planning on getting a LEE Hand Press what else do i need?

[Bruce3]

So im planning on getting a Lees hand press for reloading 223. i would get a regular table press but thats out of the question right now. so i know i need to get dies, primer tool, case trimmer, scale, calipers, and components for the bullets them selves. is there anything else im missing?

[Blwnbwtie]

powder measure, reloading trays, bullet puller, thats all i can really think of off the top of my head

[rksimple]

In addition to above, tumbler, shellholder (different for priming tool), case lube, and a chamfer tool. There are some other fun things to have, but most aren't absolutely necessary.

[Spaceghost]

Lee primer pocket cleaner might come in handy, at 2 or 3 bucks it's a steal.

[pklin1297]

I currently run a Lee Breech Lock table press and while it is great and very convenient to switch between operations, resizing a .223 is still a chore and require some force... I can't imaging the force required for a hand press... I don't have the table press bolted to the table but just C-Clamped it and workes without movement.

What is preventing you from using a table press?

[Bruce3]

a good work table however i just found out they sell portable reloading stands over at midway for under $50 so that might not be too bad

[rksimple]

a good work table however i just found out they sell portable reloading stands over at midway for under $50 so that might not be too bad

When I was in a small apt, I bolted my press to a piece of wood that I then c clamped to the kitchen table. It worked very well. The midway stand is pretty good. I use one during the winter months when its too cold in the garage.

[Sampachi]

I use the hand press in conjunction with a small jeweler's vice. Makes it a little easier to get a handle on it.
There is also a nice little case brush you can get for cleaning out the interior of a cartridge.

[rustydog]

You can get the Lee powder dippers instead of a scale to save some money.
Case trimmer, for 223 you can put off for a couple of reloading cycles.
Spray on lube for resizing. Shoe box for spraying.

I have many presses, but I use the hand press more often then not. I can sit in front of the TV and reload to my hearts content.

[ar15barrels]

You can get the Lee powder dippers instead of a scale to save some money.

Don't scrimp that much.
Get a scale.
Only Lee works in CC's.
Everyone else specifies loads in grains.

[hybridatsun350]

I reload .308 with my Lee hand press and it isn't too bad at all. The idea I had in my mind when I bought my hand press was it's use even after I buy a new press. Even if I go to a nice bench-mount press I could still use the hand press to do some loading out in the field (possible load development).

[Builder]

Get a scale.

Ok, Randall, I've got the Dillon digital scale and currently measure each load. This is quite time consuming, so is there a better way but still staying accurate?
Thanks,
Builder

[ar15barrels]

Ok, Randall, I've got the Dillon digital scale and currently measure each load. This is quite time consuming, so is there a better way but still staying accurate?
Thanks,
Builder

You could quit using a scale and just use a good powder measure.
You have to realistically define how accurate the ammo needs to be.
Benchrest shooters don't weigh charges and they shoot groups in the 0.2" range quite commonly.

Personally, I use a regular Dillon powder measure when I load my 308 match ammo.
Perhaps weighing charges would make the groups smaller, but I don't shoot groups.
I just need to hit what I am aiming at and that's usually 1MOA or larger so the Dillon measure works fine for me.

If you want to weigh charges, get one of the automatic powder dispensers that fills the scale pan for you and stops at the right weight.

[Sampachi]

I've used the Lee powder measures and have no trouble with them. They make a slide ruler for figuring out grain measurements. Also, eBay is a good source for cheap, accurate digital scales.
If you must go cheap, I've heard that Pam nonstick spray makes a good spray on case lube.

[rksimple]

Ok, Randall, I've got the Dillon digital scale and currently measure each load. This is quite time consuming, so is there a better way but still staying accurate?
Thanks,
Builder

Even with good powder measures, long grain extruded powders can give +/- .5 grain (some are better than others). It'll still be plenty accurate in the short range, but beyond 600 yards or so, the effects will be seen. If you don't plan on doing anything past 600 or so, then don't worry about it. Drop it straight from the measure and go. Or if you're using a ball powder, it'll be pretty cosistent from the measure anyway.

Benchrest shooters don't weigh charges and they shoot groups in the 0.2" range quite commonly.

Plenty of benchresters weigh charges. If you want to save some time (and hassle) doing it, get something like a chargemaster or Lyman DPS. The new DPS is supposed to be pretty quick. Here are some benchresters talking about it:

http://benchrest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51973