Target Sports

What did you do today in the world of reloading?

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Texas

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Dancing Heretik

    Active Member
    Rating - 100%
    3   0   0
    Aug 8, 2018
    640
    76
    San Antonio, TX
    I'm thinking about reloading - again.

    I was thinking about it before but got scared off by the equipment cost and space required and by the warnings about being careful and exacting. I don't want to blow myself up.

    Yet, I can't help gravitating back towards reloading videos.

    Then I see the Lee Portable Press. I could do that in my bedroom and easily keep it stashed away when not in use. And, a single-stage press makes it tempting. It actually looks kinda fun.

    I don't have my own place. I just have one bedroom in my daughter's apartment (hopefully soon-to-be house). In a house with 5 grandkids. So, very little space.

    I don't think being super exacting would be TOO difficult if I don't load a lot of different calibers.

    Questions:
    What do y'all think of the Lee Portable Press. Does it work well? Does it take a huge amount of strength to make up for the fact that it's not bolted down?

    Also, a guy I used to work with found out that I was thinking of reloading. He said that it's not worth the trouble for small pistol calibers like I would be doing (9mm, 380acp, 32acp, and 32s&wlong). He said something about it being a lot more trouble when the rounds are small, something about them being harder to work with.

    Any suggestions/recommendations?
     

    rp-

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    14   0   0
    Apr 11, 2010
    3,250
    96
    converse
    The key to saving money on rounds like 9 and 380 is to buy in bulk. The 32s probably about the same. If you are only planning on loading 50-100 rss for each it's still gonna be more trouble than it's worth. If you plan to load 10,000 rounds you're able to buy bill powder, bullets, and primers and get the coat per round down to a point we're you can save money. But then again, you'll probably be upgrading presses reeeeeally soon...

    As for the press itself, I've never used one. I can't imagine it being super hard to use though. Those rounds aren't inherently hard rounds to load. In fact, quite the opposite. Those are easy rounds. So don't let that part discourage you.

    Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk
     

    Dawico

    Uncoiled
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 100%
    14   0   0
    Oct 15, 2009
    38,007
    96
    Lampasas, Texas
    I'm thinking about reloading - again.

    I was thinking about it before but got scared off by the equipment cost and space required and by the warnings about being careful and exacting. I don't want to blow myself up.

    Yet, I can't help gravitating back towards reloading videos.

    Then I see the Lee Portable Press. I could do that in my bedroom and easily keep it stashed away when not in use. And, a single-stage press makes it tempting. It actually looks kinda fun.

    I don't have my own place. I just have one bedroom in my daughter's apartment (hopefully soon-to-be house). In a house with 5 grandkids. So, very little space.

    I don't think being super exacting would be TOO difficult if I don't load a lot of different calibers.

    Questions:
    What do y'all think of the Lee Portable Press. Does it work well? Does it take a huge amount of strength to make up for the fact that it's not bolted down?

    Also, a guy I used to work with found out that I was thinking of reloading. He said that it's not worth the trouble for small pistol calibers like I would be doing (9mm, 380acp, 32acp, and 32s&wlong). He said something about it being a lot more trouble when the rounds are small, something about them being harder to work with.

    Any suggestions/recommendations?
    I have never used the Lee hand press and don't have any interest in it either.

    A good O frame press is a long term investment. C clamp it down for portable use if room is an issue.

    That being said, look for used equipment deals. They are out there. Also make friends with people that reload. Trade equipment use for components or labor.

    At this time I recommend loading up on components and factory ammo. It really isn't worth getting into reloading for small amounts of normal rounds but have everything ready if/ when ammo prices skyrocket again.

    All that being said I love reloading as a hobby so if you are looking for that then it is a win-win situation.
     

    TheMailMan

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Dec 3, 2015
    3,428
    96
    North of Kaufman
    I'm thinking about reloading - again.

    I was thinking about it before but got scared off by the equipment cost and space required and by the warnings about being careful and exacting. I don't want to blow myself up.

    Yet, I can't help gravitating back towards reloading videos.

    Then I see the Lee Portable Press. I could do that in my bedroom and easily keep it stashed away when not in use. And, a single-stage press makes it tempting. It actually looks kinda fun.

    I don't have my own place. I just have one bedroom in my daughter's apartment (hopefully soon-to-be house). In a house with 5 grandkids. So, very little space.

    I don't think being super exacting would be TOO difficult if I don't load a lot of different calibers.

    Questions:
    What do y'all think of the Lee Portable Press. Does it work well? Does it take a huge amount of strength to make up for the fact that it's not bolted down?

    Also, a guy I used to work with found out that I was thinking of reloading. He said that it's not worth the trouble for small pistol calibers like I would be doing (9mm, 380acp, 32acp, and 32s&wlong). He said something about it being a lot more trouble when the rounds are small, something about them being harder to work with.

    Any suggestions/recommendations?

    If I was going to get a hand press it would be this one.

    https://buchananprecisionmachine.com/products/buchanan-precision-machine-hand-reloading-press

    You're going to save a LOT of money loading for the .32s. Not so much for the .380 and the 9mm. You can almost buy loaded 9mm ammo for what you have to pay for bullets. The key to saving money loading for 9mm is to either buy in bulk, 10K bullets at a time or more, or casting your own.

    It doesn't sound like you'd be able to cast.

    How much of the .32s do you shoot every year? How much .380?

    If you were closer I'd say come on over and I'll let you use my equipment, you could even cast your own bullets. But it would be quite the drive for ya.
     

    xdmikey

    Well-Known
    Rating - 100%
    10   0   0
    Nov 27, 2009
    1,445
    46
    cypress, tx
    Dancing Heretic, do you ever come to Houston? You could try out my press and see if you like reloading.

    How would your daughter feel about gunpowder and such in the house? Does she shoot? My wife isn't a fan but tolerates it because she loves me! One of our two daughters likes to shoot; other one is one of them: liberal.
     

    rp-

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    14   0   0
    Apr 11, 2010
    3,250
    96
    converse
    .... you could even cast your own bullets...

    Jesus man the guy wants to drink and your tossing him in the river!!! He's gonna get the bug so bad he'll rent a storage unit to cast and reload. Pour guys gonna be broke by the end of the month!



    Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk
     

    rp-

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    14   0   0
    Apr 11, 2010
    3,250
    96
    converse
    Ah jeeze. Im never good with pronouns.

    All joking aside though, I'm very sorry. There aren't many she's in the reloading world.

    Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk
     

    unicom

    Well-Known
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 19, 2016
    1,265
    96
    I hopefully set the capping and resizing die correctly. I followed the instructions but will have someone I trust double check me.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    rp-

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    14   0   0
    Apr 11, 2010
    3,250
    96
    converse
    I hopefully set the capping and resizing die correctly. I followed the instructions but will have someone I trust double check me.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    What kind of dies did you say you have? And you said this was for 300bo, right?

    Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk
     

    unicom

    Well-Known
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 19, 2016
    1,265
    96
    What kind of dies did you say you have? And you said this was for 300bo, right?

    Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk

    I have a used set of rcbs fl 300blk dies. I did the turn until it touches the cases holder, then lower ram and turn the die another 1/8 to I believe 1/4 turn more then set locking ring


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    rp-

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    14   0   0
    Apr 11, 2010
    3,250
    96
    converse
    Sounds right to me. Go for it.


    My last bench was too low to run the ram fully on my Lee single stage. The handle can be indexed to different positions and I would install the die and adjust the arm so "top dead center" on the ram equated to parallel to the floor which also was perfect for my arm. Loaded thousands of rounds that way without any issues. Adjusted my pro1000s on my new bench the same way so it will stop where my hand normally stops.

    Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk
     

    unicom

    Well-Known
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 19, 2016
    1,265
    96
    Sounds right to me. Go for it.


    My last bench was too low to run the ram fully on my Lee single stage. The handle can be indexed to different positions and I would install the die and adjust the arm so "top dead center" on the ram equated to parallel to the floor which also was perfect for my arm. Loaded thousands of rounds that way without any issues. Adjusted my pro1000s on my new bench the same way so it will stop where my hand normally stops.

    Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk

    Cool thanks


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    TheMailMan

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 100%
    4   0   0
    Dec 3, 2015
    3,428
    96
    North of Kaufman
    140hp.jpg


    I went out yesterday afternoon for a couple of hours and cast up a big pile of these. This pic was taken early in the session. That's a 123 gr hollowpoint for my 300 Blackout build. The hollowpoint goes clear down to the crimp groove.
     

    Attachments

    • 140hp.jpg
      140hp.jpg
      429.8 KB · Views: 681
    Top Bottom