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Posted: 5/8/2011 10:04:51 AM EDT
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I want to augment my shooting with a reloading setup but I don't want to go very fancy here.
To start out I was thinking of a LEE hand press since I don't have place to currently put a bench. Lee dies as well. What kind of loads can I work up with the Lee die set and the included powder scoop? I am only interested in putting together .223 62 grain FMJ ammo so the powder scoop seems like it would simplify things. No scale, no powder measure... just the right powder and one full scoop. Any problems going this route to test the waters so to speak? Thanks! |
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How much powder (weight) is in that one full scoop? Do you know if that amount is a safe load in your rifle?
For the most part, a press is a press. Any of them will make accurate ammo. Same thing with dies. What keeps you safe as a reloader is the ability to use your brain and the ability to measure powder. The only way for you to measure powder is with a scale. With a scale and a scoop, you can develop a safe load and then develop your technique to scoop the same amount every time. The scoop needed to do this might not be the scoop that comes with your Lee dies, you may have to buy a full set of scoops. Feeding an AR with a Lee hand press will be a challenge. You're probably looking at a 12:1 or worse loading time to shooting time, and that's assuming you carefully aim every shot and really take your time shooting. At this point in time, unless you place zero value on your time or shoot very infrequently, buying cheap bulk ammo will keep you shooting affordably. |
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Well time isnt so much a problem. My weekend consists of watching my 8month old while my wife works Sat and Sun. Lots of SPROUT on TV and dad doing little things inside the house.
I simply want to reload some of these spent cases I have been saving over the years. :) |
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For some time, I had my RCBS Rockchucker bolted to a 3 ft. long 2x6 that I C-clamped to the kitchen table. That works fine if you don't have a better spot. It just takes a little extra time to set up and put away. Works a lot better that the hand press IMHO. As far as presses, buy whatever you can afford. Lee makes some great affordable presses. If you're going to be reloading rifle rounds, I would avoid their 'pot metal' presses. Whenever possible, go with the 'buy once, cry once' method of choosing your equipment. If your finances allow, I would look for one of the cast iron presses from Lee, RCBS, Redding, etc. Whatever press you start with, just do it. You won't regret getting started down this road.
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Quoted:
To start out I was thinking of a LEE hand press since I don't have place to currently put a bench. La, la, la........ Any problems going this route to test the waters so to speak? Thanks! Nope. It's entirely possible to load ammo the way you have described. Now for the story................ I started with a used single station press. After years of experience, with the single station I graduated to a Dillon progressive press. Somewhere along the way, I bought a LEE hand press. I thought, I could get some simple re-loading in, during breaks at work.
So, having owned and used one (LEE hand press) with .308 Win........well, let's just say it wasn't RIGHT for ME. So, I sold it off. If it's your FIRST PRESS..........I'd stay away from it. That's just, MY OPINION. It's just so much faster and easier to use a regular single station bench mounted press. It can be mounted on a scrap 2" x 8" then C clamped to a bench or table. And, the cost of a single station isn't that much, over the hand press. Then.........there was this guy with "problems" with his hand press. It came down to the FACT that he wasn't re-sizing his brass "all the way." Yes, it takes some MUSCLE POWER to get those handles together all the way, to F/L re-size brass in the larger calibers. I suspect that, if he had used a regular single station bench mounted press, he would have benefited by the extra leverage. And, not to mention, the balancing act while bullet seating can be difficult with the hand press. BTW........checkout this set up if you really are hooked on the "handpress." Ammo can set up............. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=363325 And........ Assuming that you purchased a LEE hand press kit.
Basically (For non-primer crimped, rifle brass): 1) Inspect and clean the cases- a liquid bath in hot water and dish soap, will get them clean. Though, not shiny. IF you want, clean with some shine……Birchwood Casey Case Cleaning Solution is a fast and cheap way. Mix with water (follow the directions on the package) soak the brass, drain and dry. Save the solution as it can be re-used. 2) Set up your hand press with the shell holder and de-capper/FL re-sizer die. 3) Lube the cases. LEE lube can be applied with fingers. 4) Then, de-cap/re-size the brass. 5) Purchase a cheap Wilson style case gauge. Gauge the case(s) to ensure that the proper F/L re-size has been achieved. The headstamped end of the brass needs to be at or between the high and low cuts on the gauge to pass. IF the brass passes, it's on to the next step. IF not, adjust your die setting. BTW, the other end of the gauge, also checks IF you need to trim the brass. 6) Trim the brass IF needed. The cheapest way, is with the LEE case trimmer. You'll need to purchase the cutter & lock stub. And the case length gauge with special shell holder. Once the trimming is done, use a chamfer tool (another new purchase item) to "knock off the edge" on the newly cut case necks. 7) Clean off the lube. A solvent dampened rag or another soak in the case cleaner. Make sure the cases are dry before proceeding to the next step. 8) Re-prime the cases. Use the tools that you got with the LEE hand press kit. Or purchase the LEE auto prime hand tool. You'll also need the special LEE shell holder made especially for the LEE auto prime. 9) Using the supplied LEE dipper w/load data sheet, you can measure out the recommended powder charge and drop the powder into the primed case. *Although the powder dipper method (included in your kit) is usable. For safety and faster production, most folks will purchase a hopper style measure and scale (not included in the kit). Remember to make “spot checks” on your powder throws. 10) Next, screw in the bullet seating die into your press. Place a bullet on top of the opening of the case neck. Careful, don’t spill the powder. Then, run the case w/bullet into the bullet seating die. You're done. NOTE: There are many ways to skin a cat. I wrote that, keeping in mind A CHEAP WAY to do things. BUT, that being said.............my I offer an alternative? Buy a used press (they are usually deeply discounted) and clamp it to a bench. Checkout these small apt. set ups.............. http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=42&t=270700 Course.........it's your money........choose wisely. Aloha, Mark |
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I know where your coming from.
Keep it simple. No high volume expectations. Problem is the advice you'll get wants to complicate your objective. Understood. Let me simplify. I have a back pack I used to take with me on travel. It's more a range set-up now. It consists of 1 Lee hand press. 1 scoop. 1 Frankford Arsenal digital scale. 1 can Imperial Case Wax lube. 1 hand chamfure tool. 1 hand primer pocket tool. 1 Universal loading block. Next I throw in primers, bullets and powder. Your kidding yourself thinking you might operate without a scale. Spend $35.00 om MidwayUSA item number, 175512. scale Don't let anyone tell you different. Production grade ammunition is easy to make with this set-up. Add match grade dies and now you have a match grade set-up. You don't need Gorilla armstrength to size rifle brass. You do need good lube. My scoop throws under designated charge, then trickle to charge weight. You could with a good metering powder use one scoop, provided level scoop puts you within published data. You will at least want scale to verify charge. |
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Don't let these guys fool you. You can load a boatload of 223 ammo with the hand press...I know I did it. Your rate is about 100 and hr using preprimed brass. So say 60 per hour total time, thats 3 boxes an hour. I had 2 50cal ammo cans full before I knew it.
Get a balance beam scale, it will be a huge help, and you will always use it. Use it to 'calibrate' the scoops if you want. A scale, a Perfect Powder measure and the hand press should all fit in a shoebox or similar. 223 you must trim, and you may need a primer pocket trimmer if you reload crimped brass. O and don't forget 1 or more reloading reference manuals.... Good Luck. |
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Many, many thousands of rounds of perfectly safe ammunition has been loaded with the Lee scoops. The dies will come with a card that lists powder and bullet combinations safe with that scoop. If you aren't willing to use one of the listed loads, you'll need to get a powder measure and a scale.
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You need a reloading manual
You need a scale. You will need a case gauge. You will need a way to trim brass. You need a way to clean primer pockets. You will probably need a way to remove crimped primers. Ive used scoops before, but Ive never had one be exactly what I needed powder wise. I'm not a big fan of Lee's rifle dies, I had a lot of sizing issues when using them. But they should work and they are certainly cheap enough. The hand loaders are kind of a pain and if possible see if you can pick up a single stage press. The Lee cast presses are heavy duty and are made in the USA. |
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Instead of Lee's dippers you can use empty cases with the spent primer still intact. Hand weigh the charge you want of any given powder and cut the case neck off at that powder level. Mark it carefully with a sharpie and use a Dremel cut off blade or something similar after dumping the powder. Recheck the capacity and trim as needed. Write the powder type and charge weight on the case. This is much quicker than dealing with several dippers. It's cheaper too.
I owned a hand press and gave it away because I found it cumbersome to use. Lee's Classic Cast single stage press from www.factorysales.com is very cheap and will last your lifetime. You will have no reason to upgrade later. Approximately $85.00 delivered. |
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Quoted:
You need a reloading manual - Agreed, but there are online sources as well load chart that is sold with Lee dies. It was my first manual. You need a scale. You will need a case gauge. - barrel chamber serves as case gage You will need a way to trim brass. Lee hand trimmer or Possum Hollow trimmer mounted to drill You need a way to clean primer pockets. You will probably need a way to remove crimped primers. drill with pocket reamer and uniformer Ive used scoops before, but Ive never had one be exactly what I needed powder wise. I'm not a big fan of Lee's rifle dies, I had a lot of sizing issues when using them. But they should work and they are certainly cheap enough. The hand loaders are kind of a pain and if possible see if you can pick up a single stage press. The Lee cast presses are heavy duty and are made in the USA. |
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