Reloading Setup Questions

[aware]

I am considering getting into reloading for the first time in at least 35 years so these aren't beginner questions, but they might as well be:

• What is considered the best all around reloading press these days?  Important to note that I will be focusing primarily on large bore revolvers, so I don't need something that will reload rounds quickly--one at a time will be fine.
  
• When I was reloading many moons ago, the way I was taught is that you rolled the brass on this sticky pad before you put them in the press. I always hated that. Does the brass still need to be lubed like that?
• On the subject of dies, is there a particular brand or type that work particularly well on revolver cartridges?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

[Encore64]

Ok, I'll quickly be thrown under the bus for this one.

I've got five presses set up all the time. Yet, the one I use 99% of the time is the Lee Classic Turret Press.

I don't care for the Lee Aluminum Presses, but the iron ones are excellent.

Most of the time, Lee Dies too.

For lube, nothing but the Redding Sizing Wax. I still lube even when using Carbide Dies...

[parallaxbill]

I use a very old RCBS Rock Chucker press
Hornady Unique case lube
and usually Lee or RCBS Dies.
I also have a Lee turret press from time to time.

[magman]

RCBS Rockchucker. All dies are pretty good, I like RCBS Carbide.

[Odin]

For a single stage, Lee Classic Cast. Excellent alignment and strength. Excellent primer catcher. Plus the ability to use a quick swap die setup if desired. Top it off with a big dollop of affordability and it's pretty tough to beat.

[tew3006]

I use my Redding T7 press most.
I still use the lube pad, but lately I've been trying Hornady one shot case lube and really like it.
I mostly use RCBS dies (carbide for pistol), but I have Redding, Lee and Lyman and they all work.

[wpeel]

Something I wrote many moons ago.  Should answer most of your questions.

Attachments:

BASIC HANDLOADING.doc (57.5 KB)

[jeffh]

Nov 1, 2023 17:12:49 GMT -5 Encore64 said:

Ok, I'll quickly be thrown under the bus for this one.
.............

Well, I hope you don't mind company.

I've not tried any of the new "classic" LEE stuff, because I'm still using an original three-hole turret press I bought over thirty years ago.  It replaced the "upgrade" I bought to replace the first LEE turret press in 82.  Thought I'd move up in the world and hated the blasted "better" press, so I sold it after a year and went back to LEE.

I've used Lyman, Pacific, RCBS, etc., but like my LEE press.  Dies sets stay together, store easily and stay adjusted - just swap the die set and shell holder and go.

I also have a LEE, single-stage O-Press I use for bullet sizing and other offline stuff occasionally.  Both are aluminum and both have held up well.  Keep the ran clean and lightly lubricated and it'll last a long time.

I recently got a LEE Hand-Press and assembled a portable kit with Breech-Lock bushings for two die sets.  I rationalize that it may be all I can afford to use or have space to store some day, but I think I really bought it just to have fun with.

ALL LEE dies now.  I've had RCBS, Lyman and Redding dies, but over time I replaced them all with LEE.  I prefer LEE dies mostly for the features, but I won't complain that they also cost quite a bit less.

Powder measure - RCBS Uniflow, since 82

Powder Scale - RCBS 5-0-5, since 82

Case Trimmer - L.E. Wilson, period, end of story.  I tried all the major brands in the mid-eighties, found out the L. E. Wilson I grew up with was still available and ditched the others.

I keep my bench very simple and uncluttered, so I don't have any other do-dads to list.

[bigbrowndog]

Hornady one shot case lube spray, even with carbide dies.
RCBS, Hornady, Dillon, presses and dies….Redding, Lyman, and Lee dies also

Trapr

[aware]

Appreciate the suggestions gentlemen. This has already given me some guidance as no one has recommended Hornady presses so far.

[aware]

Nov 1, 2023 19:49:36 GMT -5 wpeel said:

Something I wrote many moons ago.  Should answer most of your questions.

Thank you.  Very helpful.

[bigbore5]

If you're going to go single stage, I recommend the Rockchucker with either the Hornady or Lee upgrade kit to die bushings. I like the set it and forget it utility.

[bitterroot]

I load on a Dillon 550 (with priming feature removed). Yes, it's a progressive, but I load slowly and meticulously and it saves me pulling the handle so many times. I don't lube straight wall cases. If I were going to load on a single stage, I'd go back to a Forster Co-Ax. Great press and you only have to set your dies once.

[Snyd]

Nov 1, 2023 17:12:49 GMT -5 Encore64 said:

Ok, I'll quickly be thrown under the bus for this one.

I've got five presses set up all the time. Yet, the one I use 99% of the time is the Lee Classic Turret Press.

I don't care for the Lee Aluminum Presses, but the iron ones are excellent.

Most of the time, Lee Dies too.

For lube, nothing but the Redding Sizing Wax. I still lube even when using Carbide Dies...

Me too. Lee Classic Cast and Lee Classic Turret. Mostly Lee Dies except for 500L, Hornady. Redding Profile Crimp die for full house 454 loads.

The Classic Turrent with the Powder Thru expander die is a slick setup. Also the expander die is easily modified to only flare the case and not expand it.

[harold89]

Press: Redding T7 w/ extra head

Dies: Redding competition dies

I use carbide dies and lube nothing.