Thread: Reloading set up

Originally Posted by Danger Mouse

Get the lee kit. The turreted press is faster than a single stage. I manually index (rotate the turret head) and its still faster. Bin the scales and get something better.get appropriate dies for your calibre, again lee is fine and a bench mounted powder measure if you are reloading rifle (lee delux is meant to be a bit better than the normal perfect powder measure, but I haven't used it). You're now reloading.

The lee turret press is ok for pistol rounds I have found it shit for rifle rounds
Not enough leverage as to much flex in the turret
A single stage is a bit slower as you have to change dies but Realistically how long does that take when you have your dies set and locking rings locked
Probably ads 1minute max to the Process
Unless you load them one at a time which isn’t the right way to do it size all your brass in one go
Load them all then seat all your bullets in one go
Then crimp all in one go if you crimp which for most you don’t need to

So with the differing opinions you are probably now even more confused!
Take your time and do your research, and while you're doing that some good gear will probably come up for sale on the forum, or someone will offer to let you try out their gear

Regarding scales and powder measures, keep in mind if you have scales you don't need a powder measure, but if you use a powder measure you still need scales of some sort for setting the measure and checking charge weights every few rounds.

So scales would be a better by than a powder trickler?,
With the turret press Im guessing I could set my dies up and just rotate it for each operation, having four holes I'd be able to use a powder trickler in one hole just need scales to check the initial charge?
I've asked uncle Google and noticed some reloading data uses grains and some use grams,as if its not confusing enough already,
One more question some say the turret press has to much flex,,how much pressure is required,,
Thanks
Getting more confused by the minute

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ok I have a simple o lee press..eg the frame of press is a big square with the dies in the centre of top and the ram comes up from the bottom. simple strong and nearly fool proof.
you do 1 thing at a time
1st you lube cases...personally I use vasoline from my fingers and then dip necks in container of graphite powder n steel shot.
then into loading block till the whole batch done. then resize them all,back into block primers up. then clean primer pockets and trim to size using cordless drill and lee attachments,if case looks dirty/dull it gets a polypad spin too while in drill,case mouth gets champher with deburring tool. out of drill into block
all get primed..lee hand primer. back into block neck up
all get powder put in....I weigh with lee beam scales and lee spoons...the spoons get me close then a wee bit more off side of plastic spoon (air NZ or kfc)
visually check powder levels all should be pretty darn close...if one looks suspect,tip it out and redo it.
then each case gets a projectile seated.... then a quick rub on jeans leg and good to go.

Ive got 4 loading manuals and cross reference a load with as many places as I can..the net is good.
you have been given a PLURRY AWESOME offer to go do some with another chap...take it and learn...beer is a good form of thanks.
while you are loading with someone else you will pick up heaps of wee tricks/tips and will soon decide if its for you or not...dont try for a hot load....an accurate load that is a bit slower is the biz every day of the week.

oh and one final thing.....the ONLY dumb question with reloading is the one you SHOULDVE asked but didnt. all of us have been there before and sometimes a wise word has kept our fingers n toes intact.

scales weigh your powder...a trickler "trickles" powder onto scales to be weighed...I use a plastic KFC spoon instead of a trickler....try this with some salt etc
fill a spoon with substance hold spoonful over something in a level position and tap the knuckle of that hand with your opposing saturdaynight finger,the vibrations will spill powder a little at a time.harder to explain than do.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

scales weigh your powder...a trickler "trickles" powder onto scales to be weighed...I use a plastic KFC spoon instead of a trickler....try this with some salt etc
fill a spoon with substance hold spoonful over something in a level position and tap the knuckle of that hand with your opposing saturdaynight finger,the vibrations will spill powder a little at a time.harder to explain than do.

OK thanks for the clarification on the difference,


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As Micky says a powder trickler trickles powder into the pan on the scales - this is different from a powder measure, which dumps a set volume of powder into the case.
I use the Lee scoops or plastic kitchen measuring spoons to put about, but not quite enough, powder into the pan (you can also use a powder measure to do this), then use the trickler to add granules until the scales are balanced. I used to do it by tapping a teaspoon but find the trickler easier and faster.

I have never used a turret press so feel free to ignore this bit
Several people have told me that turret presses have too much flex for full length sizing magnum cases. For non-magnum calibres they are probably fine. For most of my rifles I neck size rather than full length, which puts bugger all strain on the press.

u use the hornady powder dispenser and make it dispense a couple of grains below whats needed then trickle powder on to the scales. makes for a more accurate load. the dispenser is not super accurate but gets close and it tends not to be as accurate with coarser powders.
i will say though the best thing you can invest in for loading is good lighting.

Have a look on you tube for a better idea of dispensing powder. We can all describe it, but it's better watched.

One other thing, not all powder flows easily through the dispenser/ trickler.

Ball powder flows well, small stick powder ok, large stick powder makes me swear a lot. So it helps to find a powder that flows well, if possible, especially if you're trickling onto a scale.

Get the lee anniversary kit and watch utube and it will all come together.
I set the powder thrower low and trickle up each load to weight on the beam scale.
Take up the offer from the GC on here to check out the process and you will soon be shooting 3 x as many rounds as you do now

Originally Posted by rambo-6mmrem

The lee turret press is ok for pistol rounds I have found it shit for rifle rounds
Not enough leverage as to much flex in the turret
A single stage is a bit slower as you have to change dies but Realistically how long does that take when you have your dies set and locking rings locked
Probably ads 1minute max to the Process
Unless you load them one at a time which isn’t the right way to do it size all your brass in one go
Load them all then seat all your bullets in one go
Then crimp all in one go if you crimp which for most you don’t need to

It's been working for me loading 303 for service rifle.

@Hbwanderer looks like your getting some good advice from the guys here.
What I did has buy this book it really helped step by step as well as going through each brand of press what's good and what's not.
Here's a list of stuff you need from the first couple of pages.


Can't go wrong. Really worth the money spent. good luck

Don't know why the books taken a slide

Originally Posted by Cigar

As Micky says a powder trickler trickles powder into the pan on the scales - this is different from a powder measure, which dumps a set volume of powder into the case.
I use the Lee scoops or plastic kitchen measuring spoons to put about, but not quite enough, powder into the pan (you can also use a powder measure to do this), then use the trickler to add granules until the scales are balanced. I used to do it by tapping a teaspoon but find the trickler easier and faster.

I have never used a turret press so feel free to ignore this bit
Several people have told me that turret presses have too much flex for full length sizing magnum cases. For non-magnum calibres they are probably fine. For most of my rifles I neck size rather than full length, which puts bugger all strain on the press.

Ohhh good point. I've never loaded magnum so couldn't answer that. The turreted presses are quite s bit faster and lee is the only one available when I bought. Next step up is dillon gear and I don't shoot enough to justify it.

OP, do you know anybody that reloads? Getting an idea of set ups and how they operate might help you decide which way you want to go.

I started reloading last year with help from a friend that has been reloading for 20+years and he told me not to buy a kit as half the stuff is crap you don't need and you end up replacing anyway.so i ended up getting a lee classic cast press,Rcbs m1000 scales and some verniers and thats what i started with and have gradually brought more bits as i go.