How do you start reloading? I've narrowed it down to two of the best ways to get into reloading. The first option is to have a family member or close friend that has experience reloading and have them show you what is needed to get set up. There is always a great selection of used items on the market as people retire from reloading or are upgrading their current setup and can save you thousands of dollars. The second method is to buy a reloading kit and do a pile of research on Google. I chose the second option and went with the Lyman Ultimate Reloading System.
Why buy a reloading kit? First off, a kit gets you into reloading with all of the tools you need to reload your first rounds. The Lyman Ultimate Reloading System stood out to me for multiple reasons, but the main reasons were the turret press and the electronic auto trickler. I upgraded a few items right away, but the press and tricker are still in use, and I don't see any need to upgrade any time soon.
Here is the list of items and a quick review to help you make an educated decision.
Lyman All American 8 turret press
The Lyman All American 8 turret press turned out to be a great purchase! A single-stage press turret may be slightly more accurate, but you will not tell the difference for the everyday target shooter or hunter. The turret design's main advantage is that I can keep all my dies in the turret without changing them and keep a repeatable setup for years. Right now, I have a Mighty Armory PUA decapping die, 308 win, 223 rem, and 6br dies all in the turret. Since these are the only calibers I reload, I do not need to adjust or remove them. In my opinion, this is the perfect setup!
Lyman All American 8 Turret Press
Lyman Gen 6 Powder System
Gen 6 Powder System
Great electronic powder trickler, and I do not feel the need to upgrade. I've reloaded over 1000 rounds so far, and it has worked flawlessly. Each powder charge can vary slightly, but this is true off all electronic tricklers until you get into an extreme price range. ($1000+) The trickler is easy to use and has an auto-repeat function that allows a powder charge to be dropped into the tray. The user then pours the powder into the brass case. Once the powder tray is replaced, it automatically starts measuring the next charge.
The system works great, and the only addition I have done is buy a cheap (yet reliable) separate scale that I use to fine-tune each powder drop to increase each load's accuracy. I'm reloading to start shooting PRS style matches this summer and looking to tighten up my groups as much as possible. If you plan on hunting and the occasional target shooting, I don't think you would need anything other than the Gen 6 Powder system.
Lyman Universal Trimmer
While it is a good trimmer and works perfectly, I admit that I opted to upgrade to a Little Crow Gunworks's "Worlds Finest Trimmer" or WFT. The Lyman Universal trimmer works great but does take extra time to trim each case. I upgraded because I shoot a lot, especially 223 and 6br, and the Little Crow Gunwork WFT is fast and does a perfect job of trimming. Again, if you are hunting and only planning on reloading 100 rounds a year, no need to upgrade.
Lyman Universal Trimmer
Lyman Pro 1200 Turbo Tumbler
Pro 1200 Turbo Tumbler
Great tumbler, but be aware that no tumbling media comes with the kit. I didn't realize this, and I needed to add another four-hour round trip to buy reloading media before I could try it out. As a word of advice, go and purchase crushed walnut shells in bulk from your local auto store. People use crushed walnut for sandblasting, and it is dirt cheap.
The first "reloading" media that I bought was a jar of Hornady corn cob mix and was $24 for a 2lbs bag. I was able to pick up a 50lbs bag of crushed Walnut at Princess Auto for $40. If you want your brass shiny, add a cap of Nu Shine car wax to each tumbler full of brass, and you are good to go for years!
I used the tumbler's stock photo from the Lyman website because it is -40 outside when writing this article, and I didn’t want to go out to the shop.
50th Edition Lyman Reloading Handbook
It is a great book and still my go-to reloading data. I have also bought a Hornaday book and look up various reloading data online, but the Lyman reloading data is where I start!
Lyman Universal Loading Block
Not great, but it does work. The problem with anything universal is that it only works ok for all calibers but not great. When I'm reloading 308 or 6br, I don't have a problem, but when loading 223, the cases are smaller and don't fit properly. If you are hunting and are only planning on reloading 100 rounds a year, no need to upgrade.
I have upgraded to a Sinclair loading block made from wood for each caliber. If you are a better DIY guy than I am, making a homemade reloading block would be simple once you use the universal block to understand what you need.
Calibration Check weight
Works great and has a storage area on the 6 Gen Powder Scale
Lyman Case Prep Multi-Tool
It works well, but I did upgrade to a Little Crow Gunworks Precision Prep tool if you are hunting and only planning on reloading 100 rounds a year; no need to upgrade.
Case Prep Multi-Tool
Bench Wrench
I've never used it snd you won’t if you on your own tools. If you don’t have any hand tools I’m sure it works well.
Lyman E-ZEE Prime Hand Priming Tool
Lyman E-ZEE Prime Hand Priming Tool
Great priming tool, and I don't see any need to upgrade. The turret press also comes with the tools to use the press to prime your brass, but in my opinion, hand priming is the best way to reload.
Lyman Quick Slick Case Lube
It works well, but after I used up the bottle I switch to the Imperial (Redding) case lube. It has less mess, works better, and is just as quick as a spray bottle.
Magnum Inertia Bullet Puller
Works great. I've only needed to use it on a handful of rounds, but it worked every time!
Lyman Stainless Steel Calipers
If you don't own a digital caliper, this works, but I highly recommend giving this as a Christmas present and buying a digital caliper at your earliest convenience. A digital caliper is inexpensive and will cut down on measurement mistakes.
Missing Items
There are a couple of items that are missing that you will need to start reloading. One is the tumbler media that I mentioned above, and the second is a powder funnel. When I opened the box and found out there was no funnel included, I used a piece of paper to load my first rounds to see if I would like reloading. Once I knew this would be how I spent a significant amount of my free time, I ordered caliber-specific Area 419 Powder Funnels. Same comment as the universal reloading block. The universal funnel will work but having a caliber specific funnel will cause you less stress.
Two other pieces that are missing for the complete new reloader are dies and case holders and the top question I get often is “Do I need to use Lyman products with the Lyman Turret press?” No, you do not.
To my knowledge, all dies and shell holders are standard and will fit in each supplier’s press. For example, I use Whidden dies for my 6br, RCBS for 308 and 223, the decapping die is Mighty Armory and the shell holders are Hornady. All fit and work great together.
I highly recommend buying the Lyman Ultimate Reloading System, especially if you want to start reloading and have no idea where to start. If you have any reloading questions, please feel free to email me at archie@takemehunting.ca or leave a comment below.
Little Crow Gunworks "Worlds Finest Trimmer"
