paid, for helping her move her home and business. The gear originally belonged to her ex husband who had moved away long before. I used that stuff for 10 years before I sold it because I had no place to reload and no room to store it in my new home after starting a family. In the the very early 90s I think it was I bought a Lee anniversary set up and still have it today. I made a rotary tumbler which I used for a few years and bought a midway tumbler a couple years later and it still gets used every week. I bought a Lee turret press at a flea market and loaded a ton of pistol ammo around the same time I bought the tumbler. I upgraded to a Loadmaster in the late 90s and had 10K rounds through it before the millenia paranoia set in. I still use the Loadmaster for all my pistol ammo except for 45acp because I got a square deal free. T he Loadmaster must have 150K rounds through it at least. I load 6 different rifle calibers on the Challenger press still as well as using it to bulge bust 40acp and some 5.56 cases. I use another flea market Lee press, a Pro 1000 to load .223 and 5.56. That rusty dirty press has been refurbished a little and has at least 15K rounds through it. I've added a Lyman 2500 tumbler, 2 additional reloading benches, and a whole cabinet full of bullet casting gear.
Out of all the presses I have and had the Lee stuff has stuck around and the only major repair I had to make was buying a few primer upgrades and I replaced the shell plate carrier once...last week! I sold the turret press I had long ago. I sold the original RCBS press that was given to me when I was a teenager. I bought and sold a used RCBS 4x4 press. The square deal is nice but sort of a rube goldberg design in weird engineering. The Lee gear has been reliable and simple to use and maintain. The only non Lee items I use in preference to Lee's offerings is the array of Hornady, Pacific, and RCBS powder measures I have mounted on the Loadmaster and Pro 1000 turrets. Two days ago I ordered a second Loadmaster so I can dedicate it to large quantities of AR ammo. The Pro 1000 might be used to process brass that will need to be trimmed and primer pocket swaged. And then there is all the shotgun gear...
good point about wanting to upgrade and needing to upgrade stuff, the cheep stuff does work and is capable of making better ammo than most shooters will notice. I still do most of my reloading on a RCBS RockChucker that is like almost 30 years old, still works great.
30 year old reloading press. I’m glad you have common sense. I have a Lee reloading kit. Very old and thousands or reloads and it still works for me. I too have a little common sense. Majority of reloads, and firearms are much more accurate then we are at shooting them. When the majority of shooters miss the target they like to blame the ammo, and the firearm. Lol.
Outstanding video. I wish videos were around like this one i. I sure could have learned a lot and saved a bunch of money when I first started loading my own ammo. Good job..
Great video man! It correctly highlights how you don't gotta break the bank to get into reloading. I've been trying to convince so many people to do it and their reasoning is usually cost. I personally use the Lee Classic Turret, very high value for what it's capable of. Next will be most likely the Hornady progressive press, but the Lee Turret will be kept for rifle loads since it can be utilized like a single stage. There are some pricier toys I've collected over time too, just to make things easier, more accurate, or faster, but those pricier items are definitely not necessay (like a wet tumbler, case prep center, and RCBS Chargemaster Lite).
Great vid! Very informative for the dude just getting into reloading. I started reloading back in the early '80's with one of those Lee Loader's for 357 mag. Loaded 1000's of rounds on my living room floor. It was tedious and time-consuming but I didn't know better! I've always stuck with Lee products, I recently upgraded to a Lee Turret Press. I will say that as far as hand priming, Lyman makes an "E-Z prime" and I love this thing. Great thing about it is it's well-made AND it takes your standard shell holders!!! That's my problem with some of these other hand priming tools-they make you buy "special" shell holders-the Lee included.
More than saving money, it's loading up ammo that you might not otherwise be able to get...
or for making custom loads.
Good video, it reflects my experience of morphing certain certain things to meet my needs. My big upgrade was the Forster Bench Rest powder measure because I use fine ball powders in a few calibers. I was finding with other measures I was trying to use got gritty as powders like AA#9 crawled through them.
Great video- thanks for the info
Excellent information. Thank you.
I've been reloading for just over 20 years now. I finally bought a RCBS Charge Master 1500 and It's worth every penny. Yes it's expensive but in my opinion it's worth it. The speed of a powder throw with the accuracy of a trickle.
I've been using my Lee anniversary kit for twenty five years and have been happy with it for what I do. I love the scale since I can lock it at my preferred weight and bring it to balance. Of course the kit has changed over twenty years I have the Lee auto prime not the press primer tool.
Awesome video my friend. Lots of great info!
I upgraded from the Lee Press to a Lyman brass smith 8 turret and really like it. I still use the lee for depriming, I have the universal depriming die loaded and in it and it has become dedicated to depriming for now. Great overview should be a great help to those starting out reloading.
Great job giving props to other guys like Johnny. Check out panhandle precision also. He is geared for more prs style reloading and the fine tuning of your ammo.
Been reloading since 1964..own many reliaders. Lyman...RCBS...Mec...Are my favorite...buy every reloading book...nope..Nosler..Lyman...Sierra..cover all you need...but in all my years..I have them all..just to compare mfg.s. fps..and powder...
It's your time and money..enjoy..have fun..be safe...never over charge on powder...ok!
Great video..you are a great help to all the beginners...job well ..done!!!
Great video with lots of good info. Thanks for sharing.
My experience with the powder funnels was just the opposite. I got the RCBS first and had lots of spillage on .223 brass. You have to hold it juust right. The Lee works better for me on .223 but then, I haven't remodeled mine either!! lol
The cordless drill is a great suggestion. I used mine to clean my brass for about a year until I purchased a tumbler. Still use my drill for case prep.
Started with Lee dies, and sizers. Been using a Lee Press the last few years for sizing cast bullets, and Lee molds for casting. But MY Press is a different story. Got a Dillion RL550B 25 years ago for my press. Cracked the frame (don't ask) about 5 years in and they replaced it for Free (their no BS promise) and never had another problem. Tools and dies have been fine with the exception of a 20 year old Lee mold, it did not have the support pins they have these days and cast off center bullets unless I hold it carefully. As for weighing powder charges still use a balance beam measure. Does not take batteries so is always reliable.
Lee stuff is great for light reloading and casting. Dillion is outstanding for high capacity reloading, For casting you own bullets Lee is again great for low numbers but beginning to think on stepping up for the larger batches. Anything is better then nothing though.
very nice video, great info. keep up the good work.
This is a awesome subject. I spent way to much on things I wish I hadn't but have learned in the process from folks like you and the others mentioned in the description. Awesome video!
Dude what ball mic is that?! One more thing Imma order haha
Great video as always WDS. I couldn’t have said it any better than you have. Well done. Keep the faith brother.
The LEE safety prime is actually totally amazing. You should give it a try!
I love mine too...after a little practice, you can prime cases quickly
Great video! You mentioned that you were going to probably upgrade to a better press when yours wears out. Well LEE will remanufacture your old press or just simply replace it with a new one for half the going retail value. Thats really not a bad deal. I have the LEE breach lock challenger kit, and it has served me very well.
I bought the same kit about 20 yrs ago and still use most of it ,I have the frankfort arsenal tumbler and separator and it all works great still
I'm starting out and I appreciate you sharing
I’ve been just using a light coat of white lithium grease on my Lee O frame after cleaning with break cleaner. Works great, smooth as butter and seems to last a good while
I started reloading in 2012 (I think) with a Hornady Lock 'n Load Classic kit and a handful of other items I can't recall, along with Hornady .38 Special and .40 S&W dies. I've added a bunch of other things like a tumbler, a better scale, and a motorized brass prep station, but I still use the single stage Hornady press. I've not done any reloading in several years--I'm watching some videos this weekend to help me get back into it. This one has been motivational more than educational, but motivation is what I need.
I have the lee perfect powder measure. Same as in the video. What I've found is that the precision is not that repeatable. This powder measure can run from plus or minus 0.1 grains to 0.2 grains when I weigh out 30 measures at almost any base weight, from 3 grains to 25 grains.
Funny, I've seen some videos where the person adjusts it to where they are satisfied and then they assume it doesn't vary and keep filling cases.
There is a difference between minimum cartridge length and maximum cartridge length. Some video's make it seem like you must have the minimum case length. If you combine the minimum case length and the maximum powder weight plus the possible extra 0.2 grains of powder in some rounds that can be unsafe.
Reloading is not for people who do things close enough, who cut corners. Reloading can be dangerous or it can be safe. It is up to the operator.
nice overview/review of your reloading tools and equipment. It is indeed funny how cheap you can reload and get good results. The extra tools and equipment just help save time and make it faster, and easier. Some help make more precision ammo.
Bought my Dillon 500 in the late 80's and it's still rocking! My Redding oil dampened scale I finally had to replace the powder pan this year because I actually wore a hole in it.
I was lucky enough to come into hands a couple dillon 550 and square deal b. I would suggest dillon I know they are expensive but they are amazing you can still run them like a single or crank out a bunch if the family wants to go shooting.
Great video Logan, you definitely don’t need to spend an absolute fortune to get started in reloading some basic tools dies , and a fairly reliable scale can definitely craft some accurate ammunition , and anyone who takes the time to learn should definitely seek out as much information as possible , and ask lots of questions, watch people who are getting good results and who are willing to share their knowledge and methods because it’s not just about putting components together, it’s a skill like shooting is a skill reloading is too and once learned it can be very satisfying. all the best G.
I am a big fan of my Lyman turret press. The Redding’s look very high quality and would be a great choice. I have three separate turrets for mine so I can be really lazy after I set up dies and just swap the turrets out. They are a little costly, but it keeps my caliber changeovers to only a few minutes. I can’t imagine going back to a single stage again.
I bought an RCBS rock chucker and accessories in the 1980s at a garage sale and still use them today for my hunting handloads.
Thousands of rounds loaded and still rocking my Lee loader.
I have a Lyman 46 manual. My first dies were a neck size only. You used a hammer to load it. I loaded for a rimmed cartridge. I still use a Bonanza scale - balance. I still use it to load. Consistent crimp was what i found impacted my accuracy.
Case tumbler - I just used steel wool, sitting in front of the TV. Thank for giving us up to date changes. Cheers
Great video. I think people don't realize how cheap it is to get started if you only buy what you need.
I live in an apartment, so space is at a premium. I have a Lee hand press and some Hornady dies. I also have some L.E. Wilson hand dies and a press. Anyway, I load accurate rounds on the cheap.
Other than the equipment, reloading takes time. I like clean brass, but its not required.
Very worthwhile. I'm like Chico: I'll watch this more than once.
You and I followed almost identical paths. Lee Breechlock Challenger kit, 9mm/223 Ultimate Dies, MTM boxes and trays, Frankford Arsenal scale (same issues🙄, went back to the Lee Safety Scale. An all around good solid setup.
I am also thinking of moving up to a Redding T7 or Lyman All American 8; but... with a Lee Pro 4000 and some feeder tubes and bullet feeder dies....
@16:40, The manufacturers crimp the primer pocket so the primer won't back out under sustained recoil. The pocket is actually crimp so it is smaller than the primer or staked in 3 or 4 spots to tighten the mouth of the primer pocket. The old primer can come out because you force it past the now smaller area and deform the spent primer in the process. This material needs to either be removed or pushed (swaged) away from the primer pocket mouth. It is not so much as a sharp edge that keeps the primer from entering as a size difference. If you do manage to get one pressed in, it might be loose in the pocket.
I started with a Rock Chucker reloading kit about 1991, which was a terrific choice. After a few years for some reason, I thought I needed a progressive. I loved my RCBS equipment, so I
bought an RCBS 4X4. I ended up with so much pistol ammo, I was swimming in it. I was buying powder, cartridge boxes, bullets, etc, etc, etc. Anyway, I ended up trading it to a guy and went back to relying on the Rock Chucker (I never stopped using it for large rifle loading).
Then, I came across a used turret press that was in like new condition, except for some neglect. I degreased it, cleaned it up, and repainted it in the original colors with epoxy appliance paint. It looked and worked like brand new! My son designed and 3D printed a magnificent primer catcher. Now, I use both presses in tandem and I'm happy as a clam. If I were to start all over again. I would start with a turret press. They aren't that much more expensive than a quality cast iron single die press, and they make reloading much more streamlined.
Stick with cast iron presses if you can. They just don't wear out. Also, I see many used cast iron presses for sale on-line. Some are overpriced, but it would be a great way to get a quality cast iron press rather than a budget quality one if your budget is tight.
As far as my reloading bench today? Well, it is full of every quality brand accessories out there, but the Rock Chucker kit is still the nucleus of my reloading bench. Every piece of the kit is top notch and it's still going strong. I'll die before it wears out!
I started out with the Lee classic loader and a plastic mallet with lee dippers. Then I started adding all the smaller stuff to my arsenal of reloading tools until I had acquired them all, and then turned around and started getting the bigger stuff one at a time. Now I have all quality reloading equipment within two years time.
Buy once cry once is far better than always being frustrated over the cheap stuff being a pain to deal with (over and and over and over). Reloading requires a lot of repetition and doing those reps with cheap stuff gets to be a pain. Yet doing the same reps with quality stuff is rather therapeutic.
I started with a Dillon. It’s great for range ammo. For precision I now use an RCBS Summit. I went the opposite direction of most reloaders and started on the expensive side and worked my way backwards.
Buy once cry once, Redding makes the best dies, RCBS is a broad second and Lee is a little further down the food chain, usable but not bad. Buy as many reloading manuals as you can afford, always better to have more information than one source. RCBS, Lyman and Redding make the best powder measures, Lyman makes a very durable and correctly sized powder trickler. Good Content, carry on, I hope you don’t mind a little input from a guy with a little experience.
I don't know, because to my knowledge Lee is the only die maker that will warranty there dies for accuracy.
Wow, I envy the simplicity and clarity of your collection. I think I had 'too much money' to blow and I have all sortsa things now, which is cluttering up my area and I'm frustrated because I know I can't sell it for much of what I paid for it all. But I too started out with that press and actually liked it a lot, but I sold it (at a great loss) and bought the Redding Big Boss II (for the Hornady die bushing insert feature) and intend for that press to be 'the one' for the rest of my life. I understand the point of the turret presses but with the quick-change bushings, it's almost as fast. I have watched many hours of Johnny and would like to meet the guy someday (I live nearby), although lately my favorite channel is Panhandle Precision. That dude is no-nonsense and knows his stuff and has years of experience. Congrats on a nice setup that works for you.
Should be able to sell it for close to whqt you paid for it now! If you still have anything u want to get rid of let me know, just getting into reloading. Could use some primers/powder for 5.56/6.5cm
I have a couple trickle deals but haven't used one in years. I just use a case to trickle powder into the scale pan. I have a good digital scale but have put it back in the box and use a good balance scale. The one you show in this video is a Lee scale and is the hardest one I have ever tried to use.
+1 for the Hornady seating die not consistent
Bought a Forster and holy crap!!! Getting one for all calibers
Thanks, this helped me avoid buying stuff I wouldn't use. A ~$20 jewelry scale that reads to .001gram/.01grain is great too.
Thanks for going through this. Realistic and honest video. Those K&M tools look solid.
I really want a Mark 7 with autodrive.
Easy to fix the problem with the powder trickler. I have the same unit and its light. I used RTV silicone and some heavy nuts and bolts and fill the gap at the bottom. Works fine. I use a box to adjust the heigth.
Good info!
If you want to go to a new powder measure for ease of use and durability, I would recommend the Lyman Brass Smith Powder measure. It is steel, and aluminum construction with a clear (plastic?) hopper. No need to buy a separate pistol or rifle drum. All metering (both rifle & hand gun) can be done with the metering rod. Very easy to use and change if needed. I have used mien for a few years now and it is accurate. No powder measure is ever going to be spot on with all powders so keep on trickling!
I used hand tools for caseprep for a great many years, then I got lazy, and had the money to upgrade to the newer tools that improved productivity and a few items to help tighten groups as well. Best investments were the case prep station, the Chargemaster for powder. I really like mandrels for case neck expansion over the die buttons, pulled them all out of the sizing dies now. Discovered those when doing cast bullets many years ago, made total sense to use them on everything else. Found that a bushing die is not really any better than an FLS or neck die. Although I like the bushing/neck bump die as I don't have to lube cases for sizing, just use dry neck lube, they are no better, no worse for runout, and you still have to FLS once in a while.
Look into the Igauging absolute zero calipers. inexpensive and awesome.
5 things was a great investment to my Reloading, the T7 Redding press, RCBS ChargeMaster Lite Powder Scale and Dispenser , RCBS prep center, Little Crow Gunworks World's Finest Trimmer and the RCBS Automatic Bench Priming Tool
I have tried rotary and vibratory tumblers with corncob, walnut shell media and ultrasonic cleaners for cleaning brass. the best I have found by far is the rotary tumbler with stainless steel pins.
Do you know that shiny brass does not shoot any better than tarnished brass. Shiny is just for looks.
@@russellkeeling9712 I would think "shiny" means the brass is "clean."
I recently picked up the Frankfort Arsenal scale as a back up and I can’t get it to stop drifting. I would have taken it back if Cabela’s was a little closer. I may still take it back if they’ll take it when I eventually get there.
Epoxy some lead in the bottom of the trickler and stick some rubber feet on it too. Works great.
I have a couple tricklers sitting on my shelf I never use. I just use an empty case to trickle needed powder.
I still have my 4 hole press, lee dies and shell holders. Case lube, vibe tumbler, dig scale more now, cheap calipers. The only thing I upgraded really is case prep stuff. And an auto drop powder scale both from lyman. And WCT from ebay.
I replaced my lee press and scale with rcbs and it’s beautiful. You will enjoy an upgrade. It goes up and settles down right onto your weight. I got an rcbs trickler from a gun show that works better than sprinkling like I was. The big Lyman chamfer tool is excellent as well.
I use a small Lee c press and universal depriming die with a home made brass kicker made from a old ss hose clamp to deprime ALL cases before even putting my used cases into my sorting containers. That way my rcbs press and Lee turret press do not get primer grit into the shaft and base. And over ten reloading manuals make sure I have safe loads for all the calibers I load.
I started with a Lee hand press, a set rcbs dies and a pacific scale.
This is an excellent video I wished I had seen it before I get started if you’re not sure what you’re going to do or if you’re gonna like this . this is the way to go. however I knew I was going to like it and I will hole hog to it. I got a Dillons 650 with all the goodies to go with it. I bought a 12 x24 Building and put it in there I haven’t regretted a bit it’s been a lot of fun. My best advice buy the biggest you can afford you won’t regret it.
The powder trickler is pretty light. If you get some 5 minute epoxy and some lead shot you can glue the shot in the base of the trickler and it won’t slide all over your reloading bench.
I have that hornady trickler I tipped it over dumping the powder everywhere. After that I scored the bottom cavity and filled and epoxies bbs in there to give it weight.
Haha yeah I’ve heard of upgrades like that
great video!
The Lee autoprime tool is much faster and easier than using the press to install new primers!! Highly recommend that. I love my Lee turret press with the old 3 die turrets (the 4 die turrets came years later). After getting the dies set up in the turret plate, you can change calibers in a hurry. I used slices of 3" PVC pipe glued into my cabinet to hold the various caliber turrets--keeps everything organized and neat. I use the Lee zip trim tool with the Lee length tools and that is super easy and fast rather than using a drill which takes some time to change each case in the holder. The zip trim tool automatically centers and locks the case for trimming. I use the Lee perfect powder measure and love it--there's a video where a guy compared it to the Hornady measure (the Hornady was awfully inaccurate!).
Try the Lee cast turret. I love mine! Turrets plates are inexpensive. I index by hand, tho. Simpler.
Thx for the video
I finally ran into issues with the Lee funnel and the trays I was using for .38 Special. It would bottom out on the tray before hitting the case mouth. I ended up getting a couple of different trays instead of cutting down my funnel.
You need a custom set of wood trays made and I know someone who makes them
I use a Harley deprimer tool. Then soak my brass for 48 hours in grape kool Aid. ( double the strength.) I then rinse with water. Dump on towel. Use air compressor to blow out thru the primer pocket. It dries the inside and cleans the pocket. The brass is clean before it goes anywhere near my press or dies. I have never had a die that scratches my brass. I use a cheap Lee single stage press for rifle. And the four hole Lee turret press for pistol. I use a dry tumbler with walnut media. I use Nu Finish wax. Keeps the brass from corroding. I also use used dryer sheets that I cut into one inch squares. That collects a lot of dust.
When you consider the case wall thickness do you take into consideration that after the case is full length resized it is smaller than the chamber and therefore does not center the bullet with the bore. The case actually lays at the bottom of the chamber so the bullet is not centered with the barrel. This is another reason to neck size only.
As far as I know, most bullet seating dies ARE caliber specific. The Hornady seating die is NO exception. The CGND seating die uses a floating alignment sleeve that aligns the case neck with the bullet before the bullet enters the case, helping to insure cartridge concentricity. The Hornady seating die is (IMHO) the best bang for your buck in a common die set.
The Forster seating die does this better (for higher cost) by aligning the whole case with the bullet before it enters. Lee does make some high quality handloading equipment for reasonable cost. Some of it takes some some fiddling to get it to work. The Lee Safety Prime system that came with your press is a jewel. It takes getting used to and some tuning. I love the one that came with my Classic Turret Press. By the way, I have compared concentricity of loaded rounds from the turret press with ones loaded on my Forster Coax press (the Rolls Royce of
commercially available single stage presses) and have found little if any difference.
You have shown, and I agree with you, that low cost equipment can do a good job of keeping one in ammo for practical use. Knowing how to use and take care of one's tools goes a long way toward overall performance and longevity of them.
Thanks for sharing.
The new frankford arsenal powder scale works great its tuch screen 1 thing you do have to have it on a level surface or when you pick up the powder pan it will shift I have no trouble with mine i have the Lee powder measure and it stays a 4.5 for my 45acp or 4.8for my 9mm hollow points
I started reloading back in the mid 80's. I had a .44 Mag that I needed to feed. I have always tried to explain to people that a firearm, with no ammo is nothing but an expensive club.
I started off with a Lee handloader press. My .44 Mag dies, A couple of case blocks that were used. And a Lee scale. My entire reloading kit fit in a shoebox, that I used to take to work, and I loaded during down time. I probably put that all together for under $100.00.
Since then I have picked up several old Hornady presses, and revived them. A new LNL, several Lyman turrets, an RCBS Jr., that I use mounted upside down, as a sizing press. Many of my presses were free, yard sale, flea market, or gun show items. So, I don't have much in those. Prices have gone crazy since my acquisition.
Rcbs and Dillon. Have both love both
If you want to load precision rounds you might consider neck sizing dies. If you only load a round for one particular firearm neck sizing dies are wonderful, especially if you load for rounds like the .35 Whelen that has a small case shoulder which is easy to push back when resizing.
Quality information
Great video for letting people know how you started. I personally bought a Lee 4 head turret press back during the Obama ammo scare and I have not looked back. It is everything you could want to reload whatever you want in small to medium quantities. There are days when I’ve sat down and re-loaded 500 to 700 rounds and there are days when I just kicked out 10 to 15 rounds to try a suggested load out. But the one thing I disagree with that you said is about the Lee Safety primers. They work so perfect with the 4 head Turret press, I have the older round units, but the way it slips a primer in is ingenious and really speeds up the process. If you haven’t tried a 4 head turret press, they are worth the money. I paid $129 for mine and I have no regrets. Mine came with .45ACP dies as well. I’ve only done .300 black out as far as rifle reloads go, but I’ve seen videos of .308 which is a round I’ve been considering. Just my thoughts, stay safe and stay ready.
If you upgrade you can’t go wrong with a Dillon 650xl. I love mine and have used it from 2016.
i like priming with the gen 3 of that press priming tool I can load a lot faster than the hand loaded and its really quick i can do 1000 223 rounds in less than 2 or 3 hours and prime them all exactly the same looking and rea,ly well if you buy the new gen separately with the tan plastic color there really nice
I had bought a 13$ scale and it goes to .01 of a grain. And it is perfect every time and before I get any nehsayers. I double check on my beam scale. I found it was just quicker to trickle on the dig. Scale
I started with the Lee kit. The press has wobble but I only use it to decap and pull bullets. Moved up to a 550. Like the scale operation but never had confidence in the setting. Frankfort scale sucks, bought one too. The perfect powder measure is good for most powders except fine powders like H110. Tried the die body trimmer, sucked. Still use the hand trimmer for 38/357. Get a trim mate or lyman prep center.
Great video. Most of your upgrade I've done too.
I started with the basic reloading equipment and now years later, I just bought an A/P press just for loading 9MM. As I look at all the equipment I have today, I guess any particular round costs me $12. It's a hobby as well.