I'm done
- Thread starter Ridersfan
- Start date
Another cheap option is the Lee hand press. Obviously with dies it will cost more than the Lee Loader itself but it would be far more versatile.
https://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/product/lee-breech-lock-hand-press-kit/
I would think that the recommendation against using the Lee loader for semi's, tube mags, etc is specific to bottle-neck cartridges. I am guessing it would full-length size for a 45 colt..but I could be wrong.
https://www.budgetshootersupply.ca/product/lee-breech-lock-hand-press-kit/
I would think that the recommendation against using the Lee loader for semi's, tube mags, etc is specific to bottle-neck cartridges. I am guessing it would full-length size for a 45 colt..but I could be wrong.
hometownhero
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Toon Town, Sk
Where is sk are you? You might be able to find someone who could teach you how to do it and maybe use their equipment. If you were to load say 100 rounds of a given caliber that should last you a few years.
You want to pull a factory loaded round, dump the powder; put in a new powder charge; seat a new bullet?
Yes, the kit will allow you to do that, but I am wondering "why?"
Do you have a bucket of FMJ and you want to convert them to soft point? Yes, ok.
But if you think you are going to "improve" the powder charge, please forget it. This is a dangerous idea.
Please tell us what you have in mind.
Yes, the kit will allow you to do that, but I am wondering "why?"
Do you have a bucket of FMJ and you want to convert them to soft point? Yes, ok.
But if you think you are going to "improve" the powder charge, please forget it. This is a dangerous idea.
Please tell us what you have in mind.
OK. What you have and what you want to do makes sense.
The reference to tubular magazine is because of the issue of bullet setback. A stack of rounds under recoil might tend to push a bullet into the case. The hand tool might not crimp the case onto the bullet. There is a work-around for this.
If you buy the tool, you can also deprime and prime your fired cases. It would probably allow you to neck-size only once or twice before a full size was required. For that, a cheap small single stage press is required.
If you bought a box of 250 gr soft point bullets, they could be launched at up to 1100 fps from your rifle. An experienced loader, working with several powders and testing with a Chrony could get a bit more, but 1100 would be about max for your set up.
And you could use the lead bullets you pulled. They would be quite effective on deer.
My suggestion would be to buy a used single stage press and a set of Lee 45 Colt dies. The Lee dies include the shell holder for the press and powder dipper. A loading buddy could take your powder (say 4227) and cut down a empty case to throw the right powder charge with your powder, using the case as a dipper.
or just mail me your empty cases and I will re-load them for you.
The reference to tubular magazine is because of the issue of bullet setback. A stack of rounds under recoil might tend to push a bullet into the case. The hand tool might not crimp the case onto the bullet. There is a work-around for this.
If you buy the tool, you can also deprime and prime your fired cases. It would probably allow you to neck-size only once or twice before a full size was required. For that, a cheap small single stage press is required.
If you bought a box of 250 gr soft point bullets, they could be launched at up to 1100 fps from your rifle. An experienced loader, working with several powders and testing with a Chrony could get a bit more, but 1100 would be about max for your set up.
And you could use the lead bullets you pulled. They would be quite effective on deer.
My suggestion would be to buy a used single stage press and a set of Lee 45 Colt dies. The Lee dies include the shell holder for the press and powder dipper. A loading buddy could take your powder (say 4227) and cut down a empty case to throw the right powder charge with your powder, using the case as a dipper.
or just mail me your empty cases and I will re-load them for you.
My suggestion if you want 20 Hndy LR, is to get 20 Hndy LR. Lots of online retailers have them, or can get them. For example, Cabelas has them on backorder (usually that mean 1-2 weeks delay) for 35$/box of 20. Oher retailers can usually get them on request.
Even with a Lee Loader, you're looking at 50$ for the loader, 40$ for a pound of powder, and 25$ for the bullet puller (a cheapo kinetic). That's 3-4 years of LR ammos right there.
I think your way would work though. If you pull the bullets from your ammos, the brass won't expand like when it's shot, so it'll feed and chamber correctly. The fact that it neck sizes only will be irrelevant. And I would also re-use the pulled bullets, it's not like they're match-grade ammos to begin with, and a kinetic puller doesn't really harm bullets anyway.
Ganderite's way of buying a cheap used press and a set of Lee dies (also used if possible) is the best way to go imho. It'll cost you 100-120$ instead of 55$ for the loader, but it'll 100% work for you, and if you buy used you can make a few hundred rounds, then sell the whole stuff for about as much you paid for it.
Even with a Lee Loader, you're looking at 50$ for the loader, 40$ for a pound of powder, and 25$ for the bullet puller (a cheapo kinetic). That's 3-4 years of LR ammos right there.
I think your way would work though. If you pull the bullets from your ammos, the brass won't expand like when it's shot, so it'll feed and chamber correctly. The fact that it neck sizes only will be irrelevant. And I would also re-use the pulled bullets, it's not like they're match-grade ammos to begin with, and a kinetic puller doesn't really harm bullets anyway.
Ganderite's way of buying a cheap used press and a set of Lee dies (also used if possible) is the best way to go imho. It'll cost you 100-120$ instead of 55$ for the loader, but it'll 100% work for you, and if you buy used you can make a few hundred rounds, then sell the whole stuff for about as much you paid for it.
And btw, if you use H110, you'll need to change the primer too. Your cases are probably primed with regular primers, H110 needs magnum primers to ignite reliably. It's a bit of a finicky powder, not the easiest to work with, the range of charge where it gives good results is rather small. Hodgdon's doesn't even have it listed for 45colt.
Not a problem. I've done it many times (with a press and a decapping die), never one that's gone bang when I push them out. Maybe I would wear heavy gloves the first time since you're gonna hit it with a hammer instead of slowly pushing it out with a press, but I don't think they'll go bang. They're made to go bang when the cup is hit, I've mistreated some primers quite a lot without any ever exploding, sometimes enough that I fully expected to go bang but they didn't.
An alternative if you're worried the primers will set off, could be to pull the bullet, remove the powder, and fire the empty case in a rifle. Without a bullet there will be almost no pressure, so it shouldn't affect the brass.
Either way you can't reuse them though.
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Ridersfan,
Go the route of the used single stage press, you will love the versatility. I have a feeling you will be loading more than 20 rounds a year very shortly after you get hooked on this hobby.
