Poor Mans Reloading

[jimmykan]

Can you explain why it would not work in semi-automatic rifles? I have an AR-10 that I was hoping to load for.

Thank you,
Wes

From the Lee Loader Instruction Manual:

Autoloading Guns
Autoloading guns will function dependably only
if the ammunition has been full length sized.
This tool sizes only the neck and if used for
loading an autoloading gun, may cause the gun
to jam. It is not recommended for hunting, but
may work satisfactorily for target or plinking.

[wes.crockett]

From the Lee Loader Instruction Manual:

Ok. That's kind of a funny disclaimer that it isn't recommended for hunting but for target and plinking, it may be fine. I suppose their warning makes sense. Is there a similar tool/process for full re-sizing that could just be used in conjunction with the rest of the hand reloader?

Thanks.

[nedro]

Reloading is a time waster for people with lots of time to waste.
I though grad school was hectic?

[wes.crockett]

Reloading is a time waster for people with lots of time to waste.
I though grad school was hectic?

Haha. I only take 1 class a semester. It certainly has its busy times, but it ebbs and flows. Once the wife and kid go to bed, I am up for about 2 hours, or so, that I spend online just dinking around... A lot of times I am playing games online with friends, but some nights it's just sitting hanging out... This is kind of when I see myself doing a bit of reloading (a few rounds here and a few rounds there...) as just something to do with my hands while we hang out...

(Yes, I am a nerd who games online and spends time just hanging out in voice chat with the people I game with... )

[jimmykan]

Ok. That's kind of a funny disclaimer that it isn't recommended for hunting but for target and plinking, it may be fine. I suppose their warning makes sense. Is there a similar tool/process for full re-sizing that could just be used in conjunction with the rest of the hand reloader?

Thanks.

To full-length size, get this:
Cabelas.com - Lee Precision Reloader Press



Or the hand press:
Cabelas.com - Lee Hand Press Kit


You will need a set of dies, and a 308 shell holder. Again, Lee makes some cheap ones:

MidwayUSA - Lee RGB 2-Die Set 308 Winchester $20

Lee Universal Shellholder #2 (308 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield, 45 ACP) $5

[CSACANNONEER]

Get a Lee hand press, RCBS small base dies, a Trim-it trimmer, a decent analog scale and a shoe box to keep it in. You'll be able to make high quality and SAFE ammo. With the Lee classic kit, you would still need a scale and trimmer to make consistent and safe ammo. Yea, I know about the scoops and have used them but, you need to have a good technique to use them properly and they still limit you to a fixed volume of powder.

[wes.crockett]

I think the hand loader is the way to go...

To confirm, my tooling to get going are:
Lee Hand Loader Kit ($59.99)
Lee Die set for .308 - $20
Lee Shell Holder - $5

Are any other tools needed to get going? It looks like I would now need a scale, and primer. What are my budget options for this. If I got the Hand loader, scale, and primer tools at Cabelas, I can probably spring for the dies and shell holder at midway as linked (Thanks Jimmy!)

[NorCalFocus]

OP, I know you don't want to mount the press to your desk and be able to put it away. Thats fine, thats what I do too.

I built this from a $30 hardwood stair tread.


I use a clamp on the back end and put some shelf liner under it to keep it from moving.

[CPRAFAN]

For cheap plinking or small game, get the Hammond GameGetter - around $50 per caliber. Can roll your own rounds at the range with no powder to buy or measure and using 00 buckshot - this is the cheapest reloading option available, IMO.

http://www3.telus.net/gamegetter/

[stand125]

The lee dies come with shell holder and the powder scoop and the kit has a priming system. A scale is needed and a must if you do not follow the powder chart that comes with your dies. I recommend a scale but not needed if you follow the powder chart that comes with the Lee dies. Calipers are a must in my opinion and are cheap. I really like the LYMAN CASE TRIMMER SET and the LYMAN CASE PREP TOOL.

[NorCalFocus]

I think the hand loader is the way to go...

To confirm, my tooling to get going are:
Lee Hand Loader Kit ($59.99)
Lee Die set for .308 - $20
Lee Shell Holder - $5

Are any other tools needed to get going? It looks like I would now need a scale, and primer. What are my budget options for this. If I got the Hand loader, scale, and primer tools at Cabelas, I can probably spring for the dies and shell holder at midway as linked (Thanks Jimmy!)

The Lee die set will come with a shell holder. The Hand kit you linked at Cabelas has the ram prime priming system.

A reloading tray will make life easier to hold all the cases through out the steps.

[NapalmCheese]

If you get the Lee Pacesetter die set it'll come with the shell holder and a crimp die for an extra $12.00.

You'll need a scale, you'll need a way to prime (apparently the linked kit comes with the ram prime).

I used a Lee Ram Prime on the hand press to prime cartridges, slow and tedious, but effective and cheap at $13.00. For $7.00 more you can get a hand prime, which is faster and requires handling the primers less.

You'll want some method of measuring overall length, and some way to trim your brass. I used a set of digital calipers I had in my toolbox and a lyman trimmer (since I reload for a few different cartridges).

[wes.crockett]

Would this be an adequate scale?

[wes.crockett]

And perhaps THIS DIE set?

[NorCalFocus]

Would this be an adequate scale?

And perhaps THIS DIE set?

Yes and yes. The funnel pan is nice too. Saves using a seperate funnel.