Author Topic: Want to get back to reloading (Read 887 times)

the lone gunman · « **on:** June 29, 2007, 07:42:21 AM »

I used to reload years ago and had all the good stuff, It all went bye bye when I got a divorce. 20 Years later I am wanting to start up again > I want to start with my beloved 22 Hornet. I have been looking at those Lee reloading kits that come in a red box and say all you need to reload 1 Caliber. They are only around $25.00. Looks like it might be a slow process, but I have the time. Anyone have experience with these? Thanks

~Ace~ · « **Reply #1 on:** June 29, 2007, 07:48:36 AM »

They work, but why fight reality ? you will want to do More soon after getting it... just spend the $75 - $100 on the Annni Kit and don't look back

what your proposing is like having ONE Handi LMAO.... ~Ace~

the lone gunman · « **Reply #2 on:** June 29, 2007, 07:53:34 AM »

Quote from: ~Ace~ on June 29, 2007, 07:48:36 AM

They work, but why fight reality ? you will want to do More soon after getting it... just spend the $75 - $100 on the Annni Kit and don't look back what your proposing is like having ONE Handi LMAO.... ~Ace~

you are Probaly right Ace, Where can I get info on this "Annni Kit "

~Ace~ · « **Reply #3 on:** June 29, 2007, 08:20:09 AM »

Quick could prob tell you who has the best deals, but just google Lee Anniversary Kit, I am currently using one and could not be happier. you may also check E-bay, I seen some .22 Hornet dies go pretty cheap there the other day. ~Ace~

LaOtto222 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 29, 2007, 09:28:03 AM »

The Lee kit is a much better place to start than those "red" kits. I have one for the 22 hornet, it did not take me long to upgrade. Get the best kit you can afford. The Lee anniversary kit is $70 + shipping, it is the cheapest I know of. You will be fine with the press that comes with it for the 22 hornet, but if you start reloading for bigger stuff, you want to get a good cast iron press. Do not forget at least 1 reloading manual. This is a must have. Get several if you can. The Lyman 48th reloading manual is a good place to start if you are only going to have one. Good Luck, I really enjoy reloading, but I have added several goodies to make it easier.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #5 on:** June 29, 2007, 09:31:10 AM »

Ace is probably right about the Lee Loader, they work fine and are great for someone that doesn't know whether they want to get into handloading or not or don't want to or have a lot of money to spend on equipment, but you've been bitten by the handloading bug, might as well jump back in with both feet!

The Lee anniversary kit does come with most everything you need, and does work, but I found that I wanted a better scale, didn't like the Lee scale, bought a Lyman scale and trimmer on Ebay. In addition to the kit, you'll need a caliper and case trimming equipment, the Lee trimmer works well, isn't expensive, each length gauge is caliber specific, costs about $4 and works fast and easy. The link below has a lot of info on what you'll need and probably don't!!

http://home.earthlink.net/~dannewberry/dannewberrysoptimalchargeweightloaddevelopment/id7.html

If you want to spend a bit more money, the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme kit is hard to beat.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000449357

Lee Loader

Lee Anniversay Kit

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690174

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690962

http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/51

ozarkhillbilly49 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 29, 2007, 11:27:23 AM »

gunman, i to have been away from reloading for a while. i found a nearly new forester/bonanza press at a divorce sale. i have not bought any dies yet. if i hadn't found this press i would probably be using a leeloader.i made some nice shooting rounds with a leeloader many moons ago. a press and some other tools sure make it a lot easier tho!!! take care and have fun.

goodwrench6710 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 29, 2007, 12:24:06 PM »

If you can afford it, just go green (RCBS). Their customer service is #1. The equipment is hard to beat. It'll cost you about $230 or so for a Rockchucker supreme kit, but it is worth it. The scales with it are right on & comes with a Speer reloading manual. I just started this year & it was worth the saving & waiting to get the best.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #8 on:** June 29, 2007, 12:56:26 PM »

Gunman,

If your "squeezin" the bucks, the Lee kit will load you excellent ammo, and the price is right. When I started loadin ammo 3 years ago, I bot a used Lee Classic press along with a used Hornady powder measure and scale. Today I have a Hornady LNL progressive, and a RCBS rockchucker. I use the RCBS for my 10 to 20 rounds of this 'n that. I also got the RCBS and bot the LNL kit to use the Hornady LNL system to quick change the dies. (no more screwin the dies in and out....just a quick twist and that's it).

I agree with goodwrench, if you can get the RCBS, but if you don't have the $, the Lee will do you just fine.

Dave

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #9 on:** June 29, 2007, 03:56:21 PM »

The Lee Anniversary Kit is probably going to be my choice also. I have read alot of good things about them and don't really have a bunch of money to throw around right now. Besides I can upgrade to other things that I need as I go.

rbergum95 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 29, 2007, 04:21:00 PM »

i bought the anniversary kit a little over a year ago when i started reloading. it is still the only press i have and i still love it. i havent had any problems with it and i am reloading for 19 calibers now. if nothing else you wont have to put out the big bucks if you decide you dont want to keep doing it.

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 29, 2007, 05:12:26 PM »

I would suggest the Lee 4 hole turret press kit. It isn't too much more than the anniversary kit and having the turrets that you can change out for each caliber without having to re-adjust every time you switch calibers is really handy. I have had both the anniversary and the turret press kit and highly recommend the turret. Just my opinion. Charlie

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2007, 05:36:17 PM »

Quote from: cbourbeau32 on June 29, 2007, 05:12:26 PM

I would suggest the Lee 4 hole turret press kit. It isn't too much more than the anniversary kit and having the turrets that you can change out for each caliber without having to re-adjust every time you switch calibers is really handy. I have had both the anniversary and the turret press kit and highly recommend the turret. Just my opinion. Charlie

Charlie can you please give me a link to the kit you are talking about? I think I have looked at all the Lee kits but I just want to be sure. I do plan on getting into this, this summer sometime.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2007, 06:04:00 PM »

Setting up a new reloading bench for the 2nd time around should be a little easier than the first time..Some things not to scrimp on...good lighting for starts...a-lot of folks do..and they struggle because of it...Also...having a rock solid bench to do your reloading on makes it much easier as well...You have to decide if you just want to crank out so-so ammo..or if you want to invest enough to start down the precision road...

With all of the current single stage presses that are available today..they will all load some very good ammo on them..and each of the different camps from those who are frugal...to those of us that aren't... have favorite tools that is always recommended...and to tell ya truth...it is going to be more of a personal choice of yours as to what you will start off with...

I will recommend you buy quality reloading equipment....or even better...where you can find this same equipment as used...This way you be paying slightly more than some of the cheaper priced equipment everyone raves so much about...and getting equipment of a much higher quality...or at least getting it at a much lower price...either way...you will be getting more for your money...I have purchased several high end die sets and presses this way...While it is nice to always buy brand new expensive die sets & presses......it just doesn't make good sense to pass up good deals on better equipment.....You will see a major push to one of the cheapest brands...and if that is what you want..then by all means go for it...but...while the price might be attractive...the quality of the product isn't on par for what you can buy for a few dollars more...

Something to keep in mind...From my own experience...cheap scales are not as reliable as the more expensive models...and while some feel that them being off by a grain or 2 won't matter much...don't buy it for a second...buy the best you can afford now...even if it means you have to hold off on a better piece of equipment...also...buy a set of calibration weights to verify your scale stays true...

The reloading kits that are available are convenient and seem to offer everything you "need"...but to me the leave a-lot to be desired..With a little effort..you can have a better set up by searching out bargains on-line for slightly used equipment...at a substantial savings...Let the original purchaser take the depreciation on it...and reap the benefits...You don't have to settle for cheap equipment...when better quality equipment is available... Here is one place to look...http://www.benchrest.com/shooterscorner/the_list.html...there are other places to look as well..

Good Luck

Mac

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 30, 2007, 04:08:35 AM »

Here you go Dale.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/productview?saleitemid=622290&t=11082005

After you get set up then for each caliber all you need to do is buy dies and another turret (usually about $9.00) to be able to just switch out calibers in the turret press. I think you will enjoy it. Charlie

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #15 on:** June 30, 2007, 11:23:40 AM »

Quote from: cbourbeau32 on June 30, 2007, 04:08:35 AM

Here you go Dale.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/productview?saleitemid=622290&t=11082005

After you get set up then for each caliber all you need to do is buy dies and another turret (usually about $9.00) to be able to just switch out calibers in the turret press. I think you will enjoy it. Charlie

Thanks Charlie. This is the one I will be getting. For just a few more dollars it is worth it if you reload for more than one caliber.

cbourbeau32 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 30, 2007, 12:57:04 PM »

You will have to order it today to get it at that price. It is quite a bit less than I paid for mine since it is on sale. Charlie

quickdtoo · « **Reply #17 on:** June 30, 2007, 01:06:19 PM »

Not to worry, Midsouth has it at a regular price not much more than Midway's sale price, and with less shipping.

Tim

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690928

jgalar · « **Reply #18 on:** July 01, 2007, 04:19:10 AM »

Go to the Lee website and you can see the turret press in operation:

http://www.leeprecision.com/html/catalog/HelpVideos/video.html

Davemuzz · « **Reply #19 on:** July 01, 2007, 04:32:40 AM »

jglar,

That's pretty cool! Watch it before you buy it. And have a "monkey see monkey do" video during set up. (I'm not knockin that...I need those all the time....believe me $:-\$ )

One thing I did notice is that they had a very strong bench that the press was mounted on. Of course, iff'in you've reloaded for longer than a week, you know that an immovable bench is a real key to any reloading press....doesn't matter what brand. If you don't have a good foundation, your gonna have a problem.

Dave.