Considering Reloading...keeping it very simple

[koop]

I just got a Horizon Pro-50A electronic scale on Amazon for $45.99 shipped. It's accurate down to .02 grains and I'm actually quite impressed with how good it works. Of course, always back up everything you do with a good beam scale, but for convenience and good accuracy this scale is hard to beat. I'm actually surprised not more folks in the reloading community know about this little scale. For the money I've not found any other digital scale that comes even close; and I've scoured many reloading forums and read hundreds of posts and articles to research which scale to get. As far as I'm concerned this is a supreme deal for the money. Got it today, calibrated it, tared it. Everything appears to work flawlessly.

 

[rwsmith]

Still using dippers

I'm still using dippers and they are fine if you know the limitations. Striking the excess off the top of the dipper with a card gives better consistency. I check a lot of charges with the balance to find out the Min, Avg and Max I get with a particular powder out of a dipper. The slide rule that is included with Lee dippers is ONLY a guide to get you in the ball park as to which scoop throws how much. If I get to where the dipper's max charge is close to max listed load, I throw the powder from a smaller scoop on the scale and add powder until it balances. I will get an adjustable measure one day but in the meantime I can put the money to better use elsewhere, like into bullets, primers and food.

 

[k53]

OK, so Im a newbee just getting setup, but I have learned a few things reading, and working on getting all my gear.

Moneys tight for me, and Im sure a lot of others here also. Kids, a house, daily bills... moneys tight. But Ive found some value out there. Frankly if you have any space at all, I would spring for a press. A hand loader would be nice for once in a wile... but as my only choice... Id rather have a nice basic press. they are not that pricy, stone simple, and pretty much last forever. As was said... they come up for sale used for chump change. I was left a old Lyman truline Jr form my dad when he passed. So I have zero cost in that, but ive seen many well under 100 bucks. For loading lower round numbers once in a wile... Just grab a beam scale. They are not that pricy, and they just work. may be slower then dig scales... but your not throwing hundreds of loads a day.. and no batterys to go dead... it can sit on a shelf as is for years, and will still work. Some loading blocks, or if your handy... just make them. a few min with a saw and a drill and your done.. cheap, and easy.. a small funnel to load the cases... and bam.. your done. No reason you can toss this together for less then $150 bucks. Put up a stock of primers when you can find them, and research loads and find a powder to work with, and your set. At your use a pound of powder will last a LONG time!! realy no reason NOT to at least neck resize.. as was said normaly the depriming die sizes them.

So advice from a poor newbee thats walking the same road as you.. A bench mounted press will prove to be much more usefull if you have a space. [and if not, search loading setups on Workmate style folding benches. ] If you do advance to much more rounds... the basic single stage press is still handy for doing odd ball loads.

 

[RussellD]

When I first started reloading I did not have a scale. I reloaded only for one caliber. Used an rcbs little dandy powder measure and the chart that came with it. My loads were chosen with the help of a reloading mentor. Only had one can of powder so things were simple, effective and cheap.

30 years later i still see the wisdom of the little dandy, one can of powder and a loading block.

 

[rwsmith]

There is an art to being cheap

. Id rather have a nice basic press. they are not that pricy, stone simple, and pretty much last forever. As was said... they come up for sale used for chump change. I was left a old Lyman truline Jr form my dad when he passed. So I have zero cost in that, but ive seen many well under 100 bucks. For loading lower round numbers once in a wile... Just grab a beam scale. They are not that pricy, and they just work. may be slower then dig scales... but your not throwing hundreds of loads a day.. and no batterys to go dead... it can sit on a shelf as is for years, and will still work. Some loading blocks, or if your handy... just make them. a few min with a saw and a drill and your done.. cheap, and easy.. a small funnel to load the cases... and bam.. your done. No reason you can toss this together for less then $150 bucks. Put up a stock of primers when you can find them, and research loads and find a powder to work with, and your set. At your use a pound of powder will last a LONG time!! realy no reason NOT to at least neck resize.. as was said normaly the depriming die sizes them.

You are after my own heart. Second hand press, beam scale and drilled loading blocks. I don't look to spend any more than I have to to keep me shooting or else I won't be shooting. Cheap is gud.

 

[k53]

You are after my own heart. Second hand press, beam scale and drilled loading blocks. I don't look to spend any more than I have to to keep me shooting or else I won't be shooting. Cheap is gud.

Ya, same here. With a house, and kids, bills, and todays work market.. Money is not hanging around waiting to get spent! You Id love to drop big cash on a top line setup. But its not happaing. So we work with what we have. Would I make better ammo on 5K worth of gear? Nope. Might be a little faster... but its not going to make me a better reloader. Not that there is a problem with the nice stuff. Not at all, and I hope maybe down the road, I find some nice 40 year old top line press for a nice price.

 

[BobR1]

About any used Single Stage press should work.
If buying new I would get the Lee Cast Iron Classic.
Make sure you sizing die is Carbide in the set. Get the 4 die set so you crimp as a 4th step.

No problem with Lead Bullets. I load and shoot them in Thousands a year quantitys. I recommend a 158 Round Nose for practice.
missouribullets.com


For powder I would use Unique. It has been working for over 100 years, and has no surprises. No rapid pressure spikes for small increases in powder, etc.

A dipper will work for you. I would select one that will measure approximately 4.2 grains of Unique when struck off with the file card. I would verify this dipper measurement with a set of scales. The 4.2 grains of Unique load should work fine with a 158 grain lead bullet.

Lots of younger reloaders are uncomfortable using a dipper. Us older reloaders who started 40+ years ago probably started with dippers. My first reloading was done on a Lee Loader using dippers in 38 Special.
Get a Single Stage Press, the dippers will work with midrange loads just fine.

As was said above wipe the fired cases off with a little solvent on a rag. Keep it out of the inside of the cases.

You can keep adding equipment as you go. Such as Beam Scales, and an Automatic Powder Measure. Hand Priming Tool, etc.

Be safe and enjoy a new hobby.

Bob