Getting into reloading.....Hornady LnL Classic

[cyphur]

Found what I thought was a great deal on this....saves me some coin and with the case prep tool included, why not?

http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/pro ... uctId/5985" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Are there any major deficiencies with this kit? I plan to start with 45ACP and .308WIN for starters. I will keep the single stage even if I move to a progressive as I plan on building out to 1000yds and eventually shoot in comps if I can. Plus most items will still work with the LnL AP if and when....down the road(,. I travel too much to shoot enough to need a progressive right now!

So, any recommendations, etc would be most appreciated. Been looking forward to taking the dive for a while! :-)

[G.A. Heath]

You will eventually want something to trim the Case to proper length. You will probably get an 8th edition manual in the Kit unless you get some old stock (Picture shows 7th edition). About the only thing I don't see that is critical is a pair of calipers, I would prefer a beam scale personally but digital works if done properly. You will probably want to get a pistol rotor and metering insert for the LNL powder measure if its not included (I think that kit only includes the rifle).

The key issue on a digital scale is to remember they don't play nice with floresent lights and they do drift so ensuring a Zero is a good idea.

[Jumping Frog]

For a single stage press kit, I'd just go with the Lee Breech Lock Challenger press. MidwayUSA has the kit for just over $100. That leaves you a lot of money left over for other goodies.

If you want to prime off the press (which I would recommend on a single stage press), then this kit applies: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/121744 ... -press-kit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you want to prime on the press, then this kit applies: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/423081 ... ersary-kit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Lee scale is a very accurate scale. However, it is frustrating to use because it doesn't have magnetic dampening. You'll also want a good quality beam scale. I personally like the Redding, but the RCBS is also a good choice:
RCBS $72 -- http://www.midwayusa.com/product/605320 ... n-capacity" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Redding $80 -- http://www.midwayusa.com/product/658771 ... n-capacity" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[cyphur]

I hear ya on saving money - but if I do plan on eventually getting an LnL AP down the road, would it not make sense to run a single vendor? Set the dies once and call it a day....

Or am I missing something? Would it be wiser just to go progressive to start? The LnL AP can operate on single stage mode correct - to enable me to still crank out quality precision rounds.

I ask questions to learn from those who have gone before me - so please "set me straight" if someone feels I am looking at this a bit sideways.

For a single stage press kit, I'd just go with the Lee Breech Lock Challenger press. MidwayUSA has the kit for just over $100. That leaves you a lot of money left over for other goodies.

If you want to prime off the press (which I would recommend on a single stage press), then this kit applies: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/121744 ... -press-kit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you want to prime on the press, then this kit applies: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/423081 ... ersary-kit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Lee scale is a very accurate scale. However, it is frustrating to use because it doesn't have magnetic dampening. You'll also want a good quality beam scale. I personally like the Redding, but the RCBS is also a good choice:
RCBS $72 -- http://www.midwayusa.com/product/605320 ... n-capacity" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Redding $80 -- http://www.midwayusa.com/product/658771 ... n-capacity" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[MoJo]

If you are happy with your choice then go ahead and buy it. Its good gear as are the other options offered.

[G.A. Heath]

I hear ya on saving money - but if I do plan on eventually getting an LnL AP down the road, would it not make sense to run a single vendor? Set the dies once and call it a day....

Or am I missing something? Would it be wiser just to go progressive to start? The LnL AP can operate on single stage mode correct - to enable me to still crank out quality precision rounds.

I ask questions to learn from those who have gone before me - so please "set me straight" if someone feels I am looking at this a bit sideways.

For a single stage press kit, I'd just go with the Lee Breech Lock Challenger press. MidwayUSA has the kit for just over $100. That leaves you a lot of money left over for other goodies.

If you want to prime off the press (which I would recommend on a single stage press), then this kit applies: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/121744 ... -press-kit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you want to prime on the press, then this kit applies: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/423081 ... ersary-kit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Lee scale is a very accurate scale. However, it is frustrating to use because it doesn't have magnetic dampening. You'll also want a good quality beam scale. I personally like the Redding, but the RCBS is also a good choice:
RCBS $72 -- http://www.midwayusa.com/product/605320 ... n-capacity" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Redding $80 -- http://www.midwayusa.com/product/658771 ... n-capacity" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Lock-n-Load AP does not have a single stage mode, you can load ammo like a single stage by loading only one case at a time. If you can locate a single stage kit that works well with your budget and uses a 1-1/4"-12 bushing then you get the option of installing the Hornady L-N-L conversion bushing like I have on my Rock Chucker. This lets me set my dies and quickly change them. They will not go over to my LNL AP without being re-adjusted, Other than being able to quickly change dies in a press and using the same bushing supply for multiple presses you gain no advantage by sticking with the Hornady system on a single stage press. You will quickly find that sticking with a single vendor is neither required or desired when reloading. On my bench right now I have products from Hornady, RCBS, Lee, Lyman, Redding, Frankford Arsonal, MTM Caseguard, and others. My dies are typically RCBS or Lee with a little bit or hornady mixed in. I just cleaned and organized my bench recently so here is a picture of it:


Whats not in the picture is my Lyman digital scale, dies, ect. They are in the pile of stuff thats off camera that is yet to be sorted.

[Richardc]

here is my 2c, you can get this which you can set to single stage
http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/lee- ... -press-kit
then you can upgrade to this and use many of the same parts, plus you can upgrade this one with gizmos to make it just crank out rounds.
http://www.titanreloading.com/presses/lee-pro-1000
I have one of each and almost never use the pro1000, but still a really good press for the price.

[G.A. Heath]

here is my 2c, you can get this which you can set to single stage
http://www.titanreloading.com/kits/lee- ... -press-kit
then you can upgrade to this and use many of the same parts, plus you can upgrade this one with gizmos to make it just crank out rounds.
http://www.titanreloading.com/presses/lee-pro-1000
I have one of each and almost never use the pro1000, but still a really good press for the price.

The disadvantage of the Lee Turret Presses are that they have significant slop in the turret. Also you have to get the Lee Safety Prime kit or place primers in the priming arm manually. I dislike the Lee Safety prime when it gets to the last primer as it refuses to feed. The Pro-1000 also has significant slop in the turret and I absolutely hate the priming system. If you convert a Pro-1000 from large or Small primers to the other get ready to buy a kit for that. Lee kits are good for the budget just remember that you get what you pay for. They will last forever if taken care of, but you pay less and you get a lesser press. I have owned a 4 hole turret, I own and use a pro1000. Additionally if your loading rifle cartridges you may find that the Pro1000 and the Lee turret might not be a little cramped due to the length of the case and the length of the bullet. You can load a .45-70 on a Lee Turret but I am unsure if it can be done on the Pro1000.

With that said I do use a Pro1000 to load 9x19 and 40S&W. I have owned a Lee Turret press its current owner is very happy with it and considers lee to be the premier brand for reloading gear. Lee Products will probably never be on par with Dillon or Forester but they are not to be discounted either.

[Richardc]

The disadvantage of the Lee Turret Presses are that they have significant slop in the turret. Also you have to get the Lee Safety Prime kit or place primers in the priming arm manually. I dislike the Lee Safety prime when it gets to the last primer as it refuses to feed. The Pro-1000 also has significant slop in the turret and I absolutely hate the priming system. If you convert a Pro-1000 from large or Small primers to the other get ready to buy a kit for that. Lee kits are good for the budget just remember that you get what you pay for. They will last forever if taken care of, but you pay less and you get a lesser press. I have owned a 4 hole turret, I own and use a pro1000. Additionally if your loading rifle cartridges you may find that the Pro1000 and the Lee turret might not be a little cramped due to the length of the case and the length of the bullet. You can load a .45-70 on a Lee Turret but I am unsure if it can be done on the Pro1000.

With that said I do use a Pro1000 to load 9x19 and 40S&W. I have owned a Lee Turret press its current owner is very happy with it and considers lee to be the premier brand for reloading gear. Lee Products will probably never be on par with Dillon or Forester but they are not to be discounted either.

unless your trying to crank out a few thousand rounds a day, the Lee stuff works just fine. My ammo comes out consistent and I shoot competition with the ammo with out fail. That being said, yes there are more precision tools on the market, But i think its a great answer to the original question, save for the long range stuff, I have my own opinions about that as well. As for the primer thing, I have never used the safety prime and have no use for it, but i have an older press. And i have never had any "slop" in my turrets either. If I reload anything larger than 5.56x45 its time to move to the single stage anyway.

[ffemt300]

Good stuff here. I'm looking into getting into reloading myself. Seems as if a fella like me could get started for fairly cheap (relative to some other hobbies I've had). I'm liking these Lee kits that have been linked here.

[cyphur]

Seems like there are two views about getting started. Some guys get the Lee stuff, and after a few years, begin to upgrade to something better. They seem to think that a beginner would have been better off to start with nicer equipment in the long run.

But, what if you decide reloading isn't something you want to do? And you dropped $1500 on a nice set-up?

I have been reloading everything I shoot since the early 60's, and still have some Lee stuff. Lee tends to be an "out of the box" company. Most of their stuff is low-price, for the beginner. But some of their ideas are brilliant. Their hand primer was really great, and I still use one. I also just bought one of their "U" dies for 9mm resizing. On the other hand, I never really trusted their balance scale.

If you are certain you will be reloading for a long time, you may wish to start out with a used set-up better than Lee. Like, RCBS, Hornady, Dillon, Redding, etc. Most of that stuff lasts forever, and used can be a good deal.

If you are uncertain if reloading is for you, use some other peoples's stuff for a few times, until you know what you want.

I got rid of my Hornady progressive, but not because it was not a great set-up, but because a friend gave me a Dillon set-up, with more accessories.

It is really a good idea to reload with someone for a while, in my opinion.

You know, you can change out a starter on a car with cheap wrenches, but some guys like Snap-On.

I am definitely starting out on a single stage, but with the feedback I have received I am now also looking into other brands for the press itself. I guess I am somewhat accustomed to getting only what I pay for, so when the Lee kit comes in at less than the Hornady press alone, it gave me pause.

[Jumping Frog]

I am definitely starting out on a single stage, but with the feedback I have received I am now also looking into other brands for the press itself. I guess I am somewhat accustomed to getting only what I pay for, so when the Lee kit comes in at less than the Hornady press alone, it gave me pause.

Lee would not have sold more presses than any other company if everything they sold was junk. The reloading community expects things to work, first and foremost, and word travels.

You will never be able to look at a sample of handloaded ammunition and tell whether it was loaded on a Lee press or a different brand.