new to reloading

[Bulleh]

Lee's hand press costs about as much as a Lee single stage press. So, if cost is the driving factor, I'd suggest getting a regular single stage press. If compactness and portability is what you are going for, the Lee hand press is perfect. When I do small runs (100 rounds or less) of handgun shotshells, non-toxic hunting ammo and stuff like 32-20 and 25-20, I tend to take my time and just use my Lee hand press, Lee priming tool and a quality powder dispenser.

Thanks, cost is a factor, but not the defining one. I'm willing to spend around $250, but I was hoping to get at least 1lb of powder, some bullets and primer included as well. I have my own brass so that is not a problem. I'm considering a Lee's 1000 progressive press for .45ACP at the moment. The thing that's holding me back is I have a little ikea desk that looks like

I plan on re-enforcing it with some wood from Lowes. Probably a few 2x4's on the top and bottom. I still don't know if this is sturdy enough. What are your opinions?

If it's not going to be sturdy enough, I rather have the portability of the hand press.

[the foot]

Bulleh, you may need a significant upgrade on your IKEA reloading bench there. My first duty when I started reloading was making sure that I had a bench capable to the job.

Get some salvage 2x4's or 4x4's, build a frame that will fit your sitting height with you sitting on your stool, then put the heaviest top you can build (or afford) on top.

Home Depot has cutoff 2x4 and 2x6 scraps for almost nothing.

[bootcamp]

uhh...no ikea crap don't work, compressed wood dont work, laminate dont work, mdf dont work. Borrow a skillsaw and buy some lumber and nails

[CSACANNONEER]

The only Ikea piece that I'd consider using for a loading bench is the solid wood piece that I have in my kitchen. Your desk is 100% useless as a bench to mount a press on. I've mounted several different presses on 2"x6"s and 2"x8"s about 18" long. Then, when I need them, I just clamp them to a strudy place. I've used C clamps and bar clamps to mount them in all sorts of places. I've even loaded 50BMG match ammo using a press mounted this way and clamped to a shooting bench at the Boca Shooting Facility in the middle of nowhere. The bench was sturdier than anything at my place in Tahoe so, I used it. I've seen presses mounted to custom made adapters for class three trailer hitches too. But, your Ikea desk will not do!

[Lead Waster]

Actually I had a piece of wood that I mounted my Dillon 550b to, and I had another that my Rockchucker was mounted to. I used to then clamp that piece of wood to the kitchen counter. Your kitchen counter is not going to move! Any by piece of wood, I mean a 3/4" thick piece of plywood maybe 1.5' x 1.5 ' or so with some other 1x2 pieces under it both for rigidity and also because I used nuts and bolts (rather than screws) to mount the press to the wood. Then I used C clamps to clamp the wood to the counter.

Some people use a Black and Decker Workmate to mount their presses to! I wouldn't discount the Ikea desk just yet, but it's not the best solution.

[Bulleh]

Thanks guys, but I decided to go with the hand press for now.

I already know and will admit that I'm probably digging my own grave.

Hand press = more ammo = more range time = desire to shoot more = time to buy progressive.

It's undeniable, but I need to start somewhere lol.