Two stupid questions

[Duff-Man]

Ok figured I need a new hobby, so I got two stupid questions.

Is a 40x24 inch bench big enough to reload comfortably (assume single stage, and general mess/storage is kept to a separate desk/shelf)?

Is it worth it to get one of the kits (Hornady Lock-N-Load Classic Single Stage Press Deluxe Kit) that contains "everything" or should I buy a piece or two at a time (I do like the idea of spreading out the start-up cost a little)?

Ok three stupid questions.

Anyone know if you can get reloading manuals on a kindle?

[Evad]

I've seen setups far smaller, so that seems it would work. I pieced my stuff together, personal preference mixed with availability. Yex, and if you have prime there are a couple you can borrow free.

[rugersol]

I started with a 24x48 (two 5/8 plywood screwed together over a 2x4 frame) ... it's kinda like a gun safe ... if ya only got 3 - 4 guns, a small safe is plenty big ... but 'fore ya know it, yer lookin' at a new one!

FWIW, ya could mount most any press to a 9 x 12 shelf mounted to a wall (into the studs), if ya had to!

If ya can afford to, a turret press will be a LOT nicer! ... and a couple efficiency things aside, it operates identically to a single-stage!

If yer gonna load a lotta pistol, the Hornady LNL-AP is a bargain! ... with the 500 free bullets, the case-activated powder-measure, and no need to buy a hand-priming tool, yer lookin' at closer to $150 fer the press!

Otherwise, if yer not lookin' to reform brass fer some wildcat, I'd jest go with the $30 Lee single-stage! ... it'll do most everything any other single-stage'll do! Hell, fer $30, ya could buy three of 'em! ... mount 'em next to each other ... run half-ass turret-style! ... 'er otherwise buy a Lee turret press!

The "kits" usually only save ya like $20 ... vs. buying each thing ... at that, if ya were to price out each item, ya'd likely eliminate 2 - 3 items, altogether! I gotta laugh, every time some guy wants to load pistol-only, and then buys a Rock-Chucker "kit"!

[dragonb8]

My first set up was a lee anniversary kit mounted on a rolling bench smaller than yours.
I reloaded about 2500 .223 on it until i upgraded to a turret press and a H press. i only use the old lee press for depriming and oddball loads.
I still use the priming tool and powder measure.

[DoxaPar]

I can't comment on the quality of this myself but others here have spoken favorably of it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/785993 ... deluxe-kit

The price seemed right for me to get started. And, it's in stock. Finding something in-stock turned out to be harder than I expected.

[DoxaPar]

Anyone know if you can get reloading manuals on a kindle?

I looked for several reloading manuals on the the iBooks store and Amazon and I don't think any of them are published electronically.

[drainpipe]

I can't comment on the quality of this myself but others here have spoken favorably of it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/785993 ... deluxe-kit

The price seemed right for me to get started. And, it's in stock. Finding something in-stock turned out to be harder than I expected.

I just picked up that kit and it works well for me. The hardest part may be finding dies right now depending on the what you're reloading. I've had to do a little bit of mixing brands of dies to get everything up and running.

[Evad]

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_sabc? ... g%20kindle

[george]

If you plan on doing the .223 I would still recommend the cheep Lee press http://www.midwayusa.com/product/807734/lee-reloader-single-stage-press
Lee universal decapper die http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690292 and the RCBS primer pocket swagger
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=RC09495&src=exrbSrch
It makes life a lot easier for the mess ups that need to come apart and I don't like breaking them in the sizer die, broke another RCBS rod yesterday.
Never broke a Lee universal yet. Some of the swagged pockets are TIGHT.

[Duff-Man]

Thanks for the replies, guess I'll start building the bench. Here are the plans, I'll be shortening it from 6' to 4' http://www.shotgunsportsmagazine.com/downloads/bench_plans.pdf

At least wood isn't on back order.

[george]

If you plan on doing the .223 I would still recommend the cheep Lee press http://www.midwayusa.com/product/807734/lee-reloader-single-stage-press
Lee universal decapper die http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0000690292 and the RCBS primer pocket swagger
http://www.natchezss.com/product.cfm?contentID=productDetail&prodID=RC09495&src=exrbSrch
It makes life a lot easier for the mess ups that need to come apart and I don't like breaking them in the sizer die, broke another RCBS rod yesterday.
Never broke a Lee universal yet. Some of the swagged pockets are TIGHT.

I should have said as a add on to the turret or progressive press.

[EJSG19]

Thanks for the replies, guess I'll start building the bench. Here are the plans, I'll be shortening it from 6' to 4' http://www.shotgunsportsmagazine.com/downloads/bench_plans.pdf

At least wood isn't on back order.

Wow, that is much more elaborate than my first and my current reloading bench. Built in cabinets? Do you do on-site carpentry favors?

All you "need" is a bench large enough to hold your press, your scale, a container of brass, a container of bullets, and room for priming (if you do by hand, or your press does it for you then you will use a primer flip tray).

There isn't really any such thing as spreading out startup cost when it comes to the necessities. You Must have a manual or three, a scale, a press, dies, shellplate/shellholders, powder, primers, brass, projectiles, calipers.

The optional stuff is brass cleaning equipment (I went soap and water for almost three hundred brass cases, that sucked. Then I got a tumbler, easy peasy). Fancy scales, high dollar presses, etc.

So depending on the kit, you may as well bite the bullet, they usually aren't a bad deal when you factor in the PITA of many transactions adding travel costs, your time, shipping, etc.