Reloading next steps

[Ziggy2525]

Thanks for all the great info. From what everybody posted, I think I've come up with an immediate plan and long-term plan to get my loading speed up (I know, it'll change as I load more).

For now, I'll replace the "one at a time from the primer box" manual primer that came with the hand press for a hand held auto primer. I ordered the Lee model for $20 off amazon. I'll also modify a couple existing dippers so I can load powder without weighing each load. (I'll give the aluminum foil ball a try).

Long term, I'll look for a used Lee/RCBS single stage or turret press and a used Lyman #55 powder measure.

Seems like that should get me up into the 200 rounds an evening range.

Thanks again for the info.

 

[gwpercle]

I have Lee .3cc and .5cc scoops. The .3cc is too small and the .5cc is too big. That's why I had been measuring each charge. I have multiples of the .5cc that came with the dies. I'll try grinding down a couple of the .5cc dippers to get the weight of HP-38 I'm looking for. (4.4 gr for 9mm and 3.7 gr for .38 Special).

Adjust the Lee dippers by adding discs of thin cardboard to take up space to achieve the correct weight. Once the scoop is adjusted...mark it X.X grains of Whatever. Add some thin glue to hold cardboard in place .

Think simple DIY type scoops .
I make a lot of my scoops with fired pistol cases, 22 LR , 22 Magnum , 25 acp , 32 acp with #12 electrical wire for a handle . Adjust with cardboard discs or trim the case back . Drops of glue or hot glue can be used to adjust also but I find cardboard discs easier .
Once you have the scoop mark it and see what weight it will scoop with other powders .
Gary.

 

[fredj338]

I am more than a well seasoned reloader. So I timed it, start to finish, well organized, using a powder measure to charge. You can get a bit over 75rds in an hour on a ss press, hustling though. This oncludes changing the dies between each step. Yes batch loading speeds things up a bit by sizing & flaring in one night, but total time is right around that. Two presses, sure but again, buy a lee classic turret, better tool, one footprint, the minimum for 200rds a week imo.
For the ulitmate handgun reloading, you need a progressive. Even at 200rds a week, the work load is 75% less; 800 handle pulls & a lot of hand motion on a ss, 203 on a decent progressive. Does everyone need that, no, but you will appreciate less work as the year roll by & the few $100 more you spent will easily be worth it. 600rds a month is where I start thinking progressive. Not just for the speed but less work. Too many reloaders , imo. think too hard about gear cost when the amount saved on the ammo is huge. Then again I really no longer enjoy the tedious reloading process, just something to get done.

 

[rwsmith]

A set of Lee powder scoops....

...only costs about 15 bucks. Still that won't get you the 'in between' sizes. With loads that are precise or close to max, I use a powder 'trickler'.

With the little digital scale I can throw a charge that is a little shy and trickle up to the perfect amount.

Even the powder measures that have fixed charges in disks can be modified by threading a bolt into them to increase or decrease the the charge by minute amounts.

If I'm near max, I weigh every charge. If not, I check the weight about every 10 rounds, more or less depending on the powder to be consistent. I powder that meters well can be +/- .1 grain which is no problem. Lousy metering powders bear more watching.

.38 Special is not at all critical on seating depth like, say, the 9mm Luger is. You can spot check periodically and make sure the bullet depth is staying consistent. If there is a groove or cannelure on the bullet, that can be a gauge. You definitely don't have to measure every round. Sometimes I lock my caliper into a 'no go' length and just pass the bullet through.

For rifle cartridges, bullets can be at a depth to work in your magazine, action, and distance from the lands in the barrel of the rifle.

 

[gwpercle]

Being an old school non progressive reloader I like to keep a feww hundred brass cases sized, primed , flared and ready to load. I do this when time allows and find a Lee Hand Press just the tool to use. Bring it to the office and prep cases (I consider that work ) , watching TV in easy chair , sitting on the bed or at the kitchen table...there are lots of opportunities to do this kind of stuff with a Lee Hand Press and a Hand Priming Tool.
When you want some ammo, dip the powder , dump it into the case and seat and crimp the bullet.
The secrete is keeping a supply of prepped cases ready to load.
What I like about the Hand Press is you're not tied to a bench....
Put your stuff in a little gym/range bag , take it to work and prep cases at your office desk...if you have a portable kit you can make use of any spare or leisure time.... I do it all the time.
Gary

 

[Marshal Kane]

....
Put your stuff in a little gym/range bag , take it to work and prep cases at your office desk...if you have a portable kit you can make use of any spare or leisure time.... I do it all the time.
Gary

Either you're the boss or you have a very understanding boss. Try that at my job and I'll get written up. The union won't go to bat for me either unless it's job related.