New to reloading - most economical calibre

[boff180]

If economy is a priority, 357mag is the way to go.

It’s very accurate, particularly with a light charge which means Powder goes a long way - I get just shy of 1500 rounds out of a 0.5kg tub of N320. It’s also the easiest to acquire components for.

I’m probably going to be berated for this but in my experience Lee equipment is relatively cheap for a reason, you get what you pay for. The kit is “ok” or is inconsistent or breaks easily - their 38-55 dies for instance apart from the sizing die are actually 375H&H dies and the seating die shaves lead off the side of heads affecting their accuracy! The ones I acquired now are relegated to backup and replaced by a decent brand which do the job correctly.

I would recommend investing in a better brand of reloading gear as it is better quality, particularly the dies. RCBS, Redding of Lyman all being excellent - the RCBS Cowboy dies being the best (imho) on the market for loading Lead heads. If progressive presses are the order of the day you cannot go wrong investing in a Dillon 550 or 650 set-up, they’re the best on the market with what is probably the most consistent Auto Powder throwing system you can get.

Andy

[Daryll]

..I’m probably going to be berated for this but in my experience Lee equipment is relatively cheap for a reason, you get what you pay for. The kit is “ok” or is inconsistent or breaks easily - their 38-55 dies for instance apart from the sizing die are actually 375H&H dies and the seating die shaves lead off the side of heads affecting their accuracy! The ones I acquired now are relegated to backup and replaced by a decent brand which do the job correctly.

I would recommend investing in a better brand of reloading gear as it is better quality, particularly the dies. RCBS, Redding of Lyman all being excellent - the RCBS Cowboy dies being the best (imho) on the market for loading Lead heads. If progressive presses are the order of the day you cannot go wrong investing in a Dillon 550 or 650 set-up, they’re the best on the market with what is probably the most consistent Auto Powder throwing system you can get.

Andy

Just a bit nick-picky but the Lee 357 dies will NOT load 38. The 38dies WILL load 357. The crimp in the 357 is too deep to do 38s. I also only use 357 cases.

To be honest Des, I bought my Lee dies for reloading 38/357 about 30 years ago, so without looking at them I can't remember whether they're .38 or .357, although I remember getting the ones that gave me the option to load both calibres.

At the same time I bought a Lee Pro 1000 progressive press... 30 years on that its still going strong and used for my .357s, after maybe 50,000 rounds of .357, .45 and 9mm over the years.

The only thing thats needed replacing a few years ago was the shell plate carrier ...I somehow managed to bend it...

[DesG]

To be honest Des, I bought my Lee dies for reloading 38/357 about 30 years ago, so without looking at them I can't remember whether they're .38 or .357, although I remember getting the ones that gave me the option to load both calibres.

At the same time I bought a Lee Pro 1000 progressive press... 30 years on that its still going strong and used for my .357s, after maybe 50,000 rounds of .357, .45 and 9mm over the years.

The only thing thats needed replacing a few years ago was the shell plate carrier ...I somehow managed to bend it...

Same same on all counts (except for the shell plate!). I'm just trying to save newbies to reloading from having to buy two sets of dies like some of our club members have.

[Simon_S]

The Lee dies do come with instructions, Just don't put 4 charge in one case
There is also a Lee reloading manual too that's ok

[tacfoley]

The Keith Floyd approach to reloading is to be avoided at all costs. That's why the figures in the loading data tables are exact - to ensure that reloader correctly replicates them.

Trying to best-guess the laboratory can only end in much pain and expense - maybe even injury and death to the shooter or those nearby.

Your doctor pal really needs to be TOLD that his reloads are not welcome on the club range - that might give him some pause for thought. Getting denied use of the range will inevitably cost him his FAC.

tac

[Parabuteo]

The Keith Floyd approach to reloading is to be avoided at all costs.
tac

Absolutely Tac. I often reload listening to the Stranglers but avoid doing it off yoru face on red wine....bad bad bad

[thisisdonald]

Good news... my dad and I start as probationees on Wednesday next week. Excited is an understatement! Looking forward to 6 months time! Better get saving!!!

[Simon_S]

You will find the 357mag cheaper to load and more accurate than the 44mag

[loiner1965]

You will find the 357mag cheaper to load and more accurate than the 44mag

maybe so but the .44 mag as the grin factor

[223AI]

If economy is a priority, 357mag is the way to go.

It’s very accurate, particularly with a light charge which means Powder goes a long way - I get just shy of 1500 rounds out of a 0.5kg tub of N320. It’s also the easiest to acquire components for.

I’m probably going to be berated for this but in my experience Lee equipment is relatively cheap for a reason, you get what you pay for. The kit is “ok” or is inconsistent or breaks easily - their 38-55 dies for instance apart from the sizing die are actually 375H&H dies and the seating die shaves lead off the side of heads affecting their accuracy! The ones I acquired now are relegated to backup and replaced by a decent brand which do the job correctly.

I would recommend investing in a better brand of reloading gear as it is better quality, particularly the dies. RCBS, Redding of Lyman all being excellent - the RCBS Cowboy dies being the best (imho) on the market for loading Lead heads. If progressive presses are the order of the day you cannot go wrong investing in a Dillon 550 or 650 set-up, they’re the best on the market with what is probably the most consistent Auto Powder throwing system you can get.

Andy

Poppycock, they work fine and will allow you to load accurate ammo, easy to set up and adjust, went over to RCBS for .223 & 6.5x55, sold them both on and went back to lee....... Use lee carbide does for .38/.357 no issues at all

[boff180]

Not poppycock, my experience.

The vast majority of items that I have purchased which have been Lee have either broken within an unacceptable time period (2x Hand Primers failed in the same place with metal coming away), haven’t done the job properly (38-55 dies not really being for a 38-55) or were just plain inconsistent (Powder thrower). The only thing I have that I have found that are good is the Powder dippers!

All of the above had to be replaced by RCBS or Dillon equipment which i found to be better made, did a better job (particularly the RCBS cowboy dies), were far more reliable and still going strong without any issues after thousands of rounds.

That’s not to say other manufacturers don’t also produce naff products, I find the Lyman #55 Powder thrower as inconsistent as the Lee ones, in fact the only Powder thrower I have come across which is spot on every time is Dillon’s.

[amc577]

The Lee pistol calibre dies are carbide dies...no lube needed....not sure about the Rcbs. Never had a problem with Lee pistol calibre dies, but I prefer Rcbs dies for bottleneck cases. Tried Hornady and was not impressed.

amc577

[1066]

Among my reloading kit I have many Lee items that have served me well. In the 1970/80/90's I loaded tens of thousands of rounds on a Lee turret press with Lee carbide dies. By the time our pistols were taken from us the press was starting to get a little sloppy so I handed it in and with the compensation immediately bought another just the same. I still have it and use it regularly. I also have a Lee classic cast single stage that makes exceedingly accurate rifle ammunition.

The cheap plastic Lee perfect powder measure has been shown, in independent tests, to be as, or more accurate than many of the really up market measures.

Yes, there are one or two items that could do with improvement. It would be nice if Lee were to produce a decent beam scale and, yes, the hand primer works well but could be a little more durable.

Value for money, I think it's a job to beat. And yes, I do have and use other presses, dies, measures and scales.

[loiner1965]

as above.....most of my gear is lee and does the job just as good as anything else.
i also have rcbs / lyman / hornady / dies too which i have pick u along the way as they a bargain when bought.
lee classic cast press is the bees knees and a worthy investment

[223AI]

Not poppycock, my experience.

The vast majority of items that I have purchased which have been Lee have either broken within an unacceptable time period (2x Hand Primers failed in the same place with metal coming away), haven’t done the job properly (38-55 dies not really being for a 38-55) or were just plain inconsistent (Powder thrower). The only thing I have that I have found that are good is the Powder dippers!

All of the above had to be replaced by RCBS or Dillon equipment which i found to be better made, did a better job (particularly the RCBS cowboy dies), were far more reliable and still going strong without any issues after thousands of rounds.

That’s not to say other manufacturers don’t also produce naff products, I find the Lyman #55 Powder thrower as inconsistent as the Lee ones, in fact the only Powder thrower I have come across which is spot on every time is Dillon’s.

Well the lee anniversary kit I bought second hand has served me well and will continue to do so I'm sure, I have 3 powder throwers which are incredibly consistent with some powders, not so much with others, and the 6 calibres I load are all with lee dies which are fine. Plenty of people run lee kit down but it is more than up to task across the vast majority of their range.