So, I've been easing into reloading, always had an interest but in the last month and a half I began to put together some pieces. I've been researching and I hunt with a sporterized Lee Enfield 303 British. My research led me to believe that to start slow and learn a "Lee classic loader" was the way to go, as it only neck sizes and doesn't require a press. So I bought one online, and began to collect all the other things a beginner needs - scale (off craigs list, a bargain), some powder, hand primer, shell holders and bullet puller from Runnings. I saw another ad on CL and ended up with a dirt cheap old school Lyman ST turret press for $55, along with 8 lbs of powder for rifle calibers, especially 223/556 that I planned down the road to tackle. That was $125, which seemed like a good price. I couldn't turn it down.
Then all hell broke loose, in a good way. I always go to the Syracuse gun show, but due to family obligations will not be able to later this month. I really wanted to go, look for reloading supplies etc, but it's a no go. So I looked on the internet and there was a show outside Philadelphia PA that was listed as the largest on the East coast, 2000 tables. I decided to take a day off drive down, and come back that night. I made the trip especially worth it by stopping at the sheriff in Scranton and - in an incredible 15 minutes which included meeting the sheriff, walked out with my PA carry permit for $20. I then proceeded to the show, which was IMMENSE. More than 3 times the size of Syracuse, with almost all gun related vendors, other than BathFitters and the obligatory pickle, sausage, and jewelry folks, but they were small in number. GREAT deals, with everyone willing to bargain. Moisins, SKS's, Enfields, too many normal AR's to imagine, high cap mags, tons of powder and bullets, on and on and on. It was fantastic, and I bought couple more specific powders and bullets. I almost spent too much money on a Moisin and an SKS, but I managed to reign it in and didn't purchase a firearm, just supplies. Next year I'm going with a wish list for long guns. Some vendors when I spoke with them mentioned that they used to come to Syracuse but NY limits what they can bring in (no gun powder, obviously no non UnSafe Act AR's other than for LEO's etc) so they no longer come. It was a great trip and totally worth. So at this point I feel pretty good - things are moving along. It was only bad in one way - visiting a reasonably free state like PA rubs in how crappy NY is.
Then yesterday at work something very strange but wonderful happened. Most of my friends there know I shoot, and I've brought a few to the range for familiarization or fun. A guy who doesn't seem to be into shooting or firearms came over to my desk, and out of the blue, asked if I'd be interested in (and this was funny, he was reading a text and had no idea what he was talking about) "A Dillon 550 with dies for 9mm, 45 acp and some other stuff". I was surprised, but in talking with him his brother in law is from Arizona, into guns, had this stuff but had to move back there immediately and couldn't bring it with him. If they couldn't find someone fast who wanted it, it would go into a dumpster. I jumped at it, and after a few texts they seller decided he needed , wait for it, $200 for the stuff. I headed for the bank for cash, and went and grabbed it. A large cardboard box revealed when I got home a pretty new, totally complete, Dillon 550, along with 4 new tool heads. shell plates, and dies for 45 acp 9mm, 38 spec/357, 30.06, and 45/70. There were all sorts of other new in the bag goodies - primer flipper, powder inserts, decapping dies, the extra metal stand for the press - I haven't even been able to finish the inventory yet. He also came out of a bedroom they were packing up with boxes of 500 bullets for 45 acp (230 gr FMJ) and 1000 cast bullets for 38 special. He said if they found any other gun related stuff he'd give it to his BIL (the guy I work with) to bring into work to give me. He was just happy since he couldn't take it that someone into firearms was. He did mention that I should feel like Christmas just happened for me - which was pretty much how I felt. So, now I'm diving into the research need to set up and reload using a pretty damn good progressive press. all for $200 cash.
All in all I think I had a pretty good week or more.
Then all hell broke loose, in a good way. I always go to the Syracuse gun show, but due to family obligations will not be able to later this month. I really wanted to go, look for reloading supplies etc, but it's a no go. So I looked on the internet and there was a show outside Philadelphia PA that was listed as the largest on the East coast, 2000 tables. I decided to take a day off drive down, and come back that night. I made the trip especially worth it by stopping at the sheriff in Scranton and - in an incredible 15 minutes which included meeting the sheriff, walked out with my PA carry permit for $20. I then proceeded to the show, which was IMMENSE. More than 3 times the size of Syracuse, with almost all gun related vendors, other than BathFitters and the obligatory pickle, sausage, and jewelry folks, but they were small in number. GREAT deals, with everyone willing to bargain. Moisins, SKS's, Enfields, too many normal AR's to imagine, high cap mags, tons of powder and bullets, on and on and on. It was fantastic, and I bought couple more specific powders and bullets. I almost spent too much money on a Moisin and an SKS, but I managed to reign it in and didn't purchase a firearm, just supplies. Next year I'm going with a wish list for long guns. Some vendors when I spoke with them mentioned that they used to come to Syracuse but NY limits what they can bring in (no gun powder, obviously no non UnSafe Act AR's other than for LEO's etc) so they no longer come. It was a great trip and totally worth. So at this point I feel pretty good - things are moving along. It was only bad in one way - visiting a reasonably free state like PA rubs in how crappy NY is.
Then yesterday at work something very strange but wonderful happened. Most of my friends there know I shoot, and I've brought a few to the range for familiarization or fun. A guy who doesn't seem to be into shooting or firearms came over to my desk, and out of the blue, asked if I'd be interested in (and this was funny, he was reading a text and had no idea what he was talking about) "A Dillon 550 with dies for 9mm, 45 acp and some other stuff". I was surprised, but in talking with him his brother in law is from Arizona, into guns, had this stuff but had to move back there immediately and couldn't bring it with him. If they couldn't find someone fast who wanted it, it would go into a dumpster. I jumped at it, and after a few texts they seller decided he needed , wait for it, $200 for the stuff. I headed for the bank for cash, and went and grabbed it. A large cardboard box revealed when I got home a pretty new, totally complete, Dillon 550, along with 4 new tool heads. shell plates, and dies for 45 acp 9mm, 38 spec/357, 30.06, and 45/70. There were all sorts of other new in the bag goodies - primer flipper, powder inserts, decapping dies, the extra metal stand for the press - I haven't even been able to finish the inventory yet. He also came out of a bedroom they were packing up with boxes of 500 bullets for 45 acp (230 gr FMJ) and 1000 cast bullets for 38 special. He said if they found any other gun related stuff he'd give it to his BIL (the guy I work with) to bring into work to give me. He was just happy since he couldn't take it that someone into firearms was. He did mention that I should feel like Christmas just happened for me - which was pretty much how I felt. So, now I'm diving into the research need to set up and reload using a pretty damn good progressive press. all for $200 cash.
All in all I think I had a pretty good week or more.
