Im now reloading + my setup

[AdidasCJ]

So I finally made the jump into getting my own reloading setup going. As i have been reading alot of how too's. While reading it have learned that it isnt that hard as long as you are smart about it. Altho i have read that the .40 isnt the best for a first time reloader. But have understand that it isnt any harder then any other caliber.

I went with a Lee Pro 1000 turret press. I know, not the best press but so far its doing well and very smooth. Now i dont have a garage to set my stuff up in so i decided with the help of my dad to build a reloading station if you will. Here is some pictures.

How the day started:


Framed up


Stained with "Gun Stock"


Before the press with counter top


All together


It is 3ft wide, 2ft deep, and 3ft tall. it stands alone so i can move it. The safe is an extra floor safe i had sitting around so i put it in the storage are and have the primers and powder in there. I also put a hole in the middle of the mounting of the press that drops the expelled primers into a small bucket.

I also have my great grand fathers OLD hornday single stage rifle press that i need to give a little TLC to and ima mount it to the bench too. As i got 30.06 30.30 300win 7mm dies with it.

Now i need to get more brass and bullets and im IN BUSINESS!

[Fjold]

Looks great, I like the idea of the hole in the top for the primer drop. I used to unbolt mine and spill spent primers all over the place for years.

[gottarollwithit]

Cool setup!

Dunno how well the updated Lee turret presses work, but my old one flings spent primers out in random places every few rounds. The stuff can make a mess when indoors and on carpet...

[AdidasCJ]

Here is a picture of my little bucket that cost me all of .98 from Lowes.




And i havnt had a primer end up on the floor yet. Catching them within itself fairly well

[Dark Mod]

Nice setup! even nicer that you can do it in your house!

[Cowboy T]

Cool setup. And don't worry about the Pro 1000 not being the "best" press. For turning out lots of handgun ammo, it's pretty good. One of mine now has well over 20,000 rounds on its clock.

Eventually you'll need to clean out the primer feed system. When you do, check out my videos on the subject at my Web site (it's in my sig). There's a detail strip/clean and a "field" strip/clean. Most of the time, the field strip/clean is all you need. However, about every 10,000 to 15,000 rounds or so, it's good to do the full version.

Also, a little 5W-30 motor oil on the ram will keep that part running smoothly. You don't need much, just a *thin* coat.

- T

[grant22]

NICE!!!

[bruceflinch]

Smart Guy!
I'll send you some extra brass. pm inbound.

[AdidasCJ]

Cool setup. And don't worry about the Pro 1000 not being the "best" press. For turning out lots of handgun ammo, it's pretty good. One of mine now has well over 20,000 rounds on its clock.

Eventually you'll need to clean out the primer feed system. When you do, check out my videos on the subject at my Web site (it's in my sig). There's a detail strip/clean and a "field" strip/clean. Most of the time, the field strip/clean is all you need. However, about every 10,000 to 15,000 rounds or so, it's good to do the full version.

Also, a little 5W-30 motor oil on the ram will keep that part running smoothly. You don't need much, just a *thin* coat.

- T

Thanks! i saw your videos as i was looking at the workings of the Lee Press.

Smart Guy!
I'll send you some extra brass. pm inbound.

Thank You so much good sir!

[ns3v3n]

I have the same press but mine is just mounted on my $20 ikea table top. Didnt want to drill any holes into it so I got some Paper phenolic planks and mounted it and C clamp it to my table. I figured when the spent primer pocket fill up, I can just vaccuum it out using a hose. But your table is alot nicer.

[Linkpimp]

The only thing I caution you about is your setups on Carpet!.. Please don't attempt to vacuum up your spilled powder.. and yes you will spill powder, we all do.. There is HIGH probability that you vacuum will catch fire.. Any sparks from the vacuum will set it off.. If you need to vacuum, use a shop vac. Other than that it looks great and I wish you many, many years of trouble free reloading..

Link

[damndave]

Awesome! Great job. You will learn fast how addicting reloading is.

Just a headsup. I would move it back some from the couch when reloading. Crud gets all over the place when decapping and also there WILL be spilled powder.

Other than that you look good to go. Just do it carefully and you shouldn't have any issues. When you feel something that isn't right, just back off and inspect.

[Fyathyrio]

Powder + primers + closed safe = potential bomb. Carpet static plus metal = potential ignition spark. You may want to make one out of wood instead with a loose fitting cover.

[fabguy]

Powder + primers + closed safe = potential bomb. Carpet static plus metal = potential ignition spark. You may want to make one out of wood instead with a loose fitting cover.

excellent point.....other than that it looks great

[AdidasCJ]

Thanks guys! And the Vacuum clean up i use a shop vac. I learned YEARS ago that you sweep it or shopvac it up.

And i had not thought about the safe bomb. i was auctally thinking the other way that it would keep it from un intended spark.

As for today i went out for some target shooting. (I needed some brass) so i collected it all back up and plus some that was out there. and made my first 150 bullets. This thing is SMOOTH! Only issue i had was i didnt pay attention to the primer feed when it got low and got one without a primer, and YEP powder spill. I just got into the motion. I could sit there with the TV or some music on and just crank away!

I need to get me another one of these for the .223 so i can reload my AR too!



1.12in in length, 5.0g powder load with a 180g bullet, and Winchester primers.