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Ivan the Butcher

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I started loading in 1979 with a Lee Loader (now called a Classic Lee Loader) in 303 British with a claw hammer on the basement floor! I own 15 different Lee Loaders, and 23 calibers in 3 Lyman 310 tools. I load 117 different cartridges. Plus I have a Dillon 550b that I have loaded from 22 Hornet to 375 H&H.

Since I picked up my new 396-2 I've been slowly working my way into loading 700ish empty 44 Special brass. Today I started priming with a Lee priming tool (the original model that I have 7 of) and got 130 cases primed. It's been years since I primed cases by hand! My forearm is screaming for mercy!

I forgot why each advance in reloading technology was so rapidly accepted, the time savings alone is phenomenal. I just could never understand why anyone would recommend a person buy a progressive press for their first venture into reloading. Well. now my arm is telling me why! I'll continue to load this batch as I did up to the mid 80's (when I bought my Dillon). But then next time I set up the progressive and have them all loaded in the time it took to just size them! I'm in the middle of a batch of a couple thousand 30 Carbine and didn't want to change the shell plate (about 5 minutes) and the priming (35 to 40 minutes with the timing adjustments) and the change it back.

My sloth (laziness) has betrayed me!

Besides muzzle-loaders, what's the slowest loading you've done?

Ivan
 
Years ago, 44mag for my two Redhawks, on a Lee single-stage press, with only a balance beam scale to check, and Lee scoops to guestimate the powder charge. An hour or more for every 50 rounds. Using 296 and 4227 back then. I still use 296 for select FMJ 357 loads. Better press, better powder dispenser, 50 rounds take just 10-12 minutes, and I'm being slow.
 
I started with Lee Loaders myself. 38 Special, and 45 ACP. I loaded hundreds of rounds of each with those "Wack-A-Mole" loaders for a couple of years. Load 100, shoot 100, rinse and repeat. I did get a three-stage turret press for a while after that but sold it all when I got bit by the tournament bass fishing bug.

Even now, I'm not too far removed from the Lee Loader. I use a Lee hand press for all my reloading. One stage at a time. I do use Lee three die sets, and a Lee powder measure, a Lee priming tool, and a few other odds and ends I've picked up. It takes me about a weekend to do 100 wadcutters, but I'm in no real hurry. I'll prep the brass today, then do the powder/bullet stuff tomorrow. I'm ready for next weekend.

I've got three or four Lee Loaders on the shelf, most in the old cardboard and Styrofoam boxes, but I bought them more for nostalgia than any plans to really use them.
 
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Handloading is more than getting from point A to point B as fast as you can. IMHO, it is a hobby that should be enjoyed for taking a bunch of parts and creating something that is very useful. Of course, if you are shooting competitively and going thru many rounds each week, you really need a progressive press. But for the casual shooter, doing one function at a time is a relaxing way to take your mind off the many distractions that life sends our way. Again, just MHO.

Don
 
I started handloading in the summer of 1980. After talking to a few experienced loaders (and using their equipment), I bought an RCBS Rockchucker press, Uniflow powder measure, and 10-10 scale. I also bought RCBS 357 Magnum and 223 Remington dies, and I was in business! I still have this equipment today, and am so glad I started off right and saved a lot of time and frustration.

About 15 years later I bought Dillon progressive loader, and then experienced my first bad ammo, including a squib load that left a bullet stuck in the barrel. No damage to anything, but that was it for me, and I sold the Dillon. Progressive loaders are not for me.

Never used a Lee loader other than to try a friend's to see what it was like. It loaded ammo, but I did not like using it at all.
 
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Same as the OP. Started with a Lee Loader in 38/357, concrete table and a claw hammer. After popping the third primer while priming the empty cases, my granddad went to the shed and dug out an old bottle top press he had salvaged from some unknown garbage pile. (That was his specialty.) I modified it into my first 'reloading' press. A few months later I had shoveled enough cow manure to buy my first real press and dies. RCBS Junior. This was back in 1975 and I still have it. I now use a Dillon 550, RCBS Rock Chucker, the Jr and several other turrets and progressives, but the Jr still warms my heat. And I also have an assortment of Lee and RCBS hand primers. Ahhh, the good old days!!
 
USSR said:
Handloading is more than getting from point A to point B as fast as you can. IMHO, it is a hobby that should be enjoyed for taking a bunch of parts and creating something that is very useful. Of course, if you are shooting competitively and going thru many rounds each week, you really need a progressive press. But for the casual shooter, doing one function at a time is a relaxing way to take your mind off the many distractions that life sends our way. Again, just MHO.

Don
Click to expand...
Would you go back to a non air conditioned........No power steering.....Hand cranked automobile????..........Didn't think so!............SOME thing do get better with time.............BTW ...As you said "I am a casual shooter" of MANY calibers..........Many times.
 
I started handloading with a Lee Loader as well. My first one, which I still have, was in .222 for a rifle I did not even own. A friend had it and we shared the cost of components. We only had two boxes of brass for a while and so while we waited for groundhogs to appear we would load the spent brass in the field - kept our loader and components in a 50 cal. ammo can.

When I bought my first rifle, an M1 Carbine, in 1964, I also bought a Lee Loader. Only belatedly did I realize that the .222 loader only neck sized, which was easy, the .30 Carbine Lee Loader fully sized the case - it was quite a bit harder to do! My Dad was never much of a recreatiional shooter but he was interested in mechanical things and he cobbled up a "press" which used a hydraulic jack to push the cases into the die - slow but it worked great!

Later I bought a 1911 at a pawn shop when I was 15 - it was perfectly legal in 1966! And I decided to give a press a try so I bought a Lyman Spar-T and set up for .30 Carbine and .45 Auto.

I kept the Lee loader and I added a few Lyman 310 ("nutcracker") tools for loading when I was on the road or in the field. I still have all the old tools and even add a new one, or set of dies for the Lyman tool when I find a deal.

Back in the late 60s early 70s I found, much to my surprise, the benchrest shooters that frequented our range, used a version of the Lee Loader (most of them made by Wilson) to load their cases and they used powder scoops or measures rather than weigh their charges - which was also a shock!

Just Ramblin'

Riposte
 
Would you go back to a non air conditioned........No power steering.....Hand cranked automobile????
Click to expand...

Sorry, Mike, but that analogy just won't work. They haven't turned out auto's like that in a long, long time. But the RCBS Rock Chucker, a single stage press, remains the number 1 reloading press in sales to this day.

Don
 
Ivan the Butcher said:
I started loading in 1979 with a Lee Loader (now called a Classic Lee Loader) in 303 British with a claw hammer on the basement floor! I own 15 different Lee Loaders, and 23 calibers in 3 Lyman 310 tools. I load 117 different cartridges. Plus I have a Dillon 550b that I have loaded from 22 Hornet to 375 H&H.

Since I picked up my new 396-2 I've been slowly working my way into loading 700ish empty 44 Special brass. Today I started priming with a Lee priming tool (the original model that I have 7 of) and got 130 cases primed. It's been years since I primed cases by hand! My forearm is screaming for mercy!

I forgot why each advance in reloading technology was so rapidly accepted, the time savings alone is phenomenal. I just could never understand why anyone would recommend a person buy a progressive press for their first venture into reloading. Well. now my arm is telling me why! I'll continue to load this batch as I did up to the mid 80's (when I bought my Dillon). But then next time I set up the progressive and have them all loaded in the time it took to just size them! I'm in the middle of a batch of a couple thousand 30 Carbine and didn't want to change the shell plate (about 5 minutes) and the priming (35 to 40 minutes with the timing adjustments) and the change it back.

My sloth (laziness) has betrayed me!

Besides muzzle-loaders, what's the slowest loading you've done?

Ivan
Click to expand...
I started reloading in the 50s helping my Dad using a Lyman Tru-Line Junior. It used the same dies as the 310 tool. He would custom load ammo for his friends. When I got older, 1970s, I bought a Lyman Spar-T 6-station turret press. At one time in the 70s I was shooting and reloading 500-600 rounds of 38 specials every week. I'm still using that press. I hate to think about how many times I have pulled that handle. Now that I am getting older, I shoot less, mostly 22LR so I don't reload as much any more. I'll stick with what I have.

I still have his old Tru-line Jr, 310 tool, dies balence beam scale (with no dampening) and Lyman #55 powder measure.

I never had a Lee Loader or used scoops for powder. .

I still have dies to load 57 different calibers and still do if the need arises.
 
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I started with a LEE Loader, learned all the basics and could make very good ammo. Just didn't make a LOT of ammo. Wanted more speed and the ability to full length resize, picked up a used RCBS Junior, some dies and started adding more tools as I went along. Currently have two single stage presses and an old turret press (that is mainly for 38 Special) and more tools than I can keep track of. Reloading became as much a hobby as the shooting!

Still have several LEE Loaders and will use one of them now and then when I just want to do a few rounds. With some calibers like 303 British I get much better case life too since they neck size only and don't overwork the brass. They are still a useful tool for me.
 
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I still advocate starting with a good quality single stage press.

Learn the steps and pitfalls at a slower more deliberate pace.
Then if your reloading volume justifies it, upgrade to turret or progressive machines.

I believe that starting with the more advanced equipment has a much higher chance of producing large quantities of defective and potentially dangerous ammo.

The single stage press will still be valuable for small batches, odd cartridges and sometimes special operations.
 
USSR said:
Sorry, Mike, but that analogy just won't work. They haven't turned out auto's like that in a long, long time. But the RCBS Rock Chucker, a single stage press, remains the number 1 reloading press in sales to this day.

Don
Click to expand...
Just sayin........Sometimes newer stuff beats the old stuff.
 
The Dillon machines are obviously fine equipment but for the folks who are only loading a few boxes, the safety factor and precision available with the old way is fine. When making really fine rifle ammunition , when you are down to using a "Trickler" for powder measurement, the slow way is nice. I like looking into the primed cases and seeing what powder is down there.
 
Dave Haynes said:
The Dillon machines are obviously fine equipment but for the folks who are only loading a few boxes, the safety factor and precision available with the old way is fine. When making really fine rifle ammunition , when you are down to using a "Trickler" for powder measurement, the slow way is nice. I like looking into the primed cases and seeing what powder is down there.
Click to expand...
I load my hunting cartridges that way,
 
I started reloading .30-06 when I was about 14 or 15. I bought the Lyman 310 tool from Gander Mountain. I got my middle sister's husband to get me powder bullets and primers. I did 75 the first time and fired them all in one range session. (Yes, my arm was sore). I later moved up to an RCBS Junior press then about 25 years ago a Dillon 550B because I started shooting a lot more pistol. It was .44-04 for Cowboy Action and I could not always find cowboy ammo and when I would reload with the RCBS it took too long for the quantity. I also have some antique reloading tools that I have used for Black Power reloading. These are what is in the picture. First two on the left are Winchester for .44WCF. The Nickel tool and the yellow box are for .38WCF and .32 S&W Long (in box). The two tools on the right are Winchester for .38-55. Not shown is a similar tool like the right tools from Winchester in .45-70. I have used all except the .32 S&W Long because I do not have a gun that fires that cartridge.

1782614575736.webp
 
Ivan the Butcher said:
I started loading in 1979 with a Lee Loader (now called a Classic Lee Loader) in 303 British with a claw hammer on the basement floor! I own 15 different Lee Loaders, and 23 calibers in 3 Lyman 310 tools. I load 117 different cartridges. Plus I have a Dillon 550b that I have loaded from 22 Hornet to 375 H&H.

Ivan
Click to expand...
Wow that is about 25 more calibers than I currently load for. Pretty sure that is a first for me; someone who loads for more calibers than i do ( I load for 92 at last count). I still load all my pistol calibers (for revolvers and semiautos) on a Rock Chucker and weight every charge on a pair of Load Master scales. All my rifle calibers (and break action pistol calibers) are loaded on a Co-Ax press. Never loaded with a 310 or Lee Loader though. The closest I come is a Lee Hand Loader that travels to the range with me at times. I am a firm believer in single stage and never plan on going progressive even though it is not uncommon for me to load 2 to 5K runs at times.

Anyway, props man; 117 in the same time frame is pretty massive. At one time or another I've loaded well over 200 but 92 at the same time is my high water mark. (y)
 
I have 4 MEC Sizemasters - one in 12, 16, 20, and 28. I love them and wouldn't want any automation involved.
I also have an RCBS RockChucker. When it comes to rifle handloading, I load for precision for a specific chamber. Every step is checked and deliberate.
In all the loading I've done - knock on wood - I've never once had a problem. And I've learned a ton in the process that I suspect I might not have had I depended on an automated system.
 

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I started in 1973 with a Lyman 310 Tool for 38/357 and 45 ACP. Progresses to a Lyman Spar-T turret press. Then to a Dillion Square Deal B, until I broke it (yes, you read that right I broke the frame). After Dillion replaced it, I went to a bigger version of the Lyman Turret Press and that is where I am today. Hate the Lee Loader, have seen to many primers set off with one of those.....
 
AJ said:
I started in 1973 with a Lyman 310 Tool for 38/357 and 45 ACP. Progresses to a Lyman Spar-T turret press. Then to a Dillion Square Deal B, until I broke it (yes, you read that right I broke the frame). After Dillion replaced it, I went to a bigger version of the Lyman Turret Press and that is where I am today. Hate the Lee Loader, have seen to many primers set off with one of those.....
Click to expand...
I used a LEE Priming Tool which I think I still have.

Rick
s-l1600.webp
 
Ivan the Butcher said:
I started loading in 1979 with a Lee Loader (now called a Classic Lee Loader) in 303 British with a claw hammer on the basement floor! I own 15 different Lee Loaders, and 23 calibers in 3 Lyman 310 tools. I load 117 different cartridges. Plus I have a Dillon 550b that I have loaded from 22 Hornet to 375 H&H.

Since I picked up my new 396-2 I've been slowly working my way into loading 700ish empty 44 Special brass. Today I started priming with a Lee priming tool (the original model that I have 7 of) and got 130 cases primed. It's been years since I primed cases by hand! My forearm is screaming for mercy!

I forgot why each advance in reloading technology was so rapidly accepted, the time savings alone is phenomenal. I just could never understand why anyone would recommend a person buy a progressive press for their first venture into reloading. Well. now my arm is telling me why! I'll continue to load this batch as I did up to the mid 80's (when I bought my Dillon). But then next time I set up the progressive and have them all loaded in the time it took to just size them! I'm in the middle of a batch of a couple thousand 30 Carbine and didn't want to change the shell plate (about 5 minutes) and the priming (35 to 40 minutes with the timing adjustments) and the change it back.

My sloth (laziness) has betrayed me!

Besides muzzle-loaders, what's the slowest loading you've done?

Ivan
Click to expand...
I am embarrassed to admit this but I reload all my ammo on a single stage press. Usually about 100 rounds at a time. I reload for 20+ calibers.
 
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