TxStorm

Okay, gents, following Mossy ever so handy sticky I think I have my shopping list constructed finally. It pretty much a wait game on direct deposit from tax returns now so I have time to mod the list. I plan on road-tripping my way to Cabela's in Ft. Worth (80mile trip 1 way) since they do sell components also. Wanting to avoid HazMat charges and allows wife to visit some relatives while I play Kid in Candy Store. She can just stick a PB&J sandwich in my pocket and I'm good for least 4 or 5 hours. Other then the obvious things like safety glasses, reloading bench and components, can anyone see anything a starting reloader would need?

Lee Deluxe Turret Press Reloading Kit $79.99
Includes:
Turret Press
Auto Disk Powder Measure
Lee Safety Scale
primer pocket cleaner
cutter and lockstud
chamfer tool
Lee Replacement Turrets
1- 3-hole $6.99

Lee Universal Shell Holder Set $14.99
Lee Auto Prime W/ Shell Holder Set $22.99
Lee Deluxe Rifle Sizing Die Sets:
.30-06 Springfield $24.99
.243 Winchester $24.99*
Cabela's Electronic Caliper $27.99
RCBS Universal Load Blocks (2) $15.98
Cabela's Bullet Puller $14.99
Hornady Powder Trickler $8.99
Cabela's 50 Round Ammo Boxes (4pk) $6.99
Cabela's 20 Rd Slip Top Boxes(4pk) $4.59
Nosler Reloading Manual No. 6 $19.99
Loadbooks USA
.243 $6.99
.30-06 $6.99
Lee Modern Reloading Manual-2nd Ed $13.99
Total $302.43


I've got about a $400 budget here since I intend on picking up another rifle w/scopeand a Ruger P95 somewhere along the way. I decided turret press as it just strikes me as a bit more convenient to setupa die set/turret per caliber and just swap turrets when switching calibers. I've got a Hornady book now along with ABC's of Reloading 7th ed. that I've been reading up on.
Oh, asterisk is by the .243 dies because I haven't decided .243 or 7mm-08 on the new rifle.

Dan in Alaska

I would modify your list a bit by getting better equipment (RCBS Rockchucker kit) and eliminating some of the redundant stuff, like extra loading manuals. LOTS of loading data is available online or in the "freebie" powder manufacturer's pamphlets. Extra manuals are nice, but not necessary.

You will end up spending a little more money on equipment by going with the RCBS stuff, but in the long run I am willing to bet you will be much happier with your purchase. I would also recommend RCBS or Redding dies over the Lee dies. In fact, RCBS rifle dies are the same price you quoted for the Lee dies - $25. And, I like the MTM loading blocks better than the RCBS models.

Here's what I would do:
RCBS Rockchucker Master kit $259
2 sets of RCBS dies $50
LEE Universal shell holder set $15
Caliper $28
MTM Loading blocks $16
Bullet Puller $15
Powder Trickler $9
Plastic ammo boxes $12

Total: $404


Other comments:
I don't know that a turret press is a big deal vs. a single stage for reloading rifle cartridges. There's only two dies, and changing them isn't a big deal. I am not familiar with the Lee press, but I do know that the Rockchucker press will last you a lifetime. The other components that come in the RCBS kit are FAR BETTER quality than the Lee stuff, especially the powder measure and scale.

Bottom line: It's YOUR money. Feel free to spend it how you wish. Your list has everything you'd need to start reloading. I only made suggestions as to what I would to do to get the best value for MY money. I would rather buy quality stuff the first time around rather than replacing or upgrading them later.

HighDesertWolf

Looks good to me the only thing if you are dead set on a turret press I suggest that you get the classic turret press kit instead. I know you are on a budget but the classic turret would be a much better investment in the long run, the base and handle of the deluxe turret are cast aluminum and the linkage is stamped steel just not made to last IMO. The only down side to the classic turret kit is that it doesnt come with the cutter and lock stud and chamfer tool but you can have them for 5 bucks. also dont forget the caliber specific case trimmer/gauge that is needed to trim cases with the cutter and lock stud.

you dont really need the universal shell holder set where if you use lee dies they come with the shell holder for the caliber. Also dont forget case lube, I reccomend rcbs' case lube kit its 16.99 at cabelas. you could also do away with the nosler book its not a necissary book for a beginner, Lymans load book or speers are truly better books for beginners. the nosler book doesnt have much of basic info you will need to learn the ropes of reloading. speer and lyman books go into great detail and are full of info a beginer really needs.

You should also consider a case tumbler and use with a good case polish and corn cob media. otherwise you will be cleaning caes by hand and honestly its a PITA. hope this helps Im sure if I forgot anything someone else will catch it.

TxStorm

No, I'm not married to the turret idea, being doing a bit of flip-flop between it and the Lee Anniversary kit, which is also at Cabela's. If I mod my list to adjust for it, I actually come out about $72 cheaper which then I could use for their tumbler kit @ $56. Thanks for the info on the manuals! I'll adjust accordingly, as well as the lube, thought I had it on there. Thanks for the RCBS vote, but think I'll just have to learn the hard way whether or not Lee will get me going well. Too many people seem to like it vs those that don't and it IS the most cost effective way to get started, I believe. Also, out of that $400 budget, I still have to get some starter components, i.e. powder, bullets, primers etc.

The semi-local (25 miles)gun shop carries a bunch of reloading items and even offers "free" lessons to teach you how to use it AFTER you spend $500 min on what HE says you need, which is RBCS on everything, "Lee is total garbage" and "Dillion isn't worth their prices". Yet he sells Lee and keeps a nice supply of their stuff. Go figure, but I try to avoid him except when I need his 200 yd range.

Briman

If you are planning on rifle reloading, ditch the Lee turret and get a Lee Classic Cast press instead. If you really need a Turret, get the Lee Classic Cast Turret. The standard lee turret press is more or less for pistol reloading.
The Lee Cast single stage press is every bit as good as a RCBS rockchucker at 1/2 the price.

I agree with others about the Lee shellholder kit. If you reload standard boring cartridges based on the .308 or 30-06 case, or even .45 ACP you only need 1 shellholder, I reload for 8 different cartridges and only need a different shellholder for rimmed cartridges (.303 [email protected]) and 9mm.
A powder trickler is an unneeded expense IMHO, I just use a spoon and a steady hand to trickle powder.
Bullet pullers aren't really needed either- you would have to make an awful lot of mistakes in order to justify the expense of one. A pair of sidecutters gripping the bullet at the top of the press with a downward motion of a ram will do the samething- it will mar the bullet but it will still be usable as a plinking bullet.
-->one expense that I could justify jsut because it makes life so much easier is Imperial sizing die wax. Its betyter than anythign else out there for lubing your cases. touch your fingers on the wax, rub it on the case body and neckand use a q-tip to apply a little to the casemouth-a little goes a lonnnnng way.




I'd say that RCBS isn't worth their prices a lotof times, Lee does turn out some garbage but a lot of their stuff is outstanding, and Dillon is worth the price. I would avoid the guy, and find someone in your area that reloads to teach you. You can order equipment from MidwayUSA for lower prices than in most stores once you figure out what you need. There is a Cabela's store 5 minutes from my house- I never buy anything there related to reloading- its WAYYYYY overpriced, but tis nice to windowshop there, the only store I can reccommend is a Sportsmans Warehouse.

Briman

The lee challenger pres is not a 'great' press but it will work to get you started on. If you find that you don't like reloading, you aren't out too much money, if you stick with it, you can use the press as stand for your powder measure, or other light duty work like decapping or bullet seating. I currently have a Lee C-frame press as a 2nd press- not because its a good press, but because its cheaper than an RCBS powder measure stand and can do more things for me than the overpriced RCBS powder stand could do.

mossy33oak

I use an empty film canister, you can tap it like a salt shaker and get a little or alot.


I have to disagree with this statement. I have used my hammer puller so often because I made ALOT of mistakes when I started out. I would load 6-10 of a certain load and the first 5 would shoot like crap so Id pull them. Or didnt have my seating die adjusted right and needed then too. I would get one!

Briman

You domake a good point, I have a bin full of 'bastard' cartridges and another of dummy rounds. I usually take my 'bastards' out to the range with me for a fouling shot, or to do other shooting where accuracy isn't needed- like shooting the halloween pumpkinsWhenever I reload with a new cartridge or a new bullet, I size a piece of brass and carefully seat a bullet to the OAL that I'm looking for, then mark it with a sharpie as to what it is. I've also made up 5 or more dummies up at a time to check if a certain rifle will cycle a round loaded with a certain bullet- mauser 98s can be very finnicky with feeding anything but a spitzer bullet- you just don't know until you try. I probably have 30 or so dummies made up in various cartridges- maybe I'll use them to make keychains or something out of someday

kelbro

The convenience of a tumbler will outweigh that of a turret press in a very short time.

My personal preference is RCBS and Redding equipment but I can't knock any of the other makers as I have been using most of my RCBS stuff for over 30 yrs. Never needed to try the others LOL.

On your other decision, good luck! I love the .243 but I have been wanting to try a 7-08 for quite a while. Tough choice.

thndrchiken

About the only thing I can add to your list is to buy a higher quality scale, like a Lyman 505. The Lee Safety Scale really leaves a lot to be desired. I wouldn't worry about the shell holder kit, Lee dies come with shell holders. Definitely get a tumbler and if your really only planning on loading for rifle than I also recommend the single stage press. Contrary to what most on the board will tell you, Lee makes a quality product at an affordable price, are they the highest quality, no but plenty good for starting out with. After you've been loading for a while you see what works for you and what don't. I started with a Lee turret press kit purchased off of Ebay. While I have upgraded many things I still use my Lee for loading pistol regularly. Don't even bother using the autodisk for rifle charges. As far as a manual goes there are so many, I'd suggest the Speer or Lyman manuals, they tend to give load data for more powders than the others, or like you said the USA load books include data from most of the bullet/powder manufacturers but the data is somewhat dated. If your on that tight of a budget I'd suggest ordering from the website, cause once your in there you'll want to spend much more. Then again the deer room is worth the trip alone. As long as your not ordering powder/primers you don't pay a hazmat fee with shipping. I'd suggest get your shopping list finalized and then comparison shop Cabelas, Midway, etc.