Happy July 4th! Who needs fireworks?

[KevinB]

After literally years of wanting to get into reloading, studying different resources, lots of reading on THR, and moving to a location where I have adequate space, I have finally joined the brotherhood. I want to thank all involved here on the board that have combined their knowledge and wisdom to provide a wonderful resource for all things shooting related.

I spent a weekend last month with my father, working together in his shop to build my reloading bench. It's not terribly fancy, but it is special to me. My first bench, and a fine piece of woodwork that me and my dad did together. I will forever cherish it. Attached to it is my new Lee Classic Turret Press. It has been the perfect combination of efficiency, simplicity, and cost. I bought it in the deluxe kit which has been a great way to get started.



Humble beginnings, but I'm very pleased with the space. Looking forward to many rounds being produced here.

I've decided to get started with .45 Colt, both because of the cost of factory ammunition and the large benefit gained with custom loads. Today on this Independence Day I've celebrated by cranking out my first small batch of hand rolled ammunition. My load is a 255 gr lead SWC from Missouri Bullet Company in once fired Starline brass, with CCI large pistol primers over 8 grains of Unique.



It is the first of many rounds that will be fired through this:





Ruger New Model Blackhawk, 5.5" bbl, in of course, .45 Colt

This is really a dream come true for me, and something I have wanted for a long long time. If you can't tell, I'm pretty excited. I want to thank everyone again, and I'm sure I'll be "borrowing" from everyone's wisdom again soon. Everyone have a happy and safe 4th of July, and a heartfelt thank you to all of our veterans.

 

[codefour]

Congratulations!! It's an addicting hobby. Nice bench! I started out the same with a single stage. It only gets worse, the addition that is...

 

[RustyFN]

Congratulations Kevin. Nice bench and choice in equipment. Welcome to reloading.

 

[zxcvbob]

They look good. With that Ruger, you can load higher than 8 grains (10 or 11-ish) of Unique, but 8 is a good place to start, and a good powder to start with.

Where are you gonna shoot them?

 

[KevinB]

Thanks everybody.

They look good. With that Ruger, you can load higher than 8 grains (10 or 11-ish) of Unique, but 8 is a good place to start, and a good powder to start with.

Where are you gonna shoot them?

I do plan to warm those loads up a bit once I'm good and consistent with the lower charges. That's one of the things I'm really excited about, shooting non-neutered .45 Colt.

I'll be shooting them right in my own backyard.

 

[420Stainless]

Nice looking bench. Looks like you're stocked up with some Missouri Bullets too. I like 8 grains of Unique, it seems to work quite well in my guns. Congratulations on the team build and nice results.

 

[kingmt]

Congrats. Nice looking bench. What better way to remember our freedom.

 

[wankerjake]

I have to comment on that fine setup you have, seeing as I load the same bullet for the same cartridge, with the same powder, using the same press, for the exact same revolver.

I use 8.5gr Unique. Only difference. Oh, and I have a different holster

 

[viking499]

Congrats on the new hobby. Great looking bench and gun.

 

[oldreloader]

Congratulations Kevin, nice bench and good choice of equipment. Welcome to the reloading clan.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Nice craftsmanship, looks good! However, I don't know any reloaders who can store all their stuff on one bench; For a decent number of us, it occupies the better part of a room. I hope you explained to your dad that you'll be enlisting him to help you build another bench, some shelving, a cubby cabinet, etc.

 

[JEB]

that is a fine looking set up you have there! i currently have a lee single stage and have been wanting to upgrade to the turret soooo bad!

fine looking revolver by the way!

is that a triple-K holster?

 

[KevinB]

JEB,

I'm sold on the turret press. Once you get your dies set up you can really crank out the rounds. I love that I can just drop in a turret for another caliber that has already been set up.

Yep, Triple-K Circa 1890 holster.

 

[James2]

Nice setup. What a great caliber to start with, and a nice gun to shoot em in. Enjoy.

 

[JEB]

kevinB,

glad to hear you are so happy with the turret. i hope to be picking one up in the fairly near future. nice choice on the triple-K too, i have a laramie holster for my super blackhawk and it is some quality leather.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Welcome to reloading. That's a really nice bench you built and a great story that goes with it. Good choice for a press too. I have one and use it a lot along with an RCBS Rockchucker.

You are going to love shooting your own ammo especially when you figure out it only cost you ~7.50 to load a box of .45 Colts instead of paying $40 at the store!

Just a warning, you really aren't going to save any money but you will shoot about 4X as much ammo for the same costs...

 

[floydster]

Kevin, very nice bench, and it is more special being you and your Dad built it together.
Years from now you will look at your bench and it will just put a smile on your face--even tho you upgrade and add on, I would keep this bench in it's original condition.
I also have the Lee Turret and love it, be safe and have fun!!!

Floydster

 

[sean1129]

Congrats on everything. I did the same as you in about December of this past year. It starts out with going to the reloading store with: "I'll just get a brick of primers, a can of powder, and a bulk box (500) of bullets. This will last forever." Like the others have said, this is an incredibly addictive hobby, and after about 3000 rounds through my Lee single stage, I've already upgraded to a progressive.

In spite of what others might say, the Lee stuff is nice. Just take your time and don't force anything and your equiptment will produce much ammo for you. This comes from someone who is also very fond of Dillon products--I still use the Lee Challenger single stage to load 357.

Have fun and be careful--no shortcuts or risky business. One suggestion--when you're working up loads of different powders, bullets, etc (essentially experimenting), don't make more that 10-15 rounds of something at a time. This gives you one cylinder to check for pressure issues, then two more to shoot from a sandbag to determine group size. Then you'll find the exact charge weight for your loads, etc. I made the mistake of doing my test batches in 40-50 (because I was having fun), which often results in having to shoot ammo that is not the 'perfect' match for the gun, which isn't all bad either.

Enjoy!

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Beautiful bench.

 

[CGT80]

I can't even keep all my loading stuff in even one room. Heck, I have powder stored in the bathroom closet too (middle of house-even temperature-dark). Talk about blowing up the bathroom.

Congrats on the new addictio....I mean hobby. Here is a pic of some of my overgrown 45LC's. I also cast the 270 SAA hollow point bullets that are in them.

Have fun. I wish I could shoot in my back yard.

 

[TooManyToys]

Hey KevinB,
Nice bench, Congrads on your project with your father!

Looks like you sure did your selection homework very well too. Ruger Blackhawk in 45LC, Traditional 255 gn. load using Unique, LEE Clasic Turret press set up, Great choices!
OH, and NICE Photos you posted too!

 

[Reefinmike]

I started this way 5 months ago, then i recently dove deeper into my addiction and started casting, scrounging auto stores asking for spare wheel weights- this is when you know youve hit rock bottom lol. Now i have 2000 38spls worked up, 1500 380s, 500 357's as well as 4k 380 bullets and 2k 38 just waiting for a casing to call home! Get out while you can!