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[MT1]

I was planning to stock up on some cases of ammo before the deadline, but this seems like a better approach.

Any suggestions re good books/videos for beginners?

Anyone in the San Jose/South Bay area interested in teaching (or attending) a "reloading for beginners" class?

The Lyman book is excellent for beginners....reloading is not difficult at all, it's just one of those things where you need to be meticulous and follow a strict set of procedures to stay safe. Follow proven recipes and start low on the chart for charges.

Always wear eye protection.

[joelogic]

The Lyman book is excellent for beginners....reloading is not difficult at all,...

I would have to disagree on it not being difficult. Pistol reloading may be simple but rifle isnt. You need to manipulate several tools and balance multiple factors to get a desired effect. ie, charge weight vs. seating depth.

Learning to ride a motorcycle was easier than learning to reload. Most people stumble at setting the sizing die for shoulder set back, trimming, and swaging.

Pistol: Size/decap, prime, charge, seat, crimp, done.
Rifle: Lube, size/decap, trim, chamfer/debur (if needed), swage, delube, clean flash hole (if needed), prime, charge, seat, crimp (if needed).

Read, watch youtube, and watch someone do it live if you can.

[Saym14]

I am 4 hours from NV and AZ- I think I could drive there and back for less time and money than reloading and buy in bulk

[rivraton]

Just thought I would share



Only for .45 so far, but its a start.

Are you left handed? I would think that, even if you are, it would be easier to run the press wirh the handle on the right, than to let go of the handle to start the bullet in the case.(or maybe get the bullet feeder)

[skylovia]

Just thought I would share



Only for .45 so far, but its a start.

How about some shelf "L" brackets to the studs in the wall so it wont wobble? I REALLY like this setup dude. I think I'll have to copy your idea! Happy loading.

-Christopher Flores

[IntoForever]

Nice set up! Mine is somewhere in UPS transit. I have dies for .45, .223 and 7.62x39.

[Heiko]

I used to reload 9mm with a Lee single stage and it was a slow process. I couldn't help thinking about how long it took to make each round versus how fast I shoot them. It made me long for a multi-stage. I still have most of the set up so I might sell it. I only think the dies are worth anything.

Like the prior post, I think that driving to AZ from SoCal for gun show deals would be more economical considering startup costs, materials, and time. There were some great ammo deals at the last show in AZ . Just my $0.02.

[Twinsen]

When is it up for repeal? You assuming your superior court is gonna do something?

Not mocking, just wondering what you guys are expecting or know will happen. I am sad about not being able to get any ammo.

[JTROKS]

I too started with a single stage press, a RCBS Partner Press Kit that I bought in 1988 give or take a year. I was mainly reloading rifle rounds, then I started reloading 357, 9mm and 10mm and it made me envy those folks with progressive set ups. The only ammo I buy is what's in my pistols for self defense and shotguns.

I used to reload 9mm with a Lee single stage and it was a slow process. I couldn't help thinking about how long it took to make each round versus how fast I shoot them. It made me long for a multi-stage. I still have most of the set up so I might sell it. I only think the dies are worth anything.

Like the prior post, I think that driving to AZ from SoCal for gun show deals would be more economical considering startup costs, materials, and time. There were some great ammo deals at the last show in AZ . Just my $0.02.

[liketoshoot]

for me i'm pushing out about 3-400 per hour. but then again, my initial cost was about $750. my table was pretty much free because i pieced together the table from a pallet and scrap metal.

I still have to put my setup together but my cost was almost free for a new RCBS single stage start-up kit, I used my CITI Bank card points and only had to buy a trimmer and primers.

[Speedpower]

Best News Ever for Californians!

Check this OUT! http://pointedin.com/proposed-califo...-ab-2358-gone/

[freonr22]

GREAT SETUP!


I had the Lee scale, and personally felt it sucked. I got a used Rcbs her on CG and life was better. Anyone else chime in?

[XDRoX]

I am 4 hours from NV and AZ- I think I could drive there and back for less time and money than reloading and buy in bulk

This comment is just silly. Unless you plan on buying enough ammo to shoot for the rest of your life I don't understand what you mean.

A decent reloading rig costs around $600 and will last a lifetime. So for the rest of my life I am able to walk into my garage and walk out an hour later with 500 rounds of accurate, clean, and quality ammunition for less than half the cost of anywhere you will be buying it.

I order all my supplies online. I currently have enough supplies to load 10's of thousands of rounds.

[BigfootHunter]

Nice setup, OP! for those of you using space as an excuse, I ordered one of the FrAnkford arsenal portable stand, it's VERY SMALL and I can move it around the house with ease.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=155024

I bought myself an RCBS Rockchucker kit this year and have been reloading .223 mostly, though I have the dies for .308 as well. The kit I bought comes with a balance beam scale but I found another frankford arsenal product I like their pocket size digital scale, which fits on the stand as well as an RCBS case trimmer. Eventually I'd like to get one of the auto charging scales, but this has been working fine for now.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=175512

Lee's reloading kit also works great and I think you get everything you need to get started (excluding dies, primers, powder, bullets and brass) for under $100.

Definitely as fun as shooting, since you have complete control over a custom load for your gun.

[SexualChocolate]

Nice!

Ballpark . . . what can I expect this set up to run?

The press (lee pro 1000), bullet feeder (not shown), scale, Lymans manual, funnel, case trimmer, case holder, primer pocket cleaner, clear ammo boxes x4, and safety glasses ran me $265 shipped from Natchezss.

Not shown is a vibrating tumbler from Harbor freight, $40 after 20% off coupon. 6" digital calipers for $9.

Homemade media separator with bucket and 7lbs of walnut media and miscellaneous plastic storage boxes $15 from Walmart & petco.

The bench from Ikea http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80035920 was $99, the MDF, bolts and angle brackets from home depot $20.

I started off with 1lb of Winchester 231 $23, 500 plated 200gn fp bullets $53 and 500 Remington primers $18 all from Field Time Sports in Westminster.

Bullet puller and 1k CCI large primers from The Stockade $60.

Then I saw that Weidners had wolf primers for $20 per 1K and picked up 3K large primers, and 3k small primers for when I start to reload 9mm. $155 shipped.

So for around $730 I can reload 500 rounds out of the gate, enough powder for another 500 after that, and enough primers to last me a while. A box a .45 with my setup is costing me around $8, less than half of the best price I have seen anywhere.

Knock off a few hundred $ if you don't go ape with a ton of primers and build your own bench. I was planning on building a bench out of 2x4's and MDF but I wanted something more refined looking since it was going in my bedroom.

Cool thing now, to start reloading 9mm all I need it the press and that's only $140.

As far as how fast it is? I took my time and loaded some dummy rounds to get the press set up properly but after that its was smooth sailing. I only had 150 cases from my last range trip, but I would say it took me around 30 minutes to load those, and that was being very careful to seat the bullet properly and check powder throw every so often.


As for the righty/lefty thing. I am right handed, I put the handle like that so it would clear my computer desk not seen in the photo. I sit and a 45 degree angle to the press so I can operate the handle and place bullets with my left hand.


The GTR? Yeah....not mine, its my dads. I have an Evo X.