hornady vs lee single stage for a new reloader

I started with the lee single stage and now I use a lee turret. If I could do over I would start with turret,you can crank out some rounds but slow enough that you can keep tabs on each step . I have no issues with lees products .
 
Hook, if you are talking about one round per minute for pistol ammo, you can certainly increase your speed by batching. If you load in batches of 100 or more, you can seriously increase your output to as many as five rounds a minute. Get a rcbs hand priming tool, and bulk prime cursory examination of every primed round. Follow with close inspection with each. Perform all sizing operations in the same manner, with dumping all rounds into a tray for check up afterwards. Powder in blocks of fifty, check visually by the block as th block is done, drop bullet into casing to protect powder charge. Crimping while seating is not evil.final inspection by tray if you have 150 or so bullets.

I haven't done nine in a while and have maybe 300+ empty shells in a box,sized, expanded, primed, inspected , all done when I had a few minutes. Later, for an hour ill sit Down, charge, and finish them while other rounds are tumbling and a load of laundry is running.

On a single stage. No kidding. It takes less than two seconds to perform each step and look at the results, about fifteen per finished round. Die changes and adjustment times don't count, you do that either way. The only limit is your dexterity. My rounds are probably just as well inspected as yours.

Think about it, but do exactly what you need to do to feel confidence in your work, and don't fool around changing your process if its what you need to do to feel right.
 
I know a couple guys that used a Lee press, both now have Dillons. I tried to use a Lee turret press years ago, didn't work for me. I have never used a Hornady press but it may be well worth the 200.00 higher price. I have other Lee products including dies, primer tools, pocket cleaners, powder scoops. I recommend the scoops. The other stuff not so much.
 
"Just a another opinion in the long line of opinions."

Single stage or progressive as a first press? S/Stage you'll learn the basics and discover different techniques and insight throughout the years in its using.
Progressive's: I'm not so sure those presses teach anything other than set-up_servicing & repair.

I've always considered Lee reloading tools to be entry level learn'ers tools. Even so. Lee's makes the best reloading equipment for those on a budget and those others like me who have a need for a small Traveling Press.

I don't know if any Lee press could handle those really big magnums Full length resizings. Or swagging pre-fired brass from a caliber to another. But for your current (as read) needs OP. The Lee is more than capable.

Hornady press's are a bit more convenient these days with its Lock & Load feature something not all hand-loaders have shown much interest in " I gotta have it tool" Than again.

No matter which press you buy. Cleaning and oiling periodically will surely keep Ram tolerances tight and increase both presses longevity.
 
Just a thought; the first equipment you buy isn't necessarily the only equipment you'll ever own. The "buy once, cry once" stuff just don't seem to apply to reloading equipment. I had 3 presses before I bought a top of the line Redding, but I have purchased 4 more presses since then (I still have 5). I bought a very good Lyman/Ohaus scale, but I have purchased 2 more since I got the D5.

The "cry once..." is kinda like "I need to buy a $125,000.00 car now so I'll never need to buy another". :rolleyes: I learned to drive in a 30 year old Chevy and I learned just as well as if I were driving a brand new Mercedes...
 
I bought and am still using the same Lee kit the op listed. Have had it around 8 years now. Have loaded 1000s of rounds if not 10000s rounds. I have had 0 problems with the press. I have loaded some very accurate rounds with it. (< 1/2 moa). I have also formed many different cases for military rifles from 30-06 as well no problems. I recommend the kit to anyone starting out. The only real upgrade I would make is get a decent electronic scale. The lee one works but is very slow. The power dump in the lee kit is quite accurate with the right powders. I bought a lee turrent press earlier this year. So far it works great for handgun and 223 plinking ammo but it seem to have too much slack for making truly accurate rifle rounds. went back to the single stage for that.

I have no experience with the hornady kit but I am sure it works well but probably not worth the extra $200.
 
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A lot to respond to, so I will start with the important questions first and then respond to others:

Do hornady dies work in a lee turret press?
How important is a crimping die?
I plan to buy the ABC's of reloading, after that what is a good reloading manual?
What are the advantages of the Hornady kit as far as what it comes with vs what the lee comes with (including the rebate that gives 500 free bullets with the press)
For pistol loading what powder is recommend? I will be buying from cabelas locally and I also hear its wise to buy primers locally, what are the recommended small pistol primers?

Ok now after that, I don't plan to get a progressive for a long long time. Not until I am very comfortable with the process but the turret makes a lot of since to me. I like that it can cover both single stage as well as turret.

The rebate with 500 free bullets with the hornady is super appealing though. as well as having a very good single stage press to learn with. I just dont want to be swayed towards it just because of the freebies, especially if I will be more satisfied with a turret press that cost less.

Lost Sheep: Thank you for all the info!! To answer your questions: I have a closet that I can dedicate completely to reloading or I can make space in my garage, The closet is big enough for me to have a workbench and a chair plus plenty of shelving. I am leaning towards it. I will not have to tear down each time. Also budget is not my concern "buy once cry once" ;) I want my buck to reach as far as it can and me get a quality set up. Also I plan to batch load if I do single stage. I will be mainly loading 9mm and when I switch to another caliber I plan to load all the brass I have then swap back to 9mm.

black_hog_down: Glad to hear a good report on the hornady, yes I do expect to pay a lot for the other pieces, to start I will be buying everything to do just 9mm and then expect to pay for dies, and everything else as needed as i expand into my other calibers.

Thanks everyone!
 
Maybe there haven't been answers that addressed what is missing from the Lee tool.

$27 loading manual.. essential
Digital scale. Safer and less quirky and awkward
Priming tool that doesn't use proprietary shell holders, and WORKS BETTER.
On press priming system. $35?
Case lube
Deburring tool.
Bushings.
$70 free bullets. (That's minimum, 9mm jacketed 115 bulk. Per the midway site

Extras that Lee offers. Funnel, tube of sizing grease,
deburring tool and pocket cleaner. First inferior and second is useless.

Look at the hornady list and you will find maybe $200 worth of added equipment and important upgrades. The only thing that Lee offers that isn't provided by hornady are funnel and primer pocket cleaner. Their cleaner is lousy quality, and unnecessary for re l o adding. Throwaway bonus.

The funnel is unnecessary, unless you load .223 or smaller brass, or load directly from the measure

You still could look at rcbs, Lyman, or Redding. There's no reason to go that way, but their equipped and price will be comparable. It really doesn't make any sense to buy Lee.
 
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Your gonna want something to clean brass.

I got a rock tumbler from Harbor Frieght for $32 and ordered 2lbs of steel media for it.
I love it.
 
Or you can find a vibrating tumbler at dozens of places for $35and get ordinary walnut media. Your choice between convenience of use over wet use and prettier, cleaner brass. I made my choice for vibe.
 
OP didn't ask about progressives, only single stage presses

OP. I've been loading now for about 30 years. I have owned many presses during that time. I recently purchased a Lee Classic Cast single stage press, and I am pleased with it.

The kits offered by Lee typically include other tools which I would not choose to buy as a stand-alone option, as there are so many better tools available. If it were me, I would cherry pick the peripherals.

Hope this helps.
 
Well guys I appreciate all the help! I just ordered the Lee turret deluxe kit from MidwayUSA that was on sale for $185! I have also got the abcs of reloading and all the other supplies it seems like I will be needing to start reloading. Once its all in I will get a nice cup of coffee and study every book, instruction manual and safety warnings until I can recite them in my sleep. Then its off to load some 9mm:) Thanks again for the help!
 
You won't regret it. But get ready to buy a bunch of other goodies to make your life easier! No knock on Lee at all, it's just this hobby takes a life of it's own trying to make your life easier.

I kind of went backwards than you, I started with a RCSB Jr, went to a Dillon XL650 then the Lee Classic Turret, then a LEE Classic Cast Press.

My favorite so far? the LCT!!! the Lee Classic Cast is my Bulge Buster holder, but at the rate I'm going, I've already equaled all the reloading I've done with my Dillon, and I LOVE my Dillon. Just that I've been developing loads after getting out of the hobby for several years, and I've found the LCT so much more forgiving and easily changed between calibers than the Dillon. Once I get the loads set and powder doesn't disappear again I'll switch them to the Dillon and spend less time reloading and more time shooting again. LOL
 
brando, good choice and when you get some reloading under your belt look at getting the lee turret press plates. I have plates for 38/380/357 and 44 all set up its just a matter of swapping the plates/also I have the pro auto disk powder measurer, I just swap from plate to plate. good luck and it is addicting....
 
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