Thread: So if I start reloading

@Phil_H
MD will get warm fuzzies with your above post.

I'm hopefully a reasonably experienced handloader now (but still learning) but certainly won't criticise your method/equipment.
Sure, I've got lots of good gear now but I am at a stage in life when I can afford it, even the shit that is probably not 100% essential.

The outlay for your kit is low and even lower if buying second hand and if the hobby turns out to not be your cup of tea you can usually recover your full outlay by on-selling.

However, I started out and loaded for many years using a second hand Lyman 310 hand tool (there was one for sale recently on the forum). Almost as basic as your Lee. It produced very good ammo, but slowly.

Like your gear I couldn't FLS but only did that every 4-5 loads and used a mate's press and FLSing die for that.

Still have my 12 g Lee shotgun kit somewhere as well and that produced good shells.

I don't know about going bush with my old Lyman 310 but mine did travel to South Africa and back. A mate went to SA TR Champs there a few years back and took my Lyman 310 tool and seater die with him. He loaded long here in NZ and seated to his final depth every evening before the next day's shoot using my 310.

If going straight into more expensive options (presses etc) though I have firm views around getting better gear straight up. Doesn't need to be brand new, nothing wrong with well cared for second hand. With a bit more dosh involved than a basic Lee Loader you don't want to buy a press that doesn't future proof your potentially heavier cartridge loadings of the future. A smashed alloy press, even if cheapish is still a significant loss of $s when you have to turn around and replace it.
I couldn't imagine your Lee Loader ever breaking.