I'm thinking about buying

[guimus]

one of these:

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=624416

to start doing some very basic reloading of .357 and .38

1) is there any reason I shouldn't do this (other than that I should get a dillon)?

2) what else (besides dies) should I get to make it easier. Scale? Priming tools? Etc Etc...

[Fjold]

The difference in between that and a bench mounted press cost wise is only a few dollars. I will bet that after less than 100 rounds you will make the decision to buy a bench mounted press to replace it.

The handhelds are great to use at the range to seat bullets into already sized cases when fine tuning handloads but a PIA to use full time.

[guimus]

cost isn't really a major concern, space is moreso.

I rent out the garage at my apartment to a neighbor, so I don't really have space at home; and my shop space (in Berkeley) is shared with a couple of other folks who wouldn't be too keen on me doing lots of 'That gun stuff' in our space. (I'd also not want to leave much powder around the welders, or too much excitement may happen.)

Is there a better press that you know of that either sets up/takes down quickly so that I could load at the shop on weekends while no one is around and hide 'the evidence' during the week?

[ivanimal]

Just mount a regular press onto a board and c-clamp it when you need it. I have done this for years to decap while tumbling. That way I dont have to change the dies while reloading another calliber. Then when the brass is all clean I can switch the progressive press to that cartridge. It is a good use of an old press. PM me and I will give you an old press. I am in the east bay as well. I will even mount it on a board for you.

[Fjold]

Just mount a regular press onto a board and c-clamp it when you need it. I have done this for years to decap while tumbling. That way I dont have to change the dies while reloading another calliber. Then when the brass is all clean I can switch the progressive press to that cartridge. It is a good use of an old press. PM me and I will give you an old press. I am in the east bay as well. I will even mount it on a board for you.

+1, I recommend mounting the press to a piece of 2x8 or 2X10 and C clamping it to the bench temporarily.

I used to have a press mounted to an old end table (one of those ones made of stained 2x4s that is made to look western/rustic) and mounted it against the back wall of a clothes closet with lag screws. Pull up a short stool to sit on when reloading and store the stool under the table when done. It worked that way for years.

[grammaton76]

I need to get around to posting pics of my porta-press setup. Dixieline Lumber collapsible tool table ($30), 10x24" or so block of wood with a Dillon 650 bolted to it (using large washers for extra hold), four high-friction furniture "don't-go-anywhere" pads in between the table and board, and four C-clamps holding the entire mess together.

The entire table is easily relocated, and if you need to pop the press off of it, it's not too hard.

[chiefcrash]

my google fu is strong:

http://www.larrywillis.com/tip001.html

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting2006/portablereloading/index.asp

[ivanimal]

Dude you forgot the press!

Or I forgot to give it to you..........

We should do this in more depth as I really felt rushed with the holiday upon us. It was sure nice to have met you.

[guimus]

Dude you forgot the press!

Or I forgot to give it to you..........

We should do this in more depth as I really felt rushed with the holiday upon us. It was sure nice to have met you.

Ah, yep, I've been forgetting everything these days. As Ozzy said, of all the things I've lost, my mind is what I miss the most. It was great to meet you too, and thanks for all the help you did give me. I actually ended up ordering a press, autoprime, scale, manual, and a few other things from Midway once I got to my sister's house, so I should be set. Once I get everything in and ready, I'd love to have you over to check out the setup and give me some more hints.

[M. Sage]

I'd love to have a sticky on how to get started in reloading. I've got some cash burning a hole in my pocket, and spending it on reloading gear is one of the options in my head.

Now if those 7.62x25mm wouldn't fly so freaking far...

[chiefcrash]

Now if those 7.62x25mm wouldn't fly so freaking far...

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=112864

[C.G.]

The difference in between that and a bench mounted press cost wise is only a few dollars. I will bet that after less than 100 rounds you will make the decision to buy a bench mounted press to replace it.

The handhelds are great to use at the range to seat bullets into already sized cases when fine tuning handloads but a PIA to use full time.

+1 on that. You can always have a small portable bench.

[C.G.]

I'd love to have a sticky on how to get started in reloading. I've got some cash burning a hole in my pocket, and spending it on reloading gear is one of the options in my head.

Now if those 7.62x25mm wouldn't fly so freaking far...

Till we get one, this is a good place to start with stickies:

http://www.reloadbench.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/Ultimate.cgi

[M. Sage]

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=112864

ROFL! I can just buy more brass. Most of what I shoot right now is surplus, so I'm sure I couldn't reload it anyway.

Ok, thread hijack time.

How good is a Lee Challenger? I'm looking at this: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...eitemid=149097

I'd like to try loading some 7.62x54R maybe (dunno, I can get SP cheap, and milsurp is good for most of my shooting...) and definitely want to load up some .223 Timbs for my CZ52.

I'll need dies and.... A tumbler and media? Anything else (besides a book, brass, bullets, powder and primers)? Ooh, and a scale. I've already got micrometers and (a VERY good) dial caliper.

[ivanimal]

If you do go with all Lee there is a reloading manual by Richard Lee that uses powder dippers to reload by volume instead of weight. That is how I do 223 ammo any how.

There is a set of lee powder dippers and it includes popular powder conversion tables as well.