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Lee Kits- Getting Started

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Discussion Starter · #1 · (Edited)
I'm looking at getting a Lee kit to start out. I have a .45ACP 1911 and I plan my next gun to be a 9mm, but that is sometime next year. My first question is the difference between the regular Kit and the Anniversary kit. I understand there are two priming systems, but what would be easier for a first timer?

Regular Kit ($119)- http://www.midwayusa.com/product/121744/lee-challenger-breech-lock-single-stage-press-kit
Anniversary Kit ($115)- http://www.midwayusa.com/product/42...reech-lock-single-stage-press-anniversary-kit

Secondly, what exactly is a Lee Case Length gauge? Is trimming required in the reloading process?

Powder- How many rounds will you get with standard 5-6gr loads from a 1lb bottle?

Lastly, I would like to know if there is anything else I should be getting apart from the above kit and the .45ACP dies and shellholder. So far I have on my list:

Press Kit- $115
Dies & Shellholder- $30
Primers- $35 for 1000
Bullets- $25 for 100
Powder- $20 for 1lb
 
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#2 · (Edited)
I personally like the hand held priming system in the regular kit over the one that mounts to the press in the anniversary kit.

You shouldn't need a case trimmer for a lot of the handgun calibers. I've never had to trim a strait wall handgun case yet. Bottle neck cases a few times.

The only few calibers that will net 30 rounds out a of a pound of powder are going to be like .416 Barrett and .50 BMG lol There are 7000 grains in a pound, and if you're loading 7 grains per round, that's 1000 loaded rounds per pound of power. To get a rough idea of rounds per pound, just divide 7000 by the charge weight in grains, so 7000 / 7 = 1000. You'll lose a little over time so that number is realistically more like 997-ish.

Get a digital scale. Those beam scales drive me insane. I didn't like using them in third grade science class and they were no more fun when I first got my Lee kit. Also get a set of calipers to measure your overall seated length. Two loading trays is also a good idea. Your die set should come with a shell holder. Also, that Lee powder measure isn't half bad. Just don't use fine granule powders in it. I noticed it starting to run slower with anything smaller than TiteGroup. Forget about AA#7 or AA#9. You'll get through maybe 10 rounds before it just locks up completely. But to start out with, it's pretty decent. The one feature I love and miss about the Lee measure is the ease in changing powders. I often do test loads seeing how different powders work and might do 10 round test batches and try out 10 different powders. With the Lee you just rotate the hopper which closes off the bottom and you throw enough charges to get all the powder out of the rest of the measure, put that in the hopper, then you remove the closed hopper and open it into the powder container instantly dumping the hopper into the container. Why most of the other powder measures don't have anything like this is confusing and more time consuming. With the RCBS Competition measure, all you can do is open the micrometer all the way and sit there and throw charges until the hopper is empty, so you better have a good idea of how much powder you're going to need when loading the hopper up.
 
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#3 ·
I'm fairly new myself when it comes to reloading,been loading for about three months.I'm loading .223,9mm,40S&W,and now 45 acp and i'm gonna reload some in a few minutes so its my first 45 loads.
I would say a tumbler or sonic cleaner and media or cleaning solution.?Also i hand prime all mine.Calipers are a definite need.also got some small plastic containers to store stuff in.I'm looking at a ziploc 2 cup(16oz) container The top screws on and thats nice because if you drop it won't come flying open unlike others that just snap on if you know what i mean and i bought those at the local grocery store for a few dollar.I also use the folgers plastic coffee cans too.
 
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#4 ·
Raptor05121 said:
Powder- How many rounds will you get with standard 5-6gr loads from a 1lb bottle?
Click to expand...
I have the regular lee kit and love it. Had it two years. I only load the .45.

You should get about 1000 rounds per pound..that is a rough guess but a bunch per pound.
get a digital scale...a must! I have never trimmed a case either, with pistol its usually not needed...
Jump in its a great hobby!
 
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#5 ·
Can't offer an opinion on the Lee Regular Kit vs the Anniversary Kit as I don't have either one. But, here's a couple of other comments:

There are 7000 grains in a pound. Where powder is concerned, "grains" is a unit of weight, not particle size. To determine approximately how many loads you can get from a pound of powder, divide 7000 by the charge weight you are using. For example, if your charge weight was 7 grains, the 7000 divided by 7 = 1000 rounds. If your charge weight is 5 grains, then 7000 divided by 5 = 1400 rounds.

My second comment is that $25 for 100 bullets is pretty expensive. We generally talk in quantities of 1000 bullets, so that's $250 per thousand. You can use cast lead bullets at about $80-90 per thousand, plated @ $100-110 per thousand, or jacketed @ about $120-130 per thousand.

Not counting the capital investment in the press, dies, tumbler, etc., the biggest cost item in a reloaded round is the bullet. Your choice of bullet will greatly influence your cost for a completed round.
 
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Discussion Starter · #6 · (Edited)
Thanks for the replies, guys!

I'm going to have a look at my local gun store, they have a shelf of reloading supplies and see if anything is cheaper versus getting it shipped. But for now I'm going to buy the Challenger press kit and the dies and I should be set as far as upfront setup.
 
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#8 ·
You might be a little happier with a turret press like the Lee 4-Hole Classic Turret press. It will certainly load those .45 ACP cartridges alot faster.
This Lee press also has auto-indexing .... just a thought


Lee 4-Hole Classic Turret Press
Item: 90064
$ 103


Lee Carbide 4- Die Set
Includes: Sizing / Decapping Die, Powder Through Expanding Die, Seating Die, Factory Crimp Die
Item: 90968
$ 43


Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure
Item: 90429
$ 39


Lee Auto-Disk Riser (required when using the Lee Pro Auto-Disk Powder Measure)
Item: 90041
$ 9


Lee Safety Primer Feeder
Item: 90997
$ 24


Lyman Electronic Digital Caliper
Item: 7832218
$ 45


AWS Electronic Scale (accurate little scale)
Item: Gemini-20
$ 29
http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Gemini-20-Portable-Milligram/dp/B0012TDNAM
________________________

Prices above are approx.


.
 
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Discussion Starter · #9 · (Edited)
Turbo, thats a bit higher startup price than I was hoping. Right now I fire about 100 rounds a month so speed is not a priority. I plan on getting a 9mm sometime this year so by next year I might just make the jump to the 550B

VictorSmalls said:
You can check out Berrymfg. I buy many of my bullets from them and the shipping is free shipping on $75. Right now the 200G flat nose 45's that I use are $66.34 per 500. Not a bad option if you ask me.
Click to expand...
Great! Thanks for the tip! I see some great prices. Now that brings another question- I'm seeing different grain loads (185/200/230) and different head types (SWC, HP, FMJ, FP, HBRN, etc), is there any pro or con to choosing one over another? Wad cutters are pretty cheap compared to FMJs, but I have no idea what their purpose is. I just want the cheapest to shoot and won't jam or FTF in my Remington.

The cheapest I have found is $43 for 500 230gr round noses from Missouri Bullet.

Now to find brass and powder
 
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#10 ·
Raptor05121 said:
Turbo, thats a bit higher startup price than I was hoping. Right now I fire about 100 rounds a month so speed is not a priority. I plan on getting a 9mm sometime this year so by next year I might just make the jump to the 550B



Great! Thanks for the tip! I see some great prices. Now that brings another question- I'm seeing different grain loads (185/200/230) and different head types (SWC, HP, FMJ, FP, HBRN, etc), is there any pro or con to choosing one over another? Wad cutters are pretty cheap compared to FMJs, but I have no idea what their purpose is. I just want the cheapest to shoot and won't jam or FTF in my Remington.

The cheapest I have found is $43 for 500 230gr round noses from Missouri Bullet.

Now to find brass and powder
Click to expand...
I am also running my 45 through a Remington R1S. Personally I just shoot the style that works best for me. Always had luck with flat nose in my 1911 so that is what I run. Same thing goes for grain size, its just personal preference for what kind of characteristics your trying to get out of your load.

I run a Lee 4hole turret and put about 100 rounds an hour going at a very easy pace. I load 45,9,40,223, on this press and set it up for single stage 30-06. Going to add a Lee Loadmaster or up my 9mm production for IDPA this year.

LOL, I like the LEE stuff, just works well for me.
 
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#11 ·
Hello and welcome to a great hobby! As said, bullets are the major expense of reloading. Buying bulk is the only real way to save( unless you cast ). As a newb, i cant say enough about the lee factory crimp die. Even if you choose other manufacturers for dies and equipment( I use all hornady ), the FCD is a problem solver. For a great place to shop for lee products with fast shipping, check here:

Www.titanreloading.com
 
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#13 ·
I'll also recommend the Turret, rather than single stage. Not much more money. With the auto index rod removed, it's a single stage. Auto indexing, it's midway between a SS and a progressive. If I don't change anything, 200 rounds per hour is easy. You may find that you never need that Dillon.

I've been loading on the same Lee Turret press for almost 20 years. Still like it. A lot.
 
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Discussion Starter · #15 · (Edited)
Well I gave it a look over and I guess its not too bad, I'll be upgrading to the turret press. Here is my shopping list, I'll let you guys look over it and give me some feedback. And I plan on getting a tumbler soon, but for now I will wash them the old fashioned way.

MidwayUSA.com Shopping List
Lee 4 Hole Turret Press with Auto Index Value Kit- $118.99
Lee Small and Large Safety Prime Feeder- $22.19
Lee Deluxe Carbide 4-Die Set .45 ACP- $39.49
Lee Case Length Gauge and Shell Holder- $4.99
Lee "Modern Reloading 2nd Edition, Revised" Reloading Manual- $19.99
Grand Total $205.65 + $20.35 S&H = $226.00 shipped

Missouri Bullet Company Shopping List
.452 Diameter .45 ACP 230gr Lead RN 1000ct- $86.00 + $13 S&H - $4.30 coupon (google is your friend!!!) = $94.70 Shipped

Cheyenne Brass Shopping List
Once-Fired Brass .45 ACP Large Primers Only 1000ct- $100.00 + UKN S&H = $120.00? Shipped

Local Shopping List
Smokeless Power 1lb- ~$25.00
Large Pistol Primers 1000ct- ~$35.00

GRAND FRIGGIN TOTAL TO START AND RELOAD 1,000 ROUNDS OF .45ACP: ~$480

Comparison of Cost Per Round
Wal-Mart PPU/50: $21.36 after tax or $0.42/round
Wa-Mart Federal/100: $34.42 after tax or $0.34/round
Reloading Start-Up (Brass, Primer, Powder, Bullet): $0.27/round
Reloading After (Primer, Powder, Bullet): $0.16/round
 
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