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And i was thinking about buying The Lee 50th anniversary reloading kit:
http://www.leeprecision.com/html/catalog/rlpress2.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
So i was wondering if anyone had any thoughts? I am looking at this particular kit b/c it is cheaper and i do not have much money to spend. I want to use it for .308 and .40. I know i need to purchase separate dies for each cartridge on op of the cost of the kit. I do not shoot a ton but this might eventually make it a little more affordable in the long run. plus I wish to get my .308 hitting nice and tight when i get it up and running and i hear hand loading your own can help once you get good at the process.

I haven't started reloading yet either, but this is what I'm looking at:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/de ... ber=622290" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's basically the same kit, but with the Lee 4-hole turret press instead of the single stage.

Brian

Lee stuff works just fine. Ive been using it for awhile now. I have a lee pro 1000 that once I got used to it I can do a 100 rounds in no time I usually do 250 a session. Im setting up 223 right now and got the lee single stage press for dedicated primer decapping. Just be cautious and deliberate when you reload and you won't have any issues with the press. One thing that it doesn't show you that you will need is a tumbler and media along with a zip trim and the attachments you will need for that, digital caliper. Also get the Lee modern reloading book it has tons of data.

Sputz

I got a Hornady kit for Christmas and usually do 100 a sitting now. It is fun and oddly relaxing.

I have loaded a few thousand rounds on my Lee single stage and the anniversary kit. I like the single stage, yes it is slow, I usually just batch everything together. I can do about 75/hr if I have everything prepped ahead of time. Great way to learn!

Edit to add, the kit will pay for itself when you start producing rifle ammo. Price out match grade rifle ammo commercially. Using high quality components you can make rifle ammo under $0.50/round that is tuned to your rifle.

BrianSW99 wrote:I haven't started reloading yet either, but this is what I'm looking at:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/de ... ber=622290" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It's basically the same kit, but with the Lee 4-hole turret press instead of the single stage.

Brian

Just out of curiosity how why did you choose the turret press over single press? Faster?

I purchased this setup from Kempf's (Lee Classic Turret) and I've been VERY happy with it. I've used it as both a 4-stage and single-stage press with great results! I like the "feel" and look of the Classic turret press vs the non-Classic.

https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php?pag ... &Itemid=41" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

P.S. - Forgot to mention: You can find a LOT of people that don't recommend that Lee scale. I purchased a digital scale from Cabela's and couldn't be happier.

I picked up the Lee deluxe turret press kit last year and haven't looked back. The turret gives you the flexibility of going single-stage or "progressive-ish". I did my first few hundred rounds with the press set up as a single-stage until I had a good handle on what I was doing, then changed over to progressive and watched the rounds pile up.

I didn't get a single-stage only press first, because I didn't want to have buyer's remorse. I may buy one in the next year or so to reload rifle rounds for accuracy, but other than that, I'm happy with my turret.

Welcome to the club!

I've got the 50th anniversary kit, and have been quite happy with it. It will do fine with both of those calibers, and a single stage is good for learning, working up loads, and for rifle loading in the long term. I've done a couple thousand rounds with mine, and am reloading more frequently and in larger numbers as time goes on. I started loading .223 in the past few months, and this kit is perfect for the rifle reloading process.

As mentioned, the zip trim makes a good addition to this kit (just get the rod for your rifle caliber), and you'll need to get a set of precision calipers as well. You'll want to get a tumbler and media, and loading trays are very handy to have around.

If I have ZERO experience reloading. Do the kits come with all instructions as to how to get started or is it something that I would need to learn from someone before trying myself?

JDRFL1 wrote:If I have ZERO experience reloading. Do the kits come with all instructions as to how to get started or is it something that I would need to learn from someone before trying myself?

I had the same fears as you did, but there is a TON of online guidance. Let me suggest a few things:
1) You need a reloading book. I have the Lyman Raloading Handbook myself, but any up-to-date book will work (Lee, Hodgdon, etc.)
2) Join a reloading-oriented forum, like http://www.ammosmith.com(who also have fantastic videos on YouTube) and The Reloaders Guide/Cast Boolits ( http://castboolits.gunloads.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and http://reloaders.gunloads.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; )
3) Look for local reloaders, most are delighted to help a beginner, but be aware that most are a bit religious about their reloading equipment (especially those blue press guys ). I had to look up where Knippa was -- you might be able to find some reloading help locally or out toward San Antonio.
4) Don't panic :) Besides the components, you need a press, a scale, and calipers to start. Oh, um, a bullet puller is probably also a wise investment

I watched videos like this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM54KBOf4IY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;) for days on end, much to my wife's befuddlement. I'm the type that will study all the options/angles/etc before making a big purchasing decision. I had some good help from people on this forum, but in the end I managed to make nice bullets from start to finish on my own, and didn't even kill myself when I shot them

JDRFL1 wrote:If I have ZERO experience reloading. Do the kits come with all instructions as to how to get started or is it something that I would need to learn from someone before trying myself?

The anniversary kit is about 95% there. I also got some calipers, a tumbler and media separator kit and dies for my calipers. Still very cheap. All the info is there and the internet is a wealth of knowledge.

Not to sound ignorant but I have never even considered reloading until I found this topic today and started thinking about all the money I spend on ammo, so I have never even priced the equipment. What kind of startup costs would I be looking at and is it really that cost effective to do?

Thanks so much for all of the useful info.