I just spent $200 on supplies to load 100 rounds of .45-70. (Darn Larry Correia and Sam Haven anyway.) I probably coupld have spent less online, but my local gunsmith is worth keeping in business.
Now I need a reloading press. Suggestions, anyone?
I made an attempt to pick some up but today is the first day of deer season for gun hunting so the sporting goods counter at WalMart had a line a mile long for people who waited until the last minute for hunting licenses. I'll get at least 100 rounds of .45ACP before the day is over though.
I made 50 rounds last night. Does that count? Dave H, my suggestion is to stick with a single stage press if you are just starting out. It's much easier to stay safe if you are concentrating on just one operation at a time. My RCBS Rockchucker has been in the family for 40 plus years and is still going strong. Depending on what you already have aquired, a reloading kit might give you a lot of the gear you need at a discount over buying each item individually. If you don't have any yet, get a reloading manual and study it before you start. The Lyman 49th edition has info for a good variety of cast and jacketed bullets so it's a good one to start with and it has how to chapters as well as a list of all the gear you'll need. I hope this helps. Have fun.
Steve: Thanks. I'm thinking of a turret press so I don't have to keep changing and readjusting dies, but your point about taking it a step at a time makes sense.
1000 rds. of CCI Blaser .22lr (at 0.035/rd yay me) and a box of Remington .380 Auto FMJ to give the LCP an bit of exercise.
And as for suggestions for reloading presses... I've got a Lee turret press myself. By the simple expedient of removing the center rod it becomes a single stage press and you can leave a complete set of dies set up in the turret. Expand to a new caliber? Buy another turret.
Thanks Eric & BGMiller. I just placed an order for a Lee turret press & dies. (Although isn't "dice" the plural of "die"?) Unfortunately it won't be here until after Thanksgiving so I won't be able to play with it over the holiday break. Guess I'll just have to forcibly unload some factory brass that's sitting on the shelf.
Dave, you have started down a long twisty road. I started with 'a' press. Now, it has grown to a separate setup for shot shells, rifle, and pistol. Plus bookshelves full of manuals, components for nine different calibers, case trimmers, scales, loading blocks, brass tumbler, etc., etc. You see what you have started? You will look back at the garage that used to park two cars and wonder "What happened?" Midway and the brown truck of happiness is gonna love ya.
Today, I did the best I could do. I loaded 324 rds of .45 acp and then took a road trip & bought a lightly used .223/5.56 AR rifle, 24" bull barrel, nice trigger etc. It also came with 432 rds of ammo for it. Well Ok, it was steel cased ammo, but ammo just the same. Yesterday, I went to to my local WalMart & bought their last box of .30 Carbine ammo. So I's been a good boy. Now all I need is the time to shoot all of this goodness.
I helped several dozen people shoot up... uh... where's my slide rule? Somewhere on the order of 750 rounds of my ammunition (and at least a dozen of them were new shooters). Does that count? Oh, yeah... and raised nearly $600 for charity.
WV: bersol. How you feel when you hit the gunstore, jonesing for a Bersa Thunder, only to find out that they're sold out - you're BER-SOL.
Dave, sorry I'm a little late to the game. Kempf Gun shop has about the best deal going. They have a kit for $212 +s/h that includes *the Lee Classic Turret Press (stronger then the standard one, and well worth the price) *1 set of Lee PaceSetter Dies - your choice caliber *Lee Safety Prime System (Large AND Small primers) *Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure *Lee Auto Disk Riser *Powder-Thru Rifle Charging Die *Double Disk Kit for the powder measure *Case lube
It's pretty hard to beat a deal like that to get started. If I were starting over that's where I would start. Add a scale, a bullet puller a few reloading manuals and you're good to go. Like someone else said, you can change it to single stage use in a matter of seconds, as well as change calibers just as fast.
Mopar: Thanks. The setup I ordered came in at just a bit under $200. (Actually about $170 - I forgot I had a set of earmuffs too.) The only thing missing is the Safety Prime, the extra disk kit, and the riser. I do get the cheap scale with it though. I shoupld have enough to get started and I can add on parts later.
My Buddy the Surplus Dealer has cleared the minor paperwork, and is now starting to sell ammo in his store. He called me earlier this week, and an order was placed, so I didn't have to fight the huge crowds at the Ye Olde FyreArms Shoppe. Does that count?
I forgot all about it; I guess I get a free pass though for this year all things considered. I will still buy some ammo, if I remember right, it is also National Ammo Week.Thanks for the reminder.
Dave: The regular Lee turret is fine, just the classic one is better. I'm wondering just what you got though, I looked on Midway and the only Lee Turret kit I see is only $108? You're really gonna want either the safety prime setup or a hand primer once you get the hang of things though. And if you do multiple calibers invest in extra turrets and also buy the kit that upgrades the powder measure to the "pro" model. Don't worry, reloading is just like shooting; once you get started you just keep "needing" more gear, LOL.
mopar: That's the kit. I ordered that and the dies for it (the 3-die set plus the factory crimp die). I figure it's enough to get started, and I can add on to it after I've learned enough to know what I want. A safety prime will probably be next, but we'll see after I've loaded a few rounds.
I forgot about National Ammo Day, so I didn't buy any. However, I did expend one round of Hornady .308 into a nice-sized doe. I'm 49, and that was my first-ever deer hunting trip, so it was the first deer I ever shot. Can't wait to see how that venison tastes!
Dad, gun nut, motorhead, shaved-head biker with a foul mouth and a bad attitude. Living the dream in Free America after escaping the Volksrepublik of Massachusetts...
A. Somewhere between having too many to fit in one safe and Jay G. (smijer & buck)"the Virtuoso of Vitriol" (AD)"If ever there was a zombie apocalypse, I’d want Jay watching my back." (Liberty)"...totally unhinged (but in a fun way)." (Marko)"...an insane yet friendly hybrid of Dr. Evil and John Malkovich..." (Lissa)"You, my friend, have a twisted mind!" (Old NFO)"Jay is a man I trust to watch my back, but I won't trust with my daughter." (Sigboy)"...the kind of guy my mother warned me about." (Brigid)"...bouncing off the walls sounding like Gonzo on crystal meth." (MedicMatthew)"Yeah, if we ever meet, I'd like you to not be mad." (Salamander)"Jay is an absolutely wonderfully crazy gun nut. " (Top of the Chain)"Enough snide remarks to power a space shuttle" (Snarky)"American Rage Boy" (Kevin Baker)"the Northeast Gunblogger's Social Secretary" (Borepatch)"the Godfather of the Northeast Gun Blogs" (Weer'd beard)"I though you'd be angrier." (Randy)"Gun pimp" (Robb Allen)"Well, Jay's not like that; turns out he's just like he is on the internet, only more so. And life-size. And in 3D" (Tam)
MArooned E-mail Policy
The official MArooned policy for e-mails received can be found here.
In a nutshell, all your e-mails belong to us.
That is all.
Blog Archive
Open Invitation for New Shooters
Just want to extend an open invitation to all potential new shooters in the Northern Virginia area. If you have never shot a firearm, or would like to get back into the shooting sports, or are an accomplished shooter who'd like to try something in my arsenal, give me a shout.
New shooters get range time, targets, gun use and ammo on me. I've even got extra eye and ear protection - all you have to do is show up.
26 comments:
I just spent $200 on supplies to load 100 rounds of .45-70. (Darn Larry Correia and Sam Haven anyway.) I probably coupld have spent less online, but my local gunsmith is worth keeping in business.
Now I need a reloading press. Suggestions, anyone?
I made an attempt to pick some up but today is the first day of deer season for gun hunting so the sporting goods counter at WalMart had a line a mile long for people who waited until the last minute for hunting licenses. I'll get at least 100 rounds of .45ACP before the day is over though.
I made 50 rounds last night. Does that count?
Dave H, my suggestion is to stick with a single stage press if you are just starting out. It's much easier to stay safe if you are concentrating on just one operation at a time. My RCBS Rockchucker has been in the family for 40 plus years and is still going strong.
Depending on what you already have aquired, a reloading kit might give you a lot of the gear you need at a discount over buying each item individually.
If you don't have any yet, get a reloading manual and study it before you start. The Lyman 49th edition has info for a good variety of cast and jacketed bullets so it's a good one to start with and it has how to chapters as well as a list of all the gear you'll need.
I hope this helps. Have fun.
Steve: Thanks. I'm thinking of a turret press so I don't have to keep changing and readjusting dies, but your point about taking it a step at a time makes sense.
@ Dave H, another option would be the Hornady single stage. It uses bushings that allow you to leave your dies set up, while being repeatable.
I celebrated today by ordering two cases of 9mm. I didn't know it was National Ammunition Day.
1000 rds. PMC 9mm for my daughter
1000 rds. of CCI Blaser .22lr (at 0.035/rd yay me) and a box of Remington .380 Auto FMJ to give the LCP an bit of exercise.
And as for suggestions for reloading presses...
I've got a Lee turret press myself. By the simple expedient of removing the center rod it becomes a single stage press and you can leave a complete set of dies set up in the turret. Expand to a new caliber? Buy another turret.
BGM
Thanks Eric & BGMiller. I just placed an order for a Lee turret press & dies. (Although isn't "dice" the plural of "die"?) Unfortunately it won't be here until after Thanksgiving so I won't be able to play with it over the holiday break. Guess I'll just have to forcibly unload some factory brass that's sitting on the shelf.
Dave, you have started down a long twisty road.
I started with 'a' press.
Now, it has grown to a separate setup for shot shells, rifle, and pistol.
Plus bookshelves full of manuals, components for nine different calibers, case trimmers, scales, loading blocks, brass tumbler, etc., etc.
You see what you have started?
You will look back at the garage that used to park two cars and wonder "What happened?"
Midway and the brown truck of happiness is gonna love ya.
Today, I did the best I could do. I loaded 324 rds of .45 acp and then took a road trip & bought a lightly used .223/5.56 AR rifle, 24" bull barrel, nice trigger etc. It also came with 432 rds of ammo for it. Well Ok, it was steel cased ammo, but ammo just the same. Yesterday, I went to to my local WalMart & bought their last box of .30 Carbine ammo.
So I's been a good boy.
Now all I need is the time to shoot all of this goodness.
Opps, I forgot. However I did go out and shoot several hundred rounds today. If I replace it tomorrow, is that close enough?
I helped several dozen people shoot up... uh... where's my slide rule? Somewhere on the order of 750 rounds of my ammunition (and at least a dozen of them were new shooters). Does that count? Oh, yeah... and raised nearly $600 for charity.
WV: bersol. How you feel when you hit the gunstore, jonesing for a Bersa Thunder, only to find out that they're sold out - you're BER-SOL.
One case of .45acp and a battle pack of .308.
Can one ever have too much of either?
I saved my pennies for over a month so I could make a good showing on NAD. Time to go shooting!
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/7411/ammoday2011.jpg
I bought 100 rounds of .40 (and an M&P40 to go with it).
Dave, sorry I'm a little late to the game. Kempf Gun shop has about the best deal going. They have a kit for $212 +s/h that includes *the Lee Classic Turret Press (stronger then the standard one, and well worth the price)
*1 set of Lee PaceSetter Dies - your choice caliber
*Lee Safety Prime System (Large AND Small primers)
*Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure
*Lee Auto Disk Riser
*Powder-Thru Rifle Charging Die
*Double Disk Kit for the powder measure
*Case lube
It's pretty hard to beat a deal like that to get started. If I were starting over that's where I would start. Add a scale, a bullet puller a few reloading manuals and you're good to go. Like someone else said, you can change it to single stage use in a matter of seconds, as well as change calibers just as fast.
Oh, and for Ammo Day I ordered 1520 bullets online, and took a guest to my club and spent the afternoon on the rifle range. Life is good!
Mopar: Thanks. The setup I ordered came in at just a bit under $200. (Actually about $170 - I forgot I had a set of earmuffs too.) The only thing missing is the Safety Prime, the extra disk kit, and the riser. I do get the cheap scale with it though. I shoupld have enough to get started and I can add on parts later.
Dave: Is it the regular Lee Turret or the Classic?
WV: raingl - Rep. Charlie Raingl is a freakin' moron!
I ordered a case of 7.62x39 and some stripper clips. Then I reloaded some 7.62x51.
My Buddy the Surplus Dealer has cleared the minor paperwork, and is now starting to sell ammo in his store. He called me earlier this week, and an order was placed, so I didn't have to fight the huge crowds at the Ye Olde FyreArms Shoppe. Does that count?
Mopar: Must be the regular one because it doesn't say Classic on the order. (It's the 4-hole turret kit from MidwayUSA.) Oh well.
I forgot all about it; I guess I get a free pass though for this year all things considered. I will still buy some ammo, if I remember right, it is also National Ammo Week.Thanks for the reminder.
All the best,
GB
Dave: The regular Lee turret is fine, just the classic one is better. I'm wondering just what you got though, I looked on Midway and the only Lee Turret kit I see is only $108? You're really gonna want either the safety prime setup or a hand primer once you get the hang of things though. And if you do multiple calibers invest in extra turrets and also buy the kit that upgrades the powder measure to the "pro" model. Don't worry, reloading is just like shooting; once you get started you just keep "needing" more gear, LOL.
mopar: That's the kit. I ordered that and the dies for it (the 3-die set plus the factory crimp die). I figure it's enough to get started, and I can add on to it after I've learned enough to know what I want. A safety prime will probably be next, but we'll see after I've loaded a few rounds.
(Jay: Sorry to hijack your comment thread.)
I forgot about National Ammo Day, so I didn't buy any. However, I did expend one round of Hornady .308 into a nice-sized doe. I'm 49, and that was my first-ever deer hunting trip, so it was the first deer I ever shot. Can't wait to see how that venison tastes!
Post a Comment