Not sure what you want to reload but a Dillon press and the other things you need can be had for under $1200 when everything is back in stock, or the hornady lock and load. Just my advice but it’s not always a good idea for your first car to be a Ferrari, and if you wait a little while and stock comes back in you will cut your cost in half, not to mention right now the cost of primers, bullets, and all the materials are insane assuming you can even find what you want.
Just to find out if you really want to put in the time to learn how deep you want to get into reloading, you could buy a Lee kit for one caliber that you shoot often, say 9mm or 45 or 223 and your cash outlay would be minimal. Hint: your time investment will not be minimal. The challenge I see now is finding primers. I'm finding bullets and powder, good brass is hit or miss.
I think I spent around $600 to get started which included every minimal piece of equipment. This is pretty minimal. I would think more around $1000.
"NEED" is a strong word ... you don't "need" half of the shit you see on here, but it's really nice to have.
Like others have said, may wanna dip your toes in first then see if you still care
A t turret press will serve you very berry well for rifle precision. Lyman or Redding is a good start. the progressive presses are good for volume. when my press died, i actually bought a hornady progressive and a single stage.
Dillons are good for volume and precision.
OP, you could always get a Dillon 550. You can run it like a single stage until you learn it better, and then run it like an actual progressive.
The 550B (basic) model is only $400 and comes set up with the powder die and funnel to manually throw powder from an autotrickler or chargemaster set up. You could prime via a hand primer until you get the feel for it, and to slow your process. Then later you could buy the actual priming system from Dillon and bolt it right on.
I’m still using a Lee classic turret and I have no plans on getting another press at the moment unless I come by a sweet deal on a Dillon 550.
Personally I’d never consider a single stage unless set up for a dedicated task like pointing or something.
Turret or progressive.
You’d be shocked how well more affordable equipment can make great ammunition.
Just don’t skimp on dies.
Personally I’d never consider a single stage unless set up for a dedicated task like pointing or something.
Turret or progressive.
You’d be shocked how well more affordable equipment can make great ammunition.
Just don’t skimp on dies.
D
Deleted member 113831
Guest
I have 8 presses, including 2 Dillon 550's. You always need a good single stage anyway, so you might as well start there. This is one of the single stages I have: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1013008991?pid=317831
Dies are fairly easy to find on Midway USA, Natchez Shooter Supply, Midsouth Shooter Supply or ebay.
Dies are fairly easy to find on Midway USA, Natchez Shooter Supply, Midsouth Shooter Supply or ebay.
Despite other additions to the loading room, I'm still running all my match quality stuff through a Lee single stage. I've wondered running them on a turret, but I don't think my bench is solid enough; it doesn't take much to raise havoc with a programmable dispenser.
Edit to add: Spending money on presses buys you speed; spending money on dispensers buys you accuracy. Choose wisely.
Edit to add: Spending money on presses buys you speed; spending money on dispensers buys you accuracy. Choose wisely.
Damn, it will be close. Tell you what I'll do. Send me the 5k and I'll send you what you need to load some pretty good .308 ammo. Deal?
