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  #1  
Old 01-27-2009, 04:25 PM
10ring 10ring is offline
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I suppose in some sense not new to reloading. Many years ago I had an RCBS rockchucker with powder measure, scale, tumbler, carbide dies, and all the various accessories, and for awhile had a Star progressive machine to do .38 special in volume, but that was long time ago. None of the stuff is still around except some old reloading manuals.

I have decided to get back into reloading to cut costs and am about to order:

Lee hand press
Lee 4-die carbide dies in .38/357, 9mm, 40 S&W/10mm and 45 ACP (I may later want to reload 44 special, 45 Colt, .223 and 7x57 as well)
Lee Dipper set
RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool
Lyman Handbook
Lyman Turbo 1200 autoflow tumbler

Obviously I will need primers, powder and bullets, but otherwise, should I be looking at other options, or is there something I need to add?

I don't anticipate using maximum loads and am thinking I don't need a scale. Right? I seem to recall measuring OAL on .45 cases but can't remember if I used a case trimmer or not.

I want the hand press because I don't anticipate loading in huge volume and would like to be able to use it in different locations.

Thoughts? Thanks for any help.
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  #2  
Old 01-27-2009, 04:25 PM
10ring 10ring is offline
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I suppose in some sense not new to reloading. Many years ago I had an RCBS rockchucker with powder measure, scale, tumbler, carbide dies, and all the various accessories, and for awhile had a Star progressive machine to do .38 special in volume, but that was long time ago. None of the stuff is still around except some old reloading manuals.

I have decided to get back into reloading to cut costs and am about to order:

Lee hand press
Lee 4-die carbide dies in .38/357, 9mm, 40 S&W/10mm and 45 ACP (I may later want to reload 44 special, 45 Colt, .223 and 7x57 as well)
Lee Dipper set
RCBS Universal Hand Priming Tool
Lyman Handbook
Lyman Turbo 1200 autoflow tumbler

Obviously I will need primers, powder and bullets, but otherwise, should I be looking at other options, or is there something I need to add?

I don't anticipate using maximum loads and am thinking I don't need a scale. Right? I seem to recall measuring OAL on .45 cases but can't remember if I used a case trimmer or not.

I want the hand press because I don't anticipate loading in huge volume and would like to be able to use it in different locations.

Thoughts? Thanks for any help.
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Old 01-27-2009, 04:39 PM
butchd butchd is offline
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I see no way of getting around the necessity of a scale. Lee dippers, I guess. Maybe I misunderstood or maybe you were joking. The length trimmer is something that I have hardly used in years.
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Old 01-27-2009, 04:47 PM
10ring 10ring is offline
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Well, I thought the Lee dippers would work and allow me to forego a scale. Silly idea? I have never used them before, but saw a lot of positive comments about them. I may have misunderstood their use.
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Old 01-27-2009, 05:51 PM
Jal5 Jal5 is offline
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You could probably score all the pieces you need either on websites like this used , craigslist, or ebay. I did and saved about 40% off new and got better equipment than I could have afforded if new. fwiw.
Joe
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Old 01-27-2009, 05:59 PM
Papaw Papaw is offline
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You don't need a trimmer. I use a scale and a powder measure. I have the dippers that came with the dies but have never used them. I use Lee dies and a Lee turret press...like them fine.
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Old 01-27-2009, 07:21 PM
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shovelwrench shovelwrench is offline
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All good advice..

Get a scale....

But I would get a Lee four hole turret press instead of a hand press. They are relativly inexpensive, and fairly productive.

Get a kit and it will come with a die set and auto disk powder measure.
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Old 01-29-2009, 10:26 AM
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Definitely get a scale. If you are strictly loading target level loads in straight wall pistol cartridges, you probably don't need a trimmer. but if you load max loads or any rifle loads, you need a trimmer.

If you roll crimp, the cases all being exactly the same length will enhance the accuracy of the load as the amount of crimp will be more consistent.
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Old 01-29-2009, 10:48 AM
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While I'd normally suggest you purchase a Dillon, it seems you want to stay as low-cost a possible and get the maximum you can for your money. Nothing wrong with that.

I think you could get by with Lee Dippers, but I believe you will be happier, and more efficient if you use a measure and scale. Even with Dippers, I'd want to use a scale "just to make sure" the weights were right.

And, respectfully, I'd pass on the hand press and buy at least one up from it. You will like it a lot better. The Kits, suggested by Shovelwrench, are a pretty good buy and will have the things you need.

Good luck,

Bob
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Old 01-29-2009, 05:37 PM
orion1 orion1 is offline
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I only trim bottleneck rifle cartridges. I would second the suggestion about getting a bench mounted press. Your time spent reloading will be more enjoyable. Hand presses are okay but only for small volume.
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Old 01-29-2009, 05:45 PM
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http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=820810

Lee Challenger Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit with "Modern Reloading" Manual. This kit has Kit includes Press, Auto-Prime, 11 Auto-Prime Shellholders, chamfer tool, primer pocket cleaner, 2 oz case lube, Cutter and Lock Stud (Case Length Gage and Shellholder sold separately), powder scale, powder measure and powder funnel. This kit also includes the popular "Modern Reloading" manual.


Eighty bucks plus shipping, can't beat it. Good luck!
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Old 01-30-2009, 01:46 PM
10ring 10ring is offline
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Thank you for all the suggestions. My interest in the hand press and dippers was more portability than cost. I would like to be able to perform at least some of the steps someplace other than at a reloading bench in the basement and may wanting to do some reloading while away from home in the RV.

Thinking back, I stopped reloading partly because I wasn't saving THAT much over buying factory ammo and was spending more time than I liked sitting at a reloading bench in a back room.

I am not particularly interested in reloading as a hobby...I want to save some money on ammo. On the other hand, I tend to believe in buying quality once rather than buying entry level stuff that I will outgrow or replace in a year.

So what about the idea of putting a turret or progressive press on a Frankford Arsenal portable stand? I might want a digital scale so I don't have to have it at eye level like I used to with my old Dial O Gram, but I hear things about air currents and electrical fluctuations and precise leveling, all of which would be challenging at the kitchen table.

I can afford a Dillon or Hornady LNL, if that will serve me better, and I suppose both, or at least the Dillon would have better resale value if ever needed.

I don't need huge volume but as much as is possible and safe I am looking for convenience, and not another hobby. I would like to be able to sit down once every week or two and reload a few hundred rounds in a couple hours or so, possibly in 2-3 calibers.

Is that feasible?

The idea of used equipment is good. So far I haven't found anything but am looking.
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Old 01-30-2009, 06:50 PM
djs764 djs764 is offline
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Quote:
Originally posted by 10ring:
Thank you for all the suggestions. My interest in the hand press and dippers was more portability than cost. I would like to be able to perform at least some of the steps someplace other than at a reloading bench in the basement and may wanting to do some reloading while away from home in the RV.

Thinking back, I stopped reloading partly because I wasn't saving THAT much over buying factory ammo and was spending more time than I liked sitting at a reloading bench in a back room.

I am not particularly interested in reloading as a hobby...I want to save some money on ammo. On the other hand, I tend to believe in buying quality once rather than buying entry level stuff that I will outgrow or replace in a year.

So what about the idea of putting a turret or progressive press on a Frankford Arsenal portable stand? I might want a digital scale so I don't have to have it at eye level like I used to with my old Dial O Gram, but I hear things about air currents and electrical fluctuations and precise leveling, all of which would be challenging at the kitchen table.

I can afford a Dillon or Hornady LNL, if that will serve me better, and I suppose both, or at least the Dillon would have better resale value if ever needed.

I don't need huge volume but as much as is possible and safe I am looking for convenience, and not another hobby. I would like to be able to sit down once every week or two and reload a few hundred rounds in a couple hours or so, possibly in 2-3 calibers.

Is that feasible?

The idea of used equipment is good. So far I haven't found anything but am looking.

I'm new into reloading too. Everyone kept saying start with a single stage and work your way up but I know within a month I'd be trading up. I just finished putting together my Hornady LnL tonight,wasn't as bad as some have said but the directions could use a little more detail. I only had to make 2 calls to Tech support and they were very helpful and only had to wait a few minutes. With the LnL you can still use it as a single stage press, nothing will charge if there's no casing in the shell plate.I'm sure the Dillon works the same just not familiar with them.

Once you set the dies in the bushings, all you do is turn the bushing 1/4 and it locks it in place. When changing calibers all you have to do is turn and remove the bushings with the dies still in place, no need to readjust anything when you go back to that caliber later, (you should recheck them anyways). You can literaly change them in 5 mins.

I wouldn't worry to much about resale, any good progressive press will hold their value and with Hornadys free 1000 bullet offer, you're a little more ahead of the game to start. I was looking for a good used press for the last 2 months on ebay and craigslist and everything was so close to a new one it wasn't worth it. If you're looking for a LnL, PM me, the place I bought mine still had 1 left as of Thursday for $369.00 plus I bought the RCBS dies from him for $40.00.

Dave
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Old 01-31-2009, 10:09 AM
Houndog2 Houndog2 is offline
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10ring,
All good advice so far. Here's my take....I too stopped for a long time for the same reasons you stated. Plus my ADHD made it almost impossible to reload for very long stretches.

That said...I have 2 progressive and a single stage as well.

I now prefer to use the hand press, again for many of your reasons...

I can sit in the den and reload while the tv is on.....I'd never actually watch tv while reloading, that would be unsafe

I use it for the 454 and 460. Works great. I use a factory crimp die in 45 colt for all three but have 460 dies for loading those cases.

You need the scale to verify what the dippers throw.

Natchez Shooters has a lee powder measure for about 20 bucks. Seems like a good deal but again you need the scale.

And don't forget the most important part......
A powder funnel!

BTW.....I made a stand out of 2 small pieces of MDF and 2X2's for the progressive presses. Works great and is portable. I'd still get the hand press even if you do go for a bench mounted. I think you'll like having both.

HD2
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  #15  
Old 01-31-2009, 11:03 AM
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Groo01 Groo01 is offline
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Groo here
I had a progressive, have benchpresses
rcbs c&h lee and i find I use my lee handpress most.
It is quick easy small and lite.
unless you need to form cases or resize mag rifle
it will do what you need.
I also use dippers as the are easy fast and if used correctly safe.
Not for max loads or picky powers but will do for 90% of your loading just fine..
Get a lee scale for those powers not in the list or chart.
Remember the factory and most bench shooters do not way there charges.
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