Complete Reload Noob Help Wanted.

[CheapBloke]

My "gateway drug" to reloading was the "Lee Loader" kit for .38 Special.



I decided to order one for $30 after seeing a video on YouTube of an old-timer reloading .45-70 Gov't on a tree stump out in the woods.



I loaded my first 10 rounds for my 5-round revolver in about an hour, and was hooked. With a bit of practice, I could form and load one round in about 3 minutes. A hand press and dies are a luxury you don't actually need. Just the Lee Loader kit and a hammer.



You don't really needa case tumbler, either. It's nice to have, but not necessary, especially for straight-walled revolver cartridges. If the cases need cleaning, you can wipe them out with a bottle brush, or a piece of rag and a wooden stick! They don't need to look shiny and new, especially for a revolver.



Your setup makes perfect sense for loading a few rounds for a revolver. A great SHTF/backwoods survival kind of tool.

It, or a Lee Loader, would be madness to use to load a few hundred rounds of 9mm or .223 for a semi-auto.



And I don't see the need for getting a paper reloading manual these days; all the information is online. I ordered 5 different reloading manuals (for well over $100) because everyone told me they are "step 1" and essential, but only referred to them once or twice. YMMV

This post is inspiring and informational to a noob non-mounted press soon-to-be reloader like me lol. Thank you.

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[CheapBloke]

Years ago when I started reloading I was very fortunate in two ways. First, I was given a basic set-up by someone who bought it new and never really got into it. I was given a Lee Turret press, a powder measure, a manual, a set of 357/38 dies and a scale. Second, my BIL at the time had years of experience and set everything up and walked me through the steps. This was before the internet so I couldn't watch videos but having someone sitting next to me showing me what to do and answering all my dumb questions was invaluable. He also gave me calipers, a powder trickler, a case trimmer, and a bullet puller hammer.

So, like I said, I was very fortunate when I started reloading.

Is there a hidden message in there about pay-it-forward? Lol j/k.

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[bohoki]

yea i started out with the lee loader in 30 carbine but it was just so terrifying to hammer whack the case out of the die onto a primer

[tomrkba]

Upgrade to a Lee Turret press ASAP

I have one of these and gave up. I think it is good if you need 6 or 12 rounds the next day, but that is about it.

[GeeBee49]

Is there a hidden message in there about pay-it-forward? Lol j/k.

I was just lucky in the beginning. You're also lucky here because there are a lot of knowledgeable guys who are willing to help with suggestions and answer questions. You can see all of the replies so far.
Reloading is a lot of fun and it's rewarding to look at a box of fifty rounds that you made yourself. Then make fifty more, and fifty more, and fifty more...

[CheapBloke]

I was just lucky in the beginning. You're also lucky here because there are a lot of knowledgeable guys who are willing to help with suggestions and answer questions. You can see all of the replies so far.

Reloading is a lot of fun and it's rewarding to look at a box of fifty rounds that you made yourself. Then make fifty more, and fifty more, and fifty more...

Yes, I know that's why I asked here. I always assume CG members know more than me even if some don't.
I feel that it is always beneficial to be a student/learner in firearms world than to be or act like a master/pro.

Reloading, I will be taking it slow, as the 3 P's (as I just started to call them on this thread) is low and gouged nationally.
3 Ps: Primer, Powder, Projectile.
(If this term, 3Ps is already in use by reloaders, then looks like my mind is on somewhat right track; If the 3Ps is something you reloaders first heard then I call dibs and trademarking that sht lol).

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[GeeBee49]

Upgrade to a Lee Turret press ASAP
I have one of these and gave up. I think it is good if you need 6 or 12 rounds the next day, but that is about it.

I found the Lee Turret press to be very user friendly. I eventually ended up with several sets of dies and had the aluminum turret for each set making it very easy to switch from one caliber to another. You can go from one step to the next by simply rotating the turret. You never have to unscrew the dies.

[CheapBloke]

Here is an example of why I chose this hand press. Portability.

https://youtu.be/7kHgzkWoS64

Can't do this with mounted press.


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[Donny1]

As far as residue from fired cases I deprime with a universal depriming die, put cases in a solution of 3 parts water, 1 part vinegar, a couple drops of dish soap and some salt for 30 minutes, shaking or tumbling the container a couple times, longer than that will stain or dull them. Rinse, leave them in the sun to dry, or you can use the oven but my wife doesn't approve, then tumble for 2 hours. They look close to new. You can bypass the tumbling if you don't care about shinny cases, it is totally not necessary.

I don't like to run any dirty brass through my dies and this prevents most of the unhealthy residue from contaminating the tumbling media, although I still use a mask around the tumbler because any particulates in your lungs are not good.

My way is more work than other, but it's my way and you will find yours.

[CheapBloke]

What would be the easiest, cost-effective method to clean brass (reloading about 50 rounds per day/2-3 times a week) I see the dish soap/hot water/salt vinegar method the cheapest, but if I wanted to use a machine or gadget is ultrasonic cleaner cheapest for reloading small amounts here and there?

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[GeeBee49]

I always tumbled my brass before running it through my dies. I put the tumbler outside on the patio to avoid media dust or lead residue. I was a bit finicky when reloading and always cleaned the primer pockets after decapping. Overkill I'm sure but I just liked clean shiny brass.

[mikeyr]

I have one of those presses, I take it to the range when working up a load so I can handload a few rounds at a time and experiment, its great for that. For a regular load, it will work but you will be sore after a while. Not a good press for regular re-loading, although I have loaded hundreds of rounds on mine.
Read the manual that you were given the link for, watch a YouTube or 3 and you will be fine, start with low loads and work up.

[GeeBee49]

What would be the easiest, cost-effective method to clean brass (reloading about 50 rounds per day/2-3 times a week) I see the dish soap/hot water/salt vinegar method the cheapest, but if I wanted to use a machine or gadget is ultrasonic cleaner cheapest for reloading small amounts here and there?

I used a typical brass tumbler with walnut shell media. You load it up and walk away for a couple of hours. Notice my previous post where I said that I tumbled outside.

[CheapBloke]

I used a typical brass tumbler with walnut shell media. You load it up and walk away for a couple of hours. Notice my previous post where I said that I tumbled outside.

With dry tumblers, do you have to use a media separator after or is shake (off debris) and go an option?

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[kcheung2]

All of those gadgets are always an option, but I notice now that there's a definite equipment creep and you've moved away from a basic setup to test the waters to a dedicated setup with the corresponding demand in garage space.

So what exactly are your goals? Do you really want a cheap setup with minimal space, and no major cash commitment if you decide to stop? Or are you dedicated to reloading & you want equipment that will work with most production levels?