newbie reloader advice please

[bula]

OP, it would be good to know what else you may reload. If you compete IDPA or such, etc.. With just the 357/360 listed, I'd have to say the simplicity of a single stage my choice. If you compete, will load for higher volume things, 9mm or such a single stage would soon drive you nuts. 

[parallaxbill]

I've been using a very old Rock Chucker and a 4 hole Lee turret press for years. They are all I'll ever need.

[contender]

For the OP,, as I mentioned,, lots of comments and all are good. One thing I will echo is to get several loading manuals to go along with any kit you buy. Get the latest & most current editions,, and follow their data.

I chose to not mention my full list of presses & such,, because I wanted to reply based upon your mentioning the .357 as the desired caliber of loading.

But if you read all the replies,, most of us pretty much try & send you in the direction of a single stage type,, because the way you can go slow for the learning curve. Even a turret press is an excellent press design,, yet is also treated like a single stage.

If I were to actually sit down & add up the amount of ammo I've loaded in my 47 years of loading,, I can say it'd surpass 250,000 rounds easily. I have used Lyman, Lee, RCBS, Redding, Dillon, at different stages of my journey. All have had good & bad things for whatever purposes I may or may not have been trying to do. But by far,, the least complicated is approaching it single-stage style.
Again,, it's also a bit about your budget.

[magpouch]

Jun 15, 2024 15:32:34 GMT -5 Encore64 said:

I'd highly recommend a Lee Classic (Iron) 4-Hole Turret Press. Take the index screw out and master the process as a single stage. Slap it back in as you progress and you can load much faster.

I've got everything from RCBS Single Stage to a Hornady Progressive Press. The Lee is my go to 90% of the time...

This is my recommendation to every new reloader.  The Lee press is well made and can be used as a single stage and after you master that works as a great ammo plant

I had one for years and regularly loaded 100 rounds an hour (handgun) and gifted it to a newbie when I got my Dillons.

[borr]

Jun 15, 2024 15:32:34 GMT -5 Encore64 said:

I'd highly recommend a Lee Classic (Iron) 4-Hole Turret Press. Take the index screw out and master the process as a single stage. Slap it back in as you progress and you can load much faster.

I started reloading about 18 months ago and have maybe loaded 2500 rounds, so I am a beginner.   All my loads are straight wall pistol cartriges: 38, 357, 41, 9mm.  I went to my club's rummage sale and some experienced folks help me pick out good starter equipment for very little money.   

I will echo what Encore64 has said, a Lee Classic 4-hole turret and take the index screw out.  You run it as a single stage, but have the convenience of not having to switch out all the dies.  Saves a lot of time in setup and less chance of making a mistake.  I went with Redding dies, like them quite a bit.

Good luck with your adventure.  I have found it quite enjoyable.

[x101airborne]

Please be cautious with 9mm and 40 S&W specifically. Using bulk range pick up brass you can get some self defense cases that have a reduced internal capacity that will spike internal pressures. These brass are used to reduce bullet setback upon chambering by providing an internal shelf for the base of the bullet to resist against. Just another thing to keep in mind.

[gregs]

I started reloading while stationed in Germany with an RCBS Master kit with a rock chucker press mail ordered from Cabela's, That press is still loading pistol & rifle ammo to this day.

A few years later, I added a Dillon 550 for general plinking ammo but if it is close to max load, I like the precise control a single stage gives.

[parallaxbill]

I've thought for years about investing in a Dillon to save time loading, but having retired in 2020, I find that two of my favorite pastimes are reloading with my Rockchucker and spending time on my tractor.
And smoking an occasional cigar on my front porch.🙂

[bigbore5]

I bought an RCBS Rockchucker when I got tired of the hand press. It was great, especially for forming cases for wildcats and handguns. Couldn't guess how many rounds I have loaded with it.

My bench now days sports an Mark 7 Apex 10 with autodrive and the full sensor package. They claim it will run steady state loading 5000+ rounds an hour. I believe it.

However sitting right beside it on the bench is that same Rockchucker. Every load gets developed on it. Any small lots get fully loaded on it. All my long range ammo comes from the Rockchucker. All my big bores fire loads made on it. So no matter how fancy and State of the Art you end up, you're still going to need the Rockchucker, so I suggest you start there.