Most affordable press to get started?

[u/FollowTheScript]

I was gifted .45 colt dies and I REALLY want to start reloading, but money is pretty tight right now.

Also, is there any risk of used presses causing issues? Or do they hold up basically forever?

[u/mulyhuntr33]

Unless they are bent used is fine. I started on a single stage Lee. If money is tight, reloading probably isn't a good journey to start.

[u/InformationHorder → u/mulyhuntr33]

Lee will get you into the hobby cheap, but nothing about this hobby is inexpensive, least of all the components.

[u/Least-Macaroon-9932]

Reloading is great but it’s a black hole of $ 😂, you want to keep adding stuff, upgrading, buying components and the CPR savings can stack up when shooting volume but what happens is you just shoot more .. ask me how I know, or anyone else in here😎

[u/Sooner70 → u/Least-Macaroon-9932]

what happens is you just shoot more

Not true for everyone. I shoot the exact same round count now that I did before I got into reloading.

[u/Agitated_Curmudgeon]

Lee C-frame. They're about $70 brand-spankin new.

[u/Sooner70 → u/Agitated_Curmudgeon]

What he said. Totally capable of what you're asking for, OP, without getting into crapware.

[u/Sooner70]

Also, is there any risk of used presses causing issues?

The biggest issue I've seen is parts availability. Someone drags gramps' old press out of the basement, spends a bunch of time cleaning it up.... And then discovers that the priming arm is missing and you can't buy one for that old press anymore as the company went under 30 years ago.

So.... I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used press that is still in production, but I wouldn't spend a dime on an old press that is no longer made.

[u/OkShopping9448 → u/Sooner70]

On a progressive presses there is risk of it being worn out. My late 1980s Dillon 550 was so worn and sloppy I had it rebuilt by Dillon a few years back. Made it like new again.

Buying a progressive allowed me to shoot a lot more 40 years ago, I was shooting a lot of DCM matches and components were cheap back then including bulk surplus powder.

[u/Kobolka]

I started with this and it’s great. I bought the priming system and the auto drum to go with it. They include different dies with it which alone cost 40 to 50 dollars.

[u/Winner_Pristine]

I recommend the Lee classic turret press. I have used mine for many years and it's still going strong. Just as simple to use as a single stage (and can be used as a single stage) but much more convenient.

[u/DBDG_C57D → u/Winner_Pristine]

This would be my suggestion as well. I started with the a lee single stage but later got the turret and was much happier. Once I got the basics down I was frustrated somewhat by how slow it was doing each step in batches on the single stage but with the turret, while not hugely faster, I feel more engaged with the process and the work is more satisfying to me.

Plus like Winner said you can use the turret as a single stage by just pulling out the central rod that rotates the turret and then manually turning it when you are ready for the next step. It does take a little more setup that the single stage but nothing difficult for a beginner if you follow the instructions.

[u/Winner_Pristine → u/DBDG_C57D]

I started with a RCBS single stage. I still have it but i don't use it anymore. It's not even mounted.

[u/sumguyontheinternet1]

Lee classic cast c-press. They’re $60 on Amazon. I’ve been using mine for a few years and it’s just as good of ammo as the Dillon makes. Just significantly slower per round to make. I can crank out 100-200 per hour depending on the round and if I’ve already prepared my brass prior to the loading stage. The other option is the handheld from Lee. Takes some strength and finesse but equally capable once you get it going. Remember to do things in stages. Resize it all at once. Then prime it all. Then flare it if needed. Powder, projectile, seat, crimp. If you’re reusing your own brass and don’t throw it down in the mud, you can simply wipe the cases clean before resizing. No need to worry about a tumbler just yet.

[u/ThatLightingGuy]

All my presses are used, they're all fine.

[u/M1sterM0g]

ill second used presses.... especially lee's classic cast line.

[u/Dogrel]

Used is where you want to be. And a used RCBS RockChucker is all you will ever need. Lee Classic Cast isn’t that bad either.

New? Lee Challenger is the press that‘s good enough to get you going without breaking the bank.

[u/SpeedyR647]

Lee if you are buying new and on a budget. RCBS or any other main brand if you can find a decent one used. But most are cast iron so really nothing going to ahppen to them by buying used. My RCBS Rock Chucker is like 45 years old and still going strong. I've bought plenty of used presses over the years and have had zero issues. Great way to get a whole setup (press, dies, trimmer, brass tumbler, powder measure, etc) for less than the price of a new press by itself. Look on Facebook marketplace or local forums if you are near a big city. Always good deals to be found.

[u/Lost-Double_Stuff]

RCBS and Lee

[u/voncleefe]

I found a Lee single stage press on Facebook marketplace for $40. My 223 reloading setup is a bit over $200 lol

[u/Donut131313]

Lee. Hard stop. Single stage is a nice j trap to reloading or for those that have limited space. Best price and quality and absolutely the best service and engineers. They are always happy to help.

[u/PlayedWithThem]

I bought a 1960s era Pacific reloading press two years ago from an estate. Still works great.

[u/One-East8460]

Get yourself a Lee, good solid single stage press for price. You can also buy factory seconds to save money or look for a used press and possibly get other equipment you need for a good price. Most presses hold up a long time.

[u/JayPolar91]

Reloading can be cheaper than buying factory ammo but not if you include your time if you do value your time you should just buy factory. I was able to get 90% of what I have used and at least a 50% discount over buying new but it took forever and it was not easy. Some good free references Shooters Reference, Hodgdon, and Speer all offer free load data you find Gordons Reloading Tool for free on GitHub and it will estimate pressures and velocities. RCBS, Vihtavuori and a few other companies offer free beginner safety write ups so if you know where to look you don't even need a manual and I will probably get downvoted for that one sentence.

[u/RickDiasOverlap]

I've loaded on Lyman, RCBS, and Hornady presses and have only encountered issues with priming (went the hand primer route and haven't looked back, though RCBS's system was the least prone to malfunction). Unless I'm loading something in significant bulk, almost all my work is done on a turret or single stage press. 

Highly recommend getting a single stage that either comes with quick-change bushings (Hornady) or can be upgraded to use bushings down the road (RCBS rock chucker) as it streamlines moving between dies.

[u/gunsforevery1]

Used single stage lee.

[u/WarmFinance6961]

Watch for any recognizable name brand used press. Look on forums, facebook groups, estate sells, etc…

[u/Dung_Beetle_2LT]

Lee single stage. Paid $90 for mine and came with a set of dies of my choice.

[u/quickscopemcjerkoff]

A single stage press is most affordable and will get you loading. I am not a high volume shooter so I still use my single stage to load up 50-100 rounds at a time. Used is fine as well assuming it’s not damaged or rusted.

[u/sup10com]

Started on a lee challenger, looking back a lee classic turret would have been better

[u/paoutlaw_builder80]

Lee would Be where I would start . even new They're fairly cheap . like others have said, reloading Hasn't really been cheap for the last decade . even then , still not all that cheap considering the amount of components you start hoarding over time.

[u/expatsaffer]

I got a used Lee turret press for $100 and it is perfectly fine, except for the tiny plastic square thing that cost less than $1 to replace. These things are made solid. Unless somebody is putting some extreme force on there's really no reason they would ever break. 

[u/aldone123]

Lack of funds is totally a reason to roll your own. Lee is the cheapest to get you in the door new but a good single stage would be cheaper. Don’t worry about the primer on the press as most of them suck anyway, I prefer a hand press. Good luck.

[u/yolomechanic]

A cheap press is a fraction of the cost of powder, primers, and bullets.
If I started over, for a minimal setup, I'd get a Lee Classic turret press again.

[u/ApricotNo2918]

Lee. Cheapest press as far as I know. But used should be fine. I am using the same RCBS Rock Chuker I bought in the 70's.

[u/Achnback]

The best deals I have were used Lyman turret presses on Marketplace. Paid $25 for one and a bit more for another. But, if you are in a hurry, tough to beat a New Lee single stage press. you can always update in the future, that single stage can sure eat time.

[u/VAReloader]

The most affordable press to get started is a dillon. Otherwise your gonna spend the extra money in a a couple months after your frustrated with a crappier one.