Landric
Member
This is what my bench looked like today. I think I might have broken some kind of natural law by using a Lee push through sizer on a Rockchucker.
Single stage press?
- Thread starter Atroxus
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RustyFN
Member
Landric with all the different colors on the bench when you turn out the light and close the door can you hear them starting to fight. 
Lee Classic Turret Press
I recommend the Lee Classic Turret Press, which is the most versatile for the money. I reload .380, 9mm, .223, 6.5x55, and .308 with mine. When loading semi-progressively, I can churn out 200-250 rounds/hour of handgun ammo. For rifle ammunition, I remove the indexing rod and reload single stage. Still, it's nice to be able to just turn the turret from the resizer to the bullet seating die.
This really is a great press for little money. The place to buy is:
http://www.kempfgunshop.com/
Sue will hook you up with everything you need for less than Midway and then give you amazing customer service for as long as you own your press.
Good luck, and if you need help, shoot me a pm. Two years ago Rusty and others got me going on my Classic Press and I haven't looked back yet. I've considered a Dillon or maybe a Redding single stage, but I just can't justify it.
I recommend the Lee Classic Turret Press, which is the most versatile for the money. I reload .380, 9mm, .223, 6.5x55, and .308 with mine. When loading semi-progressively, I can churn out 200-250 rounds/hour of handgun ammo. For rifle ammunition, I remove the indexing rod and reload single stage. Still, it's nice to be able to just turn the turret from the resizer to the bullet seating die.
This really is a great press for little money. The place to buy is:
http://www.kempfgunshop.com/
Sue will hook you up with everything you need for less than Midway and then give you amazing customer service for as long as you own your press.
Good luck, and if you need help, shoot me a pm. Two years ago Rusty and others got me going on my Classic Press and I haven't looked back yet. I've considered a Dillon or maybe a Redding single stage, but I just can't justify it.
WE WANT AMERICAN MADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
once upon a time we lead the world in manufacturing & technology
now we just simply follow.
----------------------WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?---------------------------------------
ask the next kid 25 years or younger what a Bridgeport Mill is. Or what South Bend used to make.
its sad. So its nice to hear that LEE is AMERICAN MADE.
once upon a time we lead the world in manufacturing & technology
now we just simply follow.
----------------------WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?---------------------------------------
ask the next kid 25 years or younger what a Bridgeport Mill is. Or what South Bend used to make.
its sad. So its nice to hear that LEE is AMERICAN MADE.
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Atroxus
Member
I had to call 8 different stores but I finally found primers and powder today. I was wondering though how many times brass can be reloaded? And how do you tell when it is no longer safe to reload?
I was wondering though how many times brass can be reloaded? And how do you tell when it is no longer safe to reload?depends on the caliber and how hot you run 'em.
POP QUIZ TO ATROXUS: How many times does your reload manual say you can load them and how do you tell when they are no longer safe to reload?
You do have a reload manual, don't you. And you have read and studied it, correct? It's okay to ask questions, but these are some you should know by reading and studying the manuals. The reason I am saying this is you really need to read and study handloading as well.
Pay your dues like we all did
.LGB
Atroxus
Member
Actually my first reloading manual is in the mail along with my press, dies, etc. I do plan on reading it thoroughly *before* I unbox my press though. If that info is generally included the manuals I guess I will get my answer in about a week.....unless I can find it on the interwebs faster.depends on the caliber and how hot you run 'em.
POP QUIZ TO ATROXUS: How many times does your reload manual say you can load them and how do you tell when they are no longer safe to reload?
You do have a reload manual, don't you. And you have read and studied it, correct? It's okay to ask questions, but these are some you should know by reading and studying the manuals. The reason I am saying this is you really need to read and study handloading as well.
Pay your dues like we all did
LGB
Landric
Member
Atroxus, what equipment did you decide on?
rfwobbly
Member
Tenacious? Heck, you're going for the world record !!
Atroxus
Member
World record?! Sweet! How many more pages I need to get into guiness?
I ordered the Lee anniversary kit, with Lee carbide dies. It seemed the most cost effective way for me to get into reloading. I also ordered the ABCs of reloading which numerous sites have named as the ideal first reloading book. I plan on getting more books later, but my wife has allready been eyballing me over how much I have spent already, so I want to spread out some of the costs.
I ordered the Lee anniversary kit, with Lee carbide dies. It seemed the most cost effective way for me to get into reloading. I also ordered the ABCs of reloading which numerous sites have named as the ideal first reloading book. I plan on getting more books later, but my wife has allready been eyballing me over how much I have spent already, so I want to spread out some of the costs.
rfwobbly
Member
If there's going to be any Guinness about, it's going to be YOU mailing ME a Guinness !!
Congrats on the press purchase. There's no argument that Lee is the best way to go for a constrained budget. May I suggest....
• Start a spread sheet of all your reloading purchases. You'll be able to easily prove your reloading is saving your family money and your wife will become a big fan fast. Marriage Hint #349: You always want your wife on your side.
• Your "ABC's" is a great book, but doesn't have much in the way of load data. You should also get the Lymans #49 RLM. Ask your wife what she's planning to get you for Thanksgiving. You can also get free load data pamphlets where you buy your powder.
• Marriage Hint #272: Try to spend at least 1 night a week away from the press and with your wife.
• Marriage Hint #195: Never try to convince the wife that they call it the "anniversary kit" because you bought it for her wedding anniversary. That's already been tried.
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Atroxus
Member
If there's going to be any Guinness about, it's going to be YOU mailing ME a Guinness !!
Congrats on the press purchase. There's no argument that Lee is the best way to go for a constrained budget. May I suggest....
• Start a spread sheet of all your reloading purchases. You'll be able to easily prove your reloading is saving your family money and your wife will become a big fan fast. Marriage Hint #349: You always want your wife on your side.
• Your "ABC's" is a great book, but doesn't have much in the way of load data. You should also get the Lymans #49 RLM. Ask your wife what she's planning to get you for Thanksgiving. You can also get free load data pamphlets where you buy your powder.
• Marriage Hint #272: Try to spend at least 1 night a week away from the press and with your wife.
• Marriage Hint #195: Never try to convince the wife that they call it the "anniversary kit" because you bought it for her weeding anniversary. That's already been tried.
LOL, how about if I get in Guiness book, you get Guiness in the mail?
I was planning on the spreadsheed already, but thanks for the advice all the same.
The anniversary kit comes with a "powder data manual with more than 1,000 different loads tested and recommended by Hodgdon Powder Co." I think someone else in this thread said that winchester 231 powder used the same load data as hodgdon HP-38, so I am hoping the load data that comes with the kit will be enough to get me started, if not I can always pickup another book though.
Is the guy that bought the Lee kit for his wedding anniversary still married? If so how much jewelry did he have to purchase to stay that way?
The Bushmaster
Member
Revolver cases can be loaded from once to any number of times depending on how hot you load them and when they split. Pistol cases can be reloaded from one time or until you lose them in the grass...
ranger335v
Member
- Joined
- Dec 3, 2006
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- 3,797
"I ordered the Lee anniversary kit, with Lee carbide dies. It seemed the most cost effective way for me to get into reloading. I also ordered the ABCs of reloading which numerous sites have named as the ideal first reloading book."
You can safely tell your wife you made wise and cost effective choices. Add a Lyman loading manual, or Lee, and a couple of case holding/loading blocks.
You can safely tell your wife you made wise and cost effective choices. Add a Lyman loading manual, or Lee, and a couple of case holding/loading blocks.
rfwobbly
Member
Might be better to go to the local hardware store and buy a 3/8 and 1/2 plug cutting drill bit, which cut a square bottomed hole. Then using a cast off piece of oak, make your own 60-position blocks as per the following thread....
Loading Blocks
Or simply buy that guy's blocks.
Atroxus
Member
I ordered a couple with my press actually. I was wondering wouldn't left over trays from factory ammo work as well? I also have some of those along with a small amount of once fired brass.
I had to go back and reread earlier posts, to see if this was mentioned. When using a single stage press I use a batch process where i will do a tray of sizing and depriming, then inspect each for flaws, then prime that tray full, then inspect each for flaws, etc. I always leave an empty row on the loading block so I can tell the difference between which has been done for this step. You'd think this is easy, but the point is each one done right every time. Wifes, kids, dogs, cats, phones won't care if you need to concentrate on this stage they want you to stop and pet them or whatever. A space between done and not done cases is just a saftey back-up. Build these habits into every step you can. It will cut down or eliminate missed or doubled steps. You don't want to miss priming or double powder at any time. A missed primer is just an excuse to buy an impact bullet puller, a doubled powder charge could ruin your day, gun, or wifes good opinion of reloading.
Landric
Member
Good points azyogi!
Also, when I load in batches using loading blocks, as I do on a single stage, I keep a small flashlight with me next to the cases. When I charge a batch with power I take the flashlight and look inside each one, both the make sure there is powder and to make sure the level of powder appears the same as all the others. If something looks wrong, I weight the charge to make sure, then take the action necessary to correct any problem there might be.
Also, when I load in batches using loading blocks, as I do on a single stage, I keep a small flashlight with me next to the cases. When I charge a batch with power I take the flashlight and look inside each one, both the make sure there is powder and to make sure the level of powder appears the same as all the others. If something looks wrong, I weight the charge to make sure, then take the action necessary to correct any problem there might be.
Atroxus
Member
I am planning on using a two block method for each step. Cases in block on left side of press will be inspected and ready for whatever stage of reloading I am on. block on right of press will be where I place cases that are finished with that step. Once left tray empty and right tray full, I will inspect to make sure all are ready for next step then swap the full tray back to left side of press. Basically the equivalent of inbox/outbox. I figure that will ensure that I don't double up on powder, and hopefully allow me to avoid other errors as well if I get interrupted during reloading session.
Landric said:
Good idea on the flashlight, I am gonna do that too.
Atroxus
Member
Oh duh, now i feel stupid for not thinking of this myself sooner. I actually have a magnifying lamp that I bought for painting miniatures. I will probably end up using the same table for both hobbies. So it would make sense for me to use the same lamp for both. <smacks forehead>
Atroxus
Member
I finally got my Lee Anniversary kit today, among other things. It seems to have all the parts needed to assemble the press. It does not have bolts to mount it to my table though. Anyone happen to know if those were supposed to be included, or if I am supposed to get my own bolts from the hardware store?
You supply your own mounting hardware, be it lag bolts, hex head, whatever to suit the thickness of your bench top. I'd suggest you pick the largest diameter ones that will fit thru the holes in the casting. There is a surprising amount of force exerted by the ram of a reloader.
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