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gun_runner
I just started reloading last night. I bought the lee anniversary kit and the problem i have is when i seat the round i seat it in too far. i dont know when to stop applying pressure to the lever. Can anyone help me out. BTW i'm reloading 45 acp
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11 comments

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  • gun_runner
    I have never reloaded, but am interested in doing so. I was given a RCBS Green Machine that has .357 dies in it. I have read a little about this machine and am confused. Is this machine set for only that caliber and can't be changed. If so is it worth anything if I sell it to get other reloader?

    Thanks,
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  • warcrob
    Start here www.midwayusa.com

    If you ain't got a sense of humor you got no business bein here!
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  • gun_runner
    I just got done looking at midways products. I still dont have any idea what I need. I want everthing so I can start reloading the night I get my kit. Sorry, In this case, Im stupified.

    Thanks

    Larry
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  • kuhlewulf
    First of all that is just a Lee aniv. kit that you can walk into your local sporting goods store and buy for the same price or less and spare the shipping. I have the same one I use for my 45 acp target loads. WARCROB has steered you perfectly, allow me to mark the target with precision http://www.midwayusa.com/rewriteaproduct/149097
    and its on sale to boot.If you really plan on getting into this and especially if you shoot more than one caliber and want to reload all of them then seriously look at some of the dillon products. They are top notch, have a lifetime "no B.S." warranty, and hold their value. I live just down the road from the Dillon factory. Good folks. [;)]

    James

    Whats next? A ban on automatic transmissions?
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  • gun_runner
    I went to the dllon sight, they seem to have alot of good machines. Which one would you suggest for reloading a 30-30 and a 45 and a 12 gauge? Just curious.

    Thanks


    Larry
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  • Der Gebirgsjager
    I'd suggest that you start by buying a couple of books on reloading. If you read them carefully you'll probably come away with a pretty good idea of what you need to buy, and what brands the authors favor. Most reloading manuals have a fairly extensive "how-to" section with photos. After your initial equipment investment you'll probably find other small things that you need, but it's best to acquire these as you go, rather than buying a bunch of stuff ahead of time in anticipation.
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  • allechalley
    I'm a novice on the handgun/rifle end of reloading, but for shotgun, by far your best bet is to start with a MEC 600jr. It will probably be the best to reload with and make it simple to boot. They also have progressives, but you need to learn to walk before you run. Besides, until 10 years ago, most people still used their 600jr's to crank out cases of reloads. We just didn't have a much better way and just didn't know any better. New they are around a 100 bucks. At gun shows I've bought'em for $30 or $35 used.
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  • mpolans
    I don't know of any press that will reload 30-30, 45 and 12 gauge. If you want to do 30-30 and 45, I'd suggest a Dillon 550 or 650. The big difference between the two is, the 650 automatically indexes (turns) every time you work the handle. The 550 you have to manually turn to the next round; this isn't a big deal, and some people prefer it. I HIGHLY recommend Dillon presses. Mike Dillon is a guy who stands by his products. His no b.s. lifetime warranty and great customer service are things more companies should be doing.

    For shotgun, Mecs as someone mentioned, are the way to go.

    quote:Originally posted by gun_runner
    I went to the dllon sight, they seem to have alot of good machines. Which one would you suggest for reloading a 30-30 and a 45 and a 12 gauge? Just curious.

    Thanks


    Larry
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  • Iconoclast
    g_r, the bulk of this reply is a boilerplate I've developed in answering similar threads over the past several years (this question is posed regularly). Your first purchase should be a manual, which you should read most attentively before doing anything else. Second point, with a few exceptions of some long obsolete products, you will not be able to load both metallic ammo and shotshells with the same equipment. Unless you shoot a *LOT* of shotshells, skip that idea. IME, the savings are less, the inventory of components higher and you can find shotshells on sale in bulk without much trouble. For the rest, see the following boilerplate.

    Unless you are absolutely *certain* you will load an enormous amount of handgun ammo, there is no reason to invest in the far more expensive progressive loaders at this time. I loaded 100s of K rounds of pistol / rifle ammo on two RCBS single stage presses over the past 30 +/- years - I wore one of them out, in fact, but it took 20+ years to do it. A single stage press is simple, easy, and once you are familiar with the process, you can load 100+ rounds an hour outside of time spent cleaning brass &/or trimming it if needed. My vehement opinion is that there are only two companies worth considering: RCBS for single stage equipment and Dillon for progressives. Their products are absolutely top shelf, their customer service even better. You can load virtually *any* metallic cartridge on the single stage press - even a .50 BMG with special adaptor tooling. You can form brass from caliber A to obsolete (or very expensive) caliber B. Personally, I don't find I gain very much trying to load rifle ammo on a progressive, but straight wall pistol ammo . . . 500 to 1000 an hour, for sure.

    You will need auxiliary equipment such as a powder scale, etc. RCBS puts together a basic package deal which is a good starting point. At some point, you may decide you want a digital scale & other more sophisticated items, but don't invest until you actually feel the need.

    Two best references: NRA Guide to Reloading and the Lyman Metallic Cartridge Reloading Manual. I have many others, but I find I *always* consult the Lyman *first* and then, sometimes, look elsewhere. The great thing about Lyman is that they are not beholden to a particular line of bullets or powder as are the publishers of other manuals, so there are a variety of combinations, including lead bullet loads, across the entire spectrum of possibilities for most all 'normal' calibers - obviously, loads for .600 Nitro Express and the like are not covered.

    Absolutely essential - IMCO - are a good set of calipers and, ideally, a good 0 - 1.000" micrometer. But the calipers for sure. Don't go cheap on this. Good measuring tools will pay for themselves many times over and properly maintained will last practically forever. I still have the verniers I bought when I started and the mic I bought a few years later. I'm sure I've used both 20,000 times ('Course, I measure a lot of collector ammo, also). Note - you can often find quality used tools; both of mine came from machinists moving up to digital tools, both had been used for a good five years in machine shops before I bought them and, like I said, they are still going strong. If you are in the bifocal generation, I'd invest in digital tools; I will have to do that soon.

    Now here's the truth: don't plan to save money! Plan to shoot many more rounds for the same cost while taking pride in the knowledge that you "rolled your own!" You *may* be the exception, but 95+% of the people I know who reload don't reduce their overall outlays, they just shoot two to ten times more ammo.

    Good luck - have fun - and if there's ever anything I can do to help you, please drop me a direct eml or post here.
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  • snowtigger
    Iconoclast has some good advice. I use a Dillon 550 for handgun, but i find myself loading for my rifles with a Redding single stage. RCBS has a kit for getting started.



    Rock Chuckerr Supreme Press The most popular reloading press just got better. The Rock Chucker Supreme press has been lengthened to allow easy leading of today's longer cartridge designs and renamed the Rock Chucker Supreme. With the same easy operation, ambidextrous handle, outstanding strength and versatility, a Rock Chucker Supreme is ideal for beginner and pro alike. It can also be upgraded to a progressive


    Rock Chuckerr Master Reloading Kit
    We've taken the new benchmark of single stage presses and surrounded it with everything you need (except for dies and shell holders) to start reloading like a pro. A simple solution for beginner and pro alike, it's easily upgraded to progressive operation with the optional Piggyback 4. The Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit includes:

    * New Rock Chucker Supreme press with larger window opening to accommodate large magnum cartridges. New Toggle Block with ambidextrous handle. Improved spent primer containment to eliminate spent primers on floor.
    * Ohaus 5-0-5 scale
    * Hand Priming Tool for fast safe & convenient priming.
    * Uniflow Powder Measure
    * Speer #13 reloading manual
    * Case loading block
    * Case Lube Kit
    * Primer Tray
    * Powder Funnel
    * Deburring tool

    09357 RC Supreme Master Reloading Kit

    Other than a good caliper and dies, this kit has everything you need to get started.
    Oh, he's right about saving money. I don't save anything, but reloading allows me to shoot 300-400 rounds through my 44's a week.
    I also load for a couple obsolete caliber rifles. They would be wallhangers without it.

    It ain't what you shoot, it's what you hit.
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  • gun_runner
    Thanks for all your advice. I will read up on the subject. I know more now than I did, thats for sure.

    Thanks


    Larry
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