Best single stage press for under $200

[Meketrefe]

This is a great price for a nice powder measure and a link system that will work in any press. The lee autodisk with the kit is a more affordable solution but it is a disk system made of polymer so ball powders and some flake powders will give problems.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/290...ProductFinding
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/591..._vc=OBv1591344

[Meketrefe]

You can save on the tumbler. you do not need one. you can try a simple system I will give you that can be done for free and a lot cleaner and if you do not like it then you can buy the tumbler later. Always try free things first. Specially the ones that do work.

This measure is a great price and will give a lifetime of relaods with any type of powder. The RCBS too but this is a lot less money and the same result in the end. I use both.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/290...ProductFinding
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/591..._vc=OBv1591344

[Meketrefe]

Do you have a power drill or two?

[Meketrefe]

Jennings scales are simple and better than the average...
I have a few others but these are the most reliable.

This is a great value. Add a calibration weight and tray optional but you can do tare from the case itself.

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/jennings-jsr-200.html

I have this one that is more sensitive and it comes with the tray but is is actually too sensitive and will fuctuate in the range just with the noise from peopel shooting so the above
is better for all sort of use and pretty reliable withing 0.1grains that is more than plenty.
http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/je...le-jsvg20.html

[Wildman]

How do those powder measures hook up to the lee? I'll probably just spend the money on that. Seems worth it since it's not much more than the lee version

[Meketrefe]

Those are case activaded that is the way to go. The case must be present for the bushing to raise that is connected to the link that actuates the throw. All one needs to do is to make shure to choose parts that can sork well in the turret wo bumping into each other. The rcbs and lee tube bullet feeders shoud work fine with the hornady case activated powdwer measure. I can measure I n the piggyback that is even smaller than the lee turret if you want.

[Meketrefe]

Plan this carefully.. might want to have a list in excel and get some high level budget. I can start a list and then explain why some things in the starter kits make sense and some others don't.
When you mention $200 and all those calibers is going to be very hard to get anything decent so you might want to phase this out and invest in something that
is going to be a more decent start baseline but then scaleable for the long term. that is why I proposed the barebones basic turret and then get specific parts that will give a lifetime of successful use. $200 is not much money no matter what. If you are going to end up progressive then invest in the simpliest single press and then things you can share with the progressive.
Investment for good brass preparation is a good thing because it is independent whether one is doing single or progressive and watns clean, consistent brass vs. reloading for volume with inconsistent brass and dirty prime pockets. Otherwise might want to consdier a good deal on a progressive press like a hornady lnload to start with that so the case activated powder measure
and reliable priming system is already there. But again not 100% needed but also think long term to make the best of one investments.

[Wildman]

200 is just what my girlfriend has left budgeted for me for Xmas. I can always pick up a few things after Xmas. I can get dies and that kinda stuff afterward. She just wanted rochwlp get me started

[Meketrefe]

200 is just what my girlfriend has left budgeted for me for Xmas. I can always pick up a few things after Xmas. I can get dies and that kinda stuff afterward. She just wanted rochwlp get me started

Perhaps that one with one set of dies and the barebones press is a good start. Lets put this in a table where you can compare full kit vs. other options.
do you think you want to start investing in brass preparation for rifle or perhaps the pistol reloading for volume is more important? This might give you a better understanding
of the starting point.

[Wildman]

I'll be reloading rifle 1st. I don't have the rifle that takes 45lc/357 yet so won't be doing that for awhile. Mostly 223 and 308 to start. I would also have to buy something to prepare brass I assume.

Been looking at reviews of that redding t-7. Seems like a good press for the money. More of an investment piece over the lee

[Meketrefe]

It is a good press but not the best choice for starting. IMO one with the option to autoindex and affordable turrets is a more versatile option. And 7 holes are never needed. you are talking about reloads in two cycles anyway.

[Wildman]

I'm not a huge fan of the auto index on that lee classic because it is plastic. Lots of reviews of the plastic breaking. The 7 hole option is nice so you can put 2 calibers on 1 turret

[Meketrefe]

Those are nylon bushings and with a bit of Vaseline will last 8,000 to 12,000 rounds. They are $3 each but they also had a value pack of 4 for $5 or something like this.
W.o the autoindex there is little point on a turret. Better concentrate on a single with quick change bushing system like hornady or lee or save for the progressive.
Also look for used progressive ones. A used RCBS piggyback works great on top of a single press RCBS and just the reliable priming alone is worth every cent.
I just saw a few dillon and hornady lock n load in ebay some in pretty good shape. All these brands have lifetime warranty so anything is needed the makers are pretty
good about support.

[Wildman]

So basically you would rather go with the lee classic because it auto indexes instead of manual and the turrets are cheaper? Do you think it's still just as good a press quality wise as the redding?

[Meketrefe]

The reason we discussed the turret is because it works like the single w/o the indexing. But with the capability to index to speed up the process.
But some folks buy a lee breach lock anniversary single kit with the bushing system and that is a great price for a kit with everything.
None of them makes any easier the brass preparation that requires motorized options at some point. A power drill and the lee gauges can be used to start on this also very affordable.
The way I see it the single press with a loading tray can do rifle pretty nicely. I have lots of other equipment and presses and still use the lee breech lock to do things and take to the range.
Lets put this on a list with a budget like two options. Then when you see the total it might help you decide.

Also think of it this way... you invest on a $130 kit and use it to learn. Later you find out reloading is not for you..then no big deal.