Getting Started Reloading

[jtkratzer]

Originally Posted by Chunky Monkey

I didn't see this one, unless I missed it. I just bought a Lee Classic Turret Die kit here about 2 weeks ago, I had a few questions before I ordered and Sue Kempf answered promptly. Great deal and shipping was fast! c Check it out.http://www.kempfgunshop.com/products.../KempfKit.html

so, with that right there, is my out of pocket cost for equipment to get started $144.95?

[jtkratzer]

bump ^^^^ - still looking for an answer...

[para_org]

Originally Posted by jtkratzer

bump ^^^^ - still looking for an answer...

Is your question; How much ? or just what you need ?

How much varies, but you should be paying about 10 cents or less per round when you buy powder, primers, and bullets (cast).

What you need has been amply covered in this thread concerning equipment and basic (renewable) supplies go, as far as I can tell, unless you have some more specific questions.

P.S.... The kit from kempfs should probably be upgraded with the PRO disk measure and the lever prime stuff. You will probably also want the kinetic bullet puller and a set of calipers and (if it were me) a digital scale for weighting the charges.

[opfor]

does anyone have any experience with the lee 45acp loadmaster kit?
its a progressive press that seems to come with everything you need (except a tumbler and scale) to reload 45 rnds--carbide dies and all--around 220 at cheaperthandirt

[para_org]

Originally Posted by opfor

does anyone have any experience with the lee 45acp loadmaster kit?
its a progressive press that seems to come with everything you need (except a tumbler and scale) to reload 45 rnds--carbide dies and all--around 220 at cheaperthandirt

I own and use a LoadMaster in .45 acp . I am, despite what some would tell you, easily able to load quality ammo with it. HOWEVER:

You will probably be BEST off buying a reconditioned one from Lee Precision directly. It will cost less and have been (hopefully) gone over a bit more throughly than the first time it left the factory. (ALL presses, regardless of whom makes them, are subject to the same kinds of machining issues when we pay less than $ 1500 for one. Just be sure to get one with the same warranty as the new one. Then you are getting a great price and a re-worked press !!)

Then when you get it take it apart and if required smooth all of the surfaces that cam against one another. And *only* break the edges of such "cam" surfaces if it would lead to binding. Then reassemble the press and get some time in running it.

IF you are comfortable with owning machinery that may require the occasional disassembly and diagnosis, I can easily recommend it to you as the instructions STINK, but the press is FINE. DIagnostic info is just a phone call away from the Lee factory techs as well. Parts are free for the two years too on the standard warranty.


Bottom line: great press, but since the instructions stink, you get to be the mechanic that gets it running. Not at all hard, but you DO need some mechanical aptitude.

[DNM]

I think OS has one also. I think when I first got my Lee Pro 1000 he was saying he had one and then moved up to the LoadMaster.

[opfor]

i twist wrenches for a living, so i can probably get it sorted out
it seems like a nice unit for the money and since all i want reload is 45 stuff, i might have to give it a try

[gunovice]

I'm just a newbie, but I've been loading .45, 38 special, .357, and 9 mm in a Loadmaster for a few months. It took attention to detail to make sure the bugs were worked out, but now it clicks along just fine.

[para_org]

P.S... Now that mine is running well, I just have to say that the case feeder and the case collator are wonderfully wicked. They just plain work !!

[Reno82]

Thanks for putting up all this information. I'm looking into reloading.