Reloading Setup Questions

[domino300]

I'm with Encore on the Redding/Imperial sizing wax, hate the grease pads, and spray lube, didn't let it dry and stuck a case. Have 2 Lee classic cast and a Rockchucker presses. The Lee turrets are affordable and stay set up if you need a bunch of them,LOL.

[bigbrowndog]

Nov 1, 2023 22:01:17 GMT -5 aware said:

Appreciate the suggestions gentlemen. This has already given me some guidance as no one has recommended Hornady presses so far.

I have an old Hornady/Pacific press that has been used for 40 years no issues,….but I can not recall if they still make a single stage press or not.

Trapr

[contender]

Well, as I read these comments,, I see many of us have our own preferences.

I started in the 1970's with a Lyman Spartan press. Then in early 1981,, I got a used RCBS RockChucker. I still have it & use it often. To me,, having the heavier, more sturdy press has proven to be a bonus over the decades when the occasional issue has arisen, to where more torque, or pressure was necessary.

Hard to go wrong with a good RockChucker press.

Most of my dies,, are also RCBS,, with a mix of Redding, and even Lyman's in there. Again,, hard to argue with buying good quality once, and only once. I do prefer the carbide dies,, for my straight walled cases.

But I also use the Dillon case lube in a pump spray bottle. I quit using the roll pad long ago. And the Hornady One Shot is good,, as long as the aerosol stays good. After throwing away a couple of cans,, I switched to Dillon. I use a shallow cardboard box,, squirt lube on the cases,, allow about 15-20 minutes & go to work. Much easier than the lube pad stuff.

Not covered so far.
Buying used dies. Great as long as they are in good shape. Disassemble & clean prior to use. Use a single case as a test case to assure the sizing die isn't damaged & cutting/scratching the cases.

[wpeel]

Different tools for different jobs, don'tcha know. I have 2 Dillon Square Deals that remain set up for calibers that I shoot...a lot.
I also have a Lyman All-American turret...just because I found it at a yard sale, cheap. Used for less frequently shot calibers and quantities.
I also have an RCBS Jr. 2 (again, found cheaply) Best way to experiment with loads and the cheapest way to change calibers.

The only necessities are:
A good scale
Press of choice
Appropriate dies and shellholder
Last...and most important - A reloading manual
Those are the essentials...everything else is to create convenience and speed for the most part.

If I'm engaging in an extended loading session, I also lube cases (with LEE water soluble lube) even with carbide dies. Cuts down on the effort and fatigue.
Lately, the single stage has been getting a lot of use. There is a relaxing, almost meditative quality to using the single stage press.
Remember - you've always enough time to do it right.

[bigbore5]

My set-up is varied to say the least. It varies from a Lee handpress to a Mark7 Apex.

I have a Lee Pro 1000 that I got as my first progressive. My advice is to pass on these. Three stations is not enough.

If you plan to load cast bullets, I recommend at least 5 stations, using the powder through expander dies.
Stations:
1) size/prime
2) expand/powder drop
3)powder cop
4)bullet seater
5) crimp
More stations allow you to do more on press. Any less and you are compromising.

On a turret press, you can better watch each operation, so a powder cop isn't needed.

[squawberryman]

Buy simple tools, use simple methods at first. Get ten thousand rounds under your belt, then start adding gimmick tools. Lee carbide dies for what appears to be your goal.

[iwsbull]

Also love the Lee Classic Turret

[woody]

Nov 1, 2023 17:12:49 GMT -5 Encore64 said:

Ok, I'll quickly be thrown under the bus for this one.

I've got five presses set up all the time. Yet, the one I use 99% of the time is the Lee Classic Turret Press.

I don't care for the Lee Aluminum Presses, but the iron ones are excellent.

Most of the time, Lee Dies too.

For lube, nothing but the Redding Sizing Wax. I still lube even when using Carbide Dies...

Instill load all my rifle ammo and some pistol ammo on a Lee turret press my parents bought me when I was 16. I’m now 52. I do have 2 Dillion SD set up. One for small pistol and one for large pistol. Just got them back from being rebuilt. Great presses. I love Lee factory crimp dies. I use them for most of my rifle ammo.

Now for shotgun stuff I have Probably 8 different MEC reloaders. Several different models. But I load for 5 different gauges.

[giblett]

Mostly rcbs here. Single stage press and a digital scale. Also a lymam turret press that i keep set up for 10mm. Resize and then bell the case then i hand prime rcbs again. Throw powder in 50 cases in tray then i put a bullet im the case then seat and crimp separately. Saves a lil time versus the single stage.

[gnappi]

I can't imagine using anything other than my Dillon 450 and 550's for my big bore pistol  ammo.

[gregs]

For pistol it is easy, rifle I've bounced around and tried a few different presses but always come back to the RCBS Rockchucker for big bore pistol (BBP). I have a Dillon I use for 9mm, 38/357 and 45 ACP but when it come to BBP I gravitate back to the Single Stage Rockchucker.

Dies, quality Redding, RCBS Steel or Carbide, matching manufacturer shell holder and imperial wax for both carbide or steel sizer. I have tried Lee in 327FM and have no complaints, just not sold yet.

Bench, heavey and stout. Laminated 2x4 on end, 2" maple or sandwiched 3/4" ply glue and screwed on 6" centers.

Scales is a mix of RCBS digital, beam and Acculab. The important thing is a set of check weights. These have saved my handguns and rifles with two scales, one digital and one beam. I don't think it was the quality issue as the amount if times they have been moved for my transient nomadic lifestyle.

Powder, big fan of an RCBS Lil Dandy and their larger offering, both with baffles. I can load 223/5.56 on down to standard pistol cartridges. About 25gr and less. You need to work the top half of the hoppers with these.

Priming, again RCBS Hand Primer. Been wanting a bench mount APS primer but that system is going the way of the Dodo bird and I hate filling primer tunes, I prefer trays. Safer in my opinion.

[LeverGunner]

I use an old Lee Challenger currently. I like the angle it has. Hornady Classic Lock-n-Load has the same type angle and I've been wanting to try one of those. If I was buying fresh, that's probably the way I'd go.

I've used a Lee Handpress a fair amount and it's quite fun. I've loaded a fair amount of 44 Magnum/special on it, as well as 30-30 and a lot of 38/357. You might consider that as an auxiliary press, or the main press if you want popeye arms.

My experience with Lee dies is they are fidgety and not as well done as other brands. I've used without issue RCBS, Lyman, CH, and Hornady dies. With carbide dies, you don't need to use lube, but it sure helps for larger cases like 44 Magnum. Of the ones I've tried, I generally like RCBS dies the best, plus they have very good customer service and will send spare parts for free.

I use Lee push through sizing dies for cast bullets (I also use a Lyman 450, but I sometimes will use the push through dies for a Gas Checked bullet to keep it true), and I use their universal expander die body for NOE expander plugs when I need expanders other than the ones that come with my standard sets.

When I use lube, I use Hornady 1 shot or Imperial Sizing Wax and remove it with a wet rag when I'm not in the notion to fire up the tumble.