Finding your happy place

1421 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Bruntson, Apr 22, 2018

texastaurusguy

Discussion Starter · Apr 21, 2018

I think I'm pretty much there now. When I started reloading, I bought a Hornady L&L single stage kit, which provided me with much of what I needed to start reloading. But then, you go down the road a spell, and you start seeing things that would make your life easier and you start replacing things in your lineup slowly....a Lyman case prep center replaced a bunch of hand tools for the primer pocket, a Lyman powder dispenser replaced my Hornady digital scale, and a Lee Auto Prime replaced various methods of priming cases.

I feel pretty good now with where I'm at. I can't really think of a single tool that I need to upgrade....sure I might explore a turret set up some day, but for now I'm pretty happy with what I've got.

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glenwolde

· #2 · Apr 21, 2018

Me too. Sometimes I crank out a 1,000 rounds on the Dillon before lunch. Sometimes I go into garage and whack-a-mole a box of .38's. Sometimes I swap out to the single stage and roll up some 9mm Makarov. It's all good.

I appreciate the efficiency of the Dillon, while also appreciating the simplicity of the original Lee Loader. The single stage is somewhere between the two. Anything more than a couple of hundred rounds goes to the Dillon.

I like the Lee Loader for revolver rounds, not so much semi-autos. But they work, and rather well if you're careful.

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mark38090

· #3 · Apr 21, 2018

That's my next big shooting project. I want to move from my Lee "C" single stage press to something progressive. I want to learn more about it and start making something other than revolver rounds. I've yet to make a round they'll cycle my PT-99.

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texastaurusguy

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 21, 2018

mark38090 said:
That's my next big shooting project. I want to move from my Lee "C" single stage press to something progressive. I want to learn more about it and start making something other than revolver rounds. I've yet to make a round they'll cycle my PT-99.

Sometimes it just takes experimentation to get a certain round loading in a certain gun. Keep at it. And, there are tons of youtube videos about progressive presses, just grab your favorite drink, sit in a comfortable chair, and start clicking and watching.

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glenwolde

· #5 · Apr 21, 2018

mark38090 said:
That's my next big shooting project. I want to move from my Lee "C" single stage press to something progressive. I want to learn more about it and start making something other than revolver rounds. I've yet to make a round they'll cycle my PT-99.

You know, it's a funny thing. After shooting and reloading for revolvers exclusively for longer than I care to admit, I decided to go for it and buy a semi-automatic pistol and reload for it. I expected to have lots of issues with function. Through more than half-a-dozen guns and three different cartridges (.380, 9mm, .45ACP) I've just never really had an issue with function at all, and all seemed to be capable of at least reasonable accuracy. Match-grade accuracy is a bit tougher than revolvers, especially in the 9mm.

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guesser

· #6 · Apr 21, 2018

When I was working for a living and shooting/hunting most every free day I had a RCBS Rockchucker and a LoadMaster. The LM was set up for quick changes of cartridge, caliber, etc. Was a full time operation. I loaded rounds every evening after work and after shooting on every free day. I retired and found that I really, really enjoyed reloading. I shoot just as much handgun now but no where near as much long gun and I no longer hunt. I sold the LM and everything that went with it except the dies for the hand guns I still shoot. I like single station hand loading. The Rockchucker was bigger and heavier than I needed for every day use, sold it and stepped down to a Redding Boss, sweet, sweet little press. I load something every day, or I size/loob bullets, or I cast, or I shoot. I have 3 single stage presses and a Lee hand press. I love being retired!!!!

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darbo

· #7 · Apr 21, 2018

I have a pretty good set up these days. There are some additions I would like to make the peripheral equipment but that won't happen as long as I'm in this 1 bedroom apartment.

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kmw1954

· #8 · Apr 22, 2018

texastaurusguy said:
I feel pretty good now with where I'm at. I can't really think of a single tool that I need to upgrade....sure I might explore a turret set up some day, but for now I'm pretty happy with what I've got.

I've been involved in a good number of Press War discussions in the past few years and some of the hardcore fanboys I've come to regard as just thick! I always profess the color of the press has nothing to do with what kind of ammo one is producing it still all comes down to who's pulling the handle. The best tools in the world can still produce junk if the operator is an idiot! Also very few of us have the same needs, patience, desire, skills, resources or interests as the rest of the groups. We are all individuals and the only thing that really matters is if we are happy with what we have and what we are doing.

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olfarhors

· #9 · Apr 22, 2018

glenwolde said:
You know, it's a funny thing. After shooting and reloading for revolvers exclusively for longer than I care to admit, I decided to go for it and buy a semi-automatic pistol and reload for it. I expected to have lots of issues with function. Through more than half-a-dozen guns and three different cartridges (.380, 9mm, .45ACP) I've just never really had an issue with function at all, and all seemed to be capable of at least reasonable accuracy. Match-grade accuracy is a bit tougher than revolvers, especially in the 9mm.

I agree, I started out reloading as a mandatory thing as I bought a Thompson contender and barrels in 30 and 35 heritt, wild cats of course.
started with a single stage, went on to a turret (lyman) then to a progressive, then finally settled on the turret was for me.
anyway I load for the 380, 9 MM, 38 Super, 10 MM and 45 acp, all of course them guns with them clippy thangs in them.
never really had much problem with them.
now an occasional mishap when mostly changing form one projectile to another and not fully going to battery, a little adjustment and back on track.
but as far as reliability, accuracy, thats all been pretty good.
I use to load a bit of comp rifle bullets but after almost becoming an alcoholic from the stress and ever searching for the perfect bullet I quit that stuff.
I have loaded rifle, revolver and even shotgun over the years but almost exclusively a semi shooter in the past 6-7-8 years.

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glenwolde

· #10 · Apr 22, 2018

kmw1954 said:
I've been involved in a good number of Press War discussions in the past few years and some of the hardcore fanboys I've come to regard as just thick! I always profess the color of the press has nothing to do with what kind of ammo one is producing it still all comes down to who's pulling the handle. The best tools in the world can still produce junk if the operator is an idiot! Also very few of us have the same needs, patience, desire, skills, resources or interests as the rest of the groups. We are all individuals and the only thing that really matters is if we are happy with what we have and what we are doing.

I always tell prospective reloaders that the only difference between the types of presses is speed and convenience. Quality is 100% dependent on the operator. A Lee Reloader single stage can make just as good, or bad, ammo as a Dillon 650.

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kmw1954

· #11 · Apr 22, 2018

glenwolde said:
I always tell prospective reloaders that the only difference between the types of presses is speed and convenience. Quality is 100% dependent on the operator. A Lee Reloader single stage can make just as good, or bad, ammo as a Dillon 650.

I feel the same way. During any of these discussions at some point someone with pipe in with a Just buy a Dillon because they are the best and you know at some point you will need it. I get so tired of that attitude. Not everyone needs a progressive press or even wants one. I truly believe that someone only loading 100 rounds a week can easily do that on any single stage press. Then if loading 200 a week then maybe a turret press and then if more than that a progressive may be warranted. Even then keep it in perspective. If you are loading as 300 rounds a week do you really need a motorized case and bullet feeder? You may think so but I don't think so and that the neat part of reloading we can do it the way that fits each of us. But then if a person is loading these same numbers but only doing it once a month that would change the overall picture also. Or like me it could just be that one is trying to save wear and tear on a shoulder and elbow, 100 pulls on handle as opposed to 400 pulls.

I am also one of those that feels as though I'm the last person qualified to tell someone else what they need or should buy. All I can do is relate what works for me and why it works for me. Then you decide if you would like to follow these footsteps.

As I tell everyone I am perfectly happy using the tools I have, if I wasn't then I'd be looking for something else but I would have 1st hand knowledge of what I don't want. I'm happy in my space!

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mark38090

· #12 · Apr 22, 2018

glenwolde said:
You know, it's a funny thing. After shooting and reloading for revolvers exclusively for longer than I care to admit, I decided to go for it and buy a semi-automatic pistol and reload for it. I expected to have lots of issues with function. Through more than half-a-dozen guns and three different cartridges (.380, 9mm, .45ACP) I've just never really had an issue with function at all, and all seemed to be capable of at least reasonable accuracy. Match-grade accuracy is a bit tougher than revolvers, especially in the 9mm.

I tried with my 9mm PT99 but honestly I think part of my issue was the only powder I had for pistol was Clays. Works great for simple revolver rounds so I kinda gave up. Now that I have more slide guns I really need to get back to it.

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Bruntson

· #13 · Apr 22, 2018

My happy place is MY room. It started life 20 some years ago as a small second floor bedroom, but since has been converted to my hobby room. I love my long waist high L shaped bench. 3 reloading presses are mounted along one side and the other side functions as a repair bench. Mounted above are various cabinets and shelves for storage. Against one wall is several open faced gun cabinets and a dresser. The 5' closet holds wet suits, scuba gear and a ratty old 6 fingered baseball glove from my little league days some 55 years ago. I have a swivel chair on rollers to access any point in the room with a quick swoosh. I also have a radio to play tunes as I while away the hours and an wall mount clock keep track of the passing time. To protect my happy place, I've installed a solid core wood door with an exterior lock.

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