New to reloading.. Considering Hornady Lock n Load

[nickf829]

I've wanted to get into reloading for a bit, so I've been doing alot of research online and bought and read the newest lymans manual. Now it is time to start buying! Originally I was set on a RCBS rockchucker supreme kit with the piggyback progressive attachment. Ive spent the last few nights online reading various reviews and have come across this Hornady Lock n Load and have found that not one person seems to have a complaint. I like the price, I like the features, and most of all I like the speed it is capable of. The only issue is that I am just starting out, so I don't have anything else as of yet. I know this LnL is a complete press, but I need anything else that would be necessary. Is there such thing as a kit that has everything but the press? Or do you have any suggestions as to what else I should get to start out? Like I said, I originally planned on getting a kit, but now I think I've gotten hooked on this press so everything else will need to be bought individually or as a kit.

[camino]

I got the RCBS rock chucker for Christmas and found that getting dies and other parts are easier to find than for other brands,most anywhere you go they have rcbs in the richmond area, if you don't mind waiting you can order online.

[Vahunter]

I have nothing against Hornaday they make good products but I like RCBS's customer service. If I break or loose something RCBS refuses to let me pay for it, plus I get it in a couple of days.

[grumpyMSG]

I am reasonably new to reloading too. I went with the Lock-N-Load Classic single stage press, a kit is available, it doesn't come with any dies, it did come with 3 of the L-N-L bushings and has the minimum of things to start reloadoing. It only has a reamer/ chamfer for the case neck, as far as case prep goes. So you will still spend some money in that area. Here is Cabela's listing:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true
The one thing they said you get, that I didn't get, was the manual. What came with mine was a magazine type manual not the big "Handbook of Cartridge Reloading". Overall I was very happy with the kit.

[gfost1]

I've wanted to get into reloading for a bit, so I've been doing alot of research online and bought and read the newest lymans manual. Now it is time to start buying! Originally I was set on a RCBS rockchucker supreme kit with the piggyback progressive attachment. Ive spent the last few nights online reading various reviews and have come across this Hornady Lock n Load and have found that not one person seems to have a complaint. I like the price, I like the features, and most of all I like the speed it is capable of. The only issue is that I am just starting out, so I don't have anything else as of yet. I know this LnL is a complete press, but I need anything else that would be necessary. Is there such thing as a kit that has everything but the press? Or do you have any suggestions as to what else I should get to start out? Like I said, I originally planned on getting a kit, but now I think I've gotten hooked on this press so everything else will need to be bought individually or as a kit.

Howdy, Nick,

Here is a shopping list of reloading stuff, in no particular order:

-Reloading Manual- I know you can find load data on line, but I like having a book, too, actually several.
-Set of dies & shell holder for each cartridge
-Case tumbler or vibratory cleaner & media, seperator a plus but not necessary
-Elecronic powder dispenser, OR:
-Powder measure or dippers,
-Beam balance or electronic scale
-Powder trickler a plus

-Hand priming tool - you can use the press for priming, but there are advantages to using a seperate tool
-Primer pocket brush
-Case neck brush
-Case lube and pad - unless you have carbide resizing dies
-Dial caliper
-Case trimmer
-Deburring tool
-Powder funnel
-Loading block
-Primer pocket reamer or swager - if you are relaoding military brass
-Ammo Boxes or cans for all those reloads

Regards,

George

[grumpyMSG]

Borrowing from gfost1's list I figured I could tell you what came in the L-N-L kit from Cabela's:
-Reloading manual- came with a small magazine type, I recommend you go wit the book from each of the bullet manufacturer, for example- Sierra and Hornady
-Set of dies and shell holder- came with none, also need L-N-L bushings,came with 3 bushings; 2 needed for most rifle, 3 for pistol dies. sets of ten are available online if you look a little.
-Case tumbler or vibratory cleaner & media- doesn't come with one
-Elecronic powder dispenser OR: Powder measure or dippers- comes with an adjustable, mechanical powder measure
-Beam balance or electronic scale- comes with an electronic scale
-Powder trickler a plus- comes with a mechanical powder trickler
-Hand priming tool- comes with one
-Primer pocket brush- doesn't come with one
-Case neck brush- doesn't come with one
-Case lube and pad- unless you have carbide resizing dies- comes with spray can of lube, no pad
-Dial caliper- doesn't come with one
-Case trimmer- doesn't come with one
-Deburring tool- comes with deburr/chamfer tool
-Powder funnel- comes with one
-Loading block- comes with one, you will probably want more
-Primer pocket reamer or swager- if you are reloading military brass- doesn't come with one
-Ammo Boxes or cans for all those reloads- obviously doesn't come with kit

[nickf829]

Those are both great lists, Thanks! My power just came back on with no thanks to the wonderful white stuff, so I believe I will be doing some shopping tonight.

[nickf829]

So the snow, being without power, phone, internet, and water apparently got my wife into the vacation planning bug and "we" decided it would be a good time to book our summer vacation. Annnnd paying for a summer vacation in February means no reloading purchases this month. So that means back to the planning phase.. I'm planning to start piecing things together one at a time though to cut down on the final major purchase, the press. So if anyone knows of anybody selling components, let me know. Thanks

[gregj]

I got a Lee Classic Turret press kit from Cablea's. It included everything but the dies and components. To start out loading 9m and 45, in addition to the kit, I ordered extra 4 hole turrets (because I wanted the Factory Crimp Die also) and the deluxe pistol dies. Besides manuals, this had everything to get me started. The only component I will be replacing soon is the Lee Safety Scale. It's a great value for the money, and works quite well, but it's a PITA to zero and to read to get an exact weight. But overall, I've been extremely pleased with the kit and it's components.

[rugdoc]

I got a Lee Classic Turret press kit from Cablea's. It included everything but the dies and components. To start out loading 9m and 45, in addition to the kit, I ordered extra 4 hole turrets (because I wanted the Factory Crimp Die also) and the deluxe pistol dies. Besides manuals, this had everything to get me started. The only component I will be replacing soon is the Lee Safety Scale. It's a great value for the money, and works quite well, but it's a PITA to zero and to read to get an exact weight. But overall, I've been extremely pleased with the kit and it's components.

+1 I ordered mine from midway. Order the Safety Prime Kit and a set of lee dies and you are good to go. I can load about 150-200 rds a hour, including prep.

Also you can use it as a single stage if you like.

[zephyp]

Carbide dies are highly recommended. Dont go the cheap route. They will wind up as garage sale material real quick...

[SgtBill]

I think Dillon has about the best die's on the market today and I am slowley getting all new pistol die's made by dillon.
Bill