Poor Mans Reloading

[stilly]

Hey All,

Some back story... I am a low-volume shooter. I have the desire to do reloading, but really think getting a full bench kit would be WAY overkill for me, and would also blow my budget (almost non-existent).

I happen to have a $100 Cabela's gift card and had the thought of getting the Classic Lee Loader (in 308.)

If I were to get this, could you guys point me in the direction of budget friendly supplies to make my first, say, 100 rounds? All I would need (other than the non-included hammer) is brass, primers, powder, and bullets... right?

Also, what hammer do I need?

Any information can help! I realize this isn't the preferred method of reloading, but I am just really looking for something that is a bit more economical than buying factory all the time and I really don't have anything else at Cabelas worth blowing my card on.

Thanks guys!

-Wes

???

The CLL setup you are asking about is like saying you want to skate around the world on a Gator Deck with Independent trucks and German Speed wheels and Swiss bearings...

That is certainly NOT the way to get into reloading by today's standards. Not in my opinion. Maybe if you want to try some odd caliber- MAYBE, but even then, do it right man, things like that are for SHTF week. Get a press, even the hand press is better. But really, save some more cash and get a Lee CLassic Turret or go to ebay and look for the JRRC 2 or whatever it is called for around $55.00 + shipping.

[wes.crockett]

???

The CLL setup you are asking about is like saying you want to skate around the world on a Gator Deck with Independent trucks and German Speed wheels and Swiss bearings...

That is certainly NOT the way to get into reloading by today's standards. Not in my opinion. Maybe if you want to try some odd caliber- MAYBE, but even then, do it right man, things like that are for SHTF week. Get a press, even the hand press is better. But really, save some more cash and get a Lee CLassic Turret or go to ebay and look for the JRRC 2 or whatever it is called for around $55.00 + shipping.

You obviously haven't read this long, constructive, thread... Way to be 'that' guy.

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[Milsurp Collector]

How is http://m.basspro.com/Lyman-EZee-Trim...for a trimmer?

Sticking with the on-a-budget theme, this is the cheapest trim setup

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/476992/lee-case-trimmer-cutter-and-lock-stud

and

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/271467/lee-case-length-gauge-and-shellholder-308-winchester

You can get both at Cabela's if you prefer

http://www.cabelas.com/product/lee-cutter-and-lock-stud/741209.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3D741082&categoryIds=104792580|104761080|104635080|

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lee-Case-Trimmers/741082.uts?productVariantId=1324008&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=22639210&rid=20&gclid=CjwKEAjw8OLGBRCklJalqKHzjQ0SJACP4BHr0aebypLHamKzLPnhliZrgBog2Uvk3uGvNS1DhFQ4TBoCVHvw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#tabsCollection

One thing I consider essential is a kinetic bullet puller. You will make mistakes and will want to start over by pulling the bullet, dumping the powder, and even resizing the primed case after removing the depriming pin from the resizing die. They are offered by several manufacturers, for example http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabel...ullet%2Bpuller

Even after many years and thousands of rounds hand loaded I'm still using mine. Recently I made a batch of 9x19mm with coated bullets. I sized them to what I thought was the correct overall length (OAL), but when I checked them by "plunking" them into my 9mm 1911 barrel they wouldn't go all the way into the chamber. The OAL was too long. I had already taper crimped the bullets so I couldn't just seat them deeper, so I pulled all of the bullets with my kinetic bullet puller, dumped the powder, and resized the primed cases. Then I slowly increased the seating depth until the rounds passed the plunk test. When I saw how deeply the bullets were seating I was a little concerned that there wasn't enough case volume for the powder charge I was using, so I switched to a different powder with a lower charge. I've test fired those rounds and they work fine. But I wouldn't have been able to fix all of that without my kinetic bullet puller.

[CSACANNONEER]

Sorry...

This:

http://m.basspro.com/Lyman-EZee-Trim-Hand-Case-Trimmer-Rifle-Set/product/1212171303/

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That will be slow but, it will work. You will also need a chamfering and deburring tool with that trimmer. Lyman makes a great one for about $20. The Trim-It with a 3-way cutter will automatically debur and chamfer as it trims. That's why I recommended it.

[wes.crockett]

You can get both at Cabela's if you prefer

http://www.cabelas.com/product/lee-cutter-and-lock-stud/741209.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fproduct.jsp%3FproductId%3D741082&categoryIds=104792580|104761080|104635080|

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lee-Case-Trimmers/741082.uts?productVariantId=1324008&WT.tsrc=PPC&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=22639210&rid=20&gclid=CjwKEAjw8OLGBRCklJalqKHzjQ0SJACP4BHr0aebypLHamKzLPnhliZrgBog2Uvk3uGvNS1DhFQ4TBoCVHvw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds#tabsCollection

Dang, I could have gotten those today with the other order... ordering just them will suck with shipping. I'll have to pick them up later.

[NapalmCheese]

Also, since you want to reload for a semi auto, I will again strongly advise you to get a set of RCBS small base dies. You'll end up getting them if you get a set of Lee dies anyway so, why not just save your money and get the small base dies first?

I reload for a semi auto with the Lee pacesetter full length dies and haven't had a problem with stuff being sized too big to chamber. That is to say no problem that I know of, since unlike with a bolt action the bolt slams home with some momentum. I'm also not running top end pressures in my rifle either though, so maybe it doesn't take much to resize the brass?

[SixPointEight]

You don't worry about case length? Do you understand that if a case is too long it could blow you and your gun up? Case length is a SAFETY ISSUE! as well as a consistency issue.

Normally chambers have so much space is a non-issue. If you're anywhere close to the book length, you'll be fine

Also, since you want to reload for a semi auto, I will again strongly advise you to get a set of RCBS small base dies. You'll end up getting them if you get a set of Lee dies anyway so, why not just save your money and get the small base dies first?

Normally agree with you 100%. I've never seen the need for a small-base die myself, and I've loaded lots of rounds in Lee steel

[Calguns77]

You don't worry about case length? Do you understand that if a case is too long it could blow you and your gun up? Case length is a SAFETY ISSUE! as well as a consistency issue.

He wears a face shield to the range, I think he'll be fine.

[wes.crockett]

He wears a face shield to the range, I think he'll be fine.

YOLO!

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[Milsurp Collector]

Dang, I could have gotten those today with the other order... ordering just them will suck with shipping. I'll have to pick them up later.

Grafs.com has a flat shipping fee of $7.95 per order. Even if you order 50 lb of bullets it is still only $7.95 shipping. My last order with them was 1000 9mm brass, 1000 .38 Special brass, 1000 .45ACP brass, 200 7.7 Japanese brass, 200 255gr bullets, 250 124gr bullets, and 250 158gr bullets. The box weighed a ton, but the shipping was only $7.95.

You could get

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7610

and

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7582

and

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/70494

and

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5394

and

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5953

and

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/6566

and

https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/5376

plus whatever bullets and brass you want to get with just a flat $7.95 shipping fee.

[jessdigs]

Do you have amazon prime? $12 delivered in one day from Amazon is kinda hard to beat. You could always get a free 30 day trial if you don't have prime.
Quick-n-EZ Impact Bullet Puller https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B7ZB4Q..._k9L2ybF6QNVCA

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[wes.crockett]

Do you have amazon prime? $12 delivered in one day from Amazon is kinda hard to beat. You could always get a free 30 day trial if you don't have prime.
Quick-n-EZ Impact Bullet Puller https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001B7ZB4Q..._k9L2ybF6QNVCA

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I do. I'll order that soon. I made a bunch of small orders yesterday (Amazon, cabelas, Bass Pro Shops) and i dont want the wife to get too jealous of all my packages

Thanks for the find, that is like 1/2 the price of everywhere else I saw them for!

[tonyjr]

A lot of people say you should measure your M T cases . While I don't bother until afterI decap tumble / sonic / vibrate - no one bothers to mention the temperature .
I do mine between 65 and 70 in garage .
Not turn on fan or heater because to hot or cold .
Measuring a case is only as good as you , your caliper and the temp you are checking at .
Measure a case , write down and then put in car and measure when you get back . Which measurement do you go by ?

[CSACANNONEER]

Normally chambers have so much space is a non-issue. If you're anywhere close to the book length, you'll be fine




Normally agree with you 100%. I've never seen the need for a small-base die myself, and I've loaded lots of rounds in Lee steel

I agree that as long as your length is within spec, there won't be a safety issue. However, telling a new reloader that trimming isn't necessary is bad. They need to understand that if a case is too long, their gun could explode in their face. Also, having all brass trimmed to the same length allow for a uniform crimp instead of under crimping shorter brass and over crimping longer brass.

I never had an issue using regular dies to reload for semi autos until recently. That why I am suggesting small base dies right off the bat instead of suggesting that the OP goes cheap and then has to buy a second set of dies.

[someoneeasy]

A lot of people say you should measure your M T cases . While I don't bother until afterI decap tumble / sonic / vibrate - no one bothers to mention the temperature .
I do mine between 65 and 70 in garage .
Not turn on fan or heater because to hot or cold .
Measuring a case is only as good as you , your caliper and the temp you are checking at .
Measure a case , write down and then put in car and measure when you get back . Which measurement do you go by ?

You're wasting time if you're measuring before you resize your brass anyway. Instead of measuring each one of your brass to figure out whether or not you need to trim, why not save that step and trim them all anyway?

How much is your brass growing or shrinking due to temperature? If it grows or shrinks within your max/min length, what does it matter?