Press Recomendations / Manual Loan Request

[Shipyard]

So - i've been thinking a little too much lately about the art of reloading and have read many of the write ups here and other places. one good piece of advice someone threw out there was to read a few manuals etc and go slow into the process before buying a bunch of stuff.

so first up, i was wondering if someone had a/few manuals laying around i could get my greasy little fingers on. i can almost read good too, promise!

the other thought i had, was most of the articles i've read concern loading rifle ammo. is there a huge difference if you're reloading mainly handgun ammo? i think i remember something about someone recomending a PROGRESSIVE press for handgun? i would be loading mainly 38 special and 40 S&W - if possible with the same equipment i might want to load some .223 also but it's not a major need.

so my second question is what people may recommend for a handgun set up. i got a flyer from Midway the other day and this seemed like a decent deal (has a rebate for a free case of bullets) but then again - i know very little about what i'm looking at .

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?p ... ber=749997

appreciate the help. thanks.

[tacticalninja32]

You go boy, I was thinking about the same thing but I have no space for such an art, so I'm goin to feed of the info on this thread,

[Stradawhovious]

You are welcome to use any of my equipment and manuals to see if you like it. I?e got a Dillon 550, and am set up to load all three of the calibers you mentioned. Also, I have a large handfull of manuals for perusing.

[Seismic Sam]

There is no distinction between rifle and pistol as far as single station, 6 die turret presses, or progressive reloaders. NONE. What matters is how much you shoot a certain caliber. If you're into IPSC and shooting 5,000 rounds of 9mm or 45 a year, then maybe it's a good idea. Same for 5,000 rounds of .223, for whatever you're doing with that.

That being said, I have a very substantial prejudice against newbie reloaders jumping straight into the deep end of the pool and starting out with a progressive Dillon press. Reloading is a hobby which is totally intolerant of mistakes, and there is no way in hell you can keep track of four stations at once, and add to that the fact that if you screw up, you will be screwing up 4 times as much ammo because of the speed of a progressive. If you're sure you want to get into reloading, buy a 6 station turret press (mine is a Lyman) and learn the fundamentals of reloading one round at a time to begin with. After a couple of thousand rounds with no kabooms, then you can BEGIN to think about a progressive press.

You also might want to look at buying Richard Lee's reloading manual, and getting a single station press for FREE. If you can't afford to buy multiple manuals, then you are going to have to start small and cheap. In addition to the press, you need Lee carbide dies, a Lee Autoprimer, a powder scale, a digital caliper, a bullet puller, and a Lee Perfect Powder measure.

9mm and 45 ACP are both good starting calibers, and 38 Spl and 357 Mag are also fairly easy. DO NOT start with 40 S&W or 357 SIG!!! I'm not going to go into the reasons, but if you screw up either of those in a certain way you could wind up in the ER having the doctor picking pieces of your reloads or gun out of your face.

As far as that Midway setup, it's way overpriced for a single station setup, and you should be able to get what you need for HALF of that.

[Stradawhovious]

but I have no space for such an art

You've seen my setup, and how little space it takes up........

Lack of space is a lousy excuse.

[Grandpa Rex]

I have accumulated a similar package to what you are looking at and would recomend it. Mine is a bit of a Frankenset...Lee and Dillan aquired used and yet quite reliable. I prefer the balance scales rather than a digital one.

I load 38 special, 357 mag, 45 auto, and 380 auto. The 380 is rather limited because most bullet weights leave you only one recommended load in a given powder. The other three have a range of loads in a given powder.

The switch between dies is easy and quick as long as you measure well and/or take notes from a previous set up (I keep forgetting). Adjustments are easy and stay put.

I like the manual nature of touching and inspecting each round at each step, and since I am not shooting every day, A progressive would just leave me with more free time... and I shop when I have free time!

So far the only thing I have done wrong is a flipped primer that made it into a gun...weird pop and no action so I stopped and inspected the rest of that batch just in case...

Needless to say one issue with single presses is the distraction factor...it can be difficult not to mindlessly cruise after the 125th duplicate action

[Rem700]

Do all the press types use the same dies, Single stage, Turret, Progressive ?

[Shipyard]

thanks for the info and offers everyone. ill have to do some reading and digging and maybe get a handle on this beast. appreciate the insight!

[Stradawhovious]

thanks for the info and offers everyone. ill have to do some reading and digging and maybe get a handle on this beast. appreciate the insight!

The best thing you can do before you even pull the handle on a press is to go out and buy a manual, then read it. Most of them are only $20, and they will give you great insight into the process. They are filled with a wealth of infomation.... not only recipes, but also a how to guide. the first quarter of most of the manuals I have is a how to section on the need to knows of reloading. Good stuff, and very important.

[Grandpa Rex]

You might also check out manuals from the library to learn on the cheap.

Some possibilities from their on line catalogue;

The ABC's of reloading / edited by Bill Chevalier.
Hornady handbook of cartridge reloading : rifle-pistol.

[mnglocker]

Do all the press types use the same dies, Single stage, Turret, Progressive ?

Some dies work better than other depending on the cartridge you are loading, and some are aimed for functioning primarly on progressive presses, such as Dillon dies. Howver, most presses accept a 7/8" x 14 threaded die. With the exception of the Dillon square deal b IRRC.

[GregM]

That's a nice set-up, but you could probably do better if you bought the equipment one item at a time. Besides, it gives you an excuse to post more questions and comments on the forum!

[Seismic Sam]

Lee Manual and single station press: $25.00
Lee 45 ACP Carbide die set: $39.98
Lee Perfect Powder Measure : $30.98
Lee Safety Scale: $32.98
Digital Vernier Caliper $30.00
Lee Autoprime $19.98
RCBS Kinetic Bullet puller $14.98
Powder funnel $3.00

Total: $196.90

No wonder you get a free case of bullets for $324!!!!

[Stradawhovious]

Hey SS, can you please provide a link to where you are finding the lee press/manual deal for $25? I've been looking for it, and can't find it. I'd really like to buy one...........

[ex-LT]

Hey SS, can you please provide a link to where you are finding the lee press/manual deal for $25? I've been looking for it, and can't find it. I'd really like to buy one...........

Currently out of stock, but....

Lee Anniversary Pack $20.40

However, the kit typically runs between $30 and $35.