New to reloading, starter kit recommendations?

[JohnVH]

Here is a deal on the kit.

https://www.brownells.com/reloading/reloading-kits/4-hole-turret-press-deluxe-kit-prod56289.aspx

[lamrith]

As already mentioned, most current reloaders will always (and for good reasons) recommend new reloaders start with a single stage press.  That is sound advice and single stage forces you to focus and dial in each step, so you understand what is going on.  That is very important, and jumping straight into a progressive press with all stations running is overload and not safe.  Just too much going on.  It is also why most starter kits are based around a single stage press.  Many also will note that a good single stage is something you can use forever for dedicated processes, or to make extremely precise rounds due to tighter tolerances and less moving parts.

Once you get the hang of it though, if you are running any volume of pistol or maybe 223 for an AR, you will quickly want to jump to a progressive.  For that reason, I recommend a new reloading person buy a progressive press right out of the gate, and get a quality one if they are planning to feed a semi-automatic firearm.   This to me is buy once cry once, knowing you will need progressive long term, just go ahead and get it from the start.  HOWEVER, run it as a single stage with only one die or action going at a time whe you start out.  Run all brass thru with only the size/preprime die in it, do the entire batch just as if you had a single stage press.  Pay attention to how the die works, how the press feels, how it cycles, etc.  Take that die out, then run all brass thru only priming.  etc etc until you have finished rounds.

Dillon and Hornady both make outstanding presses, and if you go full tilt with case feeders, bullet feeders etc, it is about a wash in terms of $ for press setup (Dillon650 vs Hornady LnL).  I think Hornady is a little cheaper/easier to add calibers to, but for a ready to load press for a single caliber you are dead even. 

Beyond that though, I recommend Hornady, and a big part of that comes down to the core feature that they named the press after; LnL.  The individual locking lugs for each die are extremely useful.  I have found I make use of the ability to use individual dies on my press pretty much every time I use it.  With the lug system it means no having to re-adjust the dies every time you want to change something.  This allows you very easily to run the a single process at a time like I mentioned above, the LnL is perfect for doing that and learning as you can add/remove dies in seconds.  Then when you are comfortable you can add all the dies and start doing single pass reloading.  You WILL need to tweak all the dies some as the tension and actions of each die will affect the others, so take your time and check everything again.

If you wish to go Single stage, as other have mentioned I would lean to the LnL Classic kit as it uses the same locking lug system with quick die changes and I believe those lugs can be used with the Progressive if you upgrade later.  Dies would still need to be re-adjusted between single and progressive.

[JohnVH]

on that note, the lee classic turret press, you can take the center screw out and use it as a single stage if you prefer. Its easy to use as a turret too, Ive done 100rnds of 9mm in an hour.

[lamrith]

ohhh books.  books books books.  You want to pick up a couple reloading manuals and read them.  Hornady, Lee, Lyman, etc..  Always good to have more than one and be able to compare loads between sources.

I would pick up a book and read the opening chapters before even buying a press.

[Curly]

Horndady kit is on sale now at Midway:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1012998011/hornady-lock-n-load-classic-single-stage-press-kit


It's slightly more money than the RCBS kit.

The stuff included in the Horndady kit seems better to me than the items included in the RCBS kit.  You will have to add calipers, though.  Also a trimmer, but the RCBS kit doesn't have a trimmer either.

Items included in Kit:
Lock-N-Load Classic Single Stage Press, Lock-N-Load Powder Measure, Digital Scale, Handbook of Cartridge Reloading, 3 Lock-N-Load Bushings, Primer Catcher, Positive Priming System (Small and Large Primer Cups Included, Handheld Priming Tool, Universal Reloading Block, Chamfering and Deburring Tool, Powder Funnel and Trickler, 5.5 oz can of One Shot Aerosol Case Lube

Everything in that kit is useful.........although I will say I haven't used their version of the hand priming tool.  I use RCBS hand priming tool, but I will say the Lee Hand priming tool is better.

Also, they don't specify which digital scale they include.  I have no idea the quality of their scale.

[Evil_EdwardO]

on that note, the lee classic turret press, you can take the center screw out and use it as a single stage if you prefer. Its easy to use as a turret too, Ive done 100rnds of 9mm in an hour.

That's what I use. Use the turret for 9mm and remove the rod and use it as a single stage press for rifle. Plus I have extra turrets, one for each caliber I reload. Just plop a turret in and reload.

[JohnVH]

That's what I use. Use the turret for 9mm and remove the rod and use it as a single stage press for rifle. Plus I have extra turrets, one for each caliber I reload. Just plop a turret in and reload.

I love that about it!

[N7XW]

Looks like I have some catching up and research to do.  Thanks guys! 

[screedler]

piggybacking on this topic, I'm also new to reloading; have everything I need to reload 30-06 (eventually 9mm & 223 but no hurry), but the scale I've got is a super old balance beam scale that my dad just had, he didn't know how he got it, it was in a pile of reloading junk from when he was going to reload 44 mag but then didn't (the 44 die and a big box of bullets are still here)...

Thinking of getting a nice electronic scale that would hopefully be reliable in the budget range of $150? Just want to buy once cry once rather than getting some cheapo electronic scale that I can't trust. Any expensive scales to avoid? Horror stories? Anecdotes? Lay em on me!

[jnordwell]

If you plan on loading for 1or 2 caliber get the lock in load. But if you want to do more then look for rcbs. The quick bushing that Hornady makes you use is expensive. I load for 13 different guns. Way to expensive but I bought a rcbs partner press for 45$ off a clearance rack and have loaded 1000’s of loads.. buy a cheap kit and then upgrade the scale that’s where to spend the money not in the press unless you are planning on a progressive. I can do the single stage and load 100 in a little over a 1.5 hrs...enjoy the new hobbie

[BigGoonTuna]

piggybacking on this topic, I'm also new to reloading; have everything I need to reload 30-06 (eventually 9mm & 223 but no hurry), but the scale I've got is a super old balance beam scale that my dad just had, he didn't know how he got it, it was in a pile of reloading junk from when he was going to reload 44 mag but then didn't (the 44 die and a big box of bullets are still here)...

Thinking of getting a nice electronic scale that would hopefully be reliable in the budget range of $150? Just want to buy once cry once rather than getting some cheapo electronic scale that I can't trust. Any expensive scales to avoid? Horror stories? Anecdotes? Lay em on me!

i have heard mixed reviews on the electronic scales.  i would like one for working up loads out while i'm shooting to save time, but every time i read the reviews on most of them i see the same complaints(the zero wanders, accuracy concerns etc).  you don't see that much with a quality balance scale.  i definitely would not want to be without mine.

[Stein]

Balance scales are the way to go, way more accurate and dependable.

[N7XW]

What's the deal with case tumblers?  I don't see them included in any of the beginner kits.  Are they needed or just nice to have to make your used brass shiny again?  Also, how many times can you safely reuse your brass, assuming you aren't building overly hot rounds?

You guys are great.  Thanks for all the great info.

[Curly]

Tumblers are not a requirement.  I got by without a tumbler for over 20 years. I just bought one this year. It is nice to have. I got one that uses stainless steel pins and it is nice to clean inside and out, including the primer pockets.  They are a little spendy and you can get by without by just cleaning with a rag and alcohol.

Another thing I just got this year is an annealing machine. It's nice to have. Annealing will give more consistent neck tension and brass will last longer.

As far as how many times you can reload.....it depends on the cartridge, the brand of brass and if you full length size every time or neck size.  It's hard for me to put a number on it.

[C-Money]

piggybacking on this topic, I'm also new to reloading; have everything I need to reload 30-06 (eventually 9mm & 223 but no hurry), but the scale I've got is a super old balance beam scale that my dad just had, he didn't know how he got it, it was in a pile of reloading junk from when he was going to reload 44 mag but then didn't (the 44 die and a big box of bullets are still here)...

Thinking of getting a nice electronic scale that would hopefully be reliable in the budget range of $150? Just want to buy once cry once rather than getting some cheapo electronic scale that I can't trust. Any expensive scales to avoid? Horror stories? Anecdotes? Lay em on me!

i have heard mixed reviews on the electronic scales.  i would like one for working up loads out while i'm shooting to save time, but every time i read the reviews on most of them i see the same complaints(the zero wanders, accuracy concerns etc).  you don't see that much with a quality balance scale.  i definitely would not want to be without mine.

I have given thought to an electronic scale for speeding up measuring powder charges, but accuracy concerns have kept me away. The electronic scale thoughts have pretty much gone away since I bough the Lee dippers.  The Lee dippers/scoops help weigh out each load much faster on the balance scale. I sure enjoy reloading, and there is a good deal of pride taking animals for the freezer with ammo you put together yourself.