Most efficient/economical press for $200

[JTQ911]

I've read a ton of information about beginning reloading but the options are overwhelming. What is everyones favorite reloading setup in the 200-300 dollar range that will allow me to reload 400-600 rounds a month of mostly pistol cartridges. Is it possible for me to get a complete setup with all the tools I need for one caliber for that price? Thanks for the help everyone.

Jim

[Dave Starr]

Lee Classic turret press. I got a kit from Kempfgunshop.com that included everything but a scale for well under $200.00. I loaded 100 rounds of 45ACP in 40 minutes today. Excellent equipment, excellent results.

[mulletmaster]

Originally Posted by Dave Starr

Lee Classic turret press

x2

[EricCartmann]

I don't know about turret pressess. Seems kinda like a waste to me, pull the lever 5 times to do 5 different things. While a progressive press you pull the lever 1 time to do 5 different things.

If you don't want a progressive press then just get a single stage press, pull the lever 1 time to do 1 thing.

[nmscuba]

Dillion presses rock. I have had 2 of them over the years and now use a 650 model.

Which ever model you buy it comes with everything you need for the press to load one specific caliber. As for scales, tumbers etc thats all on your own from them

RCBS sells kits with everything you need but its a single stage press and will take forever to reload 1000 rounds.

My dillion does 600 rounds an hour

[RobFMJ]

If youre trying to handload on the cheap, get a single stage (RCBS).

[muscles]

i bought a lee pro 1000 new set up for 45 acp a couple years ago...thousands of rounds later and its been great. takes a bit of time to get it set up properly. only $139 and its progressive! MidwayUSA - Lee Pro 1000 Progressive Press Kit 45 ACP

[Salilus]

Originally Posted by muscles

i bought a lee pro 1000 new set up for 45 acp a couple years ago...thousands of rounds later and its been great. takes a bit of time to get it set up properly. only $139 and its progressive! MidwayUSA - Lee Pro 1000 Progressive Press Kit 45 ACP

I have the Lee pro 1000 also. Its not the best, but it produces and thats what I am looking for. There are a couple of little quirks (sp?) that is has but after you learn them, and how to fix it easily it will run fine. Mine probably has ~4000 since Aug of last year ish and still cookin.


For 140 all is left to buy are calipers, scale, bullets, brass, primers, powder, and a good manual or two. Thats it!

[propellerhead]

Originally Posted by Salilus

I have the Lee pro 1000 also. Its not the best, but it produces and thats what I am looking for. There are a couple of little quirks (sp?) that is has but after you learn them, and how to fix it easily it will run fine. Mine probably has ~4000 since Aug of last year ish and still cookin.


For 140 all is left to buy are calipers, scale, bullets, brass, primers, powder, and a good manual or two. Thats it!

Should I tell your wife you have a fiancee?

M&P Compact 9mm (Fiancee's)

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by EricCartmann

I don't know about turret pressess. Seems kinda like a waste to me, pull the lever 5 times to do 5 different things. While a progressive press you pull the lever 1 time to do 5 different things.

If you don't want a progressive press then just get a single stage press, pull the lever 1 time to do 1 thing.

Eric, Eric, you are right, a progressive is certainly more efficient, but a single stage is the slowest way to handload anything. I don;t use a turret, but the Lee offers the benefit of leaving your dies setup & swaping tool heads. So sim. to a progressive, but slower, you do all of your steps to one round at a time, but in a progressive fashion. A single stage will get you 50rds/hr max., a turret can get you to 150rds/hr. Pretty big diff.
I'm not a big fan of Lee gear, but their turret press has merit for someon that only needs 500rds/mth & wants to load anyhting, rifle or pistol, more efficently than a single stage.