It has begun...........no clue what to do but.........

[timwarner]

As old as Sam is, he still got a few things goin on upstairs.

Take the advice. I didn't. Usin an old 4 station C and H press I still got a coffee can of bullets to pull. That was 6 years ago.

[Seismic Sam]

As old as Sam is, he still got a few things goin on upstairs.

Take the advice. I didn't. Usin an old 4 station C and H press I still got a coffee can of bullets to pull. That was 6 years ago.

And that, folks, is how tim learned how to load 9mm to Major Power levels!! He just started loading as soon as his equipment showed up, and after going through 2 or 3 Glocks and 4 boxes of band-aids and two bottles of iodine, he finally figured out (after reading the manual AND doing a lot of research and chrono testing!!) how to put together insanely hot 9mm loads and keep all of his fingernails attached to his fingers!!!

[timwarner]

I still haven't read the manual.

I just guessed at makin major the first few times.

So a casehead blows out and drops a mag once in awhile. That's why I carry 3 extra.

[rugersol]

I still haven't read the manual.

I read the manual ... it wouldn't have done ya no good, anyhow ... nothin' 'bout when "if ya seat the bullet, and the primer falls out, stop!"

[timwarner]

what about, "if the cases split on the first firing"?

[rugersol]

what about, "if the cases split on the first firing"?

Well ... that probly wouldn't happen if ya didn't tap the primer back into the head with a ball-peen hammer and a pin-punch.

Hmmm ... I just had a thought ... what if ya loc-tite the primer, first?

I don't know ... after tryin' to use that **** Lee "Whack-a-Mole" set, it's hard to take any of this **** seriously.

[timwarner]

oooh loc-tite.
that oughta get me through 2nd or 3rd firings

[FJ540]

Isn't the loctite for making them waterproof?

[Pat Cannon]

Hey John, I just now looked at this thread 'cause I noticed it wasn't in the Whining About The Government section.

I just started reloading last year with a Lee kit I've been very happy with it and haven't blown anything up yet, so I'd say go for it if you haven't already. I got a turret press which gets things done a little faster, and I usually recommend it to people, but I only do .38/.357. If I was doing .45-70 I'd probably want that single stage.

That Lee scale is kinda cheap feeling and slow to use but it works perfectly well. The only things I've added so far (besides BOOKS!) are the same as a lot of folks: calipers ($24 at Menard's) and a kinetic bullet puller, which I was able to put off for several months.

On my first several pilgrimages to Gunstop I only bought books: Lyman's 49th (as I'm sure you've heard highly praised here) seems to have lots of 45-70 info. Lee's Modern Reloading does too. Modern Reloading has a lot of interesting technical background, much of which is Richard Lee explaining how awesomely superior Lee products are, so once you've drunk the Lee Kool-Aid like me it'll make you feel smart.

I am so cheap that I actually did order the Lee Loader (aka Whack-a-Mole). Every time I load, I thank all the gods that be that the company I ordered it from (Factory Sales -- they say they're better now) was so slow in shipping that I canceled the order, and got the turret press kit from Midway instead.

I say go for it! My wife generally hates all the gun stuff, but the Lee reloading stuff impresses her a little -- "Look how much money I'm saving, honey!"

[John S.]

I went for it, bought it on ebay, still need to send the 136.00 though ,but, will on Wednesday. Thanks for the info. I prolly won't get to the reloading now till the snow flies, so, I have a lot of time to read..........Sam!

[John S.]

Hey John, I just now looked at this thread 'cause I noticed it wasn't in the Whining About The Government section.

I just started reloading last year with a Lee kit I've been very happy with it and haven't blown anything up yet, so I'd say go for it if you haven't already. I got a turret press which gets things done a little faster, and I usually recommend it to people, but I only do .38/.357. If I was doing .45-70 I'd probably want that single stage.

That Lee scale is kinda cheap feeling and slow to use but it works perfectly well. The only things I've added so far (besides BOOKS!) are the same as a lot of folks: calipers ($24 at Menard's) and a kinetic bullet puller, which I was able to put off for several months.

On my first several pilgrimages to Gunstop I only bought books: Lyman's 49th (as I'm sure you've heard highly praised here) seems to have lots of 45-70 info. Lee's Modern Reloading does too. Modern Reloading has a lot of interesting technical background, much of which is Richard Lee explaining how awesomely superior Lee products are, so once you've drunk the Lee Kool-Aid like me it'll make you feel smart.



I am so cheap that I actually did order the Lee Loader (aka Whack-a-Mole). Every time I load, I thank all the gods that be that the company I ordered it from (Factory Sales -- they say they're better now) was so slow in shipping that I canceled the order, and got the turret press kit from Midway instead.

I say go for it! My wife generally hates all the gun stuff, but the Lee reloading stuff impresses her a little -- "Look how much money I'm saving, honey!"

Uhmm, yes it is 45/70 Government......................

What about a brass tumbler, is it a must have?

[Seismic Sam]

No, a brass tumbler is NOT a must have. I probably lived without one for 25 years. And BTW, I think the vibratory ones are cheaper than the roller kind, and if you get one putting a dryer sheet in with each load of brass keeps down the dust and makes the shells shinier faster. Before the tumbler, you need to buy the Lyman #49 manual AND the Speer #14 manuals, because the Lee manual almost has TOO MANY powder choices, and the Lyman and Speer manuals give you tips on THE best powder for each load or caliber.

For straight walled pistol cases, a case trimmer is a waste of money, so avoid that. DO NOT buy a cheap digital powder scale EVER!!

The Lee neck expander dies are the only really inferior die that Lee produces, and you may need to polish the expander stem. Use the search feature to locate my photos of expander stems. Trying to taper or roll crimp a round while seating the bullet is for pro's only, and if you get to that point you'll have a seperate crimp die anyway. The Lee Factory Crimp die IS a must have, if you don't buy the Lee Deluxe 4 die set to begin with, so don't buy the three die set, already!!

Rule #1 for resizing straight walled cases: Get the carbide resizing die NO MATTER WHAT. Cost is NOT an issue!! Not having to lube your cases is a huge time saver, and shooting a hot magnum load with case lube still on it can get you paying for an ER doctor and a couple of nurses to the tune of a full race STI Unlimited 38 Super.

and last but not least:

[Pat Cannon]

Hey John, I just now looked at this thread 'cause I noticed it wasn't in the Whining About The Government section.

Uhmm, yes it is 45/70 Government......................

Ha, OK, you win that one.

What about a brass tumbler, is it a must have?

Most people seem to think so but not everybody. I haven't gotten one yet. Strad was kind enough to tumble some brass for me, but other batches I've just washed in a solution of detergent & vinegar & salt or something like that. It's one of those things there's a zillion formulas and opinions about to read on the web in your spare timee. Tumbling's easier though, and shiny ammo is nice.

[gyrfalcon]

Was this thread started to rip on Lee equipment? You can load dangerous ammunition using the most expensive and the cheapest presses on the market. While I don't always like Lee products I haven't run across any of their products that make un-safe ammunition if used correctly. For example the Lee safety scale works if you have the time and patience to zero, and wait for it to balance out each time you weigh a charge. The Challenger Press can reload .45-70 just as well as most any other single stage press.

[John S.]

Was this thread started to rip on Lee equipment? You can load dangerous ammunition using the most expensive and the cheapest presses on the market. While I don't always like Lee products I haven't run across any of their products that make un-safe ammunition if used correctly. For example the Lee safety scale works if you have the time and patience to zero, and wait for it to balance out each time you weigh a charge. The Challenger Press can reload .45-70 just as well as most any other single stage press.

Not to rip on Lee. I never reloades **** before, but it's time I do. AND, I bought this press on Feebay. Just looking for constructive advise, not, criticisms. Thanks.