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My mind. I believe I have decided on a single stage reloader as I have not reloaded anything! I wanted to try to start with a turret, but my "guide" says single stage to start. This makes sense as I am able to "QA/QC" without a lot of confusion between dies. So, it looks like a Hornady LNL from Midwayusa.com. I have a read a few other posts where someone suggested revolver over auto, but I don't have a revolver and I am wanting to "JUMP IN". I plan on starting with the 9mm and moving to 30 cal as I have a 30-06 and a 30-30. I think with a single stage and starting out with the 9mm I can move into larger cartridges as i increase my skill. My goal is not to save $$$ although CHEAP is my favorite 4 letter word... err 5 letters... My "guide" says Hornady or Lee? As a newb to reloading, I have had a blast in just researching! This forum has been a great place for info and I appreciate all the info and the ability to "lurk" and learn...

Clutch wrote:My mind. I believe I have decided on a single stage reloader as I have not reloaded anything! I wanted to try to start with a turret, but my "guide" says single stage to start. This makes sense as I am able to "QA/QC" without a lot of confusion between dies. So, it looks like a Hornady LNL from Midwayusa.com. I have a read a few other posts where someone suggested revolver over auto, but I don't have a revolver and I am wanting to "JUMP IN". I plan on starting with the 9mm and moving to 30 cal as I have a 30-06 and a 30-30. I think with a single stage and starting out with the 9mm I can move into larger cartridges as i increase my skill. My goal is not to save $$$ although CHEAP is my favorite 4 letter word... err 5 letters... My "guide" says Hornady or Lee? As a newb to reloading, I have had a blast in just researching! This forum has been a great place for info and I appreciate all the info and the ability to "lurk" and learn...

Before you decide ...finally....

Your guide, I am presuming, is a reloader who is assisting you at the early stages. That sound comforting as I pretty much had to do it on my own with the help of ABC's of Reloading, this site and the reloading section of glocktalk.com.

If I may, let me share my experience and reasoning for starting with the turret...Lee Classic Turret Kit from Cabela's. (Not the "Deluxe Kit" which is inferior)

It has been my experience, personally, that when I start out with too basic a setup, with just about anything, once I acquire some skill and experience, I wish I had gotten something better, faster, more powerful...you get the point. This has been true of motorcycles, cameras, firearms, tools, and eventually, reloader equipment. It will not take you long, especially with a coach, to get pretty skilled at making ammo with a single stage set-up. For a single cartridge load, it is simply finding what works for you and repeating over and over and over. Safety, attention to detail, learning what you are after are all vital, but the actual process is informed repetition.

Now when you begin to make variations in loads to a particular cartridge or working with a different cartridge there are new processes to learn but when you again find the load that you like it, again, becomes a series of repetition drills. Two of the nice things about a single stage is that it is easy to learn and then to make small batches of a particular load to test them and decide which you want to produce in larger quantities....but when you start to produce them in larger quantities it again becomes repetition.

OK, here comes my logic for suggesting a turret for you. My turret, is extremely easy to set up as a single stage reloader. You can mount and adjust all the dies on the turret, but use just one at a time by setting it up to NOT ROTATE when you pull the lever. In fact, I do this to batch my primer sets because I hate having to find a high primer after the cartridge is loaded. It is a pain to have to pull the bullet and reclaim the powder, so I just set all my primers, inspect them to my satisfaction, and then re-enable the auto rotate function and proceed to complete the reloads in the "semi-progressive" fashion the turret system is famous for.

You can do this same for EACH stage of the process as you are working up the loads and as you learn the process. Then when you are ready to go into production of larger quantities you have that capacity already available without additional purchases or equipment to relearn.

Another tremendous benefit to the turret (at least with Lee as that is all I have used) is that you can have a turret for each caliber. You mount and adjust the dies for one caliber/bullet combo and then get another turret (inexpensive) for the dies of the next caliber. Each time you change calibers/turrets they remain in adjustment. You literally just drop the turret in place and start to work. It takes less than a minute for a complete caliber conversion with no adjustments required if you stay with the same components.

With a single stage, you have to mount, adjust, dismount each die for each stage for each cartridge. That is a LOT of extra work...and you do it each and every time you change cartridge and load stage.

In summary, with a turret, you can go as slow and careful as you want during the learning and load work up process just like a single stage but once you gain some skill and confidence or find the load you like, you can dramatically increase you output using the full potential of the turret system without having to relearn a new piece of equipment.

The gain is TIME. I started reloading NOT to find another hobby, but the make my current hobby (IDPA) more economical. If you like it as a hobby in an of itself, then by all means you will find it a fun and rewarding time well spent. I simply do not have the time for a single stage, but the time I do spent is rewarding.

I hope this helps and best of luck to you.

CWOOD wrote:If I may, let me share my experience and reasoning for starting with the turret...Lee Classic Turret Kit from Cabela's. (Not the "Deluxe Kit" which is inferior)

Not to hijack the thread, but...

What makes the Deluxe inferior to the Classic? I bought a Deluxe kit not long ago and am about to mount the thing to my bench. Is the Deluxe good enough to do what you said in the rest of your excellent post, or should I return it for the Classic? Why or why not? Inquiring minds want to know.

I went with the turret over the single stage for just the reasons you outlined, but did I 'cheap out' too much with the Deluxe kit?

UpTheIrons wrote:

CWOOD wrote:If I may, let me share my experience and reasoning for starting with the turret...Lee Classic Turret Kit from Cabela's. (Not the "Deluxe Kit" which is inferior)

Not to hijack the thread, but...

What makes the Deluxe inferior to the Classic? I bought a Deluxe kit not long ago and am about to mount the thing to my bench. Is the Deluxe good enough to do what you said in the rest of your excellent post, or should I return it for the Classic? Why or why not? Inquiring minds want to know.

I went with the turret over the single stage for just the reasons you outlined, but did I 'cheap out' too much with the Deluxe kit?

CAVEAT---I have not used the Deluxe Turret

My statement was based on what I heard from others for whom I have respect, primarily on glocktalk.com Reloading Forum. It is my understanding that the Classic is built more strongly, and should prove to be more durable over time. It has a massive cast iron base, steel lever rod and more sturdy supports for the turret assembly.

The fact that one is inferior to another does not make the 'other' not worth having. Many would say that Lee is inferior to Dillon. Perhaps it is, but that does not mean Lee is not a quality product with a good value for the price and intended function. I think that this analogy would apply the the differences between the Classic and Deluxe. I am sure that you will get good service from the Deluxe.

I wouldn't worry about it a bit.

I trust you got the 4-hole turret and auto-index feature upgrade.

Sorry if I overstated my point. I wish you all the best in your new effort. Enjoy the time and savings. It is really kinda fun shooting your own loads.

CWOOD wrote:CAVEAT---I have not used the Deluxe Turret

My statement was based on what I heard from others for whom I have respect, primarily on glocktalk.com Reloading Forum. It is my understanding that the Classic is built more strongly, and should prove to be more durable over time. It has a massive cast iron base, steel lever rod and more sturdy supports for the turret assembly.

The fact that one is inferior to another does not make the 'other' not worth having. Many would say that Lee is inferior to Dillon. Perhaps it is, but that does not mean Lee is not a quality product with a good value for the price and intended function. I think that this analogy would apply the the differences between the Classic and Deluxe. I am sure that you will get good service from the Deluxe.

I wouldn't worry about it a bit.

I trust you got the 4-hole turret and auto-index feature upgrade.

Sorry if I overstated my point. I wish you all the best in your new effort. Enjoy the time and savings. It is really kinda fun shooting your own loads.

OK. I understand. And I don't think you overstated your point at all.

I did get the 4-hole turret and auto-index feature. On paper, The Deluxe over the Classic looked like a good compromise between cost and features - plus, it was all the free cash I had on hand at the time! I guess the main difference is like the different trim lines in car models - some have a squirrel-driven 4-cylinder, others have a robust V8. one will likely just run longer and more smoothly.

I have the Deluxe turret and while it is admittedly not as robust as the Classic Cast, I have loaded about 30 thousand 45 acp, 10 thousand 9mm and 1000 50 ae with it and it stills works fine.

One big advantage to the classic cast is the spent primer collection system. The deluxe has a tendancy to drop spent primers on the bench/floor.

CWOOD,
thanks for the excellent information! I really appreciate it. it was your post in another thread that answered the first few thousand questions I have had! Now I am back on the turret! (should I change the name of the thread?) I want to re-load not so much for a hobby, but to make my hobby almost affordable. I am not into IDPA...yet... but it sure would be cool to try! I think it is only a matter of time before the current political climate makes it more difficult to purchase ammo. I further think that if you re-load, it may be easier to obtain components to keep a supply of ammo on hand for shooting. So, I am going with the turret and be done! Thanks again for all the information, it is very helpful especially for someone wanting to start out!

Clutch wrote:CWOOD,
thanks for the excellent information! I really appreciate it. it was your post in another thread that answered the first few thousand questions I have had! Now I am back on the turret! (should I change the name of the thread?) I want to re-load not so much for a hobby, but to make my hobby almost affordable. I am not into IDPA...yet... but it sure would be cool to try! I think it is only a matter of time before the current political climate makes it more difficult to purchase ammo. I further think that if you re-load, it may be easier to obtain components to keep a supply of ammo on hand for shooting. So, I am going with the turret and be done! Thanks again for all the information, it is very helpful especially for someone wanting to start out!

Thanks for the kind words. I am pleased that you found my comments useful. I guess I am sorta paying it forward, because some good folks on the internet answered lots of MY questions. I hope one day you will do the same for another just starting out.

If I may, let me stray from you original question to something in you last post here. IDPA is a LOT of fun. In participating you will meet some really great people, which is a benefit on its own, and you will become a MUCH better shooter.

IDPA is not "training". It is a game with rules and a score and a timer. It is, however, excellent practice for skills which may one day be invaluable to you in a clutch (sorry) situation. If you shoot IDPA regularly you will get better in accuracy, speed, using cover, drawing from concealment, shooting accurately while moving, shooting accurately at moving targets, shooting accurately at moving targets while moving, target selection, reloading quickly, clearing mafunctions quickly all of this while under some simulation of real stress. It is amazing how an audience and a timer will get the adrenaline pumping. IDPA members are very welcoming to newcomers, to women and even safe shooting kids. My youngest daughter started at 17 using a Ruger 22/45. They accomodated her while she was seeing if she was going to like it. She did. They would even pull a string on steel targets if they heard a 'ping' from her .22. The shooters were very generous with their time, their weapons, and their knowledge in making her feel welcome. After a few matches I began hearing "Dad, can I get something 'bigger'?" She got a Ruger KP95 next Christmas and still shoots as time and A&M permits...graduates in August HOORAY!!

I encourage ALL safe shooter to go to a match. I would suggest that you take you gear, because after about the first five rounds downrange you will wish you had. Check out the competition heading on this board.

Best to you.

So, I didn't go with the single stage, I went with the Lee Classic Turret. I have it ordered and should be here for to see next week. It has taken a while to make up my mind, but

what did it, was the ease to make bullets in relative quantities. I pick up my bench from harbor Freight this weekend and start on the "room". The "house foreman" has

allowed me a whole room inside the house! I will start with the 9mm as that is what I shoot most, but will add the 30 30 very soon as I bought a brand new Henry 30 30

H009B and can't wait to shoot it (please don't tell the foreman just yet...).

Anyway, it brings me to the next question... How do I choose the powder? And what about the primers? How do I choose what is best to start with? Once I get the feel and

can "experiment" with the different powders and primers, that will be fine. So what is the suggestion? Pick one and try it? thanks in advance! Cheers!

Clutch wrote:Anyway, it brings me to the next question... How do I choose the powder? And what about the primers? How do I choose what is best to start with? Once I get the feel and can "experiment" with the different powders and primers, that will be fine. So what is the suggestion? Pick one and try it? thanks in advance! Cheers!

I'd start by revisiting the thread you started on Recommended Reading: http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=30743" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The manuals, etc. there should give you an idea of where to start. I've got the Lyman 49th Reloading Handbook which gives the brand of primers used in their test loads. Plus, it gives several types of powders to try, too. The Lee handbook simply says what size primer to use with each type of round, but it gives several powder selections. As to specific powders to try, I'd peruse the threads by guys who are loading 9mm to see what the majority of them are using. Same with the .30-30 guys. Manuals can only do so much before you've got to call in the 'experts' with hands-on experience.

I'll be in the same boat soon, as I've got the press, but the bench has yet to be built. Hopefully I'll get to it on Easter Monday. I picked up a can of Hodgdon HP-38 to use with my Win LP primers and 230 gr. FMJs for the .45 ACP I'll start with. Right now, .30-30 is completely up in the air - I'd like to reload with Hornady's 160 gr. FTX bullets, but that's down the road after I get a good 'feel' of the process with the .45 rounds.

Good luck, and keep us posted!

Clutch wrote:So, I didn't go with the single stage, I went with the Lee Classic Turret. I have it ordered and should be here for to see next week. It has taken a while to make up my mind, but

what did it, was the ease to make bullets in relative quantities. I pick up my bench from harbor Freight this weekend and start on the "room". The "house foreman" has

allowed me a whole room inside the house! I will start with the 9mm as that is what I shoot most, but will add the 30 30 very soon as I bought a brand new Henry 30 30

H009B and can't wait to shoot it (please don't tell the foreman just yet...).

Anyway, it brings me to the next question... How do I choose the powder? And what about the primers? How do I choose what is best to start with? Once I get the feel and

can "experiment" with the different powders and primers, that will be fine. So what is the suggestion? Pick one and try it? thanks in advance! Cheers!

I recently started on 9mm myself, so I hope I can offer you a little insight to make your start a little easier than mine...

Before you go buying components, know what you want to load. By this I mean what manufacturer, kind, and weight of bullet. Find specific loads for that bullet. For 9mm, FMJ is relatively easy, as long as it is the standard elliptical-profile tip. in that case, for example, a 115 grain flat-based FMJ bullet will be the same size from brand to brand. JHP bullets are a different animal, as there are a lot of designs. I have found that Speer Gold dot recipes are relatively versatile, as (from what I can tell) they are the same length and weight as most 9mm "standard" hollow points of equal weight - my Remington cheapo hollow points match the dimensions of Gold Dots of the same weight, so Gold Dots loads work fine with them. Don't take my word for it, there may be exceptions, and these are only my observations so far. I verified this by comparing one of the standard Remington 124 grain JHP bullets to a bullet from my carry ammo, 124 grain +P Gold Dot. Truncated cone hollow points (such as Hornady XTP) are going to have different dimensions, so make sure you get loads specifically for them if you go with them.

You will want to verify several different loads for possible bullets, as well as several different kind of bullets. If not, you're likely to get to the store and find that they're missing the powder or bullets you wanted, and your carefully constructed house of cards will come crashing down, and you'll be left standing there dumbfounded because you don't know what to buy of what's available. I know this from recent experience.

Figure out several different powders for each bullet, and vice-versa. Write them down and bring them with you to the store.

If you have manuals, check all of them. Your dies will come with a limited number of loads included. Check powder manufaturers' websites... Hodgdon, Alliant, and Accurate all have load data available from their websites. Several bullet manufacturers have loads for their bullets as well. There are also websites that can provide some help, such as handloads.com. Stephen Camp has a limited number of recipes he's worked up and posted as well (http://www.hipowersandhandguns.com/Handloads.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ), so that's another resource that may be useful if you are interested in the specific powders and bullets that he's working with there.

As far as primers, get what's available. There's still not much selection, so get whatever you can, as long as it's a standard power Small Pistol Primer. There will be variations, but that shouldn't be a concern if you're starting with a conservative load and working up.