I want to start reloading 38 special and 357 magnum and don't want to go the Lee Loader & hammer route. The Lee Anniversary kit looks good. I can get that system and a set of dies for ~$100 USD. Is that a good option? Any others? This is for a lever action rifle chambered for 38/357. All serious answers are appreciated. Thanks!
First off, from personal experience, I would not consider the purchase of any Lee reloading equipment. I have found it to be made of poor quality metals and far from being precise.
Since you are loading a single caliber, this can actually be very simple, but a little expensive. First, I would purchase a reloading manual (select the manual for the company whose bullets you plan on using). Second, purchase a balance beam scale which you will use to verify the powder charge. Third, Dillon Precision makes a caliber specific press called the Square Deal B. Fourth, you will need to purchase a vibrating tumbler with media to clean your cartridge cases before reloading.
The Square Deal B (SDB) is a complete progressive reloader. It has a depriming/priming station, a sizing station, a charging station and a seating station. When I had one of these I was able to load about 150-200 shells in an hour and I was taking my time. If you purchase this press all you have to do is adjust the powder bar (this regulates the amount of gun powder flowing into the case) and adjust the seating depth of the bullet seater. This press arrives in the box fully assembled. Down the road you can purchase conversion kits for virtually any other pistol caliber cartridge.
This would be the simplest and most cost efficient route to reloading a single caliber or cartridge.
Good luck.
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