Anyone have any makeshift ghetto loading techniques? (safe ones!). I really wanted to try my new gun this weekend but I don't have a priming tool for large rifle primers yet (in shipping). Dead blow hammer, dowel rod inside the case, primer underneath it, 2x4 under that. Tap the dowel rod with the dead blow hammer. Same principle as the lee loader but without the raised platform that gets the seating depth perfect.
Ghetto loading
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Please explain what "ghetto loading" is. It doesn't sound safe to me.
tpelle
Member
I'm thinking that seating the primer is one operation where you don't really want to go ghetto.
Why not just buy a box of factory ammo if you just want to try it out this weekend?
Why not just buy a box of factory ammo if you just want to try it out this weekend?
Making due without the proper tools but still remaining safe, though most likely taking more effort and longer. Another example might be using a thumb tack and dowel rod over a board with a hole in it to remove spent primers (haven't tested it, but should work?). What got me thinking about it is the ol lee loaders. Basically every operation is done with a hammer. A little irrelevant though I guess since those kits are ~$20 and I can't think of any way to size a case without a die.
Same operation as the leeloader, just have to be more careful about seated depth, they will seat high if you let em. Better use an undersized dowel rod though so gases can get around it IF you set one off. I've set off a few in the ol lee loader, its unpleasant. Wear safety goggles! I already fired em. Took 30 minutes to properly prime 10 cases though.
$66 for 20 at the local store.
Same operation as the leeloader, just have to be more careful about seated depth, they will seat high if you let em. Better use an undersized dowel rod though so gases can get around it IF you set one off. I've set off a few in the ol lee loader, its unpleasant. Wear safety goggles! I already fired em. Took 30 minutes to properly prime 10 cases though.
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
I would try to discourage you from beating primers in with a dowel rod.
There is no way you can completely seat them and pre-load the anvil with the case head resting on a flat surface.
If you beat them in from the business end to finish seating them below the surface of the case?
You could very easily shoot your eye out!
I'm kind of curious what you are resizing the cases & seating bullets with?
Most all reloading presses have some method of seating primers correctly, and safely.
rc
There is no way you can completely seat them and pre-load the anvil with the case head resting on a flat surface.
If you beat them in from the business end to finish seating them below the surface of the case?
You could very easily shoot your eye out!
I'm kind of curious what you are resizing the cases & seating bullets with?
Most all reloading presses have some method of seating primers correctly, and safely.
rc
I tried ghetto loading using a Lee Hand Press. I held it horizontally (as required in the Ghetto), and found it difficult to apply the necessary leverage to the handle. The press works much better in the vertical position, as do most firearms with the exception of the Sten.
newbuckeye
Member
Yeah....I would wait for the press. If you dont, please dont post pictures of your bandages.....k?
Overkilll0084
Member
Not so much "ghetto" as "third world." Pounding on explosive devices with improvised items. Call me crazy, but it seems asking for trouble.
Also, wouldn't one want the primer depth correct in one's new rifle? Considering how easy it is to get proper equipment, I see no upside here. Patience is still a virtue right?
Quick question, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most (all?) presses come with the needed devices to seat both small & large primers?
Also, wouldn't one want the primer depth correct in one's new rifle? Considering how easy it is to get proper equipment, I see no upside here. Patience is still a virtue right?
Quick question, correct me if I'm wrong, but don't most (all?) presses come with the needed devices to seat both small & large primers?
clutch
Contributing Member
Following Overkill,
I have to wonder what you are using for a press. I'm going to assume you have dies. Maybe you are using a hand tool? I've run off a lot of ammo using a lee hand press in the middle of winter.
What caliber?
What kind of tools do you have? A dowel down the case neck and a vise and careful manipulation might work. I remember using one of those lee kits where you did literally pound the primer in. That was a long time ago. That is how I loaded 7.7 arisaka back in the early 80's.
If you were near by, I'd give you a current generation autoprime, I bought a RCBS Universal Hand priming tool and I'm not going back. You in northern michigan?
Clutch
I have to wonder what you are using for a press. I'm going to assume you have dies. Maybe you are using a hand tool? I've run off a lot of ammo using a lee hand press in the middle of winter.
What caliber?
What kind of tools do you have? A dowel down the case neck and a vise and careful manipulation might work. I remember using one of those lee kits where you did literally pound the primer in. That was a long time ago. That is how I loaded 7.7 arisaka back in the early 80's.
If you were near by, I'd give you a current generation autoprime, I bought a RCBS Universal Hand priming tool and I'm not going back. You in northern michigan?
Clutch
I do it once in a while. There is one cartridge I don't have a shell plate for & this works well but I use a steel plate under the primer not a board. People are afraid of what they don't understand but will give you advice anyways. I agree using a undersized dole is best. I would also use steel instead of wood. I can't see it going off unless it gets cocked or debris under it.
Otto
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The OP posted a Youtube last year of his reloading technique. Looks like he needs more than a press.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsaf1nGMyuU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIF63jhRQcw
here's to "pounding on explosive devices"...........funny stuff!!!
here's to "pounding on explosive devices"...........funny stuff!!!
beeenbag
Member
hvychev77...
That is the funniest video I have seen on youtube yet. I watched it over and over and over. histerical!
That is the funniest video I have seen on youtube yet. I watched it over and over and over. histerical!
highlander 5
Member
I remember my days with the Lee basic kit and had the holes in the ceiling to prove that's it's
not good to hammer on primers with a metal rod. As I've said in post posts What the Hell am I doing??
not good to hammer on primers with a metal rod. As I've said in post posts What the Hell am I doing??
jcwit
member
I believe what the OP is attempting to do is seat primers using the same principle as using the Lee Loader tool. Primers are seated using a steel rod. This has been accomplished hundreds of thousands if not millions of times. The one thing the Lee tool does accomplish is centering the primer to the primer hole. I one is careful this can be done without a Lee Loader.
Anyone who has used one of these tools has more than likely had a primer pop with no danger done to the operator. We're talking primers not loaded shells.
Anyone who has used one of these tools has more than likely had a primer pop with no danger done to the operator. We're talking primers not loaded shells.
JimKirk
Member
Reloading is not for everybody....but some try anyway....some live to tell about!
Carl N. Brown
Member
Never heard improvised hand loading called "ghetto Loading". Is that name from NY, LA or the Warsaw Uprising? (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warsaw_Uprising_1943 )
Caveat: Don't try this at home: for educational purposes only. As a test of survival techniques, I made a decapping pin from a awl, shaped with a file to a pin diameter of a flash hole, cylindrical part about 1/4" long and stove-top heat-treated. Decapping base was board with hole drilled in it, to decap. The casings were seated over a primer using a wood dowel and mallet, using the flat side of an anvil or sledge hammer as a base. Cases were charged using a small caliber case with a paper clip handle superglued on it as a powder measure (Dixie gun works catalog had a chart equating various casing sizes to charge weights). The bullets were stab crimped in place using a dull pointed nail. I used cartridge casings originally fired in the same gun. It can be done, but I recommend it as "only if absolutely necessary". You can get a proper Lee Loader Classic kit for 15 to 25 dollars new (I found a used .45 ACP Leeloader kit for four dollars at a gunshow.) There is no real justification for improvised reloading unless you are really into Mad Max end-of-the-world what-if could-I-do-it-if-I-had-to scenarios.
Caveat: Don't try this at home: for educational purposes only. As a test of survival techniques, I made a decapping pin from a awl, shaped with a file to a pin diameter of a flash hole, cylindrical part about 1/4" long and stove-top heat-treated. Decapping base was board with hole drilled in it, to decap. The casings were seated over a primer using a wood dowel and mallet, using the flat side of an anvil or sledge hammer as a base. Cases were charged using a small caliber case with a paper clip handle superglued on it as a powder measure (Dixie gun works catalog had a chart equating various casing sizes to charge weights). The bullets were stab crimped in place using a dull pointed nail. I used cartridge casings originally fired in the same gun. It can be done, but I recommend it as "only if absolutely necessary". You can get a proper Lee Loader Classic kit for 15 to 25 dollars new (I found a used .45 ACP Leeloader kit for four dollars at a gunshow.) There is no real justification for improvised reloading unless you are really into Mad Max end-of-the-world what-if could-I-do-it-if-I-had-to scenarios.
jcwit
member
Good Grief, for Heavens sake what kind of primers were you using, putting holes in the ceiling, you gotta be joking. I've loaded thousands of rounds with a Lee Loader, aka whack-a-mole tool, both rifle and pisatol. Had my share of primers go off, never ever, ever had the primer seating rod leave my hand.
You couldn't be exaggerating just a little would you?
Primers are far from being a hand gernade.
Beancounter81
Member
Why was I thinking of buying a Dillon 550B? Clearly from this video, all I need is a rubber mallet and a piece of wood (both of which I have). jcwit
member
Lets not turn this into a Lee bashing thread!
The Lee Loader works very well, and produces excellent ammo.
Have you tried or used one?
Carl N. Brown
Member
I have had primers pop when whacking the seating rod on a Lee Loader (I recommend hearing protection & eye protection when Lee loading ). I use a rubber mallet with heavy leather glued to the round ends and have never had the seating rod leave the loader. I hope no one is smacking the seating rod with a bare hand. Lee Loading, to paraphrase Abe Lincoln, is intended to be "Mallets toward all".
). I use a rubber mallet with heavy leather glued to the round ends and have never had the seating rod leave the loader. I hope no one is smacking the seating rod with a bare hand. Lee Loading, to paraphrase Abe Lincoln, is intended to be "Mallets toward all".scrappydoo
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It's really hard to see what's going on in that video, but it looks like he's using a Wilson die that's meant to be used with an Arbor press. It's not uncommon for people to use these with a mallet. (they're just a lot more skilled at it than the OP)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzsZsn-DurY
If it's now a die that's meant to be used in that manner, then that's the dumbest thing I've ever seen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzsZsn-DurY
If it's now a die that's meant to be used in that manner, then that's the dumbest thing I've ever seen.
Otto
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Originally Posted by Otto:
The OP posted a Youtube last year of his reloading technique. Looks like he needs more than a press.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsaf1nGMyuU
The OP posted a Youtube last year of his reloading technique. Looks like he needs more than a press.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsaf1nGMyuU
...and a pair of pants by the looks of the video.Beancounter81 said:
jcwit
member
States in the Midway U.S.A. catalog that L.E. Wilson Dies are a hand held design for use with a mallet or an arbor press. Yes one can use the either way.
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