Where to go from here...

[novalty]

Well I've accumulated a bunch of Cabelas points and trying to decide what I should add next for reloading. I already have a bunch of equipment manuals, and enough primers and powder to last me a couple years at the level I shoot.

With my Rhuematoid Arthritis, I have been wondering about purchasing a case prep unit like the Lyman, RCBS or Hornady (trio). I have enough brass of each caliber to get me through the summer shooting season in Maine, and will clean size/deprime and toss in sorting bins for the fall winter, when I have time to debur/chamfer clean primer pockets, etc.

Another idea I have been tossing around is selling my Redding T7 and purchasing a Hornady LnL AP. My biggest concern with making this change, is I do a lot of small batches of different calibers. Will load up 100 rounds of 45, 100 rounds of 9mm, 100 rounds of 38 Special or 357 Magnum. It is a big enough pain just changing the Case Activated Linkage kit on my RCBS Uniflow between calibers, that I am not sure changing presses will be advantageous.

Other items I have thought about and ruled out are a Ultrasonic Cleaner, and Thumbler tumbler w/stainless media (to upgrade from my Lyman 1200). Both I kind of ruled out for the cost, and drying time hassle, when I am perfectly happy with the results from my Lyman.

I've considered an electronic powder dispenser, but don't think I load enough rifle to justify the cost, plus my Harrell's precision does an excellent job.

Any input, thoughts, suggestions are welcome.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I would avoid any progressive press for such small batches of ammo. I own a T-7 and believe it to be THE top of the turret press available (The old Hollywood press were better but it's easier to find chicken teeth). I don't think Cabela's carries Wilson reloading products. I had a RCBS power case trimmer and got a several thousandths spread in the trimmed length. This was due to the way the cases are held in place. I still have the RCBS power case prep station, it will work on primer pockets, flash holes, and chamfer case mouths. Any neck turning and case length trimming would be done somewhere else. Lee has some very nifty case prep items and I've seen Lee products at Cabela's. alot of the time the hand tools will work in an electric screwdriver with a small adapter. Ivan

 

[wheelgun28]

The LnL would be a great addition BUT ( always a but right?)

You would need to increase your batch size, I would guess 500 piece runs would be a good start. You don't have to makem all in one sitting.

I see you have enough supplies on hand (jealous here) so why not make bigger batches. They will be easier to make on the LnL and much faster. Also with a case feed you dont need to pick up the cases. I know after a while my fingers hurt picking up small bullets and cases.

Also in the future you can add a bullet feed so you dont have to pick up the loose bullets.

You can still do load development and rifle on the equipment you have now. Then have the ability to easily and efficiently make more ammo.

I'd say its worth considering...

 

[Steve in Vermont]

I'd suggest the time comes in all our lives when we say "enough", I don't need any more (fill in the blank). It's a sign of maturity, something I've mastered years ago. Consider reloading equipment. I have all I could possibly need (including a single stage press) and have sworn (to my wife) that I will never again purchase another component. I take promises seriously and intend to keep this one as well..................by the way, how many rounds an hour does that LnL produce?

 

[novalty]

Ivan, I do have a L.E. Wilson Case trimmer with micrometer adjustment, stand, case-holders and small primer pocket reamer for the rifle calibers I reload--so all set there. It truelly is an excellent trimmer.
Hiding in the back upper corner.

Wheelgun28, I think my batch sizes will increase as I get loads fully developed. Really only got into reloading a couple years ago, and took on a lot of calibers in a short time: 9mm, 38/357, 45acp, .223, 25-35 WCF, and 30-30. Not to mention adding casting my own bullets into the mix. I have a 45acp load that works well for my purposes and see that I will probably be doing much larger batches, and my last batch of cast 9mm worked pretty well, so can fine tune different powders and charge amounts. 38 Special is giving me the most difficulty at the moment as I have been experiencing leading issues.

So the Hornady LnL AP would be nice for the larger batches, but to keep things in perspective. This year I have shot the most at this point during the year, since I got back into reloading a couple years ago, and have only shot 500 rounds of 45acp, 300 rounds of 9mm, and about 100 rounds of 38 special. Been working so much on pistol test loads, that I have even tried any rifle. Other issues I would have switching to the Hornady would be having to get their bushings for at least 3 more sets of handgun dies, as well as shell-plates. **I converted my Rockchucker over to their bushing system, and use it for my rifle dies.**

Steve in Vermont, have thought the same thing about too much. Although I am adding a larger wall cabinet to clean up my bench clutter, I still have a lot of items on my bench. While the case prep unit would help me reduce hand fatigue, I am not 100% where/how I'd set it up on my bench.
**Steve to answer your question about the Hornady LnL AP production rate per hour: their website says

The Lock-N-Load AP with NEW EZject system loads at a rate of up to 500 rounds per hour, and features the quickest change-over of any progressive press.

 

[Prof_Fate]

I started with a progressive for pistol and have different tool heads for each caliber so swithcing isn't too bad.
For small batches, test loads, and rifle I have a single stage, lee breechlock.
It takes 5 seconds to change the die. push a release button and do a quarter turn.
I got a mount from lee that lets me use one mount on the bench and change out presses with only a phillips screwdriver. Most likely this mount kit will fit any press (metal or wood blocks, wood needs drilled so fits anything).

I've fought too much with extruded powders and have a Lyman Gen 5 auto dispenser en route. At $300 delivered it's not cheap, but spent 3 hours last weekend to fill/seat/crimp ~150 30-06 with 4895 with a helper...I can't stand the slow slow process and want to reload another 700ish rounds.

I was going to get a turret over the breechlock after tossing a coin but my neighbors son made me an offer on a new one he had that I just couldn't say no to, and it inclded a lee hand primer, another very very handy item.

Or you could just spend the money on more ammo and the time on shooting! My 'thirst' for 30-06 is from competing in CMP Garand competitions. ~65 rounds a match and will be shooting at the nationals at camp perry in august. Do a couple of practices a week and you need a lot of ammo in no time!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

The photo of your bench reminds me of my own. Prof_Fate mentioned the Lee priming tool. Those are what I use, I have them labeled for the primer they contain. I only use Federal match primers on most of the rifle cases, so for example the small rifle primer tool says "FED 205 M" on the label, there is a "REM 7 1/2 BR" labeled tool also. This avoids confusing primers. The Lee primer tool shell holders stay in the tool for the last round loaded. The "FED 215 M" primer tool has the 338 Lapua or the belted mag shell holder in it at all times. That is something useful you could use up points on. Buy the way I always leave a universal decapping die in the 7th hole on the T-7 (a really large sizing die can substitute for this, like 458 Win Mag.) In a recent post here in reloading we talk about the Lyman 55's virtues, you may consider an additional powder measure. Ivan

 

[forestswin]

novalty
I think an AP press is inevitable. If you have a nice chunk of points now - go for it.

You're going to be chunking out your cast bullets and getting closer and closer to "the load" for each gun. From there its going to be just a matter of repetition.

You can do the 45's in November, 9mm in December, 357 in January,etc

Maybe someone will be so nice and check online daily for when Cabela's gets them back in stock

 

[novalty]

novalty
I think an AP press is inevitable. If you have a nice chunk of points now - go for it.

You're going to be chunking out your cast bullets and getting closer and closer to "the load" for each gun. From there its going to be just a matter of repetition.

You can do the 45's in November, 9mm in December, 357 in January,etc

Maybe someone will be so nice and check online daily for when Cabela's gets them back in stock

Is this payback for my casting posts? Would have been nice if you had posted this yesterday morning, that guy that checks everyday could have told me Cabelas had limited stock of the Hornady LnL AP yesterday, but they sold out last night.

 

[forestswin]

Is this payback for my casting posts? Would have been nice if you had posted this yesterday morning, that guy that checks everyday could have told me Cabelas had limited stock of the Hornady LnL AP yesterday, but they sold out last night.

No, honestly just poor timing. You started post after I went to work. At my work-our IT Department sees fit to block this forum as a "weapons" site so I can't view it until after I get back home.
And regarding paybacks, no I'm not that mean. Any payback for you guys trying to "push" your addiction onto me wouldn't have any consequences - just fun

And I checked Cabela's stock as I was typing last nights reply.

 

[novalty]

No, honestly just poor timing. You started post after I went to work. At my work-our IT Department sees fit to block this forum as a "weapons" site so I can't view it until after I get back home.
And regarding paybacks, no I'm not that mean. Any payback for you guys trying to "push" your addiction onto me wouldn't have any consequences - just fun

And I checked Cabela's stock as I was typing last nights reply.

This site has such a great bunch of members. Best place on the web by far.

Still toying around with the idea of changing over to the Hornady LnL AP (that 500 bullets promotion is a tempting bonus too). Already having the RCBS Uniflow with Case Activated linkage kit would allow me to have 1 powder measure set up for 2 calibers.

Hard to put the Redding T7 Turret up on the chopping block, plus not sure what the going price for one would be.

 

[dickttx]

I really liked the Lee Classic Turret I bought soon after I got back into reloading about three years ago. However, 400 pulls of the lever to load 100 rounds soon began creating problems for my shoulder. It is 76 years old, just like the rest of my body, but seems a little more tender!
I bought a LnL AP about a year ago. Now 100 rounds with about 105 pulls. Much better. I have only set it up for 38 Super and 45 ACP so far, as that is about 99% of my shooting. I have everything I need for 9mm, but just don't shoot it much, and had a decent stock when I bought the LnL.
Changeover is not bad at all. I moved all my Lee 4 die sets, and my Pro Auto Disk to my LnL and they work very well. Coincidently, both my cartridges use 5.3gn of HP38, so I don't have to change my powder measure. Changeover is not really a problem, but I do tend to accumulate 200/400 of a caliber before changing over. It would be very easy to sit down and load everything I have, but try to restrain myself. I try to keep about 600/800 of a caliber, then replace what I shoot.
If I could have only one press it would be the LCT, but I can never see moving back to it for my rounds I shoot a lot. And it is certainly much easier on the shoulder.
As an aside, a few days ago I accidently slid a different stool up to my press. It was about two inches shorter than my usual one and I seemed to get much better leverage on the press handle.
Good luck in your quest to spend your points.

 

[novalty]

Dickttx,

Appreciate your response. I have had Juvenile Rhuematoid Arthritis since age 7 (now 32), and have found processing my reloading now works best in stages with my equipment. My current process is:

1. Tumble Clean
2. Size/deprime toss in bucket/caliber bin
3. Inspect clean any primer pockets, chamfer/debur & toss in caliber bin on bench.
**Then when I need ammo
4. Prime amount needed with RCBS Automatic Bench primer.
5. Then run that primed batch through the expander/powder measure.
6. Turn turret to seater and seat bullets in the charged cases.

I don't necessarily run all these steps at once, for instance I have another batch of 100 (45acp) cases primed on my bench. So my production rates don't include the whole process. I ran through 125 (45acp) rounds (expand/charge/seat) in 80 minutes. I do get a little bit of tenderness in my arms after a session of loading. Having a couple months over the winter to load up my ammo, doesn't really concern me with production rates, as I have plenty of time to get the amount I need for the warmer months when I can actually get outside and shoot.

 

[H Richard]

Of all the accessories in my reloading room, the "Case Prep" unit (RCBS) is the one thing I enjoyed the most. I do have a Dillon that I load all my 38 & 45 on for volume, but everything else I am like you, I load small batch's of 50 - 100. Trying out a new bullet, a new load, etc. I use a "old" Texan 7 hole turret loader, which in principle is like your Redding. I don't see the need for me to make any change.

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

Unless you're throwing long sticks of IMR, it's hard to beat a Harrell's. I can't imagine that any electronic dispenser would be anywhere near as fast, or any more repeatable.

 

[rsrocket1]

I think you will really appreciate the conveniences of the LnL AP. I got mine from Cabelas a few years back when they sent me a coupon for a $150 gift card with a $500 purchase (and they would let me use the GC on the same day). I was trying to choose between the LnL AP and the Dillon 550, but with the $150 GC and the 500 free bullets, it was a no brainer (Cabelas doesn't sell the Dillon).

With your arthritis, you would probably appreciate 1 stroke producing 1 cartridge rather than 4-5 strokes per round. I typically load in 100 round batches myself (1 tray of primers). It takes a leisurely 10 minutes to make 100 rounds. That's 6 seconds a stroke, plenty of time to feed a case, check the powder level and place a bullet. Changing calibers takes about 5 minutes so long as you keep the bushings with the dies. If you have to go from LP to SP, it takes another 5 minutes to change the primer ram and shuttle.

With handgun charges, you can keep the same powder drop setup and all you need to do is to raise or lower the powder drop in the bushing and set and weigh the charge.

My common rounds are 9mm/38/40/45 and all use between 4.2-6 grains of Unique which makes things very easy to change. If you are lucky enough to find a common powder and common charge, it makes switching things very easy. Before starting 9mm, I kept all my calibers at 5g Unique which made things very easy. I still checked the charges before each session though.

When I can go out to the garage and load 100 rounds without my family even noticing that I'm gone, I can fill up my stock of loaded rounds very easily by doing a little over time. Even if I have one of those weeks where I shoot 400 rounds, I can make up for it in a couple of evenings in a couple of sessions each.

 

[novalty]

No, honestly just poor timing. You started post after I went to work. At my work-our IT Department sees fit to block this forum as a "weapons" site so I can't view it until after I get back home.
And regarding paybacks, no I'm not that mean. Any payback for you guys trying to "push" your addiction onto me wouldn't have any consequences - just fun

And I checked Cabela's stock as I was typing last nights reply.

Well I had about 1 week's grace time since my work initiated an internet blocking program "Untangle," but after writing another response to this posting earlier today I hit "Submit Reply" to find out that they had reactivated it and my response was denied. As you mentioned weapon sites are a no-no. So now I am back to not being able to access this site, or Cabelas, MidwayUSA, NatchezSS, MidSouthShooters, Brownells, Berry Mfg. PowdervalleyInc, etc, etc. So far the only sites that I have been restricted from are Castboolits.gunloads.com, and Grafs.