I have made the decision to get into reloading 45 acp/.357/.223. However I need some input and equipment. I'd really appreciate any suggestions on what supplies I'll need. I have a basic understanding of the process and the equipment but need more insight. Once I have determined the best route to go I will be looking to buy the equipment.

Look for threads here on THF, lots of good info.

Start on a cheap single press. Get the process down and then move on to a progressive.

That. ^^^^^


And heed the almighty internet wizards by getting a few books and by golly never think outside the box. In all seriousness get the basics covered then understand what's happening when a round is fired. That will teach you the most about how to assemble a new round. It's not hard. Get some confidence and go for it.

Going to disagree. If you KNOW you will be doing this get a good progressive press (Dillon). Start out using it as a single stage only. Once you know the basics and are confident in your ability you can move to using it as a progressive. If you decide you want a single stage later you can always buy one for precision work, but the calibers you listed will all load in volume on a progressive, and can be loaded for precision on a progressive.

I bought my 1st press (Rock Chucker) back in 81. That press is still loading and now have two RC's. Once you learn the steps and want to move up to progressive for handgun ammo, think Dillon.

I have no desire for a progressive so it's about preference. Progressives are not a step up for everyone.

Thanks I really appreciate the input, still reasearching and shopping around

Welcome. This should help you get started
http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/u...e_T#Post4597732

I really like my Lee Classic Cast Turret press. Cheap to mount complete die sets on their own turret and switch back and forth.
Easy to run test rounds through one at a time, just as easy to crank out large batches.

Enjoy!
Jeff

For setting up your bench http://inlinefabrication.com/ offers very affordable and well engineered accessories.

I am going to rebuild my reloading station. I currently have it on a rolling tool cabinet that fits in the office closet when not in use. I will be building a new one using the inline fabrication press mounts, press lighting kits and ergo levers.

Good stuff.

My first press was/is a lock-n-load progressive press. It has the auto bullet and case feeding systems for the high volume (and deep pocket) hand loader.

I would recommend a http://www.harveydeprimer.com hand depriming tool. It keeps everything cleaner, and you can deprime while watching TV. Deprimed cases are easier to clean and eliminate the mess when sizing brass. Depriming using a press leaves carbon from the primer pockets on the press that will gum up the works.

I would also recommend the stainless steel tumbling media.
http://www.stainlesstumblingmedia.com/ It not only cleans brass better than other methods, but it is cleaner, with no dust or carbon. Primer pockets come out clean too.

Forgot to add a champher and deburring tool. It can also be used to remove primer crimps.

Rather than a Progressive press, a Turret is the way to go. Advantage is with a rotating turret plate, all the dies are mounted and just need to rotate for the next step. Saves time when loading quantities of pistol ammo as you can do multiple steps without removing the shell casing.

A turret is just a single stage with the ability to rotate the dies manually and saves lots of motion.

Lyman makes a nice cast model for $140.00 with $40.00 extra 6 hole turret plates. I think they have a starter kit that has one in it.

Yep, one of mine is a Lee and works great with automatic index. I would have done better getting a single first but I survived.

Keep it coming I'm slowly determining the best route to go. Big decision is the Press. I've heard Dillion is the way to go but there are many others I have my eye on. I'm leaning towards a single press. Thoughts?

If you're a high-volume shooter and need to load several hundred rounds per week, then go toward a progressive (I'd go Dillon if I was so inclined) BUT do take steps to learn the process in single-stage style. If you're more inclined to go the single-stage route and you want to get the press you'll use over a lifetime then take a look at the Forster CoAx. There may be a disadvantage or two with the CoAx, but there are numerous advantages. It's the finest single-stage press you can buy.

Agreed, love my Co-Ax, and use it for all my rifle reloading. I load handgun on a Dillon progressive. I am not high volume, I just want to load several hundred at a time and that is much faster on a progressive. That's how I justify the Dillon to myself. Both are top shelf machines.

Lyman is a good choice

I learned on a Lee turret Classic. Not a thing wrong with loading with one. Easy to figure out and use.
I moved up and started loading in bulk with a Lee Loadmaster. It's not for everyone, but the price is right. You can buy a Loadmaster kit with dies for under $300. The Loadmasters may take a bit of fiddling with to get them running right. I loaded 1400 rounds (.40 S&W) the other night in about 4 hours. If you can afford a Dillon they are the $hiznitz.
you can load anything on a single stage and if you are a perfectionist you can bore yourself getting each round perfected to a T. Just WAY too s l o w for me.

I've got a Redding Boss, Lee Classic Cast, Redding T7 and a Hornady LnL Progressive. There are any number of quality single stage presses on the market, but I have to say that I love my T7 Turret. The Classic Cast is for resizing and reforming big stuff, and I use the Boss, which is fairly small, for lightweight utility work. I agree with the others about starting with a single stage. While the LnL works decently, I'd go Dillon if I had it to do over.

BTW, this morning there was a Lyman Expert Kit with the Turret press in the Allen Cabela's Bargain Cave at substantial discount. You could make worse choices.