Getting back into the game.

[blastfact]

I purchased almost all the basics this weekend to start reloading again. Many years ago I sold every thing off. From firearms, ammo too reloading equipment. It was one big mistake on my part.

So,,, at the Tulsa show last weekend I made a mad dash to the first table I came across that had everything I could get with the money I had. I picked up a Lee single stage kit with the scale, powder measure, hand primer and other odds and ends. A set of Lee 9mm carbide dies. Got some bullets, powder and primers. And a cheap tumbler with some media. All I need now is a bullet puller and a digital scale. Have a caliper and other stuff laying around.

I had everything setup on a small bench Sat. night and 500 pieces of brass tumbled up. Sunday morning I set down and knocked out 25 rounds of 9mm like I had never left the hobby. Die setup was a breeze.

25 rounds of 9mm: Tite-Group 4.2gr. with 115gr. FMJ, OAL at 1.130. I liked this recipe from the past and it worked well for me yesterday.

I look forward to a simple Lee Turret and other goodies down the road.

 

[Rafter-S]

I purchased almost all the basics this weekend to start reloading again. Many years ago I sold every thing off. From firearms, ammo too reloading equipment. It was one big mistake on my part.

So,,, at the Tulsa show last weekend I made a mad dash to the first table I came across that had everything I could get with the money I had. I picked up a Lee single stage kit with the scale, powder measure, hand primer and other odds and ends. A set of Lee 9mm carbide dies. Got some bullets, powder and primers. And a cheap tumbler with some media. All I need now is a bullet puller and a digital scale. Have a caliper and other stuff laying around.

I had everything setup on a small bench Sat. night and 500 pieces of brass tumbled up. Sunday morning I set down and knocked out 25 rounds of 9mm like I had never left the hobby. Die setup was a breeze.

25 rounds of 9mm: Tite-Group 4.2gr. with 115gr. FMJ, OAL at 1.130. I liked this recipe from the past and it worked well for me yesterday.

I look forward to a simple Lee Turret and other goodies down the road.

Your setup looks similar to mine (except mine is green RCBS), simple but workable. You comment that you still need a digital scale. I can't understand why--it appears to me you have all you need to throw powder charges and periodically check the weights. I have reloaded over 10,000 rounds on my little set-up. It just takes time...of which I have enjoyed every minute.

What value would a digital scale add to the process? Maybe I do need one and just don't know it.

Rafter-S

 

[BigG-n-Tn]

I'd be curious as to why you sold all of your stuff to begin with but it's really none of my business. Just curious. Either way, good luck on getting back to your roots so to speak I AM NOT a reloader but I enjoy talking to folks that are and the education that comes with it.

 

[Tell Sackett]

Welcome home!

Glad to have you here!

 

[blastfact]

Your setup looks similar to mine (except mine is green RCBS), simple but workable. You comment that you still need a digital scale. I can't understand why--it appears to me you have all you need to throw powder charges and periodically check the weights. I have reloaded over 10,000 rounds on my little set-up. It just takes time...of which I have enjoyed every minute.

What value would a digital scale add to the process? Maybe I do need one and just don't know it.

Rafter-S

I like to have a digital scale for quick checks when running production. Also useful when working up a load, for me anyway. I'm real picky about powder weights. I want them just right. If they do not set well with me I stop right then and there and work the problem.

 

[blastfact]

Went out today to a local shop and gave Frankford Arsenal and RCBS some hard earned money.

I picked up a FA Bullet puller. Works great!

Also picked up a FA DS-750 digi scale. It to works great! RCBS furnished the check weight kit. The DS-750 meets or exceeds spec. It measured everything I threw at it within spec if not dead on. I screwed around with it for about 2+ hours or better. I put it through some quick pan dropped trickle exercise's and it passed with flying colors. Went from 4.0 gn powder throws to trickled up 4.3 gn measures. No problems at all. Checked this against the check weights and the Lee measure. I for one can't see a reason why soooo many give this little pocket scale such bad reviews. The little pouch it comes with works very well also. I have its pan, 50g check weight, plus the RCBS check weights, a few diff. known weight bullets in the case with room to spare.

So the new bench is coming along very nice. I will build a few shelves for it over the holiday weekend. If I can find a piece of .75" ply wood I will put a top on it with some trim. Hell I might even put some doors on the bottom half to hide the tumble, collection bucket.

I can see this getting out of control.

 

[foolproofoak]

good looking license plate. wooo pig sooiee!

 

[acl864]

Nice looking setup. Thankfully when I got out of reloading in the mid-80's I didn't get rid of my stuff, just put it in storage. Ran across the boxes a few years back, dusted everything off and fell right back into reloading. Now I'm casting my own too. I'd forgotten how much satisfaction I get out of this hobby. Welcome back.

 

[blastfact]

I spent the day putting a work surface and shelf on my small but very functional loading bench. Work surface is 3/4" ply with 2x4 rabbited in on the sides and front. The rear 2x4 is butt fitted. Then there is a back plate and edge trim for the ends. The shelf is the same 3/4" ply with a roll up front edge trim. It has a coat of sandable sealer and two coats of a light stained poly. The poly coats are on very thick and allowed to float out. Is high gloss. It's what I had on hand. It is all screwed and glued with some face nailing. The top is very sturdy. Not a press made that can beat this work surface up.

 

[kennyb]

looks great...welcome home...you will save a lot of money now!

 

[whelenshooter]

I've been reloading for 44 years, and I even teach the reloading section of a firearms class at the local university. I'm NOT a fan of electronic scales for weighing powder. Electronic scales are great for weighing items of unknown weight (weighing bullets, brass, or loaded ammo for segregating things) but a balance beam scale is superior for weighing out an amount of powder at a set weight. I don't like electronic scales for weighing powder because it is possible to induce an error into many electronic scales that can get carried on and added to, and it is often difficult to notice that your scale is in error without using a check weight far more regularly than you need to with a balance beam scale. It is also far easier to damage an electronic scale than a balance beam scale.

Feel free to use an electronic scale, if you really like them, but don't think they are in any way superior to a balance beam scale for weighing powder.

 

[blastfact]

I use both. And both are on my bench always.

 

[oldRoger]

+1 on the electronic scale, I have a Acu-Lab 123, great balance, but not for primary weighing, for checking.
I have an old O'Haus beam balance for primary weighing, if necessary.
I prefer a good powder measure frequently checked, oh, and powder easily metered.

 

[blastfact]

I got the bench set back up on Sat and ran 400 rounds on it Sun. Have plenty of 9mm now. Here are a few picks of the old school bench.

Its worked out very well indeed.

 

[tgwillard]

Why two presses? I have the Challenger press, and can change dies in a second.

 

[blastfact]

Why two presses? I have the Challenger press, and can change dies in a second.

The older press was given to me by some friends of mine the weekend before Thanksgiving. Thus two complete single stage press kits.

 

[tgwillard]

Nice to be able to leave everything on the table. While not a big problem, I put everything away after a reloading session in order to clear my work bench for other activities. I have a perfect powder measurer on its way, so I can have more flexibility. Currently using my Lee dipper measuring kit.

 

[Tell Sackett]

Currently using my Lee dipper measuring kit.

tg,
Do you use a scale with the dippers? Just wondering. I have used the dippers too but have found that they are a little light when it comes to weight. Not always but from time to time.
If you get the powder measure, be sure to get a scale and the adjustable bar. It is the ticket for small quantities.

 

[tgwillard]

I have been using a digital scale and verify the weight of the powder the dippers hold. Generally they are close to the chart that comes with the dipper kit. I will continue to use the scale with the perfect powder measure, especially during the break-in period.