Do you have enough reloading equipment?

[Andy Griffith]

I know this may...in a way...sound odd...

I have come to realize that it is perfectly possible to become overwhelmed with too much equipment, or perhaps incorrect or surplus loading equipment- at least for me. I'm fine with the mix of brands that I have, a hodge-podge of miscellaneous items that when put together make a decent loading set up.
However, I've almost gotten to the point that I want to pull out my hair because of the stuff I have- I don't know what to load next, and it gives me a headache! Sometimes it just takes a good look from a different vantage point to almost realize I have more stuff to load all the various calibers that I rarely shoot. In ways it comforts me to know I can nearly load anything, but in other ways I'm disappointed I've spent this much on it.

For instance, I ask myself "Did I really need that set of .33 Winchester dies? So what if they were only $7.50"

Oh well, I'll get over it...but for some reason it really hit me tonight.

 

[500 Magnum Nut]

Yes, I think we all purchase stuff we don't need. On top of that is at least with me, my interest changes as I get older. What I found was important years ago, isn't on the radar today.

 

[papajohn428]

Enough? Yes. Too much? Nah. I ran out of room in the basement, now it's taken over my living room. Oh well, it's more comfy up there!

 

[matsu]

no 3 presses 5 powder measures etc etc........

 

[OKFC05]

I have more stuff to load all the various calibers that I rarely shoot.

So, you're saying you need to shoot more?

 

[jtmo3]

papajohn, you're a pack rat. Do you use all that?

 

[Rule3]

My main "problem" is the ammo boxes. I have so many different colors and makes for so many different calibers.

I always label them but do a lot of experimenting with different powders and weights. So I pull a box say for 45 ACP and try to find one already labeled. Of course I can't so I need a new label. Then I have a blue one, a green one, clear , RCBS, Berry, MTD FA, zip lock. Berrys Black boxes etc etc.

I want to get rid of them all and color code everything. Is that OCD enough

 

[Andy Griffith]

My main "problem" is the ammo boxes. I have so many different colors and makes for so many different calibers.

The worst thing is- the different brand don't stack well together.

Next, how to carry and store all those full ammo boxes?
.50 caliber cans are useless- they don't store enough, while the big cans (20mm?) hold an odd number of boxes and there is too much space left over when filled and once filled can be a hassle to move.

I wonder how many loose, loaded .38 Specials it would take to fill a big ammo can? I figure about 8K. Although, no one could pick it up after being filled.

 

[papajohn428]

papajohn, you're a pack rat. Do you use all that?

Every bit. I don't shoot 60,000 rounds a year anymore but I keep adding new calibers, and shooting the old ones too. But yeah, I am kind of a pack rat. And a well-known hoarder of reloading components, too. It's a sickness.

 

[Paul5388]

I'm in a 10'X16' building right now for my reloading needs. That houses the Hornady LNL AP I rarely use and quite a bit of other "stuff". So, my solution is to move into a 12'X32" building, so I have a little bit of elbow room.

This is when it was "clean" and organized and I didn't have as much powder as I have now.

 

[Rule3]

The worst thing is- the different brand don't stack well together.

Next, how to carry and store all those full ammo boxes?
.50 caliber cans are useless- they don't store enough, while the big cans (20mm?) hold an odd number of boxes and there is too much space left over when filled and once filled can be a hassle to move.

I wonder how many loose, loaded .38 Specials it would take to fill a big ammo can? I figure about 8K. Although, no one could pick it up after being filled.

That's what I mean. I have one of those huge Rubbermaid storage containers full of boxes in the garage. When I need one I have to dig around to find the right ones. I have tried organizing them but no use.

Kinda like the kitchen. I want my wife to pitch all the plastic storage containers and buy one of those sets with 30 or 40 so they are all the same. Takes me 15 minutes to find the correct lid.

I think I am going to take an inventory and set a color for each caliber and buy all the same brand in different colors and sell or give away all these other.

Papajohn, at least all your stuff seems well organized unless you tidied up as company was coming.

 

[McShooty]

Yes, I have always wanted to mess with .25-20 WCF. I have dies and few hundred bullets, but no rifle, yet. I have dies and bullets for the 7 mil mag, but sold the rifle over 5 years ago. Just a couple of the many examples of unused stuff taking up space. I try to keep the current interests in one place, and the old ones in a box in the corner, then I can't figure out why I still need to get into the old box from time to time. I will pass along an idea. When I moved to the current residence, there was an old freezer in the garage. It worked, but I didn't need it, so my powder went into it (after cutting off the plug). Keeps all my powder in one area and it offers protection from fire and constant changes in humidity. I take two or three kinds of powder currently being used to the loading area, and the rest stays put in the freezer. A bit of inconvenience but it has been working well for me.

Actually, if my loading area was as orderly as Papajohn's or Paul's I probably wouldn't care how much stuff I had.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I returned to reloading this past winter and started from scratch. The advice I received from this forum saved me a lot of money. From powder to the press, scales, choice of bullets, dies, brass and primers, I still use and enjoy *(almost) all my initial purchases. *I replaced the RCBS powder funnel with a Lyman and the RCBS loading block with a Franklin. Anyone considering reloading should join this forum and ask lots of questions before spending a dime. That way you won't have "to much stuff", just what you need.

 

[tommy t]

I am just starting out! Right now I am only loading 38sp,9mm,45acp. I have a c frame lee press. and I am using unique powder, or win231,
I only have the three set's of dies for those cal. I have a lee second edition book, and a hornady 8th edition. I have been asking Questions on a diffrent site. so far everything I have loaded has worked, I am a hands on kind of guy. any info would be great I have been reading through the old\other postes trying to learn all I can. if any one has extra stuff and just want it out of your reloading room please let me know.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I got rid of my (5) press set-ups a few years back and went to one Lee Classic Turret with 6 caliber changes. All I need.

 

[Spike12]

I don't have that much stuff because I'm focused on just a few different calibers. (38/357, 45ACP, 5.56, 7.62) BUT I'd sure like to find a scale that will hold a zero for more than 3 minutes. MAJOR PTA!

 

[Paul5388]

It's hard to beat the RCBS 505 for durability and stability. It's even solar powered!

You can speed its operation up with a set of Lee Dippers. Use a larger one to "rough in" the weight and a smaller one to "trickle".

 

[whelenshooter]

I'm beginning to get worried... the photos of the reloading rooms that have been posted are quite unequiped and unsupplied compared to my own! We are in the process of moving because I needed more room for my gun and reloading stuff (along with the fact that I've retired and we want to move from Alaska to Idaho). Of course I taught the reloading section of a firearms class at the University of Alaska, Southeast so I have several portable press setups that I use for teaching. I inherited my Dad's big bunch of old shotshell reloaders (he collected them) along with all of his huge selection of old card and fiber wads. This gives me a HUGE amount of gear and supplies, some of which I NEVER use! I think it is some kind of a disease. I wouldn't think of selling any of my stuff, however! I came by the disease honestly... I inherited it from my dad. My dad was the shotshell loading addict, and I was more interested in rifles and handguns and their reloading equipment. Some of the stuff my dad had is quite old. I might have to find some kind of museum that displays old reloading gear and see if they want any of it. I must admit, I love the looks of my dad's old Savage shotshell reloader with the big Savage Indian logo on the shot and powder bottles. I have found that having all of this stuff has come in handy on occasion. I've been able to help people put together ammunition for guns for which they haven't been able to find factory ammunition.

Whelenshooter

 

[Paul5388]

the photos of the reloading rooms that have been posted are quite unequiped

Maybe you only saw one small section of those loading rooms, like the bullets, primers and powder? I didn't show the 6 sets of scales I have in there, like these.

 

[wbraswell]

Paul and Papa, I'm jealous. I can take up twice that much room with a quarter of the stuff. I wish I could be neat. Anybody got a good cheap press? By the way, I'd like to see the storage of the fruits of your labor with all that stuff. If you have that much equipment, I'd think you'd have a mountain of ammo.