Newbie

[skeet]

If you want a decent press in the Lee line get a Classic cast single stage press(I have one I use for making Gas checks and decapping. Made pretty well and Cabela's sell 'em for under a 100 bucks. As far as dies..Stick with the good ones such as RCBS or Redding. All the currently made main line dies are threaded 7/8 x 14...oh and a good scale if you don't have one. A RCBS 505 will be just fine if a little slow

[dovehunter]

RCBS makes some cheaper presses too. I have one - I believe it is called the JR - that I have been using from about 40 yrs. now with never a problem of any kind. I've never seen the need to upgrade to anything better or faster. There's no telling how many thousands of rounds I've loaded with it.

I like the Lee dies too. I have five sets of them now and I think they are as good as my more expensive RCBS and Lyman dies. All dies now seem to be the standard 7/8" x 14 (threads per inch) and should work in any press.

If you are planning on loading handgun rounds, you may want to consider getting a powder measure too. I have the Lee Perfect powder measure and it has worked great for me.

Good luck with putting together your reloading outfit.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I have a LEE hand press that I bought 35+ years ago, with the idea that I would get a 'better' press and sell of the hand press. Well, I'm still using the hand press! I also use LEE dies (haven't had a problem yet), as well as RCBS and Lyman. The threads all match.
I have a RCBS 505 scale as well. It works for me.