G&G

I've been reloading for a little less than a year now. I couldn't afford a Dillon & couldn't justify spending that much money as a newbie. I got a Lee Classic Turret Press and have been very satisfied with it. I shoot 9mm at IDPA once a week.

I got the press through Kempf Gun Shop. Here's the link:

http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products.../KempfKit.html

Sue Kempf is extremely helpful and will answer all of your questions so you can get set up in the right system.

It's a quality product and an affordable way to get into reloading.

__________________
Be ready. You can't make an appointment for an emergency.

Ghuqu2

OK, I'm going to get (with wife approval of course ) a lee classic turret kit from Kempf's. Do I need the optional powder pro measurer, is it better than the Autodisk? How about a scale? I figure other than the 38/357 kit I'll get:
Pocket cleaner
chamfer tool
lock stud & cutter
9mm, 38, 357 case length gauges
Universal Decapping die
9mm crimp die (for my lee 3die set)
caliper (probably get a digital one)

Anything else I'm missing?
Also, any problem using the cheap rock tumbler (~$25) at Hobby Lobby to clean cases? Is there a better/ cheaper option?

Thanks everyone for the info. Also special thanks for the video. It has help a lot, especially because several others were linked to it about different presses and functions.

Tubby45

The Auto Disk Pro upgrade is nicer and more user friendly. I use one with my LCT.

Forget the primer pocket cleaner and chamfer tool for pistol. Waste of time and not needed. For rifle, yes.

Also forget the cutter, lockstud, case length gauges. You won't ever trim pistol. It will split or wear out before you need to trim it.

The Lee crimp die is good. Universal decapping die just removes the spent primer and doesn't size it. It can be usefull for some rifle, like if you are processing military brass and need to swage the pocket to remove the military primer crimp.

Here are my recommendations:
Scrap everything else and get the LCT kit from Kempf's gunshop with the upgrade to the Auto Disk Pro, the Priming system upgrade (so you will have both the large and small primer feeds for when you do 30-06 and 303 Brit that use a large primer), and then go to AutoZone or Car Quest and get their digital calipers for $15. I have a Car Quest set and they work well.

Get a decent scale. The Lee is different than the rest. The beam scales should run $40-50, electronic double that. You will need an extra turret for each caliber. Makes life easier. Just swap the turret out to change dies.

Tumbler isn't necessary to start out. I used Dawn dishsoap for a few minutes letting the brass soak and then rinse and dry on a towel overnight. The best tumbler kit is from Cabela's and is the Cabela's brand tumbler. Berry's Mfg makes it for Cabela's.

1911NM

No comments about the hair Tubby, since mine has long left any place I really want hair to grow from.

Hope you enjoy your new press and reloading. It does get addictive, and this is a great place to come with questions, or relate your own experience.

__________________
NRA, USPSA SS & Lim-10
Blessed are they who, faced with danger, think only of the front sight. J. Cooper

45Dave

I understand you have a budget...keep your eyes open for used gear. Now and then you can find some great buys out there. A shame you can not go Dillion, now if you can find a good used one it is well worth it. consider I had one completely rebuilt...total cost..was 30 dollars to ship.

Jeff F

I don't see where your getting 1k for a Dillon. RL550 will be less than $400 with one caliber conversion. I guess it really comes down to how much you want to shoot compared to how much time you want to spend loading. The wife and I get a whole lot more practice time in with the Dillon than we ever got loading with anything else. Worth every penny spent on it and then some. I spend enough time at the loading bench for my black powder cartridge rifles and don't need extra time for all the pistols I guess.

__________________
"Those who would give up essential liberties for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty or safety" -Benjamin Franklin-

Rossman

I am surprised there aren't more Dillon presses mention in this thread.

__________________
Rossman
Colt 1911, XD 40,
http://www.newsbusters.org/
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/...stria-Iran.php
http://www.soldiersangels.org/[url]
I'm a bitter American clinging to his guns and religion.

gbryant

I use an RCBS 2000 and a Rock chucker single stage. I like to clean then size, deprime and reprime my cases in advance. When I reload (pistol) I use the RCBS 2000 5 stage....
1. Expand die
2. Powder
3. Lock out die
4. Seat die
5. Crimp die

Tubby45

The OP is on a tight budget that does not allow for a Dillon press. If he were to go for a progressive I'd recommend the 550 first. We are trying to stay budget friendly and get him setup, hence the Lee Classic Turret press. I have both.

We are just trying to get him loading for the least amount of money practical.

johnnyrigger

I am also getting into reloading but i have about a $1000.00 to get all setup to include all materials. I have belt a reloading bench that is 5'x3'x38" tall the top is 2" thick. so do you think i should get the strong mount or not? i am also 5'9. i am thinking about the Dillon 550b. the only thing i have the a lyman, and a speer book. I have read the ABC's. I will be reloading .45 acp, .40 sw, and 9mmp. what do i need? I have talked to Tubby a little and he has some good prices but i can not find him online for a store or anything. the only thing have a problem with is sending some one $500-$700 bucks and not knowing where it is going. Tubby I dont mean to upset anyone off hear so i hope everyone under stands were i am coming from.