Feedback on first time reloading equipment

[RooftopKorean]

Well the idiot that I am forgot to buy a set of Charging Dies last week so I was unable to set up my Auto Drum Powder Measure. It came in the mail today so I was able to finally get it set up.

I have three more tool heads to set up for each caliber (and i'll need to purchase another three for the rest of my long gun calibers) and then it's just the waiting game for MidwayUSA to ship my reloading materials and I can get started.

 

[mgunner]

I have RCBS gear and purchased a universal base plate to modularize my bench. When I gunsmith and do dirty work I can clear off the bench completely, those are harbor freight extra deep C-clamps. I use wing nuts and lock washers for fast change over. The black plywood is a custom riser so press is elevated to my optimum comfort level. Corners rounded so I stopped gashing my hip. I only use oil base Rustoleum paint for finish, brush on. Seems chemically resistant. Allows for cleaning up gun oil and solvents before switching over to reloading .

View attachment 69019

I see you snack on boxes of Do-si-dos while you reload.

 

[Deplorable Me]

I see you snack on boxes of Do-si-dos while you reload.

Prepper supplies, everything by the case.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

I think you need more light on that press.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Did I go overboard?

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Did I go overboard?

View attachment 70435

I guess that depends on which small country you're planning on invading.

 

[kev74]

Did I go overboard?

View attachment 70435

You did just right!

 

[RooftopKorean]

I got really bored and finally got around to wiring the $5 Harbor Freight LED mini spot light array from DC to AC powered.

I used an old micro USB and power box charger and did some splicing and soldering and used some sleeving I had left over from my PC build. It works great and it's even brighter than when it was battery powered.

I used a 4" dry wall screw to use as a post to hang my extra shell plates on.

I'm also expecting tool head holders, extra long charging dies and auto drum extenders so I don't have to unscrew the entire powder measure off every time I swap calibers. The tool head holders will be mounted on the right side of the table.

I'm trying to figure out a way I can mount two magnetic tool strips without drilling into the brick and putting anchors. I may construct a hang down off the bottom shelf where I can mount the strips. On the other hand I can be ghetto and just use eye hook screws for my wrenches but I'd still have no space to put pliers and screw drivers.

 

[dwa12479]

Did I go overboard?

View attachment 70435

So much for dipping your toe in to check the water. That's an all-out Honey Badger cannonball! Haha!!

 

[RooftopKorean]

So much for dipping your toe in to check the water. That's an all-out Honey Badger cannonball! Haha!!

All my equipment including lumber was almost $900. I got the press with a bunch of tool heads and shell plates for a steal.

Then I purchased the dies, auto drum, case prep tools and tumbler from eBay at low bids. I also did some shopping at Harbor Freight for the container pegboard/container kit which helped keep costs down. And last but not least my hospital pharmacy was getting rid of a bunch of bins which I gladly repurposed to store/organize brass

I got the lot of bullets and primers for like $500, powders anywhere from $24.99-$32.99 depending on brand. I also had some friends donate some materials.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Sweet setup. I'm jealous of your tidiness. My bench is a disaster area right now.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Sweet setup. I'm jealous of your tidiness. My bench is a disaster area right now.

Mild OCD

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

Mild OCD

As do I. Unfortunately my laziness is less mild.

 

[kev74]

I'm trying to figure out a way I can mount two magnetic tool strips without drilling into the brick and putting anchors. I may construct a hang down off the bottom shelf where I can mount the strips. On the other hand I can be ghetto and just use eye hook screws for my wrenches but I'd still have no space to put pliers and screw drivers.

These are awesome for hanging stuff on concrete or brick.

Tapcon Concrete Anchors | #1 Choice of Professionals

Tapcon Concrete AnchorsTapcon is the #1 recognized screw anchor brand in the industry. The blue, corrosion-resistant coating enables them to withstand the harshest conditions.

www.tapcon.com

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

These are awesome for hanging stuff on concrete or brick.

Tapcon Concrete Anchors | #1 Choice of Professionals

Tapcon Concrete AnchorsTapcon is the #1 recognized screw anchor brand in the industry. The blue, corrosion-resistant coating enables them to withstand the harshest conditions.

www.tapcon.com

....without drilling into the brick.

 

[Kent Goldings]

IMHO, progressive presses are only necessary, if you plan to reload pistol ammo or 223 ammo for your AR. In either case, bulk ammo can be had that is only a bit more money than reloading. You’ll have to reload thousands of rounds to pay for the equipment.

Reloading is necessary to get the most out of your precision rifles. But, you‘re not going to need a progressive press for that. If you want the most accurate ammo, your going to measure and trim the cases by hand. Your going to trickle powder charges and your going to fix the concentricity of the bullets.

To get started, I spend about 200 on this Lee single stage press kit and a 308 die set. I have since added a Hornady digital power measure for precise loads along with various other sundries and die-set.

I am current reloading

308 win, 6.5 CM, 7.62x39, 223 rem, and 9mm Luger. I just ordered a Lee classic turret press to do the 9mm in more volume. I’ll probably buy some bulk 223 bullets and powder to run some 223 plinking ammo, when my current supply runs dry.

 

[kev74]

....without drilling into the brick.

Reading is hard!

How about this?

Amazon.com : 3m extreme double sided tape

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

I think many people look down on progressive presses as sub standard. I chose one when I started and I use it to my advantage when I need to. I only load rifle ammo and if I ever choose to load mass quantities of pistol ammo, I can. I have very consistant and repeatable results. I measure and trim cases by hand and use a digital powder measure and only use the powder drop for plinking ammo.

The reload vs bulk cost is valid, but one thing some don't take into account is the satisfaction of manufacturing something yourself. Some may have "better" uses of their time but for some, including myself, reloading is a relaxation.

I never used a single stage but if I were to buy one, I don't think I missed a great deal by choosing a progressive. I think the root processes of reloading span both presses.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

IMHO, progressive presses are only necessary, if you plan to reload pistol ammo or 223 ammo for your AR. In either case, bulk ammo can be had that is only a bit more money than reloading. You’ll have to reload thousands of rounds to pay for the equipment.

Reloading is necessary to get the most out of your precision rifles. But, you‘re not going to need a progressive press for that. If you want the most accurate ammo, your going to measure and trim the cases by hand. Your going to trickle powder charges and your going to fix the concentricity of the bullets.

To get started, I spend about 200 on this Lee single stage press kit and a 308 die set. I have since added a Hornady digital power measure for precise loads along with various other sundries and die-set.

I am current reloading

308 win, 6.5 CM, 7.62x39, 223 rem, and 9mm Luger. I just ordered a Lee classic turret press to do the 9mm in more volume. I’ll probably buy some bulk 223 bullets and powder to run some 223 plinking ammo, when my current supply runs dry.

It depends on what you're reloading AND your setup. With a lee progressive (what I have) you'll pay for it well before thousands of rounds. You could pay for the press loading 500 rounds of 50AE alone (been there done that). Before you know it you'll have paid for all your dies powders and tools. After that it's all savings.

Also, what people never mention is that you can use a progressive AS a single stage. You can perform 1 to all of the operations. No rule that says you have to do all operations. You could use it to say, quickly size all your brass. Maybe you only want to seat bullets. Maybe you only want to prime and seat. There are many many combinations. The only time I think you absolutely need a single stage press is when you need a super strong press for reloading something like 50 BMG. Just my opinion.

 

[Kent Goldings]

I’m not poi-pooing the idea on a progressive press. I’ll buy one some day. I just have my eye on a 300PRC first. I just thought it was a little overkill for a beginners set-up. Of course, a 300 PRC is overkill for NYS. So, if it makes you happy, I’m happy too.

 

[RooftopKorean]

IMHO, progressive presses are only necessary, if you plan to reload pistol ammo or 223 ammo for your AR. In either case, bulk ammo can be had that is only a bit more money than reloading. You’ll have to reload thousands of rounds to pay for the equipment.

I was told the opposite especially with the calibers I shoot, and I do quite the amount of range plinking.

I think between the 600 rounds of .223, 100 rounds of 45-70 Govt and 100 rounds of .303 British I have done so far it's been a pay off.

I still have over 100 cases of Hornady to reload. I'm just waiting on my FTX projectiles and I have about 100 cases of 6.5 Creedmoor and roughly the same for .458 SOCOM (thanks to Carlos Hathcock) I still need to reload.

I haven't wanted to do more because I ran out of MTM cases to store the reloads.

Not to mentiom that I can have hotter 45-70 Govt loads like the Hornady ones over the LAX ammo loads; they were weak in comparison. I not into punishing myself but I like to know when I'm shooting a lever and not no pansy gun.

 

[Kent Goldings]

I was told the opposite especially with the calibers I shoot, and I do quite the amount of range plinking.

Only you can judge what you’ve been told. I can only make claims based on my experience reloading.

 

[RooftopKorean]

Got my shiny new tool head mounts installed and labeled.

I also purchased some more long charging dies and auto drum risers for each tool head.

All of this definitely helps with not having to adjust length of dies every time I switch calibers.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Got my shiny new tool head mounts installed and labeled.

I also purchased some more long charging dies and auto drum risers for each tool head.

All of this definitely helps with not having to adjust length of dies every time I switch calibers.

View attachment 71074

View attachment 71087

Ahhh, the REH (Reloaders Excitement Hysteria) is in full command. I remember those days.

The Hoarnady LNL setup does pretty much the same thing but only with each die. I haven't adjusted some in quite awhile.

 

[mgunner]

... I just ordered a Lee classic turret press to do the 9mm in more volume. I’ll probably buy some bulk 223 bullets and powder to run some 223 plinking ammo, when my current supply runs dry.

You'll like the lee turret. That was the press I went with when I started about 7 months ago. I chose it because I liked the versatility of an indexed turret, manual turret, or single stage batch loading. I didn't want to go the progressive route because I don't think I shoot enough to justify the cost of the press.

 

[Kent Goldings]

You'll like the lee turret. That was the press I went with when I started about 7 months ago. I chose it because I liked the versatility of an indexed turret, manual turret, or single stage batch loading. I didn't want to go the progressive route because I don't think I shoot enough to justify the cost of the press.

The Lee progressive press kit is the same price as the progressive kit. It just cost more to covert it for different calibers.

 

[gun_slinger_boy]

The Lee progressive press kit is the same price as the progressive kit. It just cost more to covert it for different calibers.

Honest question. What do you mean by conversion?

 

[Kent Goldings]

Honest question. What do you mean by conversion?

From what I’ve read, the Lee press kit is specific to the caliber.My guess, it is the case holder. There’s some parts you need to reload other calibers. I only know things because I’ve been shopping. I have no experience with the press itself other than watching video.

 

[RooftopKorean]

You'll like the lee turret. That was the press I went with when I started about 7 months ago. I chose it because I liked the versatility of an indexed turret, manual turret, or single stage batch loading. I didn't want to go the progressive route because I don't think I shoot enough to justify the cost of the press.

I got mine with some extras used for $200ish without the powder measure and stand. So realistically it wasn't THAT much more than a single stage.

 

[mgunner]

From what I’ve read, the Lee press kit is specific to the caliber.My guess, it is the case holder. There’s some parts you need to reload other calibers. I only know things because I’ve been shopping. I have no experience with the press itself other than watching video.

The Lee Pro 1000 is a 3 station progressive press and it comes with the dies included. The Lee Deluxe Turret Press is a 4 station press but doesn't come with a die set. It does include other items that a beginner would need: reloading manual, scale, etc and that appealed to me as well.