Setup for reloading again after 30 years of reloading - From minimalist set up with unlimited budget

[LiveLife]

Started reloading almost 30 years ago and retired 3 years ago after reloading over 700,000 rounds of pistol caliber much of which were used for USPSA matches (I do not keep track of rifle calibers reloaded or 22LR).

I was well stocked up with components to last anticipated 15 more years of shooting but unexpected medical issues with my aging parents who had multiple bouts of cancer forced wife and I to liquidate over 90% of our stuff for relocation out-of-state, including shooting/reloading equipment that included 15 reloading presses.

Fortunately wife and I no longer need to move but liquidation of shooting/reloading stuff already took place and I ended up with Dillon 550 and Lee Auto Breech Lock Pro. I was thinking about replacing the Dillon 650/case feeder with 750/case feeder when I was able to reload with more permanent set up and also considered FA FX-10 but I got tired of waiting for it to come to market after a year.

So when Lee Precision announced the new six-station Six Pack Pro/Pro 6000 kit, I decided to gift my ABLP setup to my sister/BIL who wanted to get into reloading as my nephew/niece started shooting pistols/carbines. (Subsequently, a pre-2018 model new in box Pro 1000 kit came back from "Pay It Forward" so I may continue to use it to load test rounds for THR myth busting/load development threads. Yes, I have used the humble Pro 1000 for most of THR myth busting/test rounds due to low OAL variance of .001" for pre-resized brass regardless of headstamp)

Although I have unlimited budget for reloading set up, in consideration of new reloaders and/or those on limited budget, I decided to start out with more basic and portable set up with heavy reflection of almost 30 years of reloading range blasting to match grade ammunition with focus on more common calibers of 9mm/40S&W/45ACP and .223.

So, journey with me as I setup for reloading again for retirement infused with 30 years of reloading mistakes/oops/misjudgements to maybe get it right this time around.

 

[LiveLife]

Reloading Bench Selection (For both stand up and sit down reloading):

After using 2'x6' and 2'x8' heavy castered benches built from 2x4s and 4x4s for garage that were heavy duty enough to hold engine blocks for reloading during early years (And dying in summer heat of 105F+ and freezing in the winter), I built smaller 2'x3' and 2'x2' portable benchs to reload anywhere in or around the house in the comfort of air conditioning and heating.

Since the 2'x3' portable bench using Harbor Freight furniture dolly casters worked out so well (I was able to resize even thicker military .308 brass on empty bench with presses mounted at the ends to go through doorways), I decided on using Home Depot Husky 52" castered bench with height adjustable top for both stand up and sit down reloading (This also eliminates the use of raised press mount for comfortable ram lever operation).

It is currently $189 and comes in black or white color to match your reloading room/home decor but I chose to go with black as my reloading room already hosts black 5' tall Husky tool chest and black 6' wire shelving unit - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-52-in-Adjustable-Height-Work-Table-in-White-HOLT52XDBJ2/312063227

There is also one or two drawer bench option but I opted for no drawer bench as I mainly plan on doing sit-down reloading and drawers would hit my legs. One drawer bench is currently $209 - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-5...Wood-Top-in-Gloss-Black-HOLT5201B11/317302932

Also comes in shorter 46" width and currently two drawer bench is $198 - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-4...with-2-Drawers-in-White-HOLT4602BJ2/312063246

So for around $200, you can start out with a portable castered bench that is heavy/solid enough to resize rifle cartridges standing up or sitting down with the option of moving it around the house.

Reloading setup cost total:

• Portable castered adjustable bench ~ $200

 

[AJC1]

Well one definitely doesn't need a pile of stuff and at my house I don't have very much. One might be able to do it for less money but d doubt it. I probably have more money in molds than gear or close to it. It really doesn't take much.

 

[Cheesemaker]

Everyone is different.
Some load 20k+ per year for what ever reason. Some load less or a lot less than that. I re-started reloading/handloading with a basic Lee challenger press kit about 12 years ago (originally started in the early 1980s). A few hundred bucks in equipment served me well. I have upgraded - largely because I can and wanted better stuff.
I maybe load around 5k per year now 38 Sp, 357Mag, 45ACP, 45 Colt, 10mm, 44 Mag, 454 Casull, 460 S&W, 500 S&W, 223 and 308 - I use a single stage Redding Big Boss II and, for the most part, the same dies I used with the Lee setup. Bought a couple of Redding powder measures.

Don't cast - never have, never will.

Not sure if you are looking for responses to the OP - but this is mine

 

[LiveLife]

one definitely doesn't need a pile of stuff and at my house I don't have very much. One might be able to do it for less money

And that's why I am starting my initial setup with "minimalist" approach so I can determine first what's minimally needed to effectively load 9/40/45/.223 rounds.

But because I have unlimited reloading budget with reflective reloading experience of 30 years, my selection criteria will be less "DIY" and more "off the shelf"; hence why I started with Husky portable castered bench from Home Depot.

 

[AJC1]

And that's why I am starting my initial setup with "minimalist" approach so I can determine first what's minimally needed to effectively load 9/40/45/.223 rounds.

But because I have unlimited reloading budget with reflective reloading experience of 30 years, my selection criteria will be less "DIY" and more "off the shelf"; hence why I started with Husky portable castered bench from Home Depot.

Well Lee wack a mole is the barest of budget and a fully automated dillion 1050 near the top. If one was trying to minimize just the number of parts pieces, with a forester coax and rcbs universal hand primer shell holders would not be required. Then you would also never have to worry if your using the one you set the sizing die with. I'm using a borrowed press my friend found in the trash, talk about low budget....

 

[kmw1954]

Started reloading for pistols back in 1980 and gave it up around 1990 because of divorce. Started back shooting and reloading 2016 so I too had to start over.

First time around was with a Bonanza 86 single stage, RCBS dies and Lee dippers and a trickler. Recalling then loading pistols I already knew I didn't want to do it again on a Single stage.

Even though I have the funds to buy and have what I want I still find myself more as a minimalist. with one RCBS JR3 press and 4 Lee presses which two of them could go away and I wouldn't miss them. I find no need for more than 4 stations on a press. So if I were to add another press it would most likely be an arbor press.

 

[LiveLife]

Not sure if you are looking for responses to the OP

When I was assigned as director of state facility overseeing 120 employees, I told my managers/supervisors/coordinators/QA-QM-audit/educators that answers/solutions to our operational issues/problems rest with employees who were actually doing the work, not what management "thinks should happen" rather "what actually needs to happen".

So each day when I was presented with problems/issues my managers/supervisors could not solve, I would go to the work unit/site where the problems/issues were reported and spent enough time for the employees doing the work to explain to me as a "new hire employee" to be trained to do the job (Employees were surprised to see me and to "teach me" what they did). After my "orientation" was complete, answers/solutions to reported issues/problems were often obvious/self evident but the employees just didn't have the power to make the needed changes because their supervisors/managers "thought" different. Some of these answers/solutions were simple and ingenious that management staff would have never come up with and I immediately implemented the solutions to employees' delight.

So while I spent nearly 30 years making my own reloading and shooting mistakes and came up with my own solutions, I am regularly surprised and delighted by creative and ingenious solutions reloaders come up with everyday - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...nted-or-discovered-that-you-can-share.218188/

 

[LiveLife]

Well Lee wack a mole is the barest of budget

I did post "unlimited" budget.

I think hand press is the "desperate option" I would consider as absolute last resort option and "O" ring single stage as practical "last resort option".

If one was trying to minimize just the number of parts pieces

Lee challenger press kit ... single stage Redding Big Boss II

Bonanza 86 single stage, RCBS dies and Lee dippers and a trickler. Recalling then loading pistols I already knew I didn't want to do it again on a Single stage.

Amen.

This is for my retirement and while I don't mind reloading .223 on single stage (I find it calm and relaxing) and have plenty of time on hand, but not for higher volume pistol reloading (Especially to feed ammo hungry PCCs) so progressive press is the obvious reloading solution for me.

 

[AJC1]

I did post "unlimited" budget.

I think hand press is the "desperate option" I would consider as absolute last resort option and "O" ring single stage as practical "last resort option".


Well, this is for my retirement and while I don't mind reloading .223 on single stage (I find it calm and relaxing) but not for higher volume pistol reloading (Especially to feed ammo hungry PCCs) so progressive press is the obvious reloading solution for me.

I feel take out of context....
I've never run a progressive but I can appreciate that people who compete need that level of volume. The manual indexing 550b looks very doable.

 

[LiveLife]

Even though I have the funds to buy and have what I want I still find myself more as a minimalist. with one RCBS JR3 press and 4 Lee presses

I have considered multiple press option with dedicated caliber setup (I did have 15 presses with many single caliber dedicated setup that worked out well for easy/simple "Walk up to press, fill with powder/primers and load away" operation).

With Dillon 550, Pro 6000 and Pro 1000, I could:

• Dedicate 550 for .223 reloading with C-H 502 micrometer powder measure for more precise "match grade" loads
• Setup Pro 6000 with easy to change caliber conversions for higher volume 9mm/40S&W/45ACP
• Use Pro 1000 for load development work/reloading at the range off the trailer

 

[LiveLife]

I've never run a progressive but I can appreciate that people who compete need that level of volume.

I have loaded my USPSA match rounds on several Pro 1000s dedicated to each caliber using pre-resized brass and experienced tight OAL variance. .001" OAL variance was tested with mixed headstamp range brass on this myth busting thread - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...progressive-press.833604/page-2#post-10779806

And Pro 6000 was tested to produce down to .001" OAL variance with R-P/R-P"." brass - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...r-oal-consistency.911743/page-3#post-12446468

The manual indexing 550b looks very doable.

The manual index does slow things down but once you get into a rhythm, it's not bad.

Besides, C-H 502 requires another manual lever action so left hand index with right hand powder measure drop rhythm.

 

[kmw1954]

I have considered multiple press option with dedicated caliber setup

With Dillon 550, Pro 6000 and Pro 1000, I could:

The three presses I find getting the most use are the JR3, 3 Hole Lee Turret and the Lee Pro1000.. While only loading pistol and 223 the JR3 and the turret handles the 223 perfectly in my opinion.

 

[lordpaxman]

I did see a Black Friday ad for a Mark 7 with overdrive complete setup for 1100$ off!

 

[LiveLife]

Mark 7 with overdrive complete setup for 1100$ off!

$4995 but free shipping - https://www.markvii-loading.com/

"minimalist set up ... in consideration of new reloaders and/or those on limited budget, I decided to start out with more basic and portable set up" ​

 

[JFrank]

For those with unlimited budgets..

 

[LiveLife]

For those with unlimited budgets..

Nice.

I already have Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 digital scale that can resolve single granule of Promo and analytical/lab digital scale that can resolve single kernel of Varget - https://www.creedmoorsports.com/pro...cale-trx-925-precision/creedmoor_sports_brand

Since I am starting with "minimalist" reloader setup, I will likely be hand trickling with FA trickler with more "affordable" digital scale with detection of .06 - .08 gr (Better than my .1 gr resolution Ohaus 10-10, RCBS 5-0-5 and Dillon Eliminator).

 

[JFrank]

Yeah how’s that scale doing for you?

 

[LiveLife]

Scale selection:

Yeah how’s that scale doing for you?

Happy with Creedmoor Sports scale. Here's an update finding out auto-zero feature of scale not mentioned in the ad - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-reloading-scale-review.904159/#post-12272304

Happy with analytical/lab scale after I resolved the zero drift issue - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-scale-zero-drift-and-can-it-be-fixed.893402/

And I just ordered GEM-20 digital scale for $22 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ESHDGOI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?

GEM-20 is made by Smart Weigh and looks very similar to Gemini-20 by American Weigh Scales I bought for $20 that is sensitive down to .06 gr but it is now $50 - https://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-GEMINI-20-Portable-MilliGram/dp/B0012TDNAM/ref=sr_1_2?

I ordered the GEM-20 due to flat weighing platform so I could use powder pans I have instead of the small one Gemini-20 came with and plan on checking the sensitivity/detection with my Ohaus ASTM Class 6 check weights down to 1 mg/.015 gr.

UPDATE: Reloading setup cost total:

1. Bench - Portable castered adjustable bench ~ $200
2. Scale - GEM-20 digital scale $22 (Sensitivity/detection test pending)

 

[JFrank]

One of the toys I get the most use out of is this awesome trickler , you’ll never go back to the hand turn one’s

https://dandyproductsllc.com/products/dandy-2-speed-electric-powder-trickler

 

[JFrank]

So what part of the ‘wet’ northwest are you living in ?

 

[LiveLife]

One of the toys I get the most use out of is this awesome trickler , you’ll never go back to the hand turn one’s
https://dandyproductsllc.com/products/dandy-2-speed-electric-powder-trickler

Actually I thought about getting that auto trickler for some time but when I got my C-H 502 micrometer powder measure to use on Dillon 550, it was consistent enough for my 100 yard plinking loads that I didn't need it - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/powder-measure-reccomendations.863943/#post-11398909

But I have some in my group buy that are shooting .308 out to 300-800 yards and inviting me to shoot with them so I may end up getting the Dandy trickler. (I did shoot my .308 loads out to 1000 yards at a car sized target and it was harder than shooting at tank sized targets at 1000 meters with M60 in the Army )

So what part of the ‘wet’ northwest are you living in ?

The good part.

I sent you a PM.

 

[jak67429]

After my house burned down 25 years ago. I lost everything not in the gun safe, and the ins co screwed me over. I had to start reloading on the cheap. found a rcbs Junior at a flea market, bought a rcbs 505 scale and some dies from an older guy getting out of reloading. the press I bolted to a 2x6 and used clamps to clamp it to the kitchen table. Loaded a season worth of 223 for high power that way. I just gave that press to my grand daughter to load her own at home.

 

[NC9mm]

Purchase 2 or 3 Mark 7s set up in different calibers and be done with it

 

[kalielkslayer]

I’m not a “minimalist” maybe there is a term that more accurately describes someone whose using a MEC 600 Jr bought in the late 70s, an RCBS Rockchucker bout in the late 80s. A Dillion 550c bought 3 years ago.

It all works well for me. I’ve found the longevity of every piece of reloading equipment I’ve ever purchased far exceeds the longevity of any automobile I’ve purchased. This from a guy whose still driving a 2000 7.3 diesel with 550,000 miles on it.