Start reloading inexpensively

[Rugerbilly]

On page 9 of the Midway USA sales flyer for February 25 - March 31, there appears an ad for the most basic and inexpensive reloading press made, I do believe. It's the Lee Breech Lock Hand Press, which costs all of $28.95.
I have been reloading for close to 30 years, and I have never used anything other than my Lee Hand Press.
Reloading is rather slow this way, I will admit. However, the slow and deliberate method is a very good way to calm one's nerves, I have found, and the quality of the ammunition is good, considering the methodical and unhurried technique you use when you reload this way.

For those of you who are interested in getting started in reloading, and who are on a budget, this is something you may wish to consider.

 

[Donaldjr1969]

I have a Lee turret press but I have wondered. Just how is the effort required with using the hand press to size cases such as the 44Mag, 454, etc?

 

[Bryan]

I've used the Lee hand press to size 45-70 brass.It wasn't that bad.I used on for a long time,I think they are a good little press.

 

[mr surveyor]

I started tinkering with reloading last January, and like every other endeavor I persue, I always try to start at the very most basic level possible, and work my way through each successive level. I started with the Lee Classic Loader.... yep, the tools that you literally hammer the rounds together .... with a plastic faced mallet. Sticking to my convictions, I waited until I had succcessfully loaded at least a thousand rounds (mostly .357 mag, some 9mm), then last month I bought the "Hand Press". Since it's about the easiest round to work with, and lots of bullet/powder choices, I stuck with the .357 mag again. Since I already had all the other "essentials" all I needed to add to the Hand Press was a set of carbide dies and a Lee Factory Crimp Die, and a couple of two packs of quick lock bushings. Having never personally owned reloading dies, it took me all of 30 minutes to get all four dies set up and adjusted in the bushings. At first, I only had enough time to load up one box of 158 gr lrn's in cases I had already resized and primed with the old "Classic Loader" tools, then got another hundred Starline cases and loaded up a box of 140 gr Hornady jshp's from start to finish. I will have to say, this step in my long term plan to get the "total experience" of reloading has brought me from the "Stone Age" into the "Bronze Age".

The Hand Press, at least with the simple profile and relative small size of .357 magnum rounds, using carbide dies, is almost effortless during each and every stage of production. I will most likely continue with my normal routine of resizing, flairing and priming a batch of brass in one session, and powder,bullet, crimp in the next session. As I am still trying to work this as a 100% portable system, I haven't yet added a powder measure but have opted to continue to use dippers that have been checked and double checked on the balance scale for my chosen powder for the given round. Every single tool I need with this set-up, including powder, primers, bullets and brass could be carried in a rather small cardboard file box if necessary.

My next evolutionary step will be to add .45 acp dies (and have to stock large pistol primers) then move on to 30-30 and .243. When I decide I have had enough hands on experience with all of those using the hand tools (pretty much 4 different styles of cartridges in general), I will proclaim myself ready for the next level, the "Early Industrial Age", and finally find the room to set up a simple single stage press. But for now the Lee Hand Press, using the same dies as I would use in the one armed bandit, seems to be everything I would want in a single stage press and more.... compact, convenient, and packable. When the time is right, I may just end up skipping the "Early Industrial Age" and move right into the "Early Assembly Line Age" with a turret press.


surv

 

[couleeflyfisher]

I have an RCBS Rock Chucker and Reloader Jr., haven't been used for several years since I've just been reloading pistol rounds, .38/.357, .40 S&W, .45 Colt, .45 acp, .41 & .44 mag. Hand press is great with carbide dies, I'll deprime and size 100-200 cases at a time, expand and prime w/ hand primer. Usually have several hundred case ready to load in plastic ammo boxes. When I'm ready I'll charge as many as I want and seat & crimp.

This is a great press for working your cases in an evening in front of the TV, when you decide what load and bullet you want just grab a box or 2 of primed cases, charge in a loading block with a Lil Dandy or my Uniflow, visually checking the powder and also check with a scale once in awhile. Effortless loading and I usually have quite a supply of prepped cases ready to go. I have 2 of these presses, got the 1st one over 30 years ago.

 

[Rugerbilly]

I have a Lee turret press but I have wondered. Just how is the effort required with using the hand press to size cases such as the 44Mag, 454, etc?

I do not know. I only reload .30 carbine, .38 Special/.357 Magnum, and .45 Colt.
But I can tell you this - - - the .30 carbine case, although small, can require significant torque to resize, because the case walls are thick, and the case is slightly tapered, not straight (a common misconception of the .30 carbine). You have to use case lube to resize .30 carbine, whereas it is not necessary at all when working with .357 or .45, both of which are very easy to deal with.

I bought my hand press when my wife and I were just starting out. We barely had 2 dimes to rub together and we lived in a trailer. I didn't have a lot of money, and I didn't have a lot of space, either. I was able to store all of my reloading supplies in one tool box that I bought at Sears and one empty wooden ammo box.

Fond memories.