How do you hand load?
#1025724
08/06/15 01:04 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 12,736
gun dog
OP
Junk Yard Dog
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OP
Junk Yard Dog
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So I've been throwibg around the idea of hand loading. What would I need to hand load 9mm .40S&W .223/5.56 and 7.62/.308?
What would I need to buy to have a fully operational loading bench? How much would it cost to start up roughly?
Any day I'm above the grass and I'm not a zombie is a good day! JYD#138
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Re: How do you hand load?
[Re: gun dog]
#1025726
08/06/15 03:39 AM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 116,147
SkunkHunter
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Junk Yard Dog
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Dies of course in the appropriate calibers.
9mm 40S&W 223/5.56 are the same of course 7.62/308 once again are the same
You could go with a single station reloading press set up or if you REALLY get into shooting a progressive setup would be the way to go. Either way you are going to have some start up costs that you will not have to repeat once you get them (Dies, press, scales, powder measure... IF you do get into reloading make yourself (Or buy) a sturdy bench. I would recommend if making one, to use nothing but 4x4 for the main frame and deck it with 2x4s. It needs to be strong, the press will put a LOT of stress on the bench.
A Little Paranoia Will Keep You Safe (ALPWKYS) Be a Sheepdog JYD#105
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Re: How do you hand load?
[Re: gun dog]
#1025730
08/06/15 09:00 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 25,595
DogTired
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Junk Yard Dog
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Everyone has their favorites, buy you can get a Lee single stage press fairly cheap. Sometimes, you can even get a discount for first time loaders. They are by far and away the least expensive. An rcbs single stage is much pricier by comparison. can check and see if I have a coupon in my reloading manual for you if you want.
Dies will run between 30-60. You also need a primer pocket cleaning tool, a sizing stem for trimming your brass, and a chamfering tool. Those are all fairly cheap, but can get pricey for automatic doodads. I think you will probably want an autofeed primer tool--$30-40 from Lee I believe--that fits in the press and feeds primers in. You also need a powder scale, powder measure (either scoops or something that throws a charge for you), and a set of clipers to measure your cartridges' overall lengths, as well as a bottle of case lube to prevent brass from sticking to the dies. A case tumbler is good to have but not necessary for first timers.
Then you just need powder, primers, brass and bullets.
JYD #126 Super JYD #13
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin
"A free people ought to be armed."
- George Washington
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Re: How do you hand load?
[Re: gun dog]
#1025731
08/06/15 10:11 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 12,736
gun dog
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Junk Yard Dog
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OP
Junk Yard Dog
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Ok. I shoot probably 300 rounds of 9mm a month give or take And about the same for .556 I saw hornady has starter kits but idk if they are any good. Would it be worth the cost to go ahead and jump to a progressive? I heard some guys say that hornady had a quick change volley system so you can swap from reloading one round to another with ease.
Any day I'm above the grass and I'm not a zombie is a good day! JYD#138
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Re: How do you hand load?
[Re: gun dog]
#1025756
08/07/15 07:25 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,917
Andy the Aussie
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My personal opinion is that you should start with a quality single stage press (Rockchucker is my favourite) and the basics around that. This tool will serve you for life. You need to understand the principals of what you are doing and what you can or can't achieve when you start loading. You don't do that on a progressive. By all means get one later but start properly and learn what it is about.
I am about to go out to the cave and load some .375H&H, I will use the Rockchucker that I got as a 14th birthday present. I am 46 now...
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Re: How do you hand load?
[Re: gun dog]
#1025760
08/07/15 08:03 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 12,736
gun dog
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Junk Yard Dog
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OP
Junk Yard Dog
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Any day I'm above the grass and I'm not a zombie is a good day! JYD#138
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Re: How do you hand load?
[Re: gun dog]
#1025765
08/07/15 08:41 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 19,565
Ray Settanta
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Good advice from Andy. I used my Rockchucker for over 20 years and learned a lot about handloading from it. I bought a Dillon progressive when I went from shooting 100 rounds in a match twice a month to going through 500 rounds and up every weekend in competitive matches. I still use the single-stage Rockckucker for all my bolt actions and for small batches for some others.
JYD #182
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Re: How do you hand load?
[Re: gun dog]
#1025773
08/07/15 10:49 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,879
ColdOne
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Another vote for rockchucker here.
Back in my 6mmBR days I had a whee bit of Rockchucker gear. Suggestions: Get a trickler. None of that random powder charge garbage! Micrometer dies! Some folks fail to realise the effect a few thousands OAL can have on case pressure and muzzle vels.. No coffee when loading. This one hurt. Amazing how much a stable hand helps with the trickler for very small powder quantities..
End result when I was playing was sub-1/4 MOA groupings. Every bit count!
JYD#10 Blade '08 - I challenge coined Dan Busse and WON! Blade '10 - The score is now 2-0!
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Re: How do you hand load?
[Re: gun dog]
#1025775
08/08/15 12:31 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,917
Andy the Aussie
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Junk Yard Dog
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...... yeah I am always surprised I have lived this long as well...!!
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Re: How do you hand load?
[Re: gun dog]
#1025776
08/08/15 01:26 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 7,098
greaser
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Junk Yard Dog
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As far as cost goes to get started you can be up and running for as little as a few hundred to the sky is the limit if you are a fan of blue. I am not brand myopic so I have a mixture of gear and probably 7 grand into supplies and gear but I can also make enough ammo for a small army in all of my calibers. LOL As my girlfriend says if a cup is good a 5 gallon bucket is better.
JYD#176 "dein Gott schickte mich zu zerstören" "Sic semper evello mortem Tyrannis" "Sometimes the chance of a zombie outbreak is the only reason I need to make many of my life's Decisions." General Delivery
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Re: How do you hand load?
[Re: gun dog]
#1025787
08/08/15 09:57 AM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 25,595
DogTired
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Junk Yard Dog
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Like I said, everyone has a favorite brand. I've been using the same Lee single stage press for 20 years, and have a handpress and Lee dies for a 300H&H that I inherited from my grandfather to go along with the rifle. My dad runs a Lee progressive and I have a Lee Three Stage press. His works well; its taken some frustration for me to figure out how to get the three stage to time properly, but don't know what's me vs what's the machine I've got some Hornady dies and some gear by other manufacturers, but generally had good luck with Lee products. I know a lot of folks will trash them....never understood why though. As has been said, you can get in for as little as $200, or as much as you want to spend.
JYD #126 Super JYD #13
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin
"A free people ought to be armed."
- George Washington
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Re: How do you hand load?
[Re: gun dog]
#1025855
08/11/15 10:55 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 12,736
gun dog
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Junk Yard Dog
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OP
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Considering I will be bouncing between 2-4 different rounds the hornady collet system looks handy I saw the hornady Classic lock-n-load Kit for as little as $249.99 The deluxe kit for $378 not sure if it's worth the extra for the deluxe package. What do you guys think?
Any day I'm above the grass and I'm not a zombie is a good day! JYD#138
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