For you guys that want to start low volume reloading....

This came in my email and I thought I would pass it along. Seems like a good starter kit if you are riding the fence.

Midsouth SMART RELOADER BASIC RELOADING STARTER KIT

 

If that priming tool is anything like the Lee zinc version it will eventually break

If the press is cheap aluminum or zinc it too will eventually break, especially if you are full length resizing rifle brass. I would call and ask what they are made of, first. The rest of the kit looks good

The best single stage priming tool for the money is IMO the RCBS.. and for a single stage press I would only go with an iron frame/steel lever, preferably made in the USA

 

My Lee primer tool is twenty years old, has MANY rounds through it, and is still going strong. Use it properly, it will last. I bought a second, only so I can have one setup for small primers and one for large.
I had an RCBS tool - tossed it. Very 'user-unfriendly' compared to the Lee tool.
My aluminum-framed Lee Turret Press has thousands of rounds through it over that twenty years too, and many case reformings.
I do however much prefer RCBS rifle dies - got mighty tired of the Lee 'Pop Goes The Weasel' decapper rod popping up with the least resistance. Useless for case reforming!
Careful use of the tools, and keeping them cleaned and lubed is the key to longevity! Cheaper is sometimes just as good as expensive. The money I saved buys more components.

 

Exactly opposite experience here.. broke 3, that's right 3 Lee tools while working with rifle brass (5.56) but my RCBS is still going strong and I have it mounted on my office desk so I can prime while listening to audios

The Lee tools cannot handle the somewhat tight swaged or reamed military primer pockets and the zinc handles just snap off after a little use. At least that's what happened to me

Key to the Lee decapper die is use red loctite and really tighten that sucker.. I use the separate Lee universal decapper. RCBS die decappping pins break often on military primers, but you can replace them with steel pop rivet pins.. pick yer poison

 

I really didn't want to start a green v. red v. blue thread. I've just run into some guys recently that want to start reloading. Back when I bought my ruckchucker kit, it wasn't $300.

RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Single Stage Press Master Kit - MidwayUSA

Dang tools have gone up. That is quite a bit of dough to start with, especially if you end up hating the process. I always try to talk newbs into buying used. I have refurbished more ancient equipment that worked like new than I have bought new.

My point was if you know someone that would like to get into it for price of 4 boxes of .45ACP..... it isn't a bad start. Probably by the time you break something, you will be ready to upgrade anyways.

 

See what you can purchase on the used market, I bought an RCBS Rock Chucker for $150.00, which came with alot of other tools and a 5 gallon bucket of 45 ACP once fired military brass(the previous owner now deceased, did not like to decrimp the military brass, so off it went a bucket in the corner of his shop). I also bought a Lee turret press at a swap meet for $50.00.

As a side note, I collect vintage/antique reloading equipment as a hobby also. I have an original Ideal 310 tool for a 38 Long Colt with a bullet mold on the end. This tool will resize and reload 38 special/357 magnun cases also. This tool has been dated to the late 1800's, and yes it is in my primary BOB.

 

No question, the older US made stuff is the best

 

Bought the Lee Anniversary kit earlier in the year and have loaded 3K pistol rounds so far. Good starter setup for the price with almost everything you need. Will be ordering an additional Auto-Prime since that looks like the weakest link in the system.

 

Truth is, ANY brand is good. The key is to get what you NEED, not the glitziest, most expensive tool. A good NEW setup can be had for under $300, with ALL that is needed. Buying used, on ebay or at a localsporting goods shop (some do have used gear for sale) can save some bucks.
I opted for the Lee Turret Press, first because it's fairly inexpensive and handles all the calibers I thought I'd need to use, and second I can set up a separate turret for each caliber. I am up to seventeen different calibers now. Changing from one caliber to another is simply "plug & play"!
I have the Lee set of shell holders, that works for 90% of the calibers I need, did have to order a few more.
Have two Lee powder measures - one for the larger 'rifle' drops and one for the smaller 'pistol' drops - minimises the amount of adjustment I have to do switching loads and powders. I also always keep an adhesive label on the powder hopper with the current powder printed on it - don't wanna forget what's in there! And always keep just ONE powder can on the bench at one time.
In time, we do tend to add those small tools and accessories that help cut time and effort. I have a powered case prep tool (glorified handheld batery screwdriver) but still often chamfer with the little Lee tool included in the Aniversary Kit. Quicker if doing just a few loads - like setting up a box of Thutty-thutties for deer season this year.
I still use the cheap Lee balance beam scale - have found nothing more precise. I do calibrate it often, and check vs. a good digital unit.
For dealing with crmped military primers I use Lees Universal Decapper tools - two different size punches with steel 'anvil' blocks. Quick, easy and cheap.
And I stocked up on RCBS decapper pins.......

 

Hard to beat the Lee turret press for a good low volume press to get started. It was my first serious press. Actual first press was a Lyman hand press, didn't take me long to out grow that, should have bought the Lee turret first. The Lee press, spent many years on my bench, before I gave it to my son. While I still own the Lyman hand press, I don't have it mounted. What I do have now is a single stage Redding press. I know what some may be thinking about, "Why switch from a turret press back to a single stage?" For one, it made my son happy. I also found that the way I reload a really good single stage is all I needed. I do prefer Redding and RCBS dies over the Lee dies, but I do not have anything really bad to say about Lee dies, good price, good quality and good step by step instructions. I have a mixture of brands of equipment, only a long time reloader will accumulate. Lee balance scale, RCBS powder drop couple RCBS primer tools - if I buy another press, it would be the T-7 Redding turret press. The only thing is, for no more than I reload these days, the single stage press serves my needs.

 

I myself am just getting started and am still trying to decide on which machine to buy, For my pick price is not going to be apart of my desicion It's more quality with me. I don't want to have to go replacing priming tools every 6 months because they chose to use an inferior product to make there product to keep prices down for your customers, and you have to buy that same priming tool AGAIN to do the job. Then you know in 6 months your going to brake it and then what. BULLBUTTER, I don't have that kind of disposible income. I'm 45 now this will be the press i hand down to my grandson if this world makes it through 2012. I want something that will take some punishment, cause if I cant be useful one way to someone I'm going to be useful in another way I'll popout ammo like welfare mom on crack poppin out kids to support her addiction.

 

I started with a Rock Chucker and have invested in two Supremes since - along with a Dillon 650 and a Hornady LnL progressive.

I use the Rock Chuckers for the paper punching long range stuff and love'em. It was my first press years ago and the two Supremes compliment my original nicely. I highly recommend the Rock Chucker but, as already noted, they are all good.

 

I think that's a great starter kit because, just like with any starter kit, it is just there to get you started. Once you load a few rounds and start talking about them, improvements will happen, equipment will upgrade, accuracy will improve. You will never save any money reloading; that is the myth of reloading, but you will shoot a LOT more for the same money.

 

Classic Lee Loader : Cabela's

YMMV, but I've been using the Lee Classic Loader since about 1975, and have never had a problem with them. For any calibers that I consider important to my survival, I have a Lee Classic.

 

Same story here. I love the idea of reloading with nothing more than a hammer or a small log.

 

Hornady lock n load. Fun for days!

 

Santa gave me one and I'm going to give it a try. I have found mail ordering powder is quite expensive. Any suggestions on powder, primer and bullets in 9mm to learn on?

 

+1 for the Lee Classic Loaders
Started with one, now have 10. I find used sets for less than half of new, $15 usually. Modified a cheap Harbor Freight arbor press to use with them. No more whack a mole! But I still can if I want.

Later bought a Rock Chucker Jr. and little Lee press but the Classic Loaders get used more.