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05-10-2018, 06:53 PM
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Loading on the road? Hot out in the garage....
Some time back I bought a Lee Hand Press because it seemed to fit my lifestyle. (I found it difficult to disappear for a few hours on my reloading bench). Anyway, I've got a range trip Saturday and I had to make about 150 rounds of 9mm. I spent some time out in the hot garage sizing and depriming. From then on I kicked back in front of the TV and hand primed the cases. Thn I used the hand press to flare the cases. I have my powder measure mounted on a board and spent some time charging the powder. Then I used the hand press to seat the bullets and crimp in a different operation
I was a little fumbly to start but I 'learned' how to use it more efficiently in a short while. I think resizing cases would be hard using the hand press, but all of the operations after that are a breeze.
If you think you may want to do reloading bench work away from the bench might think about picking up one of these.
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05-10-2018, 07:14 PM
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I like to watch TV while re-priming brass with a Lee hand primer.
When I was a kid. a couple friends and I made last minute plans to go duck hunting. It was late at night, and we had no shells loaded up. Lived at home with my parents, and couldn't be making all sorts of noise at 2am. I had a MEC 600 jr mounted on a 2x2 square of 3/4 plywood.
Loaded the MEC, along with the needed components into the truck, and off we went. Stopped at an all night "stop and rob" in Bridgeport, CT. Got coffee, and we set up the outfit on an outside picnic table at the store, and started reloading. A Bridgeport cop stopped by, and sat with us for a short while, amazed at what we were doing. After completing about 100 rounds, we were off to the marsh, and a good days hunt. Try doing that today....
When I was going to school, I worked at an empty factory for a few months as a security guard, 12a to 8a. I used to pack an old hard sided suit case with the basics, and couple C clamps. I would set up at the security desk and load all night. Put it all away in the am before people started coming in. I just considered it good time management...
Larry
Last edited by Fishinfool; 05-10-2018 at 07:15 PM.
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05-10-2018, 07:59 PM
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Being right handed, I find I can set the lower fixed side against my left inner thigh hold the upper fixed side 'handle' in my left hand and use my right hand for manipulating the rounds and squeezing...
Not as fast as a single stage but not so much slower if I have a table to set everything out on (such as in the 'getaway cabin' ).
A square Tupperware pint of Bullseye, a yellow dipper, a few SP primers, a few wadcutters, brass from your pocket.
Usually just to make 30 or 60 to shoot then and there, kinda fun "when you're mo-bile" (Who reference).
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05-11-2018, 01:04 AM
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The Lee Hand Press, Lyman 310 tool and Lee Loaders are all only good for neck sizing brass and assembling. You need a Normal bench press or an Arbor press for FL sizing. I tried and didn't get 1 FL sized 45-70 accomplished after a bunch of sweating and swearing!
I've had my Lee Hand Press around 20 years now. When on trips, if I plan on much shooting, I take a reloading kit that includes the Lee Hand Press And/or the others. If the reloads are for a gun that require FL sizing, I skip the kit and just take about double the ammo! (My own way to Pay it Foreword)
Ivan
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05-11-2018, 01:16 AM
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I resize all my handgun cases with a Lee hand press. Not difficult at all.
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05-11-2018, 05:23 AM
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It’s my go to device to deprime in the easy chair. I haven’t tried to assemble a round yet but after reading the above I may give it a whirl.
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05-11-2018, 07:15 AM
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Aye, the Lee Hand Press is a wonderful bit of kit. Kinda the modern rendition of the classic Lyman 310 Tong tool. And I've always hand-primed my cartridges anyway, so for me that part's unchanged.
I bought a small, inexpensive canvas bag to carry my Hand Press, dies, scale, and the few things needed for reloading on the road. It's a treat to be able to load ammo wherever you want!
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05-11-2018, 08:13 AM
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BEEN THERE, DONE THAT.
I bought my rockchucker used (1982) from my Bro who used it bolted to the tailgate of his pickup while out in the field. He bought it used in the 70's, no idea how old it is. Do yourself a BIG favor & set up a loading area INSIDE the house! Heat & A/C (not to mention a more constant temp/humidity) is your friend while loading.
Last edited by nachogrande; 05-11-2018 at 11:57 AM.
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05-11-2018, 08:21 AM
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This topic is currently being discussed on a couple of different threads in the hand tools Forum of the “Cast Boolits” website. Ivan, I’m a little confused about your statement about not being able to FL size any size (even 45-70) cases with the Lee Hand Press. That’s where it shines compared to the Lee Loaders and 310 Tools. It will take any standard 7/8 X 14 you care to use and with a a little extra effort squeeze it right down. It’s a bit slower to use than a standard bench mounted press, but unless you’re doing extreme sizing or case forming, it gets the job done. I used mine out in the campground in my trailer to work with a set of 50-70 dies.
When I saw I was really going to need and use this capability, I upgraded from the Lee Hand Presss to a (now discontinued) HDS Compac hand press to get a nicer tool with better materials. The currently made version of this high end hand press comes from WR Buchanan who can be located via the CB Website.
Froggie
Last edited by Green Frog; 05-11-2018 at 08:25 AM.
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05-11-2018, 10:06 AM
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I've had my Lee hand press for years and full length sized thousands of rounds with it, never an issue. Bought it for a one year isolated duty assignment and it kept me in ammo just fine. I use it now as a dedicated deprimer since my press spits used primers all over the place.
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05-11-2018, 10:07 AM
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I use my lee hand press a lot "on the road". Again, very relaxing.
I have a small setup in a crasftsman tool bag to reload some 44 specials when I am in the field seeing that my 44's are what I carry.
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05-11-2018, 10:13 AM
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The Lee Hand Press
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ivan the Butcher
The Lee Hand Press, Lyman 310 tool and Lee Loaders are all only good for neck sizing brass and assembling. You need a Normal bench press or an Arbor press for FL sizing. I tried and didn't get 1 FL sized 45-70 accomplished after a bunch of sweating and swearing!
I've had my Lee Hand Press around 20 years now. When on trips, if I plan on much shooting, I take a reloading kit that includes the Lee Hand Press And/or the others. If the reloads are for a gun that require FL sizing, I skip the kit and just take about double the ammo! (My own way to Pay it Foreword) And I take double the ammo, too. Because I aways need it.
Ivan
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The Lee Hand Presses uses the same dies that you use on your bench press along with the shellholder. I just think it would be 'work' doing resizing if the cartridge is bigger than semi auto rounds.
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05-11-2018, 10:20 AM
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Little tricks I learned from reading Skeeters work and years of hand loading in the field on the porch and such.
Pour your powder into a steel cookie or coffee tin with a large mouth ( label it)
Then measure out your loads on the scale.
Pour your loads into a different size case that is larger. Mark where the load ends.
Then cut that case down with a trimmer or dremel and smooth the edges so the load is exactly at the top.
May have to cut and measure it a couple times to get it right.
Scratch your caliber, powder, and measurement into the case ( I use one of those cheapo 8$ engravers from harbor freight.)
Then use it as a scoop. Scoop the powder, thumb off excess, pour. Quick and accurate load every time!
I carry all my stuff in a craftsman tool bag so I only have one caliber, weight bullet and one powder in the field. Less mistakes that way.
Those cookie or coffee tins are yet again perfect ( label them).
Enjoy!
Last edited by eb07; 05-11-2018 at 10:23 AM.
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05-17-2018, 10:47 PM
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I've got a handful of scoops..
Quote:
Originally Posted by eb07
Little tricks I learned from reading Skeeters work and years of hand loading in the field on the porch and such.
Pour your powder into a steel cookie or coffee tin with a large mouth ( label it)
Then measure out your loads on the scale.
Pour your loads into a different size case that is larger. Mark where the load ends.
Then cut that case down with a trimmer or dremel and smooth the edges so the load is exactly at the top.
May have to cut and measure it a couple times to get it right.
Scratch your caliber, powder, and measurement into the case ( I use one of those cheapo 8$ engravers from harbor freight.)
Then use it as a scoop. Scoop the powder, thumb off excess, pour. Quick and accurate load every time!
I carry all my stuff in a craftsman tool bag so I only have one caliber, weight bullet and one powder in the field. Less mistakes that way.
Those cookie or coffee tins are yet again perfect ( label them).
Enjoy!
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Yeah, I tried all kinds of cases to trim most easily to get the load I wanted. I have 'case scoops' for rifle loads, too. Solder a stiff wire on for a handle and no more 'in between scoop' loads, especially for the ones you use a lot.
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05-28-2018, 11:32 PM
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I setup a wooden plank on a bench grinder stand to load indoors during football season when it wasnt so political. Now I listen to podcasts
Last edited by 3rdgeargrndrr; 05-28-2018 at 11:33 PM.
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05-31-2018, 11:17 AM
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+1 on the Buchanan hand press (Cast Boolits forum). I carried one with me last winter to work up a load for a friends .270. We loaded at the range with a picnic table.
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05-31-2018, 12:34 PM
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My reloading bench is in a unheated , non air conditioned out building so when the hot humid ( forecast today is 97 degrees F. with 97 % humidity) summer arrives , I get my Lee Hand Presses , I got two of them , and move indoors with the a/c. Everything I need to reload goes into two medium sized tool boxes ....
Have reloading setup will travel , the hand press is one of Lee's better idea's. Apartment dwellers or those without a bench space need to look into one.
Gary
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