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October 7, 2007, 02:35 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 9, 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 227
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Thinking about reloading on a small scale
OK here is my situation, I have gotten into shooting 45 Colt,44 Mag/Spec, and 454 Casull over the last couple of years and well, ammo ain't cheap and it is not easy to find. The finding issue is the real push here. Also I read all the folks talking about the Keith style loads and well I can't afford the custom loads but would like to run some myself. I was thinking about the very basic Lee Loader kits. Could I get decent results out of those or should I just "Man up" and get a press? Time and space are at a premium too around here. I am not looking to load tens of thousands of rounds....yet. Just looking to increase my shooting fun without worrying as much about costs.
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October 7, 2007, 02:48 PM | #2 |
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Join Date: June 10, 2007
Location: Minot, ND
Posts: 115
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If you're looking at a small Lee Loader then I would just go ahead and spend the extra $40 and get the Anniversary Kit. It comes with everything you need to get started as far as equipment goes, except maybe a dial caliper. The press will save you ALOT of time; even on small batches.
You won't be disappointed. While you're at it go ahead and order a led pot and some bullet molds if you're concerned about being cost effective. With eBay shutting down anything related to gun/ammuniton sales I don't see reloading being much cheaper than the store bought (with the calibers I shoot), so don't think you'll save any money in the short run. A few years/and a few thousand reloads down the road if you've been counting pennies the cost savings might become apparent, but by then you'll have spent hundreds of dollars more- on more and more reloading equipment since at that point you're sure to be addicted. |
October 7, 2007, 03:40 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: January 9, 2001
Location: Oregon
Posts: 227
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Thanks for the heads up on the Anniversery Kit!! Looks like just what I need Gonna check out some local dealers and see if I can't save on shipping but me thinks I am gonna stop leaving brass in the bucket at the range
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October 7, 2007, 04:25 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 10, 2007
Location: Minot, ND
Posts: 115
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I don't know if you have a Sheels AllSports there in Oregon, but they carry the Lee Anniversary Kit. I'm pretty sure it's overpriced, but would probably be the same ammount as adding shipping from somewhere online.
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October 7, 2007, 05:33 PM | #5 |
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Join Date: September 17, 2005
Location: Youngtown Arizona
Posts: 1,135
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I was lookin at one in Cabelas for $69.
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October 7, 2007, 11:05 PM | #6 |
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Join Date: August 6, 2006
Location: Republic of Texas
Posts: 506
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I loaded about (175) 45 Long Colts this weekend. I use a 30+ year old Rock Chucker with Deluxe Lee die sets. I do single stage, a few steps at a time. There are 6 steps to my reloading, size, expand, prime, add powder, seat bullet, and then use the factory crimp die. I spread the steps out over a weekend day and I do not get tired or bored doing it for a long time in one sitting.
I use an RCBS powder measure for the volume reloads of Unique powder for general purpose loads and I handweigh with a 5-0-5 scale the hotter WW 296 loads. I squeezed in about (70) .357 158 grain GP loads too so this weekend I turned out close to (250) reloads. Not a bad small volume weekend production.
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October 8, 2007, 11:16 PM | #7 |
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Join Date: June 17, 2007
Posts: 680
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Bill-
If you opt for the Lee Anniversary kit (I did, and it has served my modest needs perfectly), Lee now offers that kit with their new Breech Lock Challenger press (http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpag...744&t=11082005,) for quick change of dies. For single-stage loading, this can be a real time saver. EDIT: Forgot to mention that Lee also improved the spent primer catching on this press, a much needed improvement. |
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