Henry Rifle Forums

Hey all, I am getting info on reloading and have settled on the Lee Hand Press. I will not be loading more than 100-200 rounds a month and this seems to be adequate. Plus, like others, I am short on space. The idea of sitting in my recliner, falling asleep with a box/tray in my lap is much more likely than a bench. I have read some of the input and done a lot of looking at different gear.

The current question is, it would seem that de priming and hand priming separately from the press might be smart. Removing the primer before cleaning the case allows for a cleaner primer pocket. Then, would the hand primer be faster than the press? It looks that way to me.

I will be working with 357 exclusively for some time. I want to add 32 S&W Long later. Maybe 9mm, but it is so cheap to buy.

Thanks for any input, this is such a great source.

different folks prefer tumbling the cases at one stage, others at a different stage ... years ago I found that if I deprimed and then tumbled the cases, media would get stuck in the hole between primer pocket and the area with the powder .... with each case having to be rechecked, we found it saved time to tumble the cases first, deprime the case and then install a new primer

Ok, that had not occurred to me. Will keep on cogitating. Is the corn cob/walnut media the way to go? What are alternatives? I read about SS, but that seems quite expensive for a start up small time gig.

we use walnut media but there are several things available that are reported to work well

I am like JEBar, I tumble them and then deprime. Makes sense to me since I have a Dillon 550 progressive. Once I load that case on the shell plate, I am just going to roll. Plus, I don't really see the benefit (or I guess conversely the downside) of cleaning the primer pocket. I have never heard a convincing argument of how that is going to enhance the performance of my reloads.

I have read that walnut is better, but have not found any locally so I just use corn cob. I have also read some who use a 50/50 mixture of the two.

Thanks guys. Enough for tonight. Will check back soon.

I put a top on a work mate and I been ammo on it for about 30 years . So I could watch TV in ac . My lube sizer for lube bullets and shotgun loader bolts on and off this table and it folds up . I have a big work bench in the garage I never use . I have more pic if you want to see them .

I have used the Lee hand loader. It is a great way to get started in reloading, and makes a great portable unit for those who want to put something together at the range. For normal reloading, I would recommend getting started with a bench mounted press. If space is short, consider mounting the press to something that can easily be temporarily mounted to a stationary surface. The Workmate solution makes a lot of sense as well. The bench mounted presses are much easier on the body and far more robust devices. If you like Lee presses, I suggest sticking with the classic series. Much more robust, and normally not that much more money than the aluminum Challenger series. The linkage is heavier on most of the classic series presses I have seen.

You don't have to tumble cases. As long as they aren't gritty dirty, IE just powder residue rather than gritty dirt from the ground, you can just reload them as is. You can also hand wash them in a bucket with hot water, Dawn detergent and Lemi shine if desired. Be sure and rinse and allow to dry thoroughly. They won't be polished shiny, but they will be clean, and will shoot just fine. Small sonic wet cleaners do a good job, and take up less real estate, if you want to go the powered route.

Clovishound, after watching Hickok talk about reloading 10 times without cleaning, I think your hand wash sounds like a good way to start. And, yeah, eventually a bench mounted press will be the way to go. For now, the Lee is a small, inexpensive beginning. It looks like about $250 for everything needed for 100 rounds. After that, just new bullets. Looking forward to learning a new hobby.

I have been fly fishing for about 18 years now. Have never tied a fly. The time spent outside in the river was all I needed. This, shooting, is going to be much more involved. I am excited about it.

Again, thanks everyone.

Jim

Here is more pics

Just something to consider. The Breech Lock Reloader is a Single Stage Press that can be allot faster than the hand held press. Just some food for thought. Plus, it's on sale right now from Midsouth shooters supply.

Breech Lock Reloader Single Stage Press On Sale: $33.99
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... tage-Press

Breech Lock Hand Press Price: $34.45
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... and-Press-

Rugerfanboy wrote:Just something to consider. The Breech Lock Reloader is a Single Stage Press that can be allot faster than the hand held press. Just some food for thought. Plus, it's on sale right now from Midsouth shooters supply.

Breech Lock Reloader Single Stage Press On Sale: $33.99
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... tage-Press

Breech Lock Hand Press Price: $34.45
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/i ... and-Press-

This kit is a better deal than the single stage press that I linked to.

Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Kit On Sale $113.99
http://ads.midwayusa.com/product/121744 ... -press-kit