Just ordered Lee hand press

J

jjr

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I finally took the plunge and got something to reload in. If you've seen my other threads, they've been about me trying to find a compact solution for a progressive press since I just want to crank out ammo in bulk.

I figured since I spend a lot of time on the couch watching TV/movies with the lady, I could at least get this process brass while watching.

I ordered the Breech Lock kit with some spare bushings, and dies for 45 acp. Plan to get into 223 and 308 as well, but figured I'd keep costs down in the beginning and just start with 45 since that's what I'm currently low on.

Now that I have the hardware out of the way for 45, just wondering what is the best approach to start working on loads? Do I buy a bunch of powder/primers in bulk and just start working on loads, or do I buy smaller amounts of different powder/primers/bullets and start mixing and matching to see what works best?

I need to pick up a manual or 2, and some calipers to check OAL of my reloaded cartridges. Are chronographs mandatory to check the velocity of your rounds? I don't really care about numbers, as long as everything groups well, but I don't know if it's something you need to know to keep you from blowing your fingers off or your guns up if your close to or over maximum loads.

Anyone use a Lee hand press for doing any amount of reloading? I haven't the space, or the carpentry skills to really custom make a small and portable bench/stand. Just wondering how much of a pain in the ass it is. At least I'll be working my arms out a bit I guess.
 
It's not a pain in the ass at all. I use a Lee Hand press for 38/357 and it works fine. The old-timers turn their noses up at it cause it's not an RCBS, but who cares right? It works perfectly for handgun calibers. I'm not sure about bottlenecked cases, but I don't think you should have any trouble.
 
I watched videos of people doing 223 and they didn't seem to be having too much difficulty. Only thing I saw was people would sometimes have to snap it open after they had expanded the case mouth a bit too much.

I had originally decided to get it and use it just to process my saved up brass until I got a real setup going, but figured I might as well get the other dies too and just start off slow. Most people seem to think starting out with a single stage is a good idea anyways.
 
If you don't mind me asking, where did you get it from and how much? Like yourself, I've been considering getting one so I can do my depriming/priming while watching hockey. Once my brass is prepped, I'm finding I can churn out 100 rounds in about 10-12 minutes on the turret press once I get into a steady rhythm.

Of course, if this season gets delayed or cancelled, I'll have a lot more time to do my depriming/priming on the press haha
 
Do I buy a bunch of powder/primers in bulk and just start working on loads, or do I buy smaller amounts of different powder/primers/bullets and start mixing and matching to see what works best?
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Depends on how much shooting you plan to do and how many rounds you're going to load up (before you decide to go out and buy a real press).
You can go through a lot of rounds really quickly with a pistol.
 
As far as a round count per month, I couldn't even begin to accurately guess. I guess it depends on how much ammo I can crank out for how much. As it is, I don't get out to the range that much, but that's mostly because when I go, I blow $75-100 worth of ammo since I'm out there a few hours, shooting 45 and 223 from my AR. I don't even shoot my M305 that much because of ammo costs.

Buying a real press won't happen until I actually get a house. I just don't have the space for a press, my room literally looks like an episode of Hoarders. With the mount it to plywood and clamp it setup, I would still need a sturdy place to clamp it, and my table is pretty rickety, so the hand press will ironically probably be the most stable setup I can get right now.
 
If you're limited on space then I'd suggest you start with one can of powder., and use that rather than have a variety of more junk accumulating in your space.

I buy one jar of jam and consume that before buying another.
My wife buys a "selection", none of which get completely eaten and then they all take up valuable space.
It's problematic.
 
I suppose that's a good point. What's a good powder to start with? I was told to get something bulky to reduce the chance of a double charge for a new reloader. Not too worried about how clean it is since I clean my firearms pretty regularly after shooting.
 
I have limited space in my apartment so I just bought a mastercraft workmate bench on sale cheap. Replaced the pressboard tops with 2 pieces of 2x6 to fit. On one side I have my dillon square deal b press for handgun and a Mec jr for shotgun shells. On the other side I have my hornady projector press for 223 and a hornady 007 for 308. Still have room for my scale, powder trickle and lube tray. More than strong enough to handle all my loading and its portable.
 
Workmates are a great substitute for a dedicated bench, and collapse for storage in a closet, under a bed, etc.
The press can be installed on a board, which is then C clamped to the workmate.
 
jjr said:
I suppose that's a good point. What's a good powder to start with? I was told to get something bulky to reduce the chance of a double charge for a new reloader. Not too worried about how clean it is since I clean my firearms pretty regularly after shooting.
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The bulky powder idea has the stated merit but, if you're using a ss press, a good visual inspection of the charged cases (esp 45 ACP) standing in the tray will effectively eliminate chances for a double or a squib. With progressive presses it gets tricky so the problem is solved in other ways.

My $0.02 is you should choose a clean burning powder that gives the desired result and develop good and safe reloading habits. Dummy things down so you can't "F" up and sooner or later, you'll "F" up ;).
 
jjr said:
Any recommendations? Or is this something covered in reloading manuals?
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I use 5.8 gr of Vihtavuori N320 under a 185 gr JSWC for a Cartridge Overall Length of 1.20" for 45 ACP. Costs more but you use less and it is real clean. The JSWC makes a nice big hole that is easier to see in a target at distance.

Load development is covered in reloading manuals and that is the way you should do it.
 
I find Bullseye to be a usefull pistol powder as it is good for a variety of cartridges that I load. Rather than buying several powders read the cartridge description in a couple loading manuals and sometimes they will offer suggestions. Powder is expensive. Do buy a good manual so you can double check all loads suggested on internet forums.

P.S. Bullseye is one of those powders that is easy to double charge.
 
Yeah, not really looking for recipes from internet folks, just brand recommendations. I believe I have to load fairly hot for the HK45. I have about 1100 rounds of ammo I can't use because it's underpowered and won't cycle my action fully, resulting in stovepipes and failures to feed. Just burnt through 1000 rounds of ammo from Custom Reloading services and it all worked fine.

Wondering if I should pull the bullets from those 1100 rounds and use the projectiles and brass, or sell the ammo. I'd hate to have to deal with shipping it all out, and I don't really have any local gun buddies that could take it off my hands.
 
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