affordable reloading setup for lazy apartment dweller?

BP7

BP7

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ok, so my arm got twisted and i think i might end up reloading (.40S&W, .45ACP, and .38Spl/.357Mag). since i have limited space and limited funds, what's the best equipment that i should use? i'm also lazy, so i want something simple to use, but i'm not too concerned with "match-grade accuracy" since i mostly shoot IDPA so if they're inconsistent by a bit it's no big deal (as long as i'm within the power factor).

a buddy of mine has a nice Lee setup that automatically spins the base for each function - prime, powder, check level, seat bullet. but it costs $600 or so, and that's for one caliber - i will be doing three, so extra bits are probably gonna add 100 each time. a grand is not something i want to spend on this.

i've also got limited space available. i can probably allocate a 1' x 2' (feet) space for it, but that's max. no, really, i don't have space to set aside for JUST this stuff, at least not permanently. if it's something portable or quick to set up anywhere (as in on any random surface), then i'm ok with it needing a bit more space since it's temporary.
 
I bought a Dillon Square Deal while apartment dwelling many moons ago. 25 years and countless thousands of rounds later, that press is still going strong. They list for $365 US and arrive ready to go in the caliber of your choice. Just bolt it down and start using it. Conversion kits run around $85 US (I have 9, 45 and 38/357). It uses inserts in a tool head rather than conventional dies, so it's not quite as convenient but I can switch calibers in about 10 minutes. Good solid machine from a first rate company.
 
A fairly cheap press that's good for handgun cartridges is the Lee Pro1000. Progressive, so you can load a lot in a short time, and to change calibers you just switch the shell plate (holder) and drop in your different die set that's already in a turret. Going from small pistol to large pistol you change the primer feeding ramp as well.
I used this when I was a poor apartment dweller and still use it now.:D
 
ok, sounds interesting except the "bolt it down" part. i have nowhere to really bolt it down to. i'm getting away from dedicated spaces for crap and moving quickly into space-efficiency. i just dislike seeing a big workshop area - i've been through that before, and really it's not "me" anymore. the less space it takes, the better! basically, if it's a choice between 2 square feet for a reloading press and 2 square feet for a nice plant, the plant wins.

does it HAVE to be bolted down, or can it be just placed on a temporary surface? the only way i can get away with bolting something down is if i set it up at a friend's place, and that's really a stretch since it's limited access and of no use to them, so i'd much rather have something compact at my own place. it's a last resort at this point in time.
 
I bolt my presses to a piece of plywood, then secure them to a desk with a bolt and wingnut. Makes switching presses in and out easy.
 
there's no reason you can't use a black and decker foling work bench and a couple of LARGE C- CLAMPS tp accomplish the same thing- lee alos USED to make a cute little wooden box that you reloaded on, then put the press INSIDE when you were done- sure you dismounted the turret and dies, but it's not like there isn't a solution to your problem- i've got 3 1000s,a turret, and a dillon 550 all mounted to a modified microwave stand= my set-up measures 16x24- my small one press table measures 14x18- that's all in INCHES- they're both on casters, and i use BOTH sides if the 16x24- if the dillon wasn't so big, i could get 3 presses to a side- it's the discharge bins that take the room
 
A Black and Decker Workmate can be used. Mount the press on a piece of plywood, clamp it to the Workmate. Folds up when not in use.
A Lee turret press would do the job for you. Not a progressive, but still faster than a single stage. Easy to change calibres.
 
t-star said:
there's no reason you can't use a black and decker foling work bench and a couple of LARGE C- CLAMPS tp accomplish the same thing- lee alos USED to make a cute little wooden box that you reloaded on, then put the press INSIDE when you were done- sure you dismounted the turret and dies, but it's not like there isn't a solution to your problem- i've got 3 1000s,a turret, and a dillon 550 all mounted to a modified microwave stand= my set-up measures 16x24- my small one press table measures 14x18- that's all in INCHES- they're both on casters, and i use BOTH sides if the 16x24- if the dillon wasn't so big, i could get 3 presses to a side- it's the discharge bins that take the room
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hmm, interesting. got pics to illustrate how you made it all work?
 
tiriaq said:
A Lee turret press would do the job for you. Not a progressive, but still faster than a single stage. Easy to change calibres.
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what's the diff between a turret press and a progressive press? does the turret do one round at a time using 3-4 pulls, and the progressive more like an assembly line where each pull does 3 things at once (prime one, powder another, load bullet into a third), like what i saw at a friend's place? is one more complex to set up and dial in than the other, or is it mostly a price-of-admission thing? if they take up the same amount of space, can one be eventually converted into the other if i so desire?
 
BP7 said:
what's the diff between a turret press and a progressive press? does the turret do one round at a time using 3-4 pulls, and the progressive more like an assembly line where each pull does 3 things at once (prime one, powder another, load bullet into a third), like what i saw at a friend's place? is one more complex to set up and dial in than the other, or is it mostly a price-of-admission thing? if they take up the same amount of space, can one be eventually converted into the other if i so desire?
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Correct^^^^ (other than converting a turret to a progressive)
Progressives take a bit more tweaking to get running smoothly, but once you do have it dialed in you'll be happy with the number of rounds you can crank out.
 
You’re obviously on a budget (who’s not these days?) but now’s the time to think “long-term”. If you see yourself becoming a fairly active shooter, get a progressive. I’m a big believer in only spending the money once. A single stage or turret may be a little less expensive up front, but if it won’t meet your needs down the road it was false economy. I’m also a huge fan of Dillon. The square deal is compact, dead easy to use and auto-indexing. It could be easily clamped onto a work-mate, table or even your kitchen counter.
 
BP7 said:
basically, if it's a choice between 2 square feet for a reloading press and 2 square feet for a nice plant, the plant wins.
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I'm not sure how much ammunition you go through, but if you are that stretched for space, you may want to reconsider handloading as an option and instead buy remanufactered ammo through Combat Masters or someone local.
 
You could always go this route.

FitsInTote.jpg


No you won't be able to crank out huge volumes, but it'll get you started.
 
I think the Lee Turret Kit and a set of Lee dies would get you started into pistol loading nicely for around $140 . Bolt it to a piece of plywood with flat head elevator bolts and C clamp it to a table when you need it. A box of bullets, primers and a 1lb of powder and you're all set. Safety Glasses, digital calipres, and a Lee manual are also a good idea but you can reload without them.
 
hk33ka1 said:
I think the Lee Turret Kit and a set of Lee dies would get you started into pistol loading nicely for around $140 . Bolt it to a piece of plywood with flat head elevator bolts and C clamp it to a table when you need it. A box of bullets, primers and a 1lb of powder and you're all set. Safety Glasses, digital calipres, and a Lee manual are also a good idea but you can reload without them.
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The problem with the Lee Turret press is the number of pulls(four) on the lever to complete one round. I developed repetitive stress injury to my right elbow loading 1,000 rounds one weekend.
 
beltfed said:
I'm not sure how much ammunition you go through, but if you are that stretched for space, you may want to reconsider handloading as an option and instead buy remanufactered ammo through Combat Masters or someone local.
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well, it's not just a matter of not having space for it overall, it's also a matter of not wanting to have a rig take up too much space. back in my electronic tinkering days (and then in my automotive tinkering days), i've had workbenches set up and they just clutter and clutter and clutter some more. after a while, it's like this old anchor reminding me of what i one blew inordinate amounts of money on. so, it's partly actual physical space, and partly psychological clutter. a buddy of mine has a massive garage / workshop where he does his race car stuff, and i can't seem to get past the "old, cluttered, dirty" aspect of it whenever i hang out at his place.

i guess to make it easier - imagine i'm a banker that likes to shoot and for one reason or another will be reloading. the last thing i'd want is to have reloading stuff that takes up more than the minimum possible space, and invites more clutter and mess.

as to how much ammo i go through: well, the 22LR is a brick each day i go to the range. when i did a "service pistol" day with a few IDPA courses of fire (just starting the whole IDPA thing), i went through just shy of 180 rounds - and i was being conscious of how much i've got left since i only brought 250 with me and didn't want to run dry ahead of time. shooting .40S&W means i can't buy a few rounds from the next guy since they mostly shoot 9mm.

so yeah, for any one caliber (aside from 22LR), i can see myself going through 250+ each week. i might change which caliber i shoot each week, but it'll likely be 250+ of that caliber in that week. i've got 3 calibers to choose from (not including the 22LR which is just target practice stuff)

EDIT (update):

ok, so let's say it's 1,000 per month of whichever caliber i'm running low on. i guess i'd like to be able to do at least 500 in one sitting, and ideally do the full 1,000 in one sit and have it be a done deal for the rest of the month (or at least 2 weeks IF there's a match coming up). does this sound like i'd be best served with a progressive setup? or will a basic turret still be fine for that monthly volume?
 
Ikea makes great apartment work bench and also has thick Butcher Blocks.
I use that for pulling primers and sizing rounds while watching TV.
Press is a Lee Breech Lock Kit.

Cart:
$59
http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/70011793
19722_PE072900_S4.jpg
 
B&D workmate or clone is IMO the best solution in these cases. Just drill holes and use mount the press, you can use wingnuts if you wish.
 
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