Boxes, Brass, and Holders

[Abenaki]

I use plastic boxes by MTM.

I got tired of buying more and more boxes.
So, Now I have tons of ammo in zip lock bags.
Which I keep in 50 cal. ammo cans.

Take care
Abenaki

[diveRN]

I reuse 50 round ammo boxes for one thing only - storing .45acp SPP reloads. I only shoot .45 SPP when I know I'm not going to recover the brass.

I put hunting, hot loads, work ups, and related ammo in MTM boxes color coded by caliber with a printed label on the top containing load info and a lot number, which is generated and tracked in a searchable database of my own design.

Range fodder all goes into an ammo can.

[alexisjohnson]

do what you like. The manufacturer boxes are free and convenient. When they get too old or ratty, you toss em out. I personally prefer the plastic boxes just because they're so organized.

One recommendation...if you buy the plastic boxes, plano makes really good ones for pistols but their rifle one's suck. They are usually oversized (they try to make them fit a wide variety of cartridge sizes). On the other hand, Mtm (i think or are they mgm) makes boxes that fit to size. I think the planos look really good on the outside but the MTMs fit really nicely.

Bags are another great option for pistol rounds. You really don't need boxes for another other than precision rifle rounds.

[tonyjr]

tanks
There is no way I could do 300 in 15 minutes .
Even if you don't count the time depriming , cleaning , tumbling and repriming .
There is no way I would not check all the die settings , OAL and powder drop after 200 to 300 rounds
Every batch is a complete set up . I adjust each die for caliber . About the fastest for me is either the 380 or 9 mm .
just filling the bullet tubes , shell tubes , Adjusting powder drop .
You must have left the press set up - I don't - after reloading it takes me more than 15 minutes to put reloaded cartridges into their boxes , dump powder back into bottle , put shells , cases back into their boxes .
New-bes - don't believe how fast a lot of people say they are . Watch a few u-tube videos - you will notice everything is set up . Try watching how to set up just the 1st die

[alexisjohnson]

lol no doubt...^

i do closer to 300 or 400 per hour with the dillon 550. I can probably do more...but i like being careful.

I think some people may have super set ups like the 1050 which makes the whole process much easier.

[Calguns77]

tanks
Every batch is a complete set up . I adjust each die for caliber . About the fastest for me is either the 380 or 9 mm .

Why? Whats the problem with lock rings and leaving your dies adjusted?

All my dies have lock rings and are in hornady lnl bushings. When i reload i verify my dies are still dialed in by measuring the first piece of brass that passes through each of them.

Saves a ton of time and you lose nothing.

[tonyjr]

I use lock rings also + washers [ very thin ]
My garage is not temp controlled - my way of heating is to drive
[ like to costco for gas ] put car in garage to warm it up .
Maybe because I am on a Lee load master - maybe me .
When I started reloading @ 1st it was the 45 and 270 . Then it
went to the 50 AE . Now I / we do 15 calibers and yes I have a
tool head / turret for each Caliber .
I am in the SF / bay area - 3 of the last 6 days were dirty air
days - no fireplace burning .
That gunky stuff on my wind shield I figure is also on / in dies
You start reloading and clearences change . I generally do a tray
and check powder drop , OAL and kind of check for scratches on cases .
This means on the 50 - after 20 , on the 45 , 44 , 357 - 50 .
On the 25 acp thru the 380 / 38's a tray hold 100 .
Another thing is I have6 nephews and 2 nieces that all reload here .
They don't get to assume the dies / powder drop are set right - start
from begining .
After each reload session , the dies go in to the sonic cleaner .
I deprime clean primer pocket / flash hole , tumble and reprime
days before reloading - @ most the have to be taken down from shelf .
4 of my nephews have friends that reload and after going to their place
They come back here .
To me , skipping steps is like driving a long ways and not stopping
at 1/2 tank and filling up / checking oil / tires / water . Lots of people do it not me

[Calguns77]

After each reload session , the dies go in to the sonic cleaner .

Ah, got it. My dies stay pretty clean, i just give them a quick wipe down while they are still assembled.

[tanks]

tanks
There is no way I could do 300 in 15 minutes .
Even if you don't count the time depriming , cleaning , tumbling and repriming .
There is no way I would not check all the die settings , OAL and powder drop after 200 to 300 rounds
Every batch is a complete set up . I adjust each die for caliber . About the fastest for me is either the 380 or 9 mm .
just filling the bullet tubes , shell tubes , Adjusting powder drop .
You must have left the press set up - I don't - after reloading it takes me more than 15 minutes to put reloaded cartridges into their boxes , dump powder back into bottle , put shells , cases back into their boxes .
New-bes - don't believe how fast a lot of people say they are . Watch a few u-tube videos - you will notice everything is set up . Try watching how to set up just the 1st die

Take a look at this:

http://vid116.photobucket.com/albums/o24/Tanks-PL/D650XLInaction_1.mp4

I don't fill shell or bullet tubes. I adjust the dies ONCE when I set up the toolhead, after that it never changes. After a hundred, I empty another primer tube into the primer holder, dump 5 handfuls of bullets into the bullet feeder and keep going. Once I am done with the 300, I dump about 300 or so cases into a cardboard box, apply one shot lube, shake and then dump the contents into the case feeder for next time.

Now, this leaves one step incomplete. I have a hondo (sp) 100 round case checker, when I have 600 rounds minimum loaded, I case check the rounds while watching Netflix and load 200 per ziplock bag.

As far as checks go, I confirm the powder each time I refill the powder (about 3/4 pounds each time). Since the last time I made adjustments, 10K rounds ago, I never had to make any adjustments, it has been constant.

And yes, because currently I load just one caliber on my 650XL, it is set up. In February I will make a run of 9mm before switching back, then it will take me about 15 minutes to change the toolhead, insert for the case feeder and the shell plate for 9mm.

I buy .40S&W brass 10K at a time, so it is already shiny and clean.

[tonyjr]

I don't use the normal " lubes " .
I use mica dust . Maybe that gets the dies dirty .
I only use Hodgdon ball type powders . Still the dust builds up .
While I like pretty brass , I am more concerned with ugly brass
leaving " stuff "in my dies .
My brass is seldom bought , it is either M T's we shot or range brass .

[Psychbiker]

Factory boxes will get beat up fast. After I figure out my load I'll make a big batch and put it in a 30cal Ammo can.

Also keep stocking up on plastic 100rd ammo bins.

As for brass, any containers with lids. Ammo cans. I started casting and used dog treat bins help. Dollar store has cheap Tupperware but gotta watch the weight so the bottom doesn't fall out.