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

Reloading Press selection / Removable-quick change press mount selection:

I was originally leaning towards Inline Fabrication Quick Change Ultramount for Dillon 650/550 and Lee ABLP/Pro 4000 and 2018 version Pro 1000. Then I sold the 650 with case feeder when wife and I were looking at needing to sell our house to move to another state to care for my aging parents and I narrowed my press collection from 15 presses to Dillon 550 (To load rifle calibers) and ABLP (To load pistol calibers).

Thankfully, we didn't have to move but 12 of 15 presses were gone and over 90% of my reloading components were liquidated also. So I considered getting 750 with case feeder to replace 650 and even thought about FA FX-10 which was "Coming Soon" vaporware for over a year, so I lost interest.

Then Six Pack Pro/Pro 6000 was released (And you all know about my involvement as beta tester for Lee Precision) followed by 2023 Breech Lock Pro 1000 both with new priming system. Now that SPP got all the early production identified issues resolved with updated parts (Calvin sent me updated carrier cover/priming pin, slower twist index bar and new design 5 tube case feeder with case retaining gate to essentially address the last remaining issue of case feeding that was not press related - I will update in both SPP/Pro 6000 and 2023 Pro 1000 threads), both SPP/Pro 6000 and 2023 Pro 1000 are running reliably to where I am happy with SPP/Pro 6000 enough to not need Dillon 750 anymore. (ABLP/Pro 4000 kit was PIF to my sister/BIL who moved to Texas and wanted to start reloading) And 2023 Pro 1000 is fast becoming my favored press again for fast load development/caliber changes and when I started processing thousands of military crimped .223/9mm brass, Calvin sent over new Deluxe APP with primer pocket swager (So I may end up using Deluxe APP for fast universal depriming, primer pocket swaging, priming and leave SPP/Pro 6000, 2023 Pro 1000 and Dillon 550 set up for testing/load development/progressive reloading).

And since Lee Precision is now offering standing discount on all my purchases, it didn't take much pondering to go with Lee Bench Plate system since most of my presses are now Lee Precision (SPP/Pro 6000 kit, 2023 Pro 1000, Deluxe APP and Dillon 550). Another reason for choosing Lee Bench Plate over Inline Fabrication Ultramount is my Husky bench from Home Depot has height adjustable top so I can easily adjust for stand up reloading and comfortable sit down reloading.

Bench plate was mounted to Husky portable castered adjustable height bench with metal plated under the bench top for reinforcement and nylon locking nuts. Dillon 550 will be mounted dedicated on secondary portable castered reloading bench.

UPDATE: Reloading setup cost total (We are fast approaching $4000 already):
  1. Bench - Home Depot Husky portable castered adjustable bench $250
  2. Scale - Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 $350
  3. Check weight set - Troemner 200 gr to 0.5 gr ASTM Class 6 $28
  4. Calipers/Standards - Measuring tools, check weights and pin gages ~$200
  5. Scope ring/mount torque wrench - Tekton 10-150 in lb $60
  6. Brass tumbler - Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler $175, Branson ultrasonic cleaner $PIF
  7. Reloading press - Six Pack Pro/Pro 6000 kit $340 (5 tube case feeder with case gate $39), Dillon 550 $665, 2023 Pro 1000 $235 (5 tube case feeder with case gate $39), Deluxe APP $133 (Primer Pock~et Swage for APP $60 MSRP)
  8. Quick change press mount - Bench Plate $28 + Blocks $13
  9. Portable press - Hand press $53 (For powder work up at the range using processed and primed brass)
  10. Range box - MTM Tactical Range Box $60 (Range reloading/tool/cleaning storage)
  11. Powder measure - C-H 502 $141, Deluxe PPM $66
  12. Powder measure stand - Lee Precision $40 (Portable/Range reloading)
  13. Reloading equipment/tool storage - Husky 36" 12 drawer rollaway $700 (Work in progress - Finalizing drawers to be picture ready)
  14. Reloading component storage - Wire shelving unit 48"x18"x72" $130 (600 lbs per shelf)
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Bench Plate placement location was intentional as I wanted the reinforcement bottom plate as close to the bench metal frame (Black welded steel frame) to minimize stress on the wooden bench top

PressMount2.jpg

With small footprint of the Bench Plate, most of bench top is usable with presses removed for AR upper/lower assembly, mounting of scope on MTM Tactical Range Box, etc.

BenchMount1.jpg
 
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I've been revisiting that Lee bench plate looking for a more speedy way to use it. I've moved all my stuff to the "other" brand, but I'm out of bench room so I too added another bench in the form of a Horizontal file cabinet with a new wood benchtop mounted to it. And I have this Lee.....:) So I 3D printed four "wing" nuts for some bolt hardware thinking I might could leave it in place and 180 degree loosen and lift a tool.....add another tool and 180 degree tighten.....without having to use a screwdriver......works for tools that don't overlap where the new wingnuts are anyway.......maybe an Idea to start with.

(of course the 2X6 is just a test mount)......those two presses in the drawer have Inline Fab mounts, but I don't have the bottom base for the new bench. Still looking at my options........maybe even mount the wings under the bench.........but in my case that would put them in the drawer.......but then again I'm mounting the presses on the back side being the bench is an Island facing my other bench in the back.....so it wouldn't interfere with opening the drawer.....no.....too long a reach.....I'll leave them on top.

The purpose for this "bench" is case prep only for progressive loading only .......so the APP, the Hybrid APP for large rifle prep, and the bench primer if I feel the need. I do like the 2 big handy "drawers";)



Good luck with yours......looks great!

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I fabricated a universal press mount using 1” thick T6 alloy plate 11”x11”. It’s drilled and tapped for Dillion, RCBS, Hornady and even a vintage Hollywood Sr.. Takes less than 3 minutes to switch presses. The plate weighs 12 lbs and does not flex (nor does the butcher block top).

 
I've been revisiting that Lee bench plate looking for a more speedy way to use it. I've moved all my stuff to the "other" brand, but I'm out of bench room so I too added another bench in the form of a Horizontal file cabinet with a new wood benchtop mounted to it. And I have this Lee.....:) So I 3D printed four "wing" nuts for some bolt hardware thinking I might could leave it in place and 180 degree loosen and lift a tool.....add another tool and 180 degree tighten.....without having to use wrenches......works for tools that don't overlap where the new wingnuts are anyway.......maybe an Idea to start with.

The purpose for this "bench" is case prep only for progressive loading only .......so the APP, the Hybrid APP for large rifle prep, and the bench primer if I feel the need.

View attachment 1180194
I have the Lee Bench Plate in a drawer somewhere...I even have 3 extra metal mounting plates for it. I got it for my first Lee press...Classic Cast single stage... but it wouldn't allow the inline Fab (IF) case ejection system I wanted to fit.

I have pretty much converted over to the IF Quick Mount system, for my APP, ACP (converted to APP Deluxe), Bench primer, and a vice. I found the Lee plate wiggled more than I liked and didn't really like having to grab a screw driver to loosen the retaining rails to change presses. I also finally gave up squeezing stuff on my 4" bench and have expended another that was only supporting my drill press

I like the idea of the wing nuts for quick release and the Lee plate doesn't take that much room. I could use it for the lee equipment that aren't using IF bin holders and such
 
(Part 2) Reloading Press selection / Removable-quick change press mount selection ... Mounting Dillon 550 to Lee Bench Plate - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-unlimited-budget.912629/page-3#post-12760055

Happy New Year!

Wife and I were drinking morning coffee and she goes, "So, what do you REALLY want to do first day of 2024 after shooting a million rounds?" I think she was feeling guilty because she made me pause all of my shooting/reloading projects out of the blue to rescue two guinea pigs (We had 3 that passed due to old age) and since we gave away all the cages, she made me build two table benches for new cages she ordered along with tree branch tunnels that I had to "cook" in the gas BBQ to dry (And she has plans to build 2 story C&C module mansion in the corner of the livingroom 5 times the size of cages connected by a tunnel over the sectional :oops:) ... And guess what? She's going to teach me to make waterproof guinea pig pads and ordered a sewing machine/no pill fleece/waterproof padding ... What a retirement life ... I live for dogs, cats, chickens, mini pigs and now guinea pigs AGAIN. 🤣

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"Ziggy" and "Iggy" enjoying new cages ... Faith watching Ziggy check out the hammock.
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What I really wanted to do was weld up a plate from steel plate stock I had to mount Dillon 550 into the base plate but thought about doing a mock up first and found two layers of 5/16" plywood was the perfect thickness.

D550O.jpg

Mock up plywood block was stiff enough that I may replace with permanent plywood block with extension to the right of press to mount case bin bracket.
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UPDATE: Reloading setup summary (Prices and links updated):
  1. Bench - Home Depot Husky portable castered adjustable bench $250
  2. Scale - Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 $350
  3. Check weight set - Troemner 200 gr to 0.5 gr ASTM Class 6 $31
  4. Calipers/Standards - Measuring tools, check weights and pin gages ~$200
  5. Scope ring/mount torque wrench - Tekton 10-150 in lb $60
  6. Brass tumbler - Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler $159, Branson ultrasonic cleaner $PIF
  7. Reloading press - Six Pack Pro/Pro 6000 kit $340 (5 tube case feeder with case gate $39), Dillon 550 $665, 2023 Pro 1000 $235 (5 tube case feeder with case gate $39), Deluxe APP $133 (Primer Pocket Swage for APP $60 MSRP)
  8. Quick change press mount - Bench Plate $28 + Blocks $13
  9. Portable press - Hand press $53 (For powder work up at the range using processed and primed brass)
  10. Range box - MTM Tactical Range Box $60 (Range reloading/tool/cleaning storage)
  11. Powder measure - C-H 502 $141, Deluxe PPM $66
  12. Powder measure stand - Lee Precision $40 (Portable/Range reloading)
  13. Reloading equipment/tool storage - Husky 36" 12 drawer rollaway $700
  14. Reloading component storage - Wire shelving unit 48"x18"x72" $130 (600 lbs per shelf)
  15. Mounting Dillon 550 to Lee Bench Plate - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-unlimited-budget.912629/page-3#post-12796272
 
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I have almost ALL of what you listed, I’m trying to trade my 550 and I have 10 or 12 setups for the 550, 38/357, 45ACP, 45 Colt, .223/5.56, .243, 308 win, 300 WinMag, I’m not near them right now so I can’t remember what else, I also have a Trickle Charger for powder, I also have a weight gauge for checking loads that is accurate to 0.001, prolly have other items that you would be interested it. Anyway, I’m looking for 2 Dillon Square Deals and dies for 9mm, 38/357, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, if you know of anyone interested in a trade… I am also retired, I have a 20 x 20 shop room, heated and cooled, and a LOT of ammo and brass and bullets…

Feel free to contact me with any questions..

Dan
 
Secondary component storage/press mount:

While Home Depot Husky 52" height adjustable bench worked well to mount presses for comfortable sit down reloading, when I am assembling ARs or mounting scopes, I like to keep the bench clear. So I thought about a secondary press mount.

After considering some options, I looked at 36"x14"x54" wire shelving I had. With 1000 lb capacity (250 lbs per shelf) and adjustable shelves, I thought it would be sturdy enough to mount presses (If it was screwed to wall studs and four 3" screws did the trick) and also work as secondary storage to 48"x18"x72" wire shelving (600 lbs per shelf). So after checking the bench top height at 32", I adjusted the second wire shelf and screwed to the wall studs using 3" screws and washers. (Thinking I needed height clearance for use with factory 1 lb container and Auto Drum, I ended up raising the wire shelving but not necessary if you are using clear powder hopper or red hopper with lid)

With just 4 screws on top and second shelf, wire shelving was SOLID and I could not budge the wire shelving in any direction. 👍

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SU1.jpg

I cut 1/2" 5 layer waterproof laminated plywood I had as bench top and also cut the corners to clear the cylinders that lock the shelves.

SU2.jpg
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Lee Bench Plate was bolted down with another piece of plywood under the wire shelving (I made the mistake of cutting the plywood in half for underside as larger one piece of plywood is better to bolt from underside) and back of the plywood facing the wall was bolted with plywood under the wire shelving.

Clamp light with LED bulb provides ample light for 2023 breech lock head Pro 1000 and can be adjusted for various angle lighting.

SU5.jpg

Deluxe APP mounted for depriming, crimped primer pocket swaging and priming operations. I thought about mounting APP to the left of Bench Plate to share the case bin but realized moving the third wire shelf up allowed placement of collection bin/box.

SU6.jpg

And here's the secondary wire storage shelving with Bench Plate/2023 Pro 1000 mounted with overhead clamp light next to Husky 52" height adjustable bench set at 32".

SUbench.jpg

UPDATE: Reloading setup summary (Prices and links updated):
  1. Bench - Home Depot Husky portable castered adjustable bench $250
  2. Scale - Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 $350
  3. Check weight set - Troemner 200 gr to 0.5 gr ASTM Class 6 $31
  4. Calipers/Standards - Measuring tools, check weights and pin gages ~$200
  5. Scope ring/mount torque wrench - Tekton 10-150 in lb $60
  6. Brass tumbler - Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler $159, Branson ultrasonic cleaner $PIF
  7. Reloading press - Six Pack Pro/Pro 6000 kit $340 (5 tube case feeder with case gate $39), Dillon 550 $665, 2023 Pro 1000 $235 (5 tube case feeder with case gate $39), Deluxe APP $133 (Primer Pocket Swage for APP $60 MSRP)
  8. Quick change press mount - Bench Plate $28 + Blocks $13
  9. Portable press - Hand press $53 (For powder work up at the range using processed and primed brass)
  10. Range box - MTM Tactical Range Box $60 (Range reloading/tool/cleaning storage)
  11. Powder measure - C-H 502 $141, Deluxe PPM $66
  12. Powder measure stand - Lee Precision $40 (Portable/Range reloading)
  13. Reloading equipment/tool storage - Husky 36" 12 drawer rollaway $700
  14. Reloading component storage - Wire shelving unit 48"x18"x72" $130 (600 lbs per shelf)
  15. Mounting Dillon 550 to Lee Bench Plate - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-unlimited-budget.912629/page-3#post-12796272
  16. Secondary component storage/press mount - Wire shelving unit 36"x14"x54" $39 (250 lbs per shelf)
 
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Priming tools / Military crimp swage tools:

For 30 years, original Auto Prime has been my favorite priming tool due to very precise seating "feel". When it was discontinued, I bought a spare and bunch of handles (I only broke one when initially learning to reload); and since I have not broken anymore handles, I have PIF extra handles over the years.

Replacement Auto Prime XR with square primer tray was "OK" (I bought two and PIF both) but I prefer the newer version that uses clear holder for current triangle folding primer tray. With both XRs, I have found I could really force down on the handle to crush depth of .008" below flush without concern for breakage but usually aim for around .004" below flush. Primer seating feel "seems" to be better on the newer XR so that is what I use primarily because triangle folding tray is so much easier to use with no concern for breaking the handle (Turn folding tray upside down on factory primer tray and flip with few shakes and I am ready to prime again).

I will be 58 this year and due to picking wrong parents, I inherited their medical issues (Spinal stenosis, diabetes, cataract/glaucoma, etc.) and regularly wake up with tingly hands and stiffness of fingers along with trigger finger of left hand 4th finger. Doing hand/finger exercises help along with quickly rotating/shaking both hands left/right with arms down towards floor to have full use of both hands but anticipate the day when hand priming will not be an option.

While I press prime on Six Pack Pro and Pro 1000, I have always preferred to prime rifle cases by hand after inspecting/cleaning primer pockets. My backup is Auto Bench Prime that takes minimal effort on the handle to seat primers.

Lee Priming Tools.jpg

As to secondary storage wire shelving, hand/bench Auto Prime priming tools have found temporary storage location on top shelf. This location keeps them out of the way but convenient for ready access. (FYI, after mounting Auto Bench Prime to bench plate block I realized I should have mounted the Bench Plate little to the left to clear swing of the handle :oops: so I will be moving the Bench Plate and this thread is fast becoming "Real World". 😁)

PrimerStorage.jpg

Since priming attachment was added to Deluxe APP, I may end up priming rifle cases for 55/62/69/75 gr load development and 0.1 gr incremental range/field powder work up as I will be needing quite a bit of resized and primed cases to take with me.

DeluxeAPP.jpg

For removing military crimped primer pockets, as a Dillon fan I considered Super Swage 600; but since I was a C-H fan also, I ended up going with C-H swager kit (As C-H recommended, .223 shell holder #15 was also ordered to not rip the case rim). But since C-H kit requires use of regular shell holder, I also got Primer Swage kit for the APP (Since Deluxe APP came with regular shell holder option, I may consider using the C-H swager kit or even using it on Lee's new turret press - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...nt-with-3-4-5-6-configuration-turrets.926488/

C-H swage kit with #15 .223 shell holder

CHswager.jpg

Primer Swage kit for APP

DAPP Swager.jpg

UPDATE: Reloading setup summary (Prices and links updated):
  1. Bench - Home Depot Husky portable castered adjustable bench $250
  2. Scale - Creedmoor Sports TRX-925 $350
  3. Check weight set - Troemner 200 gr to 0.5 gr ASTM Class 6 $31
  4. Calipers/Standards - Measuring tools, check weights and pin gages ~$200
  5. Scope ring/mount torque wrench - Tekton 10-150 in lb $60
  6. Brass tumbler - Frankford Arsenal Rotary Tumbler $159, Branson ultrasonic cleaner $PIF
  7. Reloading press - Six Pack Pro/Pro 6000 kit $340 (5 tube case feeder with case gate $39), Dillon 550 $665, 2023 Pro 1000 $235 (5 tube case feeder with case gate $39), Deluxe APP $133
  8. Quick change press mount - Bench Plate $28 + Blocks $13
  9. Portable press - Hand press $53 (For powder work up at the range using processed and primed brass)
  10. Range box - MTM Tactical Range Box $60 (Range reloading/tool/cleaning storage)
  11. Powder measure - C-H 502 $141, Deluxe PPM $66
  12. Powder measure stand - Lee Precision $40 (Portable/Range reloading)
  13. Reloading equipment/tool storage - Husky 36" 12 drawer rollaway $700
  14. Reloading component storage - Wire shelving unit 48"x18"x72" $130 (600 lbs per shelf)
  15. Mounting Dillon 550 to Lee Bench Plate - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...-unlimited-budget.912629/page-3#post-12796272
  16. Secondary component storage/press mount - Wire shelving unit 36"x14"x54" $39 (250 lbs per shelf)
  17. Priming tools - Auto Prime (Discontinued), Auto Prime XR $23, Auto Bench Prime $32, Deluxe APP $133
  18. Military crimp swage tools - C-H swage kit $50, APP Primer Swage kit $32
 
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Inspirational reminders:

When judge Benitez allowed "Freedom Week" ending on my birthday, April 5th, 2019 (And I retired on July 4th, 2019), I joked with my wife that I should hang a portrait of "Saint Benitez, the patron saint of 2A" in front of the bench to put a smile on my face whenever I reload as his smiling face just seems to wipe away all the negative energy 😇 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/happy-days-in-ca.849757/page-4#post-11102503

There will be a portrait of judge Benitez once I finalize the location of the Husky bench (I am thinking about extending the back porch to enclose to turn into reloading room overlooking our acreage) but in the meantime, I got to mount the "Man's best friend" puppy sign that came with Ruger 10/22 Collector #3 to the bottom of top shelf of secondary shelving unit. 10/22 was the first gun I got to fire as a teenager and I am sure I fired so many rounds that likely turned the barrel into smooth bore (Yes, happy happy memories).

MBF.jpg

And these are my QC puppies who also put a smile on my face and wipe away all the negative energy 😃

3Puppies.jpg
 
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Inspirational reminders:

When judge Benitez allowed "Freedom Week" ending on my birthday, April 5th, 2019 (And I retired on July 4th, 2019), I joked with my wife that I should hang a portrait of "Saint Benitez, the patron saint of 2A" in front of the bench to put a smile on my face whenever I reload as his smiling face just seems to wipe away all the negative energy 😇 - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/happy-days-in-ca.849757/page-4#post-11102503

There will be a portrait of judge Benitez once I finalize the location of the Husky bench (I am thinking about extending the back porch to enclose to turn into reloading room overlooking our acreage) but in the meantime, I got to mount the "Man's best friend" puppy sign that came with Ruger 10/22 Collector #3 to the bottom of top shelf of secondary shelving unit. 10/22 was the first gun I got to fire as a teenager and I am sure I fired so many rounds that likely turned the barrel into smooth bore (Yes, happy happy memories).

View attachment 1187758

And these are my QC puppies who also put a smile on my face and wipe away all the negative energy 😃

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I'm jealous every time I see your 10/22 #3 :D
 
I'm jealous every time I see your 10/22 #3 :D

Wish I would’ve bought one :(
Especially when it sold for $199 by PSA - https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/ruger-introduces-third-edition-of-collector-s-series-10-22/

But you can buy Collector #6 right now celebrating 60 years of 10/22 from 1964 to 2024 - https://ruger.com/products/1022RCS/specSheets/31260.html

BTW, Collector #5 is $299 - https://gun.deals/product/ruger-102...-american-camo-synthetic-stock-and-adjustable

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I’m a Labrador guy and I like the green stock
How about this?

I can send you the green modular stock (With $25 gift certificate for different stock module at $21.95), stock barrel with bladed front sight, picatinny rail with ghost ring rear sight and even the "Man's best friend" sign and Collector #3 badge with Ruger gun mount lock (Everything except the receiver).

Was thinking about putting a bull barrel but the modular stock needs to be modified to accept larger diameter bull barrel. So instead of modifying the modular stock, I can use the Magpul MOE X-22 stock instead - https://www.thehighroad.org/index.p...able-barrel-tray-for-920-bull-barrels.925807/

PM me if interested. If you want the "Collector's Series" engraved CPC reworked bolt, I am willing. I can even throw in Redfield Revolution 4-12x40 scope I got as Christmas present as I am in a generous mood (I have so many Bushnell/Vortex/Burris/Athlon scopes I don't need another scope ... like to keep the Viridian Serac scope on the rifle though). :)

1022Collector3.jpg
 
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design 5 tube case feeder with case retaining gate to essentially address the last remaining issue of case feeding
Do they sell the case gate separately? I'd love to replace my rubberbanded contraption without having to buy the entire case feeder.
 
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Do they sell the case gate separately? I'd love to replace my rubberbanded contraption without having to buy the entire case feeder.
On the new case feeder page, it's not showing individual parts like for other Lee products (Maybe too new to break down to individual parts) but if you call customer service, they maybe able to send you just the spring loaded gate part - https://leeprecision.com/promo-universal-5-tube-case-feed-magazine-collator

I beta test/product test for Lee Precision and forwarded your question to Calvin, my contact at Lee Precision. I will post back when I get a response.

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That is a great 10 part mini series.
Series great but what really happened was incredible!!! They were just "kids"!!! My father was there and they called him an "old man" at just 24. It still amazes me when I think of it!

Today's generations need a little more of the metal they all exhibited. Still miss my father and he's been gone quite a while now.

Happy New Year to all!!! Stay Safe and God Bless!!!
 
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