Hand Press.

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Funguns5

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I'm new to this and looking at buying a hand press (not a bench mounted single stage but the one that you use with just your hand). Lee or Hornandy make them I think. Now is it worth it or should I just wait until I have space and time to set up a single stage reloading press? I am at an apartment now so space and mounting surfaces are hard to come by especially without being able to attach the bench to a wall. Thinking this would be a good break from school work as well. Only planning on .308 right now maybe .223 in a year or so when I order that new fancy WC-108
 
Funguns5 said:
I'm new to this and looking at buying a hand press (not a bench mounted single stage but the one that you use with just your hand). Lee or Hornandy make them I think. Now is it worth it or should I just wait until I have space and time to set up a single stage reloading press? I am at an apartment now so space and mounting surfaces are hard to come by especially without being able to attach the bench to a wall. Thinking this would be a good break from school work as well. Only planning on .308 right now maybe .223 in a year or so when I order that new fancy WC-108
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The age old debate but it all comes down to how much and why you shoot. For 10 or 20 hunting shots a year, even a Lee Loader probably isn't worth it. As for space requirements, have a look at some of the really creative ways that people have come up with on here. Literally a reloading room will fit in a box.
 
It'll be for .308 target shooting for precision and distance. My main thing is the stability of a full size single stage and not being able to fit any more stands or desks in my apartment.
 
Get a good reloading book. See how stuff works. Ask questions. Most of my presses are set up bolted to 2 by6 ,easily moved. A small bench that will take sum strains. A free standing bench will work if made right. Bench mounted tools are the best by far. Excellent ammunition can be made with hand tools, but so much easier with a bench. I used a metal stand that was for a table for a few years. Stronger than I thought it would be. Two inch thick top is still on it. Get as much information first then buy your gear. Find someone who reloads and see how they do it. Posting here is a start.
 
Get a standard single stage press, mount it to a piece of 2x6, and clamp that to a table (using another piece of wood to protect the table from the c-clamps). Trust me - a hand press isn't the way to go.
 
Snider shooter said:
Get a good reloading book. See how stuff works. Ask questions. Most of my presses are set up bolted to 2 by6 ,easily moved. A small bench that will take sum strains. A free standing bench will work if made right. Bench mounted tools are the best by far. Excellent ammunition can be made with hand tools, but so much easier with a bench. I used a metal stand that was for a table for a few years. Stronger than I thought it would be. Two inch thick top is still on it. Get as much information first then buy your gear. Find someone who reloads and see how they do it. Posting here is a start.
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Thanks. This is mostly my plan so far and slowly acquire the gear as my student wallet allows it. Going to see how much I can get out this summer and use that to gauge how soon this will happen I think. None of my friends load and even fewer own a firearm of any sort. Tough to come by someone to teach but I'm hoping I get in at a new range and find someone there to show me the ropes.
 
Funguns5 said:
Thanks. This is mostly my plan so far and slowly acquire the gear as my student wallet allows it. Going to see how much I can get out this summer and use that to gauge how soon this will happen I think. None of my friends load and even fewer own a firearm of any sort. Tough to come by someone to teach but I'm hoping I get in at a new range and find someone there to show me the ropes.
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Ah, then you have come to the right place, you're among friends here. I would recommend shooting factory to build up a supply of brass and then go from there. There is an amazing amount of experience and knowledge on here available just for the asking. And the cool thing about reloading is everything is additive. You can start out with minimal basics and get good results then add as money space and time allow without having to replace things.
 
Only down side is I have no room for that. That is my biggest hurdle right now. Only place would be the living room and well that won't since I'm not a bachelor anymore
 
dirtybarry said:
Ah, then you have come to the right place, you're among friends here. I would recommend shooting factory to build up a supply of brass and then go from there. There is an amazing amount of experience and knowledge on here available just for the asking. And the cool thing about reloading is everything is additive. You can start out with minimal basics and get good results then add as money space and time allow without having to replace things.
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That's why I love CGN, always helpful and mostly honest. Minimal basics sounds good for the next while. Only things I want are what I would absolutely need then just what saves time. Only rifle rounds for now, till I take that Rpal this summer and see what happens after that.
 
Armored Metal said:
I use a Black & Decker Workbench with a thick plank bolted on it. No need to attach it to a wall. Works great for my 2 single stage presses.
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^^^^^^^
This
Buy everything else USED except for powder, bullets and primers!!

1. Used reloading book should be $10 at used bookstore.
2. Above or used desk for a used single stage press.
3. You -tube for reloading lessons.
DON'T BUY A HAND PRESS!!!!!

I started with one like this in 1968. https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1689901-RCBS-Rock-Chucker2-Press-150-plus-shipping?highlight=press

or

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1689643-Reloading-equipment-brass?highlight=press

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1682119-Reloading-press-and-dies?highlight=press

A cast iron frame single stage press should be $60-100, princess auto calipers $10, scale $30-40, etc

Oddball iron presses like this can be had for a little as $40 but a rockchucker is sort of the standard. An RCBS would also take primer catchers etc.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-sport-other/calgary/mp-press/1335400905?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
 
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Barnes_270 said:
Get a standard single stage press, mount it to a piece of 2x6, and clamp that to a table (using another piece of wood to protect the table from the c-clamps). Trust me - a hand press isn't the way to go.
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That's exactly how I setup my first single press and you can quickly take it down if necessary should you need more room
 
I've got a Lee hand press that I use for travelling and getting around airline ammunition weight restrictions. I've saved many thousands of dollars with a couple of those. It's no Rockchucker supreme, but it does serve a purpose. If down the line you replace it with something more powerful little is lost. Maybe you'll keep it around for travelling or range loading.


When I first started loading I had a press mounted to a 12 x 12 square of wood that I could clamp to a table, or dresser with the top drawer removed. As often as not I held it on my lap.
 
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I like my Lyman hand press.

If yer gonna buy a single stage just buy a couple of C clamp and put it wherever you like. I don't bolt my presses down and never have. I just clamp them.
My first press shared the table for one of my industrial sewing machines so it had to be removable and not leave holes.
 
I quit using my bench press about 5 years ago , & use my lee hand press now. I keep everything for one calibre in an ammo box & can take it anywhere. It holds about 150 rounds worth of gear for my 30- 06. I really only reload for the one calibre now though.
 
I'm leaning towards just getting a couple manuals now and waiting to see how much I can get out this summer to shoot. Build up some brass from factory ammo and see what I can acquire for a used single stage press off the EE or see what the LGS can do for me. I'm sure if I work with them they might work with me a little, they are pretty good there. So hand loader is off the table for now, Might not be worth it in the long run and frustration. I don't anticipate travelling anywhere with a firearm except in my vehicle.
 
Funguns5 said:
I'm leaning towards just getting a couple manuals now and waiting to see how much I can get out this summer to shoot. Build up some brass from factory ammo and see what I can acquire for a used single stage press off the EE or see what the LGS can do for me. I'm sure if I work with them they might work with me a little, they are pretty good there. So hand loader is off the table for now, Might not be worth it in the long run and frustration. I don't anticipate travelling anywhere with a firearm except in my vehicle.
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Check with GreenBob he may be able to help you out

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...ABC-s-Reloading-Lyman-Cartridges-of-the-World
 
Get a collapsible work bench and put it in the closet or under the bed when done.

Hey if I can build an engine in my kitchen, you can do this. :)
 
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