help me build my dream reloading setup for a first timer

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Ruthless4christ

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I want to get into reloading, but everyone I ask, points me to the Lee kits, and say “that’s good for beginners” Instead of buying a basic kit now and then upgrading a year later, I want to get a good efficient kit.

I am going to be reloading most popular center fire rounds 308 30.06 7.62x39 223 etc. I am not looking for budget per se although obviously I don’t want to through money away for nothing. without really knowing what things cost, I would say I can throw about 500 bucks at this right off the bat just for the equipment. Any thoughts?

Edit, scratch that 500 dollar comment, I just say that most Progressive Presses cost at least that much, so just fire away with what you feel is the best bang for buck along with efficiency .
 
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Probably not at all what you want to hear but now is a horrible time to get into reloading. Components are extremely difficult to find at decent prices. To clarify, everything is available at a price, but paying "panic" prices really negates the point of reloading. That being said, I'll throw in my 2c.

There is a lot of back and forth on progressive/single stage for a beginner. Ultimately it comes down to your volume and what you plan on reloading. I'm a firm believer in getting something to grow into (read: progressive for pistol and turret/progressive for rifle) but learning to use it 1 cartridge at a time. You can get yourself into a hell of a lot of trouble trying to do a lot of things at once. The higher end progressive presses have 5 stations so that's 5 things happening all at once and it's a lot to keep track of for the beginner.

As far as brand/model is concerned, it's all a personal preference. I'm in the process of adding another member to my bench and have been going back and forth for weeks, reading everything I could find about both options and I finally think I've made my decision. I reiterate, it will come down to your personal needs and desires. Just do a lot of research.

Right now, the first thing you should be buying a reloading manual or three and reading them cover to cover. Based on what you want to reload, it will influence your reloading setup. After that, start looking at the different presses your budget allows.

A word on Lee presses. Lee makes a fine product targeted towards budget conscious consumers. I started on a few Lee presses and they still have their duty (aside from the Lee Load All) on my bench. I have since gotten more and different presses but still do use my Lee's for some functions. They are an unbeatable value for the price and have some of the best engineering I've seen using cheaper parts.

Lastly, regarding kits vs a la carte. I personally am the type that likes picking and choosing what I need. You might save a few $ by buying a kit, but if you don't use 1/2 of what you get, you spent more money for nothing.

Cliffnotes:
-Now is a horrible time to start reloading w/ availability/prices of components and presses
-Do lots and lots of research
-Don't let people choose a press for you, since every one is going to have some pro's/con's
-Do more research
-Reload and shoot
 
I will be casting as well as buying bullets. I want to have the option to do everything.

kostyanj I totally get the supply and demand issue. I guess I should have expected a response like this and should have stated that I am in no rush to get everything t once, and will simply buy components as they become available. I have no intention of buying anything at panic prices.

As far as getting in over my head, beyond my learning curve, from what I have seen online, most 5 stage presses can actually be used by beginners one bullet at a time until one is comfortable to do all 5 at once so I don't think that would be a problem. I most deff do want a progressive press however as I will be reloading at higher volumes on certain calibers.

I do actually plan on doing lots of research, and this thread is part of that research.

Anybody have any specific products they would like to throw out there?
 
I'd start (and did, 35 yrs ago!) with a good, big sturdy bench with tons of storage and it has served me well. I added a progressive press many years ago but it's hidden under a blue cover for years at a time. If money isn't tight I'd park an RCBS Chargemaster next to a Rockchucker in front of a shelf full of RCBS dies. A case prep station will come in handy if you'll do a lot of rifle shooting, as will a case cleaning setup. After awhile you may want to add a progressive press and a casting setup but no sense jumping off in the deep end when you're just starting to swim.
Buy good stuff and let your heirs figure out what to do with it when you're done with it.
 
TXGunNut what did you not prefer about the progressive press? Actually funny you mention the bench, because my first step has been dedicating an area in my workroom, for all things reloading. It was kind of my first step to getting into reloading.
 
I am going to be reloading most popular center fire rounds 308 30.06 7.62x39 223
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Just curious but do you really shoot that much that you need a progressive to reload nothing but rifle calibers?
 
Just curious but do you really shoot that much that you need a progressive to reload nothing but rifle calibers?
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I probably don’t, but I am not the only person in my house that shoots. There are 2 other shooters in my house and we all shoot mainly 30 cal rifles with a little 223. I also work extremely long hours at the office so when I am not at the range, I want my reloading to be as quick and efficient as possible. Those are my two main reasons for leaning toward a progressive, but like I said, I am completely open to having my mind changed.
 
I used the Dillon to make large qtys of pistol ammo while I was a competitive shooter. I load much smaller qtys of rifle ammo now and enjoy the slower pace and precision of a single stage setup, even when loading 45 Colt. My bench is a well-built version of the NRMA bench, plans are still available but I was lucky enough to find a good used one for a good price.
 
yeah i just have a regular workbench i built years ago, but i think it will do the trick. not meant for reloading per se, but i dont want to rip it out, i've had it so long.
 
I will be casting as well as buying bullets. I want to have the option to do everything.

I have a single stage Hollywood press, Some wheel weights, and a star/magma lube sizer. RCBS makes some fine dies. In my opinion You can't go wrong with that combination. Tons of run of the mill ammo was just not what I was after.
 
I wanted the Hornady LnL Progressive but was on a budget, so I went with a RCBS turret press. The 6 station turret lets me easily rotate to the next station and is a good compromise on speed/output when comparing a single stage and progressive.

There are cheaper presses and kits, but I wanted a quality product that would last several years.
 
For loading rifle ammunition you can’t beat Dillon’s RL 550. The XL 650 is really geared toward large volume handgun loading. A single stage press, like the RCBS Rockchucker, in addition is almost necessary for those times when a few cases need deprimed or sized or whatever.
 
I am going to be reloading most popular center fire rounds 308 30.06 7.62x39 223 etc. I am not looking for budget per se although obviously I don’t want to through money away for nothing.
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Forster Co-Ax. If you think you might load pistol cartridges too someday, get a C&H 444 instead.
 
Wow, just one press , that is a hard one because they are all so very good. I do 99% of my rifle on a Lee Classic Cast so I really can't say which progressive works the best. I do part of my 223 reloading on a progressive but only to drop the powder seat and crimp the bullet.

I can't ever picture myself without a single stage for rifle, I just don't load all that many except for the 223.

I believe either the Hornady LNL or the Dillon 650 would do just fine. I can't give you explanation as to why but most of the people I know like the Dillon 550B for rifle. I will have to ask why the nest time I see one of them.

I have never used a Lee or RCBS progressive but I really don't know why you should not consider either of them too.

A word on COMPONENTS: They a far easier to get than what you are hearing. No you may not be able to get what you want today but you can get them the next day or so.

I was in the market for 223 components probably some of the most popular. It took me on week to track down 5,000 bullets, primers and the powder I needed at normal pricing. In addition I just needed 1,000 large rifle primers and well lead bullets for the handguns have never been an issue. I saw a lot of small and large pistol primers but I have a large supple so I didn't bother to hoard them.

You have to look for the stuff and I guess most people don't like to do this.

Here is a decent site for reloading.

http://ultimatereloader.com/
 
I am loading five calibers on a Lee Classic Turret press. What was nice I can use it like a single stage if I like or I can bang out about 240 rounds an hour. I could go faster but no need.

The Lee is nice because you can buy a turret for each caliber and load each how you like.

For rifle I have a case prep turret and then have a turret for each caliber with its own powder dispenser. Real handy.

For me this is the best of all worlds for what I could afford. If I was loaded I would buy a Dillon for each caliber and be done with it.
 
A word on COMPONENTS: They a far easier to get than what you are hearing. No you may not be able to get what you want today but you can get them the next day or so.
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Farmland I actually decided to do this now because I just noticed reloading supplies comping back into stock both at local gunshops and online. Thanks for the link btw I appreciate it.

as far as hand-loading pistol ammo, although I do not plan on doing much at all would I not be able to just reload pistol ammo on my progressive rifle press by switching out the dies?

thank you for all the ideas so far folks. I just ran across the RCBS Pro 2000 Auto and actually think that one looks pretty cool, although it is pricey.
 
If you are going progressive I would go Dillon. Well I actually did, LOL. I started on a Lee classic turret and could load 175 to 200 per hour. I bought a Dillon 550 to speed up my 223 reloading. It's a great press. The main thing you need to think about is do you want to use a powder cop die, rifle cases are hard to see into to check the powder level. You could probably use a powder cop in station three on the 550 but it would be easier to have a five station 650. The only problem is to load the calibers you have listed you are looking at around $1,500 to $2,000 for a 650.
 
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