[Soybomb]

I've wanted to get into reloading for a while so I could feed my 10mm handgun but never felt like I had the space for a good bench setup. Lately I've been getting more into rifles and would like to build my own 7.5 swiss and 7.62 nato rounds for the k31 and enfield 2a.

I'm thinking about getting a lee hand press. Not the one that you bang on with a hammer but the one that looks like a giant pair of pliers. I'm not going to be doing high volume, but really how bad is it going to be trying to full length resize these rifle rounds on it?

Also any good recommendations for powder measures for me?

[Linear Thinker]

Soy,

How much can you bench-press?
I tried resizing .308 with the Lee hand press, it was quite a workout.
If you are loading for a bolt gun, and use neck-sizing or Lee Collet dies, the hand press will work. If you are sizing military (thick walls) or range pickup brass - get a stationary press.

I have an old Lee O-press mounted on a piece of plywood; I bring it to the range to reload. Attaches to any table with 2 C-clamps. Might be an answer for you, if you don't want a permanent installation.

I use Harrell and Jones powder measures, but they are pricey.
Have an old Ohaus, it is excellent.

Both Redding and RCBS make smallish powder measures, they work well.
Good luck,
LT

[Doug b]

Soybomb I've done it with the nut cracker press in .308 , 30-06 , 300 wthby, and 300 win , and several handgun cartridges.Redding dies with their carbide expander ball kit is a need to have if your going to do more than a box or two a day of bottle neck cases.You will also want to remove some carbon inside the neck area as pulling the casing back across the expander is the roughest part of this operation.A dry lube (graphite or mica) is plus here.It can be done.

[trueblue1776]

Have a soft mallet on hand, it will save you from early arthritis.

[USSR]

Lately I've been getting more into rifles and would like to build my own 7.5 swiss and 7.62 nato rounds for the k31 and enfield 2a.

I'm thinking about getting a lee hand press.

Suggest you rethink this.

Don

[jmorris]

Have a vehicle that has a receiver hitch? http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=264459

I would be another that suggests getting a regular press. I’ve known guys that reload on the fold up workmate type of benches, they seem to be stout enough and fold up to store out of the way. If you do go for the hand press, just neck size for goodness sake.

[English Bob]

Seriously, forget about the Lee hand press and get a regular bench mounted press. It will save you lots of time and effort, .308 in a Lee hand press can be quite a handfull. With a bench mounted press re-sizing will prove effortless.

[rr2241tx]

jmorris, that's a great setup! I might add a receiver to my bench just to be able to switch things around easier.

[zxcvbob]

Lee Hand Press is great for small runs, but I've not tried it with large rifle cases.

You might need to loosen the sizing die about one turn, size the cases, then tighten it down and size them again. That will give you *much* greater mechanical advantage. I do that when I resize .30 Carbine cases; it's easier and I can resize them without lube that way. If I try to resize them in one stroke they gall and stick in the die without lube.

Lyman's used to make a hand press that could also be mounted to a bench. I think it was called "Accupress"? That would give you more options.

[ClarkEMyers]

Try a Huntington Die Specialties hand press - which can be bench mounted. Personally I have a Meacham Anywhere Press http://www.meachamrifles.com/anywhere%20prices.html which I find satisfactory but then I also have a Hollywood Universal Turret for big jobs and a Bonanza/Forster CoAx for precision rifles.

Better to start with something than to worry about the ideal - I started with a Lyman 310 and have dies for .30-'06 and 6mm but it surely does work better for mild handgun loads. Sinclair has sold a very nice portable base for toting around a conventional press and many folks have made their own. There are better choices than the Lee hand press but then again they cost more - I suggest there is a reason the more expensive presses are still around but also that the Lee is better than nothing.

[Mark whiz]

I started out with the Lee Hand Press for .308 and .38Sp/.357Mag. It's great for the pistol cases - but it really is quite a workout with the .308s. Mine eventually snapped in half while resizing a .308 :eek:

[trueblue1776]

One of my best friends uses one for his .30-06. It's not for volume, and it's not for limp-wristed sissies, but it works, and it's CHEAP! You can be loading ammo with $40 of supplies + consumable!

Just remember to lube cases well, it will save a bit of soreness.

[Asherdan]

I use one for 45-70 and 44 mag. Pretty easy for sets of 40 for load development and then a run of hunting loads. Tapered cases rather than bottleneck are probably optimal for that handpress, but for a set of 20 it shouldn't wear you out too bad. Large cases & less leverage; as has been said, lube well.

[smitty_bs]

I use one for my 30/06. I don't do large volumes at a single time - never more than 40 rounds. If your not going to do a great amount at once, go for it. I've never had a problem.

[teombe]

I'm a wuss. I tried resizing .223 with mine, and just quit after about 10 cases :)

[USSR]

Since you can pick up used presses for $50, there's simply no reason to go the route of a handheld resizer. Get yourself one of the folding workbenches and attach the press to that.

Don

[trueblue1776]

USSR- Great idea, unless the guy wants a hand press.

[rcmodel]

I reloaded & cast bullets for about six calibers out of an Army foot-locker for two years.

Bolted the Herters cast iron press to the foot locker end when using it.
Then stored the whole mess inside, put a tablecloth on it, and used it for a coffee table in the living-room the rest of the time.

Where theres a will, theres a way!

http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j219/rcmodel/KTOG/1224.gif
rcmodel

[BigJakeJ1s]

+1 for the Huntington Compac hand press. Started out with a Lee hand press, but graduated to the Huntington soon after that.

I now have a Forster co-ax bolted to a portable bench made from a Rockler router table leg set with all-lock (pivot and roll) heavy duty casters. Very sturdy when locked, rolls out of the way when not in use. I store a lot of bullets and tools on the lower shelves for ballast.

If you mostly want to give reloading a spin to see if you like it, it is hard to beat the Lee anniversary kit. Bolt the press to a board, and c-clamp that to a table, kitchen counter, etc. Then when you get hooked, you can upgrade as budget allows, but you'll have a better idea of what you like and dislike.

Andy

[FieroCDSP]

I started off using a trigger-style carpenters clamp to hold my Aniversary Kit O-press to my desk for an easy removal. Loaded like that for six months, then drilled holes. I was only doing 40cal pistol brass, though. I currently have it rigged for 54 Russian in the same spot. I did a few 7.62x39 cases on the hand-press and decided I should get out the single stager again. MOst of the guys here know the feeling. Just board a single-stage and clamp it down to anything you can find. More leverage=less hassle=more ammo.

[trueblue1776]

I agree with everybody here, but some guys have very limited space, and reload less than 100 hunting/specialty rounds a year, for that the hand press is a no-brainer.

[brasskeeper]

It can be done, and if you do i would suggest neck size only

[snuffy]

I just finished FL resizing 100 45/70 cases,using a lee hand press. It was far from effortless, but not all that hard to do. But then I work in an axle factory, tossing heavy parts around every night, so I'm hardly a wimp.

Just use a good case lube, NOT that crap imperial. The RCBS case slick spray really lives up to it's name.

[qajaq59]

Resizing the .308 will be somewhat tough, but doing the K31 cases with a hand press will be a real job. You really don't want to neck size for that rifle either. It'll work for a while, but eventually the cartridges wont chamber. I'd buy a used press and bolt it to a 2 x 8. Then clamp that to a table.

[Navy joe]

I have an entire reloading set-up for a K-31 in a .50cal ammo can utilizing the hand press. I can load new brass easy enough but for the K-31 you should be full length re-sizing and I have trouble moving the shoulder back and getting enough neck tension on fired cases. Lots of lube and enough pressure to crack a coconut by hand are required.

[Barr]

I reload 243 and 270 Winchester ammo including full length resizing using a Lee Hand Press. Works fine just be sure to use plenty of resizing lubricant.

[BigJakeJ1s]

I should mention that I mounted a 4" circle of hardwood to the bottom of my Hungtington Compac. Without sacrificing portability, this allows it to stand up on it's own on a table/bench/etc. if I need both hands for something else for a minute. If you really need a hand press, it is a very good press.

Andy