Reloading Information

[10-8XDs]

Originally Posted by rogerxd45

i bought a lee aniversery kit for $60-70
its a single stage but its a great on to learn on and to find out if reloading is for you

+1 on that. Until you get some level of experience, I would stay with a single stage.

Mike

[budashoots]

I recently began to reload for my 218 bee and I am getting ready to load forty five on a progressive press. The money I saved reloading the 218 bee was about 2/3 the cost . I was very confused about how to set up the lee 1000 progressive press I bought and as to which dies did what. Short story I was lost.
Along came a friend and Presented me with a Lee Reloader Press. I began to load the 218 Bee with this press And soon figured out what each dies functions were. This is a single stag press and cost is about $ 25.00. It will not last for years and years loading 45 cal. but it will give you a better understanding of the process of loading a round at a very reasonable cost.
Also in response to other post in this thread I have had no problems with any lee Products I own, and calling the company has always left me with either the info I want or the correct Product on the way to my house.
Have A Blast reloading and do Take your time to read all the info you can get your hands on. It will not only give you the Knowledge you seek but will allow you to load safely. The later being first rule.

[dsr30]

Originally Posted by ForTehNguyen

what would be a rough estimate of primer, powder, brass, bullet costs for .223. Seeing that .223 easily costs 35-40 cents/round, probably start saving a lot. 9mm for my XD is still real cheap (17.5 cents/round) so doesnt seem to viable to reload that. Probably be about 3 of us that have .223 rifles

You'll save money reloading .223 & 9mm. I'll post a link for a reloading cost calculator. When I reload my first k of .223 it'll be cheaper than buying it commercially and that includes the cost of the press, table I built and all the components. So after that I'll be saving on everything.

The calculator:
Handloading Cost Calculator

[VermontXD40]

Thanks for the calculator is a lot faster than the formula I made for my loads.

[Leastbay]

who has the cheapest .40 bullets? looking at 180 grain bullets, what powder and amount would be good?

[KEVWYO]

Originally Posted by speedracer211

You have to swage .223 brass and trim it. Dillon sells a machine to swage it for a little over $100. So what I am saying is 223 if much more time consuming and requires additional equipment to reload comparing it to loading pistol ammo.
YouTube - Dillon Super Swage 600 Operation 1 of 2

Why was the guy wearing gloves? Anyway, I just bought a little counter-sink type bit and put it in my drill for the primer pocket step. That was just a couple bucks versus I'm guessing a whole lot more for that little do-hickey thing that guy in the video was using. Lee sells a little zip trim device that works pretty well for trimming brass. Fairly robust for being mostly plastic. I've trimmed thousands of 223 brass and am only on my second zip trim.

[KEVWYO]

Originally Posted by 10-8XDs

+1 on that. Until you get some level of experience, I would stay with a single stage.

Mike

The turret press is a great place for even a total novice to begin reloading. Just follow the directions, make sure each die is properly placed to do it's job, and go slow initially (you have to .... you can only do one round at a time anyways). I know some might disagree but the only reason I can think of for a single stage press is for decapping of rifle brass. Honestly, a novice can easily get up and running on a Lee turret press. The Lee website has lots of how to video's. If I can do it ANYONE and I do mean anyone can figure it out!

[LMychajluk]

Can someone point out the difference between the Lee Classic and Lee Turret presses?

I'm thinking of getting into reloading, and would want to reload .40, .223, and maybe 7.62/30-06 somewhere down the line. If I jump into this, I'd rather spend a little more up front to get a setup flexible enough to do all the calibers that I may shoot. I don't think I'll be shooting / loading enough to warrant a progressive press, and the Lee turret system seems like a good compromise.

Oh, btw, how does the turret press work w/ removing primers?

Edit - nevermind about the second question. I just watched the video again and realized that it's pushed out when the brass is re-sized in the first step.

[speedracer211]

There is a website I read before that has all the differences listed but the basics are the classic will allow longer rifle cases, has a more robust handle and ram. If I had to do it again that is the one I would have got. Dont forget the turret press can be converted into single stage in 30 seconds or less.

[xdmikey]

Leastbay: I use Ranier 180s for my 40 ca. service & tac w/power pistol powder. it shoots well, meters well and can be used in 45Super as well as 9mm.
ForTehNguyen: I reload everything i shoot. if you don't want to load 9mm, then save the brass. you can trade it or load after the prices escalate. what part of houston are you in/where do you shoot? i'm in cypress so if you got in a situation/didn't understand something we can get together and figure it out.
michael