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Hi all- great forum, iv said hi, but am looking for some advice if possible.

Now I’m looking at obtaining my fac in a few months time, obviously if I reload it will eventually work out cheaper in the long run if I invest in some decent equipment to reload myself.
I’m thinking of going for a .223/5.56 and a 9mm or a .38/357 this time but if I can afford it I may look at .308/7.62 in the future with a variation, but for now can anyone help a newbie out in terms of equipment to reload .223 and 9mm and.38/357, from scratch to finish? Looking on different videos there’s so much out there in terms of presses/tumble/ovens I’m lost and worried I’ll need 6 numbers on the lottery to afford it.

I have a work bench already, what else will I need and would I be able to get a rig set up with a budget of 350?

Thanks all

If you're on a budget, Lee Anniversary kit is the way to go. It is around £150 and will contain all the equipment you need to get started. The single stage will do you good for now, there's no point in going straight to a progressive load as they are a bit more complex to set up and get going, which can be frustrating as a newbie who isn't quite sure what they're doing. That press will be capable of loading all the calibres you've listed.

If you can afford to push the boat out, the RCBS Rockchucker press kit is also good value for money at around £370. I personally have this kit and have been using it for the past 8 years to load 7 calibres. The press is extremely solid and robust, and the uniflow powder hopper and scales are a good combination.

https://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/le ... ersary-kit

https://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/rc ... master-kit

You'll need to factor in the cost of reloading dies and shell holders for each calibre. I'd reccomend the use of carbide resizing dies for 9mm and 38/357 as it takes one step out of the reloading process (cleaning the resizing lube from cases). You will also need a set of calipers, analog or digital, it matters not so long as you can read them. This will allow you to measure the length of your cases and your loaded rounds, it is an essential piece of kit.

Don't forget to save money for the components (primers, powder, brass, bullets and storage boxes to keep them in) as that can add up in price quite quickly.

This subject keeps coming up. Its been covered dozens of times do a forum search.

WelshShooter wrote:If you're on a budget, Lee Anniversary kit is the way to go. It is around £150 and will contain all the equipment you need to get started. The single stage will do you good for now, there's no point in going straight to a progressive load as they are a bit more complex to set up and get going, which can be frustrating as a newbie who isn't quite sure what they're doing. That press will be capable of loading all the calibres you've listed.

If you can afford to push the boat out, the RCBS Rockchucker press kit is also good value for money at around £370. I personally have this kit and have been using it for the past 8 years to load 7 calibres. The press is extremely solid and robust, and the uniflow powder hopper and scales are a good combination.

https://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/le ... ersary-kit

https://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/rc ... master-kit

You'll need to factor in the cost of reloading dies and shell holders for each calibre. I'd reccomend the use of carbide resizing dies for 9mm and 38/357 as it takes one step out of the reloading process (cleaning the resizing lube from cases). You will also need a set of calipers, analog or digital, it matters not so long as you can read them. This will allow you to measure the length of your cases and your loaded rounds, it is an essential piece of kit.

Don't forget to save money for the components (primers, powder, brass, bullets and storage boxes to keep them in) as that can add up in price quite quickly.

Perfect- the Lee would be better- more change for the rest- I’m not including brass/primers/lead/mounds/ stove in my budget yet, I wanted to get the press, dies and anything else I would need once I have all components at the ready if you get what I mean [THUMBS UP SIGN]


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The Lee Anniversary kit is rubbish if you are serious about re loading don't waste your money.

A search will be helpful for you and there is an appropriate sticky at the top of this forum.

Handloading will not save you any money but you will shoot more.

I would avoid getting a reloading kit as no manufacturer is good at making everything, for example the Lee scales are complete rubbish and you should not trust your handloads to them.

The Lee Classic Cast press is still the best buy out there but I would avoid their other single stations for regular use as the wear out quickly.

Get a decent set of beam scales do not rely on digital. Second hand RCBS 5-0-1 are 5-0-5 scales are worth looking out for.

Shopping second hand will keep the cost down and get you more for your money in quality and appropriateness..

For starting scales, press and dies plus components will get you going and start you on the learning curve.

Oven?????

I agree with Dromia. Generalizations are silly: Lee do make some rubbish but some of their products are superb. There have been several RCBS 505 scales on E Bay recently and I would say that this is the place to start looking. There are also lots of die sets up there. What you really need to get into reloading is a mentor. A friend who can show you how and advise on equipment at a detail level is worth his weight in safe ammunition.
Fred

As above really, the Lee O ring presses are very good, the cast version being excellent value.

Also the older Perfect Powder Measure, very accurate and well under £30.

As said the scales aren't great and the newer priming tool is also pants.

Their case length gauges combined with one of their ball cutters and an electric drill make short (pun intended) work of case trimming.

When I started reloading, I found it easier to learn on the straight wall pistol cases first before going in to reloading for .308 and .223 later. I would recommend you buy some ready made .223 ammunition first, with brass you can reuse easily and keep it. For instance PPU would be ok for you, and the brass can easily be reused. If you go for GGG .223 you'll need to have an extra step to your reloading, which is reaming or swaging the primer pockets as the primers are crimped in.

Don't forget you'll also need something to clean the brass with. And a good reloading manual. And as someone else has already mentioned, a good mentor who can help you set up your dies and give you some pointers.

Thanks all- sorry about the search but I did have a look but wasn’t able to find anything.

So guess the next step really would be to find a mentor in my area, wouldn’t mind spending some time going through the motions- I’m an engineer by blood and trade so don’t have a problem with the actions- it’s just the sequence I need to learn and proper technique.

And to stay away from the lee kit originally mentioned?


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