Ruger Forum

rogerzz · July 30th, 2012, 08:43 PM

Hi all,
Well it's been a little over a year since I started to reload.
When I started I figured I start with a simple setup and if I still enjoyed the hobby I would go to a more elaborate rig.
As it turns out, I do enjoy reloading quite a bit and I am content to stay with my simple setup. Being retired I have my evenings free and I enjoy loading at a relaxing pace.

My setup includes: The low end Lee single stage press
38/357 and 25-20 dies
Lee powder drop
scale
homemade tumbler
bullet puller.

Grand total I think I'm into the hobby for about $250.
I'm toying with the idea of casting or swaging in the future.

Crusty Deary Old Coot · July 30th, 2012, 08:55 PM

Rogerzz,

Good choice!

I loaded on a single stage for years, and only bought into a Hornady L-N-L when I had a bunch of Calable's points and the had 1000 "free" bullets offered.

Started loading in the 60s, and the L-N-L is less then 5 years old.

Still prefer the single stage, and other then for handgun, that is what is used.

If one had to go, it would without question be the progressive.

But then, I am not into heavy usage competitions so a bit of time on the progressive keeps me will supplied with ammo.

Keep em coming!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

Obo2 · July 30th, 2012, 09:52 PM

i love my lee single stage.

I can't even comprehend trying to feed a progressive.

I can load far faster than i can buy components.

i even find myself just saving components so i can have something to enjoy if I'm having a bad day or just get that ultra bored antsy feeling.

also you just can't beat the accuracy and consistency of a single stage.

I would kind of like a turret for pistol but why that's like another 1000 bullets or a lower receiver..

Crusty Deary Old Coot · July 31st, 2012, 08:01 AM

Obo2,

While not a Lee fan, I agree with your thoughts, and have at times sat down and loaded way more ammo then I needed, just for the fun of it.

In fact, have a bag still well filled with some banger 243 ammo that came about in just that way, and that bag was loaded back quite awhile ago.

CDOC

TacticalKoala · July 31st, 2012, 08:16 AM

Hornady single stage here, love it. I tried a RCBS progressive press, it ended up making a great door stop.

radiac · July 31st, 2012, 08:28 AM

I still enjoy using my Lee single stage and have loaded many calibers on it.

I recently found a deal on a Square Deal B setup with a bunch of goodies. It was too good a deal to turn down. It is set up for .45 acp which is one caliber I reload the most and since the SDB only does straight wall cases the Lee will still get used for rifle.

Crusty Deary Old Coot · July 31st, 2012, 08:36 AM

Way to go on the SDB!!!!!!!

I have looked at them, but they always came - buying new - at much too high a price considering the change over costs and the dies which only fit the SDB.

Maybe I have just not looked long and hard enough.

Probably won't now that I have the L-N-L

With my under bench receiver system for mounting reloading tools to my bench, I could have 1 or a hundred tools and be able to quickly switch from one to the other.

CDOC

radiac · July 31st, 2012, 08:48 AM

The die situation is the only thing I don't like about it. It did come with a barely used .40 S&W conversion kit which I'm going to get rid of. I'm currently looking for a used in good condition .38 spl kit.

I know this press had maybe 2000 rounds on it so it's not been heavily used. That's just one reason I jumped on it.

radiac · July 31st, 2012, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crusty Deary Old Coot

Way to go on the SDB!!!!!!!

I have looked at them, but they always came - buying new - at much too high a price considering the change over costs and the dies which only fit the SDB.

Maybe I have just not looked long and hard enough.

Probably won't now that I have the L-N-L

With my under bench receiver system for mounting reloading tools to my bench, I could have 1 or a hundred tools and be able to quickly switch from one to the other.

CDOC

I'd like to see that "receiver system". Sounds interesting.

Frank V · July 31st, 2012, 08:54 AM

Congratulations on reloading. It is a relaxing pleasing hobby.
The bottom line is if your equipment suits you,,,, it's great.
Frank

Temmi · July 31st, 2012, 01:16 PM

Me too

After 10+ years

Snake

bhefley59 · July 31st, 2012, 01:30 PM

I still use a old Texan single stage press I bought used in the mid 70's. heavy duty and still tight, and I load a lot . A few months ago I bought the $25 cheap lee press I use just to crimp with. That sped things up quite a bit. But I enjoy my single stage, after a wild day at work I can sit and reload and unwind. I load for 38/357, 9mm, 40cal, 45ACP, 45CL,
25-06, 243, 30-30, 308, 30-06. But mostly 9mm, 40cal, 45ACP I'll make a run of 1000 at a time .

grandpabear · July 31st, 2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rogerzz

Hi all,
Well it's been a little over a year since I started to reload.
When I started I figured I start with a simple setup and if I still enjoyed the hobby I would go to a more elaborate rig.
As it turns out, I do enjoy reloading quite a bit and I am content to stay with my simple setup. Being retired I have my evenings free and I enjoy loading at a relaxing pace.

My setup includes: The low end Lee single stage press
38/357 and 25-20 dies
Lee powder drop
scale
homemade tumbler
bullet puller.

Grand total I think I'm into the hobby for about $250.
I'm toying with the idea of casting or swaging in the future.

Good for you. I recently started reloading myself. I got the Lee breechlock kit. I really enjoy it and am having a lot of fun. I haven't even thought about upgrading and don't know as I ever will. I use a rotary rock tumbler that my daughter had when she was younger. It works great. I was advised here on RF to "keep it simple" when I was inquiring about what I would need to get started and I like it that way. Keep on having fun, I intend to.