TexasCHLforum.com

flechero wrote:

E.Marquez wrote:

Copperas Cove JT Sports

Thanks, will check them out next time I head west [/quote]
Hole in the wall shop well over stuffed.
They own the cleaners next store as well, and the building complex I believe.
Its family run operation and prices are generally slightly higher then Internet prices , and then with tax a bit higher still. But it is a brick and mortar store you can walk into, touch and feel product. They have a little of a lot, and a medium amount of what is common to them. You can hang out and chat for an hour buying nothing and get the same great service as if you walked in with a wad of cash pointing at three rifles on the wall for an easy sale.
I got luck on the price point for this purchase, it was unexpected and a pleasant surprise..Im sure they will make it up when I go back for more gear...lol

flechero wrote:

E.Marquez wrote: from local shooting supply store in my little town

In Kempner?? Do tell... very little to speak of in reloading over in the temple/belton area. I'm out that direction on occasion and would like to check it out next time.

Copperas Cove

JT Sports

rotor wrote:

E.Marquez wrote:Second round on target
Lee classic current press kit from local shooting supply store in my little town $215 out the door

That's less than the midway price

Does it have the newer type powder drop (Autodrum) or older Pro-Auto disk? Auto drum is far better in my opinion.

Auto drum, and they added a 4 pack Auto drum set for $15

Second round on target
Lee classic current press kit from local shooting supply store in my little town $215 out the door

That's less than the midway price

flechero wrote:

As for scales- the reviews are always hit or miss in digitals.

That is ground truth, all of them have a High and low of Best ever, recommend to all / worst ever junk. And its making the decision tough.

A beam scale has many advantages Id prefer, and one downside for me I cant get past.... reading it... Same reason I retired thousands of dollars of precision measuring Mics, calipers and dial gauges.... reading the marks, lines and dials was getting to time consuming and error prone.

The Gempro gets the same common high marks and poor review comments as all others, so Im just going to have to decide and buy something and see for myself.

Thanks for the response.

rotor wrote: It is easy to make it so that it doesn't index. Many people disable the index feature and rotate the turret by hand.

Ok, well it was a how question more then can you.. but Youtube saves the day...I see you have to partially index the turret and pull the rod up and out.
As for disabling the index feature while loading as a permanent plan...if that is what i wanted I would not buy an auto indexing press
I bought a RCBS rock chucker last night for $20 cash from Craigs list..and a decapper die this morning...
First shots fired......

rotor wrote:You really don't need a single stage press, just put your universal decapper in one of the turrets and use as a single stage..

The Lee Turret is an auto indexing design yes? How do you disable the auto indexing so the turret says on the decapper die with each pull of the handle?

rotor wrote: Frankford Arsenal DS-750

Thanks , though really looking for a 120v scale ], not battery.
So Dillon Precision 10483 D Terminator 900 Grain Electronic Scale 120 V has my eye right now.

rotor wrote: Turrets, buy a bunch and buy another riser as you probably will want a spare at least of one.

By a “bunch” Im assuming you mean one per caliber, not because they fail and I’ll need spares…yes?
The powder riser ..its just a machined part to extend height, no moving or wear parts that I can tell… What is the reason for a spare? Just to leave it screwed into the die and leave it set up when you remove the turret for storage of that set up caliber? Or do they fail in some way?

rotor wrote: Dies, I use Lee

Im apt to stay with Lee as I assume they work well with a Lee press and powder charger , ect. So unless there is a better mouse trap with another brand I’ll stick with Lee.

rotor wrote: Lee universal decapper die

Yup, looking for a cheap used single stage of any brand to mount and use with a de caper die, as I will be de priming before cleaning cases

rotor wrote: Primer system. I don't like Lee system on press but sometimes use it. I have a Redding universal hand primer

I’m going to try the Lee primer system but have read enough to get the idea its common for folks to bulk prime shells with a hand primer vice doing it in a single stage or turret for ease of use, comfort and convenience .

rotor wrote: Shell cleaning

I use a large, heated 25L Commercial Sonic Tank most every day now, its here, paid for, and I have great experience with it on cleaning gun parts, suspension parts and carburetors. Have cleaning soaps on hand that are safe for any material that cases will be made of.

rotor wrote: Books, I use Lee, Hornady, Speer and Lyman.

Thanks

rotor wrote: I use a case gauge with every caliber I reload- Lyman, Wilson.

Nice, I like, so add one gauge for each caliber .. The Sheridan case gauge looks interesting as well

rotor wrote: Powder dispenser,. You may want to order more inserts for pistol and rifle as once set they stay set.

That makes sense, though I can see that getting out of control real fast with having a lot of them…different guns, different powders, different bullets , different charge weights X x X x X = a lot of powder inserts to be marked, cataloged and stored…..

BUT if I find a load that really works for a specific rifle or pistol and know I will load it a lot, I can see storing the turret and dies in a box with the powder insert for that set up.

Thanks for the insight

mrvmax wrote:

G.A. Heath wrote:If you keep things simple you can load one cartridge at a time on a progressive press. So if you want to load in bulk then a progressive press is the best way to go from the start. Otherwise if you buy a single stage or turret press to learn and then get a progressive later then you're wasting money.

Not really, I see your point but there are times I prefer a single stage (like depriming since I do that prior to cleaning and when loading rounds like 375 H&H. It also comes in handy when you have a stuck case.

Im thinking a cheap used single stage with a decapping die is the plan... Because yes, i want to remove primers before cleaning

The list....I said in my last post "Kits" were out because they have items I don't want...but I just looked hard at the Lee Precision-Classic-Turret-Press

Lee was one of the brands I was looking at hard, along with RCBS and Hornady.. Reddings is a leader in the press brand wars for sure and others as well... but for a lot of reasons, mostly as there are just Soooo many options and recommendations for why ALL are the best had to narrow it down or a choice was never going to get made.

So if I start with the Lee Precision-Classic-Turret-Press kit, the only throwaway component is the scale....it can go on ebay for 50% MSRP and be gone in a few days Id guess.
The Lee classic Kit includes
Auto-Drum powder measure
Powder Measure Riser
Large and Small Safety Prime
4-Hole Turret
Case conditioning tools included, Cutter, Lock Stud, Chamfer Tool, small and large Primer Pocket Cleaner, Lee case sizing lube, Case Length Gauge.
Lee Safety powder scale.
Modern Reloading Second Edition
NOTE: Lots on the Internet about the priming system issues of the Lee turret, for those with this press, are those real issues? Real but fixed-able? Real and you no longer use the press priming system because of the issue?

Beiruty I think i found the Lee add on case ejector you have https://inlinefabrication.com/products/ ... e-rotation YES?
All the above and

o Lee Safety Prime
o Primer "turner"- are they all relatively the same? better or worse?
o Digital scale - Just a scale, not a charge trickle type..looking for fast power up and calibration, holds calibration, repeatability and 0.1 grain accuracy ... What do you use that meets those specs or better, or what would you recommend?
o Measuring calipers- I have on hand
o Case prep- Sonic tank now with the appropriate soap, if that does not get me where I want to go, then a wet tumbler with magnetic stainless steel pins. Something like RCBS Rotary Case Tumbler.
o 2nd and 3rd reloading book, I understand them to be like potato chips, you cant have just one....the Lee kit comes with theirs, what other two would you suggest?
o Shell holders for my 4 primary calibers (if not included in die set)
o Dies for my 4 primary calibers Lee 223 REM ULTIMATE DIE SET, Lee 4 Die Set Pistol for 45 ACP , .380 and 9mm . If not Lee, whose dies and why please.
o Powder??? ... 5.56 77 grain SMK from a 16" 1:7 barrel ??
o Primers I'll need rifle and pistol sized to fit my brass.. Brand...does it matter? CCI, Winchester , Federal, ect?
o Case lube..is spray the way to go? whose? if not spray, what.. whose?

What did i forget?
What would you add even if not required?
This whole plan is because I can not but the ammo I want reasonable, then after that the self reliance of building my own, lastly money..I hold no illusions that it will save me money, and may actually cost more to produce then buying off the shelf ammo in bulk. After setting up to do it, and learning how... I likely wont load much 9mm, that turret head and dies will get put up for a NEED some day. .380 I'll load occasionally as my wife does like to shoot her optional carry gun and that little stuff is price unless found on sale. .45 ACP, we will just see if it works out.
.338 WIN MAg, .338 Lapua, .300 BLK (don't own yet, but next rifle in SBR I'm getting) will be considered based on use and cost vs time invested.

Thanks all, this has been an education....and it is not done yet.

erik

One of the issues I am running into is the Kits are not really what i want...
Scales...reading a manual scale is too laborious for me, so I want a digital
Calipers, I have a draw full of precision measuring calipers, mikes and dial indicators, do not need a cheap caliper in the kit (the "best" reloading caliper from any of the reloading manufacturers is a mid grade at best compared to what a machinist uses and I already have)
Case prep...I want to go with a wet tumbler using SS pins if my sonic tank does not end up doing the job I think it will...so not case cleaning tool needed for now.
Powder measure,,,,in some kits the press gets high marks, but the powder measure has lots of complaints.

All that to say, I have decided to go the ala cart purchase method. More $$ I know, but it will be "cheaper" for me over all as I will not be wasting money on things I don't want, and still have to buy the type/brand I do want for that needed item.

As I expected, the recommendations on brand and style are all over the chart.. from Get a progressive you will shoot your eye out to I started on a started with a progressive and it was never an issue.. I thank one and all for the responses, they were all helpful.

That said..I've decided to go with a turret press for type, brand is yet undecided.
My next post will be a list of equipment with brand and model if known.

What I ask for is conformation I have have listed all the required and desired items of equipment.
And then opinion based suggestions if you have a suggestion of a different brand / model for the item I have listed.

Folks have brand X and its what the have and it works, but unless they have tried brand y and z, its not really accurate to say I have brand X and its the best...it is just the best they have used... run in to that a lot in the motorcycling world. So really appreciate those that have tried , say powder measures from Lee, Hornady, RCBS and opine the X is best, it does not leak powder like Y and has easier charge adjustment then Z and is more constant with charge weight then both the others.

Thank you all for your responses.

Beiruty wrote: Here are photos and videos of the LEE classic Turret with its update over time.
https://goo.gl/photos/rgtGdZGPo8i1SYZ18

1st thank you for the response, it was helpful..and I am getting ideas for sure...like the LED back lighting...I use LED lighting on many many of my machines, drill press to lathe, Mil and even my battery charging shelves.....so i like the idea of putting some strips in the press for precise lighting.

The automated "shell kicker" that advances with each cycle, is that a home made thing? Lee add on? or an after market item?

Erik

rotor wrote:I don't need to turn out thousands of rounds a month as some do. .

Well I don't either so there is that... I might set out to reload 500 ~1000 rounds in a sitting...but that would not be monthly. So perhaps a turret press is a better solution.
I have used a single stage to reload .338 win mag and 9mm after doing that few evenings an seeing the small pile for the effort, I decided hand loading was not for me.

I may still do a single stage for rifle calibers I shoot only a few times a year ...Then again I like the idea of setting up a turret for a specific caliber and knowing I can remove it as an assembly, store it for later use as is.....vice having to do set up each time on a single stage.

Ok, so....
If I was going to go for a turret press...which one?

crazy2medic wrote:I personally would not recommend a progressive press, reloading requires you be diligent and meticulous, a simple mistake can be disastrous, I have been reloading for close to 40yrs and I use a single stage press, but if you are going with a progressive press be very very careful!

Thanks for the feed back.
I "THINK" your referring to the larger number of things that can go wrong in a progressive due to many different steps happening with a single pull of the handle. And I get that..

Set up is exponentially more difficult as the variables are more numerous and the chance of even one adjustment or a worn part causing a bad batch until you catch it, or one of the more hazardous though rare events like a sideways primer being crushed and ignited..

If those are the type of things your not references, please clarify.

Set up is difficult, laborious and time consuming ..Got it.
Bad set up could lead to more then just a single damaged or incorrectly loaded round...Got it
What else are you inferring?


Im logical thinker and mechanical minded, have a decent eye for attention to detail, can follow instructions and set up procedures well even when they list ont critical steps and assume the person setting up will "know" intermediate steps.I will often not known what Im missing, just that there is a step or action missing between listed step 20 and 21. I also have a knack for notice something is "wrong" that others often do not "see" until it pointed out (in reference to mechanical things) so I think, Im reasonable prepared for success post training, practice and some trial runs...with close post reload inspection for dimensional data, crimp quality and location, plus pulling the bullet and confirming charge weight. id also likely have an experienced reloader inspect some completed rounds to confirm what i think Im seeing and measuring is accurate.
Still If Im missing something here, a concern I dont understand, please, post up..
Im a sponge, I know what I know, what I think I know, and understand I don't know enough yet.

Erik

OK, Yes I searched, but many of the posts I read are not recent, so perhaps there are better options, presses no longer available or recommended, issue prone ex.

So I ask the question again, please be gentle.

I am not finding what I want in ammo highly available for my new 5.56 rifle, so Im looking hard to finally starting to reload (Ive dabbed with others equipment).
I need a new "Hobby" like a new hole in my head..I don't have the dedicated space or time....and don't want to spread out discretionary funds.. BUT Im going to buy ammo anyway so after start up costs, $$$ expended to build ammo is a moot point...and this is more an means to an end, then a hobby I want.

Today, now...If I was to start loading immediately
I want to load a fair bit in a single setting I think this means a progressive machine.
I want to load rifle and pistol cartridges
In priority
I want to load 5.56 62grain FMJ non steel core bullets over a powder charge that will shoot well in a 1:7 twist 16" barrel
I want to load .45 230 grain FMJ over a powder charge that will approximate commercial ammo of the common training verity.
I want to load 9mm 115 grain FMJ over a powder charge that will approximate commercial ammo of the common training verity.

In the not so distant future I'll want to load .300 BLK for range use as well.

I think based on research a Dillon XL650 does all that without breaking the bank. I understand there is a host of options to go with it ($$$) and even more ancillary items and equipment needed from sonic cleaners (I have) tumblers, case trimmers, calipers (I have) book and guides that all add to the cost of start up.
And of course the cost of learning curve .....as I mess up and learn my my mistakes.


If this works out, I'll get a single stage to try hand loading .338 Win Mag,.338 Lapua, .300 win mag and maybe later .308 and 30.06..all calibers I already have and buy commercial ammo for now.