Lyman system

[RanchRoper]

OP, you **will** need a bullet puller of some kind, it's inevitable. You can get the kinetic (ie. hammer-type) or a collet-type, but you will need one along the way. Sooner or later, you will have a round that turns out wrong, for whatever reason. It could just be that you seated a bullet deeper than you want, and need to pull it back some so you can re-seat it. And then what will you do? It's not like you can just chuck them in the trash for the garbage man to dispose of. You will want to break those loads down, at the very least to render them harmless, and to save what you can to reuse later. I have been using the kinetic type for many, many years and have pulled hundreds of bullets without issue. There's really no way a round can detonate while using one, as the primer is not struck in any way.

Well ok....might get the bomb squad for those...

[bdbrown66]

It's really not a big deal, or anything to be worried about. Consider that ammo gets transported all around the world, even to combat zones. It's dropped, jostled, and handled roughly in all kinds of ways, and unless the primer is struck, it won't go off. Pulling a bullet via inertia or a collet die isn't going to do it, either. You are far, far more likely to injure yourself by not paying attention to what you are doing when reloading, throwing a double powder charge, not following a published load data, etc. than you ever will by pulling a bullet on a loaded round.

[RanchRoper]

Good to know. I am researching lots of stuff. Leaning towards a turret press. Progressive is too much for me to keep track of as beginner I think.

[bdbrown66]

Yes, either a good single-stage press or a decent turret press would be good. I started off with the RCBS Rockchucker kit way back in the 90's, and it's still going strong. I added the Lyman All-American turret press when they came out last year, in order to speed up some of the more high-volume loads that I do (.40, .223, etc.). I still use the RCBS for the lower-volume stuff, like my .45-70, .30-06, etc.

I know there are people who swear by the Lee presses/kits, but I can never get past the fact that they look and feel cheap by comparison to RCBS, Lyman, and Hornady. I have a couple of the Lee factory crimp dies, but the majority of my stuff is RCBS. Works very well, and is built to last. I'm very pleased with the Lyman turret press that I bought, as well. If I were looking to get started today, I would look at the various kits from RCBS or Lyman first, Hornady second, and Lee third. See what fits your budget and has the things you will need. Even better, if you have someone in your area that can give you some pointers first-hand.

At a minimum, you will need:

- A press, either single stage or turret
- Dies and shell-holders for whatever calibers you will reload (carbide sizer, for pistol calibers)
- Scale (either balance beam or digital)
- Powder dispenser
- A priming mechanism (often is part of the press)
- Case trimmer (not needed for auto pistol)
- Case lube mechanism (lube pad, spray, etc.)
- Dial caliper
- Reloading manuals (Read, and understand, what you are doing before you do it. It can be an enjoyable hobby, but it's up to you to make it a safe one. When in doubt...don't.)

Optional items:

- Tumbler & media for cleaning cases
- Powder trickler
- Bullet puller (either inertia or collet)

Good luck!

[JEBar]

Good to know. I am researching lots of stuff. Leaning towards a turret press. Progressive is too much for me to keep track of as beginner I think.

not a bad move ... for simplicity, I still favor a single stage press .... my brand of choice is RCBS but there are several good brands available .... any of which would serve you well

[ESquared]

The turret would definitely let you "set it and forget it," which sounds like your preference, and would truly be a "no brainer" as long as you load just the one caliber.

Using bdbrown's list above, you could really assemble your own kit, based on your own research. You can skip the trimmer, and I'd move case tumbler from "optional" to mandatory. You have to clean those cases somehow, or you'll score up the insides of your die in the resizing process.

This is one of those topics for which the advice will be endless and mind-boggling, so your biggest challenge is figuring out what works for you, even though you haven't actually done it. If you can find a reloader up there to shadow for a couple of hours, the tutorial would probably be worth a steak dinner!

[BigAl52]

RR
Don't let it over whelm you. If you need help Im glad to help you in anyway. Its really not all that difficult and I know you can handle it.

[RanchRoper]

Thanks for the feedback. Will let you know if/when/what.

[fortyshooter]

Had my Dillon 550B for several years now and seems to do a really good job from 38 Special on up to .45-70.
I found things go much smoother decapping brass and then cleaning plus priming with the RCBS hand primer.

[CT_Shooter]

I de-cap and prime my brass after tumbling, too. I have about two dozen boxes (of fifty) cleaned, resized, and primed pieces of brass ready to go. It makes reloading so much easier to just to have to flare, add powder, then seat and crimp the bullets. Done!

Had my Dillon 550B for several years now and seems to do a really good job from 38 Special on up to .45-70.
I found things go much smoother decapping brass and then cleaning plus priming with the RCBS hand primer.

[RanchRoper]

Lots to consider. I will only be doing 1 caliber with no need to change. 45 Colt is all I shoot. The Lee classic turret is priced right and looks like I can get completely set up tumbler, powder and all for around $700. Not bad. It's easy to keep looking and looking. All presses look ok. RCBS looks heavy duty for sure.

[ESquared]

I de-cap and prime my brass after tumbling, too. I have about two dozen boxes (of fifty) cleaned, resized, and primed pieces of brass ready to go. It makes reloading so much easier to just to have to flare, add powder, then seat and crimp the bullets. Done!

Had my Dillon 550B for several years now and seems to do a really good job from 38 Special on up to .45-70.
I found things go much smoother decapping brass and then cleaning plus priming with the RCBS hand primer.

It's so interesting how different folks handle the flow. I decap first, then tumble. Those may sit for a while, but, for me, the process is followed by sizing, flaring, deburring and chamfering. Then I prime and rack 'em as "ready for powder, bullets and crimping."

It may not be my "forever" way of doing it, but it works for me.

RR, don't get into these weeds too deeply. Start with the hardware, then figure out your "system." YouTube is your friend, at least for ideas!

[RanchRoper]

Appreciate all the info.
Might head to Calgary Cabelas at the end of the month and take a look at Lee and others.
Best deal on factory ammo is about 70 cents a round. I have a good inventory in my cabinet now. Just seems like all my brass could be put to good use.

[wingnut]

... I have a good inventory in my cabinet now. Just seems like all my brass could be put to good use.

Absolutely! Cases/brass is the most expensive component of loaded ammo. Mild or even semi-mild loadings will allow 15-20 reloadings.

However, reloading does not save you any $$$$. You just get to shoot 3-4 times as much.

[fortyshooter]

I have a friend who is also getting started in reloading. He is starting with a Lee progressive press and I have been helping him along with what type powder scale setup to have and what things to watch out for during the loading process.

Reloading also allows you to load to a power level what you like to shoot especially something like .44 Magnum.

[BigAl52]

RR
You must be serious. Last I heard a trip to the big city was something RR didn't do unless he absolutely had to. No Big City for RR.

[RanchRoper]

Might be able to get all online. What pistol primers? Large or small? How do I know what is in the factory ammo?

[RanchRoper]

Not a bad price so far....no brass cleaner though, have to get that somewhere else....have to wait for pay day but this is likely the way I'm going...thanks for all the input. Will order 2 bags of lead though.

Lee Precision - CLASSIC TURRET PRESS KIT - LP-90304 $372.99 CAD
1
$372.99 CAD
Lee Precision - 4 DIE SET 45 COLT CARB - LP-90967 $73.99 CAD
1
$73.99 CAD
Lee Precision - R11 SHELL HOLDER - LP-90528 $6.99 CAD
1
$6.99 CAD
45 Calibre Lead Bullet, 250 grain, Western Munitions, bag of 500, BLC-45-250-500 $107.99 CAD
1
$107.99 CAD
Total: $561.96 CAD

[bdbrown66]

Might be able to get all online. What pistol primers? Large or small? How do I know what is in the factory ammo?

45 Colt uses large pistol primers. The Winchester Large Pistol primers are a good all-around primer for that cartridge. Other than that, your published load data will tell you what size and brand of primer was used for a given load.

[RanchRoper]

Might be able to get all online. What pistol primers? Large or small? How do I know what is in the factory ammo?

45 Colt uses large pistol primers. The Winchester Large Pistol primers are a good all-around primer for that cartridge. Other than that, your published load data will tell you what size and brand of primer was used for a given load.

Thanks