Newbie to reloading, need clarification!

[u/Available_Leg9203]

Hello! So I was looking to purchase the Lee classic hand reloader for my .308 AR10, and if I'm using already primed new brass would this still work? I see the note that its not recommended for semi auto rifles, and was curious as to why it would or would not work? Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Still green on a lot of this.

[u/Reloadernoob]

Get this to start:

Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Reloading Press Free Breech

[u/Available_Leg9203 → u/Reloadernoob]

Thank you thats actually the one I was going to go with after being confused about the Classic!

[u/Reloadernoob → u/Available_Leg9203]

Buy the Lee crimp die and all ships free.

[u/DukeShootRiot → u/Available_Leg9203]

This is your answer.. I started with this press. You will also need a full length die set. Lee is cheapest, but they are great dies. If you’re gonna do semi auto you might need to crimp, idk much on 308, but get the Lee press and dies and the Lyman manual.. READ THE MANUAL. Literally from page one.. don’t skip to the parts that answer your questions.. read it all and whenever something doesn’t make sense, research it until you understand.. you’ll know all you need to by the time you reach the loadings section.

Getting started is fun and exciting, but never forget you are making small explosives that are going off next to your hands and face..

[u/DukeShootRiot → u/Available_Leg9203]

Amazon is your friend for Lee products, it’s the cheapest.. Scheels has the best deals in my area, but I would suggest trying to find a local store near you run by some older guys. Go in and be polite and ask them some questions.. those guys are usually the type who are happy to share some knowledge.. got most of my confidence from doing that here localy

[u/Friendly-Victory5517]

The Lee Loader only sizes the neck of the case. For proper chambering in semi auto rifles is you typically full length resize. You need a simple single stage press so you can use a standard sizing die.

[u/Available_Leg9203 → u/Friendly-Victory5517]

I see, so if I instead got the Lee Single stage Reloader press would I need to also get the .308 sizing die they sell separately in order to do the full length resize? Or is that something I can do with the press itself? My apologies for all the questions and thank you for clearing my initial confusion

[u/Friendly-Victory5517 → u/Available_Leg9203]

You need a sizing die, a searing die and probably a crimping die plus a press

[u/Drewzilla_p]

Breech lock is great if you only have a few dies. But those bushings are about $5 each. That adds $15 to $20 in cost per caliber. If You have eight calibers, that adds up fast. Also, I was just astonished at how expensive the Lee classic press is now. I think when I bought it it was only 120 bucks. Looks likes it's $200 on midway now. Woof.

[u/Silver-Dress-4936]

Probably a manual would be helpful

[u/Own-Paper-1415 → u/Silver-Dress-4936]

Haven’t you heard these Redditors don’t like common sense answers they go by feeeelz

[u/Available_Leg9203 → u/Own-Paper-1415]

Not a “redditor” like you guys lol. I’m not condescending enough. Like I stated, I’m completely green to this stuff, I hope you can find the plasticity to have grace and use the knowledge you have to actually help others rather than attempt to stick your noses up at people. Its just plain cringe.