Any one else done this?

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Grandpa Shooter

Grandpa Shooter

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While setting up my Lee 3 hole press for some 38 sp, I had a thought about wanting to make it easier to use ambidextrously. As you all know, you can move the front support post to the left or right according to handedness.

Since I am ambidextrous, I wondered how it would work with NO front posts. Since 38 sp is a straight walled case and requires very little force on the ram, I took the one support post out of the press all together. I have loaded some 110 grainers and just finished some 158's and can't see any problem with using with only the two back posts. In fact it made the process much easier.

Before any of you chime in with "Don't do that with rifle loads!", thank you for the advance warning. I already figured that out by myself.
 
I figure this will be one of those things to end up biting you in the butt.
That post was put there for a reason. You are gonna get a certain amount of flex with only two post no matter the size cartridge you reload.
 
Ok, so it is flexing a bit. I am only doing 12-24 rounds at a time since I don't go out for major shooting sessions. What harm is minor flexing going to do to either the rounds or the press?
 
Though there is even minor flexing, that is enough over time to cause the plastic bushing and guide for the indexing rod to wear unevenly. It also puts additional uneven strain on the other two rods which was not intended with the original design of the press. Though these may seem minor so is a pinhole in a dike or dam. Hmmm. Just my thoughts.
 
How you going to change the rotation? The progressive is counter-clockwise with the last stage(bullet seat) coming out at 7 o'clock.
 
I don't use the indexing rod. I took that out a long time ago. My press is one of the old cast steel units. The two rear posts are easily 1/2 inch thick solid steel. I can rotate the turret by hand whichever way I choose. I determine the order of operations so it can start or end in whichever hand I choose to use. That is the whole point of taking out the front post, it allows me access to the entire front of the operation without any post obstructing my hand movement.

It just seems to be much easier that way. I usually decap and prime rifle shells on my RCBS rockchucker, so even then I would not be putting any real strain on the Lee. I would only be doing charging, bullet seating and crimping.

If I really wanted to go into production mode I would set up my Dillon 550B and crank out 400 rounds an hour. My days of high volume shooting are long gone, so I don't anticipate the need for high volume reloading any time soon.
 
Interesting idea. I'm sure if you do it enough and shoot them enough you will be able to come to your own conclusion and update us here (whenever that may be).

Good luck. :)

Justin
 
Interesting idea. I'm sure if you do it enough and shoot them enough you will be able to come to your own conclusion and update us here (whenever that may be).

Good luck.

Justin
Click to expand...

Ok, here's the update. Running the 9 through with the front post removed was going great until I hit a batch of crimped primer brass. Took way more effort and did flex the press way too much.

Looks like it would hurt the steel in the long run so I put it back together (minus the indexing rod) and resumed my usual routine. It was worth a try!
 
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