Thinking of getting into reloading with Lee hand press

[Gorenut]

I think I'm finally going to get into reloading because I realized that I do restrict a lot of my shooting due to ammo costs. I love shooting 357mag and 44mag, but price gets pretty crazy just buying the ammo. Whats always stopped me from reloading is that I really don't have any space. I live in a small apartment with my girlfriend and I'm not kidding when I say we don't even have space to set up stool as a reloading setup. So I know a lot of you might advise against it, but I think I'm going to go ahead with a Lee's hand press. I know its really slow, so I most likely won't reload 9mm since I go through them too fast and I buy factory reloads for not that much more than it might cost to reload.

So I have a few questions..
1. First off I will primarily be reloading 357mag. What kind of savings will I be looking at here for just plinking ammo? I know reloading match ammo doesn't yield too much savings and I'll probably do it every now and then, but I'm really looking to save on range plinking ammo. Also throw 44mag and 45ACP in here. If I start reloading, I'll definitely get more guns in these calibers.

2. So I'll get the Lee hand press (I believe these come with funnel and the other small stuff), the appropriate carbide dies, brass tumbler, and something to weigh it all.. anything else really necessary aside from manuals, etc?

3. On the topic of manuals.... with all the sources on the net.. what are some reliable ones? I've already did some research on reloading and have heard differing views on the necessity of manuals. Essentially, everything in the manuals can be found on the net and just printed out.

4. Since I've already brought up my small space (one of the downsides of living near work in CA), I have limited storage space. I probably will never buy primers and powder in bulk which I know also diminishes on the money I save.. but I'd still be interested in any storage advice. From what I've gathered, just keep them separate, possibly in low static, and even in their original packaging. I'm hearing differing views on the potential for fires on these items... essentially many do think its overstated and we probably have things under out kitchen sink thats more volatile.

I'm open to any tips in equipment or reloading in general. I'm actually quite excited as this is letting me still be in the shooting hobby without being on the range. Lately my schedule hasn't allowed me to be free during range hours.. so this'll give me something extra to do on free nights. Maybe I can even talk my lady into doing some of the stages like removing the spent primer on her free time

Sorry I know this is a lot and much of it can be Googled (which I'm already doing and will continue doing.. just want extra sources) but I'd definitely appreciate it if anyone in here can share some helpful tidbits on any single points.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I really wish you would re-think using a hand press. If price it that big a consideration Lee makes a very inexpensive single stage press, only $27.49.
Lee Reloader Single Stage Press

But, you will need all the other stuff that goes with it so a kit might be a better idea.

Lee Carbide dies are very inexpensive and will produce very good ammo. (@ $29.99)
Lee Carbide 3-Die Set 38 Special 357 Mag

Lyman's newest manual, the 49th Edition is a very good manual to start with. The best and most reliable online sites are the powder manufacturers and the bullet manufacturers.

I can load a box of 50 .357 Magnum ammo for $7.20 a box using already fired brass using a Remington jacketed bullet. That price foes down to well under $7 with a plated bullet and ~$6 for lead bullets. That's a lot cheaper than buying them and it's even cheaper than buying .38 Special ammo.

 

[Gorenut]

Yea, unfortunately it really is more about the space than the money. I have no problems spending the money if it allows me to reload faster.

 

[k53]

I know space is a issue, but maybe looking into some form of a folding bench? I've seen a lot of guys use a fold up "workmate" with presses mounted on a board that's clamped on. Folded up they are about a foot thick, 3 foot wide, and 3 foot tall. Fits into a closet on the back wall, and can heaven hang up somewerre. Same with the board with the press on it.. put a hole in it and hang it. All will pack up to the side of like 3 Xerox boxes

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I know space is a issue, but maybe looking into some form of a folding bench? I've seen a lot of guys use a fold up "workmate" with presses mounted on a board that's clamped on. Folded up they are about a foot thick, 3 foot wide, and 3 foot tall. Fits into a closet on the back wall, and can heaven hang up somewerre. Same with the board with the press on it.. put a hole in it and hang it. All will pack up to the side of like 3 Xerox boxes

That's my setup. I use bolts instead of clamps (on a 2X12 pine board) but either way it's easy to disassemble for storage. The bench is around $ 70.00 new, sometimes much less at a yard sale. After the board and hardware you have less than $ 100 invested. You can also bolt/clamp a powder measure onto the board. I've also pre-drilled holes for the RCBS bench priming tool, easy to install and remove. My setup is 14" deep, 36" wide and 25" high (with legs folded in).

 

[SMSgt]

Like you, I have no space I can dedicate to reloading since I moved to Florida. I started reloading in 1975 but stopped after moving here in '93 and picked it up again a couple of years ago.

I bought a Lee hand press and use it to resize & flare my cases while I watch TV. I reprime with a Lee hand primer, and then use my old single-stage press to seat and crimp the cases. I mounted my press on a small piece of 5/8" plywood that I clamp to the kitchen bar counter. Quick to set up and takes little space when in use.

The hand press is slow, but will get the job done. I've got boxes of prepped cases I did while watching "The Walking Dead." Good time as any to "get ready."

 

[Rule3]

You do not need a lot of space for the Lee Single stage C press. Do you have a kitchen table?? A microwave cart, anything.
You can use the tail gate of a pickup.

Just bolt the press to a piece of plywood and then C clamp it to the table (use some leather or soft wood to protect the table from the c clamp.

Been there done that and didn't get yelled at by the boss.

 

[MichiganScott]

My advice is don't do it. It will be the most expensive ammo you ever shoot.

I started out with a Lee Loader in 1974 to save money on a .30 Carbine. Today my equipment takes up a 10x12 room and I can load for 20+ separate calibers.

 

[Gorenut]

Thanks for all the input so far. I've looked at portable work bench options and ideally I want no extra "furniture" around. I'll look harder to see if there's a setup that can fold into a closet and out of sight.

My advice is don't do it. It will be the most expensive ammo you ever shoot.

I started out with a Lee Loader in 1974 to save money on a .30 Carbine. Today my equipment takes up a 10x12 room and I can load for 20+ separate calibers.

Just curious why it'd be the most expensive ammo. Wouldn't reloading cost the same, save for time, no matter the equipment?

 

[Rule3]

Here ya go. I pulled this out of a drawer and put it on my workbench in the garage. It normally would be bolted to the piece of plywood. But you get the idea. You can leave it in a closet, under the bed, where ever.

 

[oberon]

You can load a ton of good ammo with a hand press. The day might come when you would wish for something of a little highter capacity and faster rate of production. But that is a ways off, if I read you correctly.
I have used a Lyman 310 tong tool to crank out ammo in several calibers. I do the resizing on a more robust tool, but you should hve no trouble with the entry level hand press.
I used a $6 LeeLoader for quite a while before I got hooked up with more efficient equipment. That was around 40 years ago.
There are dozens of ways to get your ammo bill down to a mangeable level.
Just plow into it and do what you are planning. You will be pleased with the result.
ps. single stage loading is the best way to get familiar with the whole scheme.

 

[Rule3]

Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit

Lee Reloading Stand

Just an idea. If you get the kit the only weak part is the scale. It's accurate but a pain to use. Ditch it and buy a better scale which is most important item.

The stand is just a simple easy idea. Prop it in a corner, throw a nice cloth over it and it's art deco!

There is a million ways to go. Don't get the little hand press you will regret it later.

My Father lived in a small NY apartment and had a complete wood working shop all scaled down in hand made wood cases that would go in a closet and under a bed.

 

[Gorenut]

yea, I knew a lot of people were going to advise against the hand press. If it were just me living in the apartment, it'd be fine.. but essentially its me and my girlfriend in 1 room, and 2 other roommates in another. So I really don't have the estate to bring in more "furniture" in the living room and our room is already getting cramped with all our stuff. Sure girlfriend wouldn't be too happy if I got rid of my 48" LCD just to make room for a reloading bench, haha.

I've been looking at some possible folding setups. If I can find something that'll fold up small enough to be put into an already crowded closet, I can be in business. Otherwise I'll just have to settle with the hand press for now. I'll probably get a hand primer tool no matter what as it seems like a hassle to use the additional add-on for the hand press to prime.

 

[mstuhr]

I use mine a lot

Hi Gorenut,
I agree with everyone so far. There are better ways to load than a hand press. On the other hand I have one and have loaded an awful lot of match and practice ammo with it in the last month.
It is slightly slower than a bench mounted press because you have to handle the press along with the brass.
The weather cools of and I come inside. I open my shoe box under the desk that holds a Lee hand press, scale, powder measure and trickler. I have a drawer that I have dies and loading blocks so in a matter of minutes I am loading in the warm.
It is not bad as is with carbide dies, but if you put your brass in a box and give it a shot of spray lube it gets effortless.
I use it mostly for pistol ammo but I have loaded 30-30 and .223 also.
There is nothing wrong with better equipment but a hand press is a very good piece of gear.

 

[Road Rat]

Just curious why it'd be the most expensive ammo. Wouldn't reloading cost the same, save for time, no matter the equipment?

Most expensive because.....he started with a $19 Lee Loader and now has a room full of equipment for 20 different calibers!!! Nothing to do with the hand press.

 

[gwpercle]

Gorenut ,

When space is the issue a hand press is not a bad idea. I have two bench mounted presses in an outbuilding ( not heated or cooled ). I now do most of my reloading inside ( heat and A/C ) with 2 handpresses. I load rifle and pistol and store everything in a large toolbox in the closet. Boxes of bullets, primers and a container of powder sit on the closet shelf . Doesn't take up much room at all. I tried folding table and clamping to kitchen table but these didn't work out...not sturdy enough. Beats any kind of tong tool or whack-a-mole type of loader. True the downside is the press isn't mounted to a bench but it is better than not reloading at all and your dies can be used in any press when you get a bench. I like the hand press.......gary

 

[Gorenut]

Most expensive because.....he started with a $19 Lee Loader and now has a room full of equipment for 20 different calibers!!! Nothing to do with the hand press.

Hahhaa, gotcha. Right now, I'm only planning on handguns and as mentioned, not really gonna waste my time for 9mm.. just ammo for revolvers and possibly 45ACP.

 

[Gorenut]

Gorenut ,

When space is the issue a hand press is not a bad idea. I have two bench mounted presses in an outbuilding ( not heated or cooled ). I now do most of my reloading inside ( heat and A/C ) with 2 handpresses. I load rifle and pistol and store everything in a large toolbox in the closet. Boxes of bullets, primers and a container of powder sit on the closet shelf . Doesn't take up much room at all. I tried folding table and clamping to kitchen table but these didn't work out...not sturdy enough. Beats any kind of tong tool or whack-a-mole type of loader. True the downside is the press isn't mounted to a bench but it is better than not reloading at all and your dies can be used in any press when you get a bench. I like the hand press.......gary

Glad to hear input thats pro for the hand press. I thought about getting something like the Lee Anniversary kit and just mounting it on piece of plywood.. but some say if you have the hand strength.. the hand press is better if you can't get a more permanent fixture. If it means anything.. I do have decent hand strength (gym and I'm always doing grip exercises with at least 250 lbs of crushing/grip strength).

 

[jat4]

Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit

Lee Reloading Stand

The stand is just a simple easy idea. Prop it in a corner, throw a nice cloth over it and it's art deco!

x2 on the Lee reloading stand, plus I'd vote with others to have you consider a Lee turret press. But definitely the reloading stand, you can fold it up and slide it under the bed. Unless you have a futon . . . in which case you can hang it from the ceiling. anyway. I think you can make a stationary press work.

 

[Gorenut]

Someone told me this on another forum:

You can drill holes in your dining room table and make that a work bench. That's what I did when I was reloading.

But reloading is really tedious and boring.

And if you are not careful you can have an accident with the primers and burn your place down.

The only time reloading is really needed is if you are making 500 yd to 1000 yds shots with a scoped rifle. Or if you shoot in pistol competitions and you want to remove the 10% erratic loads in factory ammo.

Otherwise I recommend that you stick to buying factory loads instead.

For hunting or for self defense you definitely do not need to be reloading.

I understand 9mm not really being worth the time.. which is why I struck that out.. but seems like I'd at least be seeing a 50% savings on magnum rounds and close to it with 38sp.

 

[Rule3]

Well if you want to hassle with a hand press and get a work out and produce a couple of rounds then why bother? I showed you the picture a simple single stage press that takes all of 12 inches. Buy some more dies and reload whatever caliber you want. Load 10 boxes of 357 Mag and it's pretty much payed off.

 

[Gorenut]

Well if you want to hassle with a hand press and get a work out and produce a couple of rounds then why bother? I showed you the picture a simple single stage press that takes all of 12 inches. Buy some more dies and reload whatever caliber you want. Load 10 boxes of 357 Mag and it's pretty much payed off.

I'm definitely still looking at my options. I've been looking up plans to build a stand that can fold up into my closet.

 

[walnutred]

The first house I rented had and old Model A type garage and my wife at the time insisted on using it. This meant that there was absolutely no room for a regular bench and her car. I built a bench out of a piece of scrap 2x10 that folded UP against the wall. I made a hinged leg that when the "bench" was flat would go down at an angle to the intersection of the floor and the wall. This gave triangular bracing that rested against the bottom plate of the wall. By making it 20" or so wide you would have enough width to attach it to two studs for strength. Folded up it was only 3" thick. You will not be able to do heavy case forming with this set up but for 38/357 it should work fine.

Otherwise I'd hit the online auctions and look for a Lyman 310 tool in the caliber you want. 310's have been reloading ammo for over 100 years, that has to say something.

 

[blujax01]

The whole shebang costs what - $50? Worth a shot, IMO. If you hate it, put it in the Forum Classified. Me, I have plenty of room and too little ambition for such an adventure.

But if we're all thrown into the wilderness during the 'Pocky-Lypse you'll have the advantage now won't you?!

 

[Gorenut]

The whole shebang costs what - $50? Worth a shot, IMO. If you hate it, put it in the Forum Classified. Me, I have plenty of room and too little ambition for such an adventure.

But if we're all thrown into the wilderness during the 'Pocky-Lypse you'll have the advantage now won't you?!

Haha, thats one way to look at it. You're right, though about the cost. Even though its not really about the money and moreso about the space, having the money factor is a bonus.

 

[Prof_Fate]

Savings depends on a lot of things - mostly bullets and brass.

Lead bullets are cheapest, maybe 7c each. Plated a bit more and jacketd are more yet. 500 will fit in a 5" square box (but are heavy). Buy 500 or 1000 at a time, don't do 100.

Powder is cheaper in larger quantites but you won't buy larger till you know what powder you want.

primers are $30/1000 many places or 145 for 5000 - not a tremendous savings

you may have brass, great. I had to buy 357 brass - it's expensive.
I shoot IDPA with my 9mm and around here all the matches are 'lost brass' (the guy that volunteers to run the stage gets all the brass shot on his stage).

Get a lee breechlock challenger and mount it to a board and mount that to your table or perhaps a bracket on the wall like a shelf type deal. It won't take up any more space than the hand press. The tumbler will take up the most space, then the media for it.

 

[Gorenut]

For those who use the Lee hand reloader.. do you prefer to use the Ram Prime attachment or a hand primer tool? and why?

 

[SMSgt]

I haven't used a ram primer since I got my Lee hand primer years ago, in fact it's beginning to show wear and is due for replacement soon.

It's easier to "feel" worn primer pockets with the hand primer, and a good one is fast. The newer ones with the primer tray attached (Mine's the old style that you load singlely) are very efficient.

 

[varmint243]

Why not try to find some place at your gun club or range where you can reload ?
Make a setup you can take down and put in a box easily ?
There is a building at the rifle range where people cast bullets and reload sometimes.
I think someone even has an old press bolted to the bench in there.

 

[Gorenut]

Why not try to find some place at your gun club or range where you can reload ?
Make a setup you can take down and put in a box easily ?
There is a building at the rifle range where people cast bullets and reload sometimes.
I think someone even has an old press bolted to the bench in there.

Wish it were that easy. I'm already rather limited on ranges alone. Part of why I never shoot rifles anymore is because the closest range that allows rifles is only 25 yards.. so I definitely won't be getting the most out of reloading rifle ammo. Right now, I'm mostly just going to start with 38/357 since I already have a lot of brass.