I started reloading with a Lee hand press. This was decades prior to the Breech-Lock system. I used that press for years, and finally gave it away to a new reloader.I’m tired. The nutcracker can wear your arms out. This is all starline 38 All sized and deprimed fun thoughView attachment 1203123
I've really been looking for that powder. It's supposed to be unique/universal from SW. Need a cheap available option.Finishing up my 45acp loads for +p. Getting right at 996-1008fps with 230gr Sierra jhp and shooters world ultimate pistol.
It's kinda exciting to get those embers blazing again, huh? I took somewhat of a hiatus from reloading after Covid when I'd loaded up most of my components, couldn't find anything anywhere, and was unable to shoot due to the ranges being closed or severely restricted. It felt good to get back to it. If you took that long of a hiatus I'm sure it's like a whole new thing with the prices and supply chain so wacko right now. Culture shock.Howdy gents.
I spent today setting up my reloading bench in the garage. I moved it from my finished basement about a year ago and have been limping along with a very unorganized bench. It is high time to get that bench in proper working order.
In 2022 I posted on this forum that I was finally back to reloading after a 16 year hiatus. I reloaded a bit until this last Spring (2023) until I decide that I wanted to enjoy the basement as finished living space, so I put a home theater down there, with Western and Equine Decor.
My former abandoned basement reloading bench. Quite a mess after 16 years of no use;
View attachment 1203207
The room as it appears now as a western/equine decorated home theater. The reloading bench used to sit where the large TV/STERO cabinet now resides;
View attachment 1203208
As I typed above, I moved the bench out to the garage. I have the garage heated for the winter, with fans for the summer. And it's a finished garage, with finished walls and ceiling, so it's not bad for reloading. And as a Bluegrass music enthusiast, I have a stereo system on the slelf above the bench for listening while I work. I have not completely finished setting it up yet. See the remaining comments following the pic below;
View attachment 1203210
I am finally going to fix the sagging shelves tomorrow. That's long overdue. I have a good method to fix them permanently. I have to install my RCBS Uniflow with micrometer adjustment powder drop on the far left. Then I need to really organize and clean the bench. Also, I need to service all the dies as they are 30 years old with many years of no use on some of them. Then I have to organize what you can't see. Two large drawers below the bench top, and a large bottom shelf full of reloading supplies. Bullets, brass and storage boxes full of who knows what. I will probably be more than surprised by what I discover.
I do have an RCBS "Piggyback" progressive loader attachment for my Rock Chucker, but I abandoned the use of that device decades ago after it overcharged a 357 magnum load that almost spelled disaster. I actually prefer single stage loading anyway, because I am not into volume, I am into the art of crafting ammunition slowly and methodically. Single Stage Reloading is actually enjoyable to me.
I'll post a pic when the bench is done on Sunday or Monday of next week, and hopefully will be a regular poster on this thread from then on. I am just getting into 45 LC reloading, so that is exciting to me. A new cartridge to mark a new era in reloading.
Check your messages. I just found it in stock. Free shipping and hazmatI've really been looking for that powder. It's supposed to be unique/universal from SW. Need a cheap available option.
A wilton bullet is where it's at... it's what adorns my benchLoaded up a couple more 110 TAC-TX's with the top charge of 300-MP and a little different seating depth to see if it changes accuracy any.
After I put all of the loading stuff away, I pulled out the magazine vise block for an AR-15 so I could clean my 20" WOA barrel. When snugging the vise up, I felt it kind of "give" a little, then a "pop" noise, and the front vise jaw and the mag block went tumbling. VERY lucky it didn't break while the gun was in the block! Looks like it's time for a new reloading/hobby bench vise!
View attachment 1203251
It's kinda exciting to get those embers blazing again, huh? I took somewhat of a hiatus from reloading after Covid when I'd loaded up most of my components, couldn't find anything anywhere, and was unable to shoot due to the ranges being closed or severely restricted. It felt good to get back to it. If you took that long of a hiatus I'm sure it's like a whole new thing with the prices and supply chain so wacko right now. Culture shock.
Love what you've done with your Western Room. And looks like your new digs in the garage will be a great place to hang out.
If you’re in the N.FL area there’s a place in Marion Cty that has a shelf full of Federal and CCI large pistol primers in $70-80/1000 price range, and a small but useful array of powders. Better to find what you already have but in you’re like me and remember having things you don’t, and think you’re out of things you aren’t.Thanks. And that is so true. I am excited to be back into reloading on a regular basis. I have missed time at the reloading bench. I think I like Single Stage because I truly enjoy the reloading time and crafting ammunition slowly. I am no longer in a rush to get to the range and throw lead down range. I enjoy that too, but reloading is just as enjoyable.
In organizing and pulling boxes out of storage, as I suspected, I found a huge amount of 9mm/380 components. Boxes of brass, bullets (mostly jacketed hollow point) and primers. Unfortunately, I sold all my 9 mil and 380 guns 12 or so years ago. I found another 1,000 or so small pistol primers on top of what I knew I had. I used to reloiad 12 ga trap and I have a good supply of reloading components in that gauge. Still looking for my large pistol primers. I had them, so they have to be somewhere. I used to reload 44 sp/mag so there is a good supply of that caliber's components. I just need to find those large pistol primers. There are still a few large boxes of storage I have to get through. Hopefully they are in there.
If you’re in the N.FL area there’s a place in Marion Cty that has a shelf full of Federal and CCI large pistol primers in $70-80/1000 price range, and a small but useful array of powders. Better to find what you already have but in you’re like me and remember having things you don’t, and think you’re out of things you aren’t.
After reloading single stage for over 30 years, I finally took the plunge a couple years back and bought a turret with auto powder drop and bullet feed for small pistol ammo. It's really amazing but lacks the peace of mind and satisfaction that painstaking craftsmanship of one-at-a-time rifle cartridge loading affords. So I know where you're coming from!Thanks. And that is so true. I am excited to be back into reloading on a regular basis. I have missed time at the reloading bench. I think I like Single Stage because I truly enjoy the reloading time and crafting ammunition slowly. I am no longer in a rush to get to the range and throw lead down range. I enjoy that too, but reloading is just as enjoyable.
After reloading single stage for over 30 years, I finally took the plunge a couple years back and bought a turret with auto powder drop and bullet feed for small pistol ammo. It's really amazing but lacks the peace of mind and satisfaction that painstaking craftsmanship of one-at-a-time rifle cartridge loading affords. So I know where you're coming from!
Love your basement room! Glad to see you getting back into reloading too.Howdy gents.
I spent today setting up my reloading bench in the garage. I moved it from my finished basement about a year ago and have been limping along with a very unorganized bench. It is high time to get that bench in proper working order.
In 2022 I posted on this forum that I was finally back to reloading after a 16 year hiatus. I reloaded a bit until this last Spring (2023) until I decide that I wanted to enjoy the basement as finished living space, so I put a home theater down there, with Western and Equine Decor.
My former abandoned basement reloading bench. Quite a mess after 16 years of no use;
View attachment 1203207
The room as it appears now as a western/equine decorated home theater. The reloading bench used to sit where the large TV/STERO cabinet now resides;
View attachment 1203208
As I typed above, I moved the bench out to the garage. I have the garage heated for the winter, with fans for the summer. And it's a finished garage, with finished walls and ceiling, so it's not bad for reloading. And as a Bluegrass music enthusiast, I have a stereo system on the slelf above the bench for listening while I work. I have not completely finished setting it up yet. See the remaining comments following the pic below;
View attachment 1203210
I am finally going to fix the sagging shelves tomorrow. That's long overdue. I have a good method to fix them permanently. I have to install my RCBS Uniflow with micrometer adjustment powder drop on the far left. Then I need to really organize and clean the bench. Also, I need to service all the dies as they are 30 years old with many years of no use on some of them. Then I have to organize what you can't see. Two large drawers below the bench top, and a large bottom shelf full of reloading supplies. Bullets, brass and storage boxes full of who knows what. I will probably be more than surprised by what I discover.
I do have an RCBS "Piggyback" progressive loader attachment for my Rock Chucker, but I abandoned the use of that device decades ago after it overcharged a 357 magnum load that almost spelled disaster. I actually prefer single stage loading anyway, because I am not into volume, I am into the art of crafting ammunition slowly and methodically. Single Stage Reloading is actually enjoyable to me.
I'll post a pic when the bench is done on Sunday or Monday of next week, and hopefully will be a regular poster on this thread from then on. I am just getting into 45 LC reloading, so that is exciting to me. A new cartridge to mark a new era in reloading.
Love your basement room! Glad to see you getting back into reloading too.
When your piggyback overcharged...were you using a lockout or powder checker die?Thanks. I had my RCBS Piggyback overcharge a 357 mag cartridge, and I did not catch it until the firing pin hit the primer. Luckily it was a Ruger Police Service revolver and the gun held together, although the cartridge was fused in the chamber.
That aside, I really do enjoy single stage, so it's fine that I no longer load progressive.