[Raptor05121]

Thanks for the links, Randy. I'll stop by HArbor Freight locally and pick those up. Let me know what you find with the ammo. Right now I just need whatever is cheapest to shoot. I'm 21 and with my first gun being a cheapie 1911, I'm still in my "lets go shoot something!" phase. In a year or so when I get something a bit better (Maybe a Kimber), I'll upgrade to a progressive reloader and higher quality ammo.

Edit: All orders placed. Now I need to pick up some things locally and I'll be all set.

 

[RustyFN]

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

Raptor05121 the turret press in your list is the deluxe turret. You would be a lot happier with the classic turret. In my opinion the best kit is at www.kempfgunshop.com because it comes with dies and no scale. This way you can buy a decent scale without having to buy the Lee scale. Most people don't like the Lee scale. You also don't need the Lee Case Length Gauge and Shell Holder if you are only loading pistol.

I'll upgrade to a progressive reloader and higher quality ammo.

You won't get higher quality ammo by upgrading to a progressive. My Lee classic turret makes the same quality ammo as my Dillon, the Dillon just makes it a little faster.

 

[polizei1]

Did you already order the stuff?

I would, and did, order the LEE LCT kit from Kempf's.

https://kempfgunshop.com//index.php...facturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=41

Upgrade the powder measure ($13), and select your caliber. Also, I would HIGHLY suggest getting a Dillon beam/electronic scale, a Lyman 49th manual, and a Speer #14 manual. You don't need the case gauge and shell holder.

 

[10mm_man]

I personally would go with a digital scale designed for reloading and not from Harbor Freight. You can get the MTN scale very cheap, as well as a set of calipers from Cabela's for about $20. If that Harbor Freight scale is off by any significant amount, you could very easily overcharge a case or batch of cases.

 

[Raptor05121]

Polizei, it appears my order is still cheaper- and I got the 4 die instead of 3 die set

 

[Col Ron]

Raptor05121, you might also consider MidSouth Shooters Supply and compare their prices to MidwayUSA. http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com

 

[shootnfish]

Not trying to be a snob here; but there's no way I would reload ammunition with a scale from Harbor Freight, unless I had a beam scale or tiny check weights to double check it. Some people don't like the Lee scale. It works fine for me. And I trust gravity WAY more than a twelve dollar electronic scale made in Cheapcrapistan.

Oops. Just looked at your kit. It does include the Lee scale. I really don't think you'll need the digital. You'll weigh a few charges to set the Auto-Disc, then just weigh every 10th or 20th or 50th charge.

 

[AndyC]

While the Lee balance-beam scale might be a little bit hard to see at first, you'll quickly get used to it - and you won't use it that much once your powder-measure has been set.

Digital scales can be iffy; I don't trust them, personally.

Bullet - I'd strongly recommend starting with a RN (round nose) profile, just for feeding reliability. While your pistol may feed SWC (semi wad-cutters) just fine, it may not. A hell of a disappointing thing to find out at the range after you've loaded your first couple hundred rounds.

They're called wad-cutters because the sharp shoulder is designed to cut an almost perfect circle in a target (assuming it's tight and well-supported by cardboard backing) - hence the name "wad", like a shotgun wad. This neat hole is useful in target-shooting competition, because if the edge of the bullet-hole even just touches a scoring-line (say between 9 and 10), the shooter gets the higher score; it's just easier to see the exact edge of that hole as opposed to a tiny hole radiating cracks, as you would get from a RN bullet

Semiwadcutters have a big nose - full wadcutters are basically a flat bullet:

And here's a golden tip for you guys new to reloading - visually check that there's powder in the case to approx the same level in each one before you put a bullet on top! Do a simple search for "squib loads" if you think I'm kidding; don't blindly trust your powder-measure.

 

[Raptor05121]

Andy, thanks for the clarification- maybe I'll get a hundred of them just to try them out. I have noticed the round noses are hard to see on targets with the tearing

Raptor05121 the turret press in your list is the deluxe turret. You would be a lot happier with the classic turret. In my opinion the best kit is at www.kempfgunshop.com because it comes with dies and no scale. This way you can buy a decent scale without having to buy the Lee scale. Most people don't like the Lee scale. You also don't need the Lee Case Length Gauge and Shell Holder if you are only loading pistol.



You won't get higher quality ammo by upgrading to a progressive. My Lee classic turret makes the same quality ammo as my Dillon, the Dillon just makes it a little faster.

The classic turret won't accept the primer safety feeder.

And in my second statement "I'll upgrade to a progressive reloader and higher quality ammo." I used the AND as a conjunction.

 

[polizei1]

Polizei, it appears my order is still cheaper- and I got the 4 die instead of 3 die set

The first post said .45ACP, the kit includes the LEE 4-carbide die set. And you won't want the LEE scale, from what I've heard it's not that impressive. I went with a Dillon beam scale for $50.

The LCT is the best turret press LEE makes. The LCT has the safety primer on it. It works fairly well.

What you linked was slightly cheaper, but the press isn't as good, and neither are the components. If you want to be happy, spend the little bit extra, and get the LCT with the upgraded powder measure and a good scale. Believe me, it'll make your life a lot easier. The kit Kempf's puts together for the LCT has been known for a long time to be the best around. They include everything you need, and nothing you don't.

 

[RustyFN]

Polizei, it appears my order is still cheaper- and I got the 4 die instead of 3 die set

Yes but you didn't get the Lee classic turret if you ordered the press on your list.

 

[RustyFN]

The classic turret won't accept the primer safety feeder.

Sure it does.

I'm just trying to save you the trouble of unbolting the press to clean the primers out that make it there and from sweeping the primers off the floor that don't make it there. The classic turret has a hollow ram and collects the primers in a clear tube that can be emptied when needed. If you don't mind unbolting the press and sweeping up primers then good luck with the deluxe turret.

 

[SDMC530]

nice pool ball, just did the same thing with mine...just looks "cool"

 

[Raptor05121]

I want to loe gun store


Posted from 1911forum.com App for Android

 

[Raptor05121]

I went to a local gun store and i swear there is no shortage going on. Hundreds of rifles and pistols, reloading equipment off the ying yang, 20 different bottles of powder and 5 pallets of primers. I got 600 large and small primers and a 1lb bottle of Win 231 for $50


Posted from 1911forum.com App for Android

 

[RustyFN]

nice pool ball, just did the same thing with mine...just looks "cool"

Looks cool and I was amaized how much better it feels.

 

[Capt. Methane]

made in Cheapcrapistan.

:rofl:

Thank you shootinfish, I picked up a new expression for the day!

 

[Raptor05121]

If you don't mind unbolting the press and sweeping up primers then good luck with the deluxe turret.

Rusty, thanks for the words but I had already ordered it and it has already arrived by your posting.

Coincidentally, mine de-primes at a 45* angle, so I just stick a trash can off to the side and about 98% of them will make it in there, with only a couple on the floor.

I will say I love the kit. Its very nice, but the directions are lacking. It took me 3 hours to get it put together, as they weren't very specific on a number of things.

Here is my setup: Using a kid's computer desk I found at Goodwill for $5, I hard-mounted it to the side. I had to get a file and trim out a semi-circle into the side of the desk for the ram so it didn't rub, but with the lever half way down I can still access the slide-out. Vinegar and salt are down below with the wash tubs. Academy had the ammo can and ammo holders, and pictured as well is my Remy R1 with Hogue grips. I took the opportunity to organize my bookcase as well. So far I have cleaned and de-primed ~150 old rounds. I'm just waiting on my 1000rds of brass and lead bullets to come in.

 

[RustyFN]

Rusty, thanks for the words but I had already ordered it and it has already arrived by your posting.

Well congratulations and welcome to reloading. The deluxe turret will make great ammo it just has a couple of minor undesireable feature. If you do some searches there are some fixes for them. One that comes to mind is drilling a hole in the bench under the press and putting something there to catch the primers. The important thing is that you got started in reloading. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

 

[Raptor05121]

Thank you, so far it is pretty fun. I was amazed at seating my first primers. I thought it was neat. I haven't had a chance to do the powder, as that beam scale sucks ass. I will most definitely be upgrading to a digital one ASAP.

My GF likes it too. For the first two hours of me playing with parts she was bored, but once I showed her how is works, we became like a production line as she put the brass in and out of the shell holder as I did the de-prime and priming. I told her if she wants to shoot, she has to help lol.