MY Reloading Adventure

[Carlos Hathcock]

Hard to believe I'm getting as interested as I am in hunting and shooting in this shithole state and it's ever increasing bullshit restrictions & regulations. In any event, I decided I'd like to start pursuing reloading for a few different reasons:

1. Cost. I know. Every reloader says you just shoot more. I doubt I'll be any different but just let me think I'm saving tens of thousands doing this. Thanks.

2. Quality. I'd like to better control the quality of the ammo I'm shooting. Joining the local 250 league isn't exactly a world class event, but like anything else, doing the best I can to be a better shot. Everyone their loads their own. Must be a reason.

3. Knowledge. The more I read / watch, the more I learn about how variations in ammo contribute to accuracy. I like to learn and solve problems.

4. Relaxation & family. With my son getting to the age he can really start learning to shoot, getting him to spend more time with me shooting, cleaning, and now loading has me hoping we can spend more time together and I can get him off the damn video games. I can already see this could be a calming hobby for me.

I spent weeks on youtube watching various reloading videos which covered almost all aspects of reloading. My buddy and his dad have Dillons, which they swear by. In the end, I decided on a Hornady lock and load progressive. I had already invested in a Hornady kit which had the concentricity gauge, case trimmer, and case prep trip so that may have swayed me to go that route. I'm sure there's plenty of people with pros and cons of Hornady, but I didn't hear a ton of cons. That in conjunction with their free bullet promotion should put at least 700 bullets on my bench for free. Midsouth shooters supply had it on the cheap for around $380 and by the time I added some dies, shell plates, and other accessories, I ended up around $600 shipped.



I decided on building a reloading bench since my other benches were pretty tied up as automotive and woodworking. I wanted something dedicated.





I made the deck today as I had a couple hours spare time. This is what I anticipate it will end up having.

1. Deck is 2' x 5'6". I felt that would be a good starting size. Had some 5 1/2" Brazilian Cherry flooring left over from a job years ago and some 3/4 MDF left from a countertop project. Glued and screwed to MDF. Will have a hardwood edge around the perimeter.

2. Open underneath with one large shelf and option for future pullout drawers.

3. Full height back with top shelf enclosing overhead lighting.

4. Pegboard and / or adjustable shelving for various tools and supplies.

5. Wheels. 2 locking. Almost everything in my shop is on wheels. Will also make it easier to load on the moving van when I leave this armpit state.

Thanks to mosquito for fast shipping of some. 223's. These will go to my sons Savage or my Howa 22-250. Should keep us busy for quite some time.




He said they would be heavy. He wasnt kidding! More to come.....

 

[MilesTeg]

One thing I always recommend for new reloaders, is to buy a single stage press. Even if it's not what you reload with 90% of the time you will always find a need for one. All the brand names are about the same so wait until one comes up for sale and buy it cheap.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

One thing I always recommend for new reloaders, is to buy a single stage press. Even if it's not what you reload with 90% of the time you will always find a need for one. All the brand names are about the same so wait until one comes up for sale and buy it cheap.

That's what my buddy said, and I agree. I think if it was just for me shooting, that's what I would've done. With my son in the mix, I wanted to be a little more "productive". I have some time, but not a ton.

 

[MilesTeg]

A single stage with it's own set of dies, can help you work up loads without having to mess your progressive. This is essential when changing components. Also I find for rifle it's easier to vary the powder charges on a SS. I also plan on using my SS for a recapping station and tumbling before hitting my progressive.

Just so we are clear ive reloaded about 15k on a SS and will be getting a progressive next year.

 

[togmaster]

And down the rabbit hole we go. Good luck and enjoy.

 

[MilesTeg]

If you are making a rolling bench have you considered storage? Reloading especially brass takes up organized room. I would consider making dedicated shelving on the lower layer. I would do end cabinets with clasps or locks. One side for primers one side for powder. In the middle I would make pull out bin storage for brass. I'm planning on using these.https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-7-Qt-6-6-L-Latch-Box-Stadium-Blue/46001913
And on the back side have a storage shelf system for bullets.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

If you are making a rolling bench have you considered storage? Reloading especially brass takes up organized room. I would consider making dedicated shelving on the lower layer. I would do end cabinets with clasps or locks. One side for primers one side for powder. In the middle I would make pull out bin storage for brass. I'm planning on using these.https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-7-Qt-6-6-L-Latch-Box-Stadium-Blue/46001913
And on the back side have a storage shelf system for bullets.

The garage itself is pretty sizable and could use other areas for longer term storage. I'm going to be building a storage room under the stairs and that could certainly be used for larger volume items.

 

[dsdmmat]

Mount a piece of 3/8 inch steel under your press. It will reduce flex of your bench top.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Mount a piece of 3/8 inch steel under your press. It will reduce flex of your bench top.

I'll give it a whirl in "stock" form. The top turned out to be pretty damn stiff. I'm sure there'll be refinements. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[ricklovin93]

Have fun! Ive been reloading for almost 8 years now. I started when I was 18 and bought an old Steyr M95, chambered in 8x56R (impossible to find) so it was out of necessity. Now I just enjoy the process, and have fun with it. My biggest suggestion is to never rush any process (especially case prep) and to always triple check everything. I've never had accident, but there has been times when a die setup error has led to me wasting components.

 

[Acer-m14]

I got into reloading because of FUAC and that damn Database that still is not built .. nuff said .. Shhhhhh Reloading is a secret for now

I would like a unlike on that last photo .. damn GOVT workers .. .. i would go see the postmaster and get payment to fix that box .. WTH .. FKin Lazy asses

now if you want to make anti tank rounds .. just turn that die down a few turns .. LOL ..

 

[redtail]

Dont listen to the reload snobs either, I have used LEE products with great results.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

I've seen that round. Newly developed. 6.5 Crushmoor?

 

[misunderestimated]

4. Relaxation & family. With my son getting to the age he can really start learning to shoot, getting him to spend more time with me shooting, cleaning, and now loading has me hoping we can spend more time together and I can get him off the damn video games. I can already see this could be a calming hobby for me.

Now thats funny CALMING,

I reload to keep up with my shooting and have the ability to shoot a soft shooting round, that being said ,I have never enjoyed re-loading, I enjoy the benefits of it,just not the act of it. It gives me a headache as there are to many things happening at once that you have to to be 100% tuned in. It not a brainless act just pulling a handle, I also found the more information you have.the more information you need. its really a slippery slope. Your constantly looking for data, Re-loading also turns you into a range RAT ,constantly looking and scavenging brass.You spend more time picking up brass at the range as shooting. Even to go so far as to bring a BRAD PULLER (kinda like a screw driver with a spade) to pluck shell out of the ground that were mushed into the ground. I have so much brass I just stopped collecting. I have more brass then I can reload Good luck with your new venture, Also use caution on you tube information for reloading ,keep with know good recipes found in the reloading books and suppliers web sites , too much powder,too little powder, differant types of powder ,how deep you set a bullet, all effect whether you blow up your hand or fire arm , BE CAREFUL

 

[kev74]

I got into reloading because of FUAC and that damn Database that still is not built .. nuff said .. Shhhhhh Reloading is a secret for now

I would like a unlike on that last photo .. damn GOVT workers .. .. i would go see the postmaster and get payment to fix that box .. WTH .. FKin Lazy asses

now if you want to make anti tank rounds .. just turn that die down a few turns .. LOL ..

That crimp is just about perfect!

 

[dsdmmat]

I got into reloading because of FUAC and that damn Database that still is not built .. nuff said .. Shhhhhh Reloading is a secret for now

I would like a unlike on that last photo .. damn GOVT workers .. .. i would go see the postmaster and get payment to fix that box .. WTH .. FKin Lazy asses

now if you want to make anti tank rounds .. just turn that die down a few turns .. LOL ..

300 Saturn

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

4. Relaxation & family. With my son getting to the age he can really start learning to shoot, getting him to spend more time with me shooting, cleaning, and now loading has me hoping we can spend more time together and I can get him off the damn video games. I can already see this could be a calming hobby for me.

Now thats funny CALMING,

I reload to keep up with my shooting and have the ability to shoot a soft shooting round, that being said ,I have never enjoyed re-loading, I enjoy the benefits of it,just not the act of it. It gives me a headache as there are to many things happening at once that you have to to be 100% tuned in. It not a brainless act just pulling a handle, I also found the more information you have.the more information you need. its really a slippery slope. Your constantly looking for data, Re-loading also turns you into a range RAT ,constantly looking and scavenging brass.You spend more time picking up brass at the range as shooting. Even to go so far as to bring a BRAD PULLER (kinda like a screw driver with a spade) to pluck shell out of the ground that were mushed into the ground. I have so much brass I just stopped collecting. I have more brass then I can reload Good luck with your new venture, Also use caution on you tube information for reloading ,keep with know good recipes found in the reloading books and suppliers web sites , too much powder,too little powder, differant types of powder ,how deep you set a bullet, all effect whether you blow up your hand or fire arm , BE CAREFUL

I certainly take ANY information provided with a "grain" of salt. It's a learning process and I enjoy that aspect of it.

 

[HighlandLofts]

I like seeing other people getting into reloading.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Got motivated and took this as far as I want to for now. Until I start using it, I'm not sure what I want to change, modify, etc.

Set up on 4 locking casters, 2 lower shelves, and a simple back and hood for tools and lights. Everything plugs into a multi port power strip so one button shuts everything down.

My lock-n-load press and tumbler came in on Thursday. Special thanks to Midsouth Shooters Supply for shipping it "adult signature required" to add some extra horseshitery to my week. Had to blow close to 3 hours picking it up from UPS central terminal because of it. It's a reloading press, not enriched Plutonium.

Mounted to table top and assembled. Just need to get the right die and shell plate combo for .223 and 6mm.

Ran the tumbler with walnut media. Works pretty good on lightly tarnished brass. Dirtier brass, not so much. Will experiment with other media. I have some sandblasting media. Wondering if that would be OK?

Snagged 2 LED light bars from VALU hardware as they were on sale for $15 each. Plenty bright.

All in all, it filled up quick but I didnt want to create something too big. Even being on wheels it's pretty solid and stable. I think the height is perfect. About 42". Makes the press low but when I use my mechanics seat I can sit perfectly with what I want to see right up close.

 

[repete]

OH hell no!! That bench is way to clean the shop way to nice and a lift really a freakin LIFT??? I was going to say great another reloader and off advice but now I hate you! Unless you live near me then I could learn to like you

 

[togmaster]

Nice setup. Only comment I have is you might want lighting directly over the press. The way I see it you have the press backlit. It will be easier on the eyes if the press is lit from above when you are looking into the cases for powder levels.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Nice setup. Only comment I have is you might want lighting directly over the press. The way I see it you have the press backlit. It will be easier on the eyes if the press is lit from above when you are looking into the cases for powder levels.

I bought 2 lights not knowing how bright they might be. I threw the first one on the bench before I built the top hood. May keep it there, or move it. Not sure yet.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

OH hell no!! That bench is way to clean the shop way to nice and a lift really a freakin LIFT??? I was going to say great another reloader and off advice but now I hate you! Unless you live near me then I could learn to like you

A garage isn't a garage until it has a lift. I won't lie, it makes working on ANYTHING a pleasure. That's how you know you're getting old.

 

[misunderestimated]

DANG is that your house garage? Nice.

You cant have enough light .

Start to use it and you might find you need to raise your press up so your using a natural stroke when using it. But not to high you can't see in the shell , Also decide are you going to be sitting or standing while using it. I chose to stand and set my bench height and press height acordinly, Go on Ebay I found press mounted LED lighting that is perfect for my older eyes . I am just pre warning you ,reloading is a slippery slope, the more you learn the more you need to learn, The more you reload the more equipment you realize you need.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

DANG is that your house garage? Nice.

You cant have enough light .

Start to use it and you might find you need to raise your press up so your using a natural stroke when using it. But not to high you can't see in the shell , Also decide are you going to be sitting or standing while using it. I chose to stand and set my bench height and press height acordinly, Go on Ebay I found press mounted LED lighting that is perfect for my older eyes . I am just pre warning you ,reloading is a slippery slope, the more you learn the more you need to learn, The more you reload the more equipment you realize you need.

The bench height is perfect for standing work. I figured I can always add height to the press if I want it. Already looking at LED lighting for direct mount to the press.
Built my garage to leave enough room for working on projects (woodworking, reloading, misc) even with arson inside. Its approx. 1500 SFO and was actually supposed to be bigger bit the town didnt like that idea. Works well.

 

[Russ Woody]

Nice set up Carlos. I got the UFO LED light and it is amazing. That Hornady L & L press will be fine for production loading. You can use it like a basic turret press as you get used to reloading by just sending one shell thru at a time.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Nice set up Carlos. I got the UFO LED light and it is amazing. That Hornady L & L press will be fine for production loading. You can use it like a basic turret press as you get used to reloading by just sending one shell thru at a time.

I've looked at that along with some other accessories from Inline Fabrication. They seem to have some really nice stuff.

 

[misunderestimated]

Well Good Luck and Enjoy , I sure could use a garage like that.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Spend most of my free time this weekend getting this set up. This is how it will stay for the foreseeable future. Shelves installed, ends capped off, tools mounted. Filled up mighty quick.

Did some depriming and experimented with the tumbler. All .223 as I don't yet have the shell plates for the other calibers. Another week or so. I have taxes to pay so back to work now.

 

[Carlos Hathcock]

Friend at work dropped me a handy little flashlight at work this morning. Decided I had the perfect use for it. I had looked at that nice LED setup that drops into the center hole and was mulling it over. This fits right between all the dies and somehow is exactly the same diameter as the first lip of a lock n load bushing.



Got a few hours of quiet time and put my first rounds together. About 25 rounds of 6.5 Creedmoor. I know these are my first but pretty impressed with the press thus far. Powder measure is within .1 grain consistantly, seating depths are completely repetitive, and run out on the bullets is pretty consistant at .001 right off the press.