My loading stuff.

[Squatch]

I thought I'd post my simple set up for those looking to get started. Just a clear space and an old stout kitchen table.


I mounted my powder measure and press on a chunk of vinyl deck board I had laying around. This way it can easily be moved or removed for gun cleaning on the table ect. Attached with a C-clamp. I tried the press last night for the 1st time and the set up works well.


I pretty much just have the RCBS Rockcrusher kit. To that I added.
A powder measure stand and a baffle.
A cheap digital scale to supplement and check the beam scale.
Vernier caliper.
RCBS powder trickler.
RCBS Dies.
I have carbide dies for 45 acp, 44mag/spl, and non carbide 45/70.
I contacted RCBS and got the cowboy expander plugs for lead bullets for 44 mag in .430 and 45/70 in .459. They said that is the only difference between regular dies sets and the fancy "Cowboy Dies" for reloading lead. The fancy sets have a color case hardened finish as well!


The brown paper in the box is anti corrosion paper. Same stuff your new Henry came wrapped in.

[Sir Henry]

Hey nice avatar!

[JEBar]

you can't go wrong with RCBS equipment .... we have been using a Rockcrusher since the mid '60's .... there is absolutely no telling how many tens of thousands of rounds it has loaded .... as this is being typed it is boxed up to move from our son's home in St Louis back to NC ... when it gets back home it will be setup and go back to work

[Squatch]

Hey nice avatar!

Thanks!

[Catherine]

Nice set up!

Cate

[Owly]

You'll never regret buying good equipment. You're well on your way now.

[Squatch]

Thanks, So far everything has been easy to work with and set up as long as I take my time.

[CT_Shooter]

...as long as I take my time.

... and avoid distractions of any kind.

[adirondack]

Very nice start. Soon you will have case trimmer, tumbler...etc. Its much better than getting " ties" for your birthday and x-mas! Be sure to keep a good log book of all rounds loaded for future reference. There are so many variation of powder, bullet , case and primer, OAL etc. combinations. When you find the "magic bullet" so to speak you will have it forever. I recently purchased a chrony after years of reloading and its such a great tool for load development. I wished I had spent the $100 a long time ago.

[Squatch]

I've already got the tumbler. I got that along with the Rockchucker kit from my wife and son for Christmas. I polished up all my years of brass weeks ago. That's posted on the old site. I have the handheld Lee case trimmers for each caliber I'll reload. And I bought a chrono not long ago as well. I spent the winter collecting most everything I'll need. The little additions help a lot.

[Nam Vet]

I shoot just so I can reload. It's a very relaxing hobby. Welcome to our addiction.

[Neon Horse]

Nice setup. I reload in my basement on a table I built on a work table frame. Your setup is much cleaner than mine though! I need to fix that before I can resume reloading.

[Squatch]

Thanks. I've been spending a lot of time down there lately. A little more space would be nice but so far it's working. One issue is the beam scale. I wear progressive lenses in my glasses. So the scale needs to be near eye level when I'm sitting or it's hard to read. So far I've got it sitting on a couple of large chunks of oak. As in 4'x10"x14". One flat one on edge. Just enough room for the scale and the powder trickler. It works well but takes up bench space. I'll probably get around to making a stand of some sort.

I have a decent digital scale and use that as well. But it can make you a little crazy. So precise that the weight changes just because you held your mouth wrong or scratched your eye brows.

Because I'm just getting started and the powder I'm using doesn't meter the best I'm weighing every charge.

[CT_Shooter]

Because I'm just getting started and the powder I'm using doesn't meter the best I'm weighing every charge.

I'm new at this, too. I've been reloading for about two years.

I've found that with my Lee Powder Measure, Hodgdon H110 does not meter well. The powder is so fine and fluid that the measure leaks. When I used it, I had powder granules all over the loading bench that should have been dropped in the case. So, I don't use it for that powder anymore. Instead, I made a dipper from a 9mm brass case that holds exactly the weight I want to use for .357 158 grain JSPs. And, I don't weigh it. It's a consistent and accurate volume; so I just use it.

Alternatively, my powder measure is quite accurate with Hodgdon Universal, which I use for .357 125 grain JSPs. Before each loading session, I dump 10 loads into the pan and weigh it. If ten rounds averages + or - .1 grain, which it always does, I just start reloading. But I do throw those ten charges first and weigh it every time.

I would like to shoot through a chronometer to know precisely the velocity of my reloads when fired from both my pistol and my rifle. As it is, I have to rely on data from Hornady and Hodgdon to let me know what I should approximately expect, and trust it's right.

[Squatch]

I paid less than $100 for my chrono and it had good reviews. I've found the info quite enlightening.

I've posted some of that here on the forum.

[pruger45]

Everything looks to be un-used?

[Squatch]

Lightly used so far. I just got set up over the winter. Been loading as needed since.