Barebones set up to load 300 AAC with primed brass

[PorkChopsMmm]

I am new to reloading and am looking to start loading for 300AAC Blackout. For simplicity sake I was thinking I would start reloading already primed new 300 AAC brass. Later on down the road I would possibly form my own brass, tumble it, de-prime/prime, etc. but for now I am trying to stick with basics.

Below is a list of tools I was going to buy to get started -- can I get any feedback? My goal is not to load tons of rounds here -- just get started and see if it is for me. I figure if I like handloading then a Lee hand press will always come in handy.

- Lee Pace Setter 3 piece 300 BLK die set (includes sizing, seating, and crimp die, powder dipper, and load data)
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/934234/lee-pacesetter-3-die-set-300-aac-blackout

- Lee Hand Press Kit (comes with powder funnel, resizing lube, and ram prime unit)
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/650614/lee-breech-lock-hand-press-kit

- Lee Improved Powder Measure Kit
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/943305/lee-improved-powder-measure-kit

Total for this ~$100

Will that get me started? Again, not trying to load tons of rounds at a time, but I figure if I can do this at my kitchen table then I will load more in the short bursts of free time that I have.

Thanks!

 

[tyeo098]

Ditch the hand press and get a real single stage you can mount to a bench.

Get a bench. You're gonna get more stuff.

Used presses are all over the place for next to nothing, usually people upgrading from Lees to Dillons, etc. Presses never die, they simply get passed on.
Check ebay and amazon, or a local FTF forum if you have one. (Virginia has vaguntrader.com etc.)

You'll also need a few published reloading books (or be one of the people here that bums loading data off those of us with many books )
Internet loading data, like handloads.com should be taken with many grains of salt. Always consult the book to see if everything looks right.

On top of ALL that, you'll also need brass, powder, primers, bullets.

Primed brass is easy enough to start with, but forming the brass is just so easy its not even funny. Take some 223 range pickup brass, cut it with a 20$ HF mini shop saw, get the 5$ lee 300BO trimmer, deburr, done! AND ITS FREE.
The tools take a bit of capital up front, but you'll never have to buy them again.

Like its always said:

This hobby that is saving me hundred is costing me THOUSANDS!

Welcome to the addiction

EDIT: This is what I use for resizing lubricant: http://www.amazon.com/Kiwi-Outdoor-Mink-Shoe-Polish/dp/B000PSDFU4
Its cheap and found at any drug store!

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

Thanks for the help. As many have said, I don't necessarily plan on saving money... just being able to shoot more!

My only place to reload, besides the kitchen table, is in my unheated barn 200ft away. It is fluctuating between -20 and 20 degrees, so I figured being able to reload a few at a time from inside the warmth of my house would be the way to go.

We plan on building a garage soon so I will put a reloading bench in there. Ironically, I have a WTB ad on Craigslist and here on THR for an old single stage press -- I haven't gotten any hits yet. Midway does have the Lee single stage for ~$28 -- not bad. I just don't think I would ever use it in the winter here if it was mounted to a bench in my barn.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/807734/lee-reloader-single-stage-press?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Thanks for the tip on the lubricant.

 

[tyeo098]

You need some C clamps and some 2x8.



[Image courtesy of someone on marlin forums]

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

Hah, I love it. No really, we don't have room! We built a beautiful, but small, house in the country of Michigan and live offgrid (solar, well, no utilities!). We also have 4 small children and I don't have any workspace in the house. We will most likely build a garage addition in a year, so this is to get me until then. Don't worry, I will have a reloading bench someday.

 

[Blue68f100]

I have a board setup to clamp to the kitchen table when I need to reload inside vs cold/hot garage. I just clamp it to the table with 2 c-clamps. You can put a felt pad on the bottom to protect the counter top if needed. Just position it over a corner leg and it will be plenty stiff enough and will not damage the table.

 

[cfullgraf]

Thanks for the help. As many have said, I don't necessarily plan on saving money... just being able to shoot more!

Your cost per reloaded round will always be less than factory ammunition. What you do with the savings is up to you.

Some shoot more, some take the significant other out for dinner.

 

[cfullgraf]

I have a board setup to clamp to the kitchen table when I need to reload inside vs cold/hot garage. I just clamp it to the table with 2 c-clamps. You can put a felt pad on the bottom to protect the counter top if needed. Just position it over a corner leg and it will be plenty stiff enough and will not damage the table.

This is a good portable solution.

Another that I use is a floor stand for the press that can be moved around and put away.

Mine are made from square metal tubing but a wood stand will work as well. The joints of a wood stand need to be screwed and glued to prevent flex.

There are some factory built stands available or I have heard of some folks using Workmate stands.

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

Thanks for the suggestions on set ups. So with either the hand press or the cheap single stage you think what I have listed in the original post is good to go?

Thanks!

 

[Speedster00]

I didn't inspect every reply, but look at Lee's page for factory seconds and over runs. You can often get single stage press's for a good discount. Right now they have reconditioned challengers for $55

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

Thanks for the recommendation on Lee's site. Checking it out now.

Just found someone local on CL that has a Lee Pro 1000 Progressive used kit for sale, with no dies but extra parts, for $100. Not sure if that is overkill for my needs -- plus I would still need to buy dies, case lube, etc. I am going to call the guy to see if we can wheel and deal.

 

[Elkins45]

You will quickly regret buying a hand press.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I just started forming my own brass for the .300 and its easy enough to do. Got a Harbor Freight 2" high speed saw offering, a .300 AAC Blackout jig on EBay and off I went. I use a Lyman brass trimmer set to the required length and use that after I cut, chamfer and beburr the .223 LC brass.

 

[rg1]

Buy a press you can mount to a bench or clamp to a table top. Forget the hand press. Forget using the dippers to dip powder by weight. Buy a reloading scale even if you get the dippers. RCBS 5-0-5 or the best you can afford. Have to have a scale period to be safe. Just starting reloading, buy a manual or two and consult with powder and bullet company data available on-line. Have to have a caliper to measure cases and overall lengths. Have to have a case trimmer even starting with factory primed cases. Lots of homework to do, but don't try to begin with bare bones equipment. Get a scale for sure. I like RCBS dies, or Hornady, or Redding but the Lee ones will work. If you're going to load a bunch of 300 BLK I'd find some bulk once fired LC Lake City brass and convert to 300 BLK. The sizing die will size and form the case in one step. Would be much cheaper than buying primed new factory cases. Have fun loading and shooting the Blackout.

 

[tyeo098]

You will quickly regret buying a hand press.

So much this.


No excuses!


Pic courtesy of someone on Arfcom


OP PM me, I've got some 300 BO brass that I was planning on using when I got a 300BO gun... but you might be able to make more use of it.

 

[Rusty Luck]

I'm glad I saw this thread! I was wondering what I was gonna do with the press I wanna gonna get because I have no space for a bench in the apartment. I was thinking of doing the Clamps and wood on to something else but was unsure how it would workout. Anyone doing that have any trouble? OP sounds like you and I have similar ideas/goals. I just wanna be able to shoot more (hopefully cheaper though too), as 300AAC is just too hard to find and way overpriced when you do find it.

 

[kutter]

I like the clamp/table setup, provided you have a table that is heavy enough to not move, if not try the Lee stand. One advantage to the table that the stand suffers from is work space. There is none on the stand, I set things on the coffee table.

I bought one when I took a job in south Florida that was only supposed to last a year or so, now going on three. Fortunately the wife does not live here full time so I leave it setup in the den, but it is easy enough to move if necessary after you take the concrete block out. I have loaded everything from 357 SIG to .308 on it with only one block and it does not move at all. I suppose if I needed to load something bigger I could put the other block I bought but did not use into it.

I like loading in climate controlled comfort, I may have to clean out the garage and put an A/C into it when I can finally get back home.

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

OK, I think you guys convinced me to ditch the hand press. I also was watching a YouTube video on how to use it and the guy was having to push really hard and was talking a lot about its limitations (e.g. can't flare out the case and fill with powder at the same time - since powder will go flying when trying to pull the case out of the die, etc.). I also have a workbench out in the barn and it won't be cold forever. So I can get by with it inside for a while and then migrate it outside if I need to.

So what is the difference between the Lee Reloader Single Stage and the Lee Challenger Press? That's a big price difference ($28 to $55).

OK, so if I get the Lee Single Stage
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/807734/lee-reloader-single-stage-press

The Harbor Freight Caliper:


And this electronic scale (not RCBS, those are $$$):
http://www.amazon.com/Frankford-205...8&qid=1391132050&sr=8-1&keywords=powder+scale

Along with the same Lee Die Kit and Powder Measurer listed in the OP. Sound decent?

 

[gamestalker]

I would also recommend that you find an inexpensive used "O" frame single stage, you won't regret it. You should be able to find one relatively easy, and for about what your considering spending on that Lee BL press.

And I would strongly recommend buying a scale. You can't use a powder measure, scoop or other wise, without some way to check the weight it's dispensing. I've never once had a slide chart match the indicated intended charge, and the variance has almost always been excessive, IMO.

GS

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

Yes, scale most definitely. This one gets good reviews on Amazon for $25.



http://www.amazon.com/Frankford-205205-Arsenal-Reloading-Scale/dp/B002BDOHNA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391132050&sr=8-1&keywords=powder+scale

This is starting to sound like something I can do. I will get a reloading book and there are a lot of published 300 AAC BLK loads out there for different powders and projectiles.

 

[RussellC]

I didn't inspect every reply, but look at Lee's page for factory seconds and over runs. You can often get single stage press's for a good discount. Right now they have reconditioned challengers for $55

You can buy a new one from Natchezs for 5.49 more

 

[tyeo098]

Yes, scale most definitely. This one gets good reviews on Amazon for $25.



http://www.amazon.com/Frankford-205205-Arsenal-Reloading-Scale/dp/B002BDOHNA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391132050&sr=8-1&keywords=powder+scale

This is starting to sound like something I can do. I will get a reloading book and there are a lot of published 300 AAC BLK loads out there for different powders and projectiles.

Hey thats the scale I use!

A balance scale is good to start off with though. Lets you get a feel for the charges.
Digital scales make you lazy lol

 

[grubbylabs]

Like others have said,get a good beam scale and more than one book.

Using a good scale can't be over stated, your load weights have to be right. The digital scale is nice, but the beam scale always works. And you should have one to check the digital any ways.

The Lee powder dippers work quite well for what they are, once you get the hang of it, you can move along at a pretty good clip. You should fairly quickly get to where you only weigh every few charges.

The Harbor Freight calipers will be fine to start with. Get the extra warranty that they offer, there's a good chance you will need it.

If I can find a brand new Hornady single stage for $150.00 I would imagine you could find a good used O frame Lee Press for under a $100.00. It will last just long enough for your grand kids, grand kids to make use of it before it wears out. Even you do wind up getting the most supper duper progressive ever made, the single stage will still have a purpose and use. In fact I am thinking of adding a second single stage press.

The Lee dies will work just fine, I have only a few Lee dies for crimping and sizing cast bullets and they all work, so I would assume their loading dies work as well. Besides no one really complains about them

A hand priming tool is pretty cheap and small as well, you can site and prime while watching the kids or watching TV. And its amazing how fast you can prime a few hundred cases.

Did you read through the sticky at the top of the page and see what all was listed their?

Also check out the thread on reloading rooms and benches, there are some really good ideas in there for the person loading on the cheap with limited space. One poster was set up like a book case hanging on a wall, and another was literally loading out of a closet if I remember right. Lots of ideas and thoughts, just give it time and something will come to you. You sound pretty resourceful.

I would suggest that if you set up out in the barn that you keep powder and primers in a temp controlled area, big temp swings are hard on them.

Every one has a different way of thinking and doing things, take your time look around and enjoy, this should not only provide some quality ammo at a bargain price, but also provide some stress free time. And if your lucky, you will even get to spend some quality time with a kid or spouse.

Oh one last thing, its less embarrassing to ask what seems like a dumb question than it is to explain to some one why you claim disability every month.

 

[PorkChopsMmm]

grubby labs, thank you, great info. I especially like this info...

I would suggest that if you set up out in the barn that you keep powder and primers in a temp controlled area, big temp swings are hard on them. Since it has been as low as -20 here, that is good to know. I will need to keep these components in the house during the cold months.

Oh one last thing, its less embarrassing to ask what seems like a dumb question than it is to explain to some one why you claim disability every month. Also a very good tip -- better to ask a dumb question online to get hurt, killed, etc.

 

[witchhunter]

I agree with all posters so far, some of us started off with little more than that. I wonder where you are going to find primed brass though....Add a Lee hand primer, scale, you can use the hand press, but a bench press will be much better. Put a heater in the barn and section it off so you won't have to heat the whole place.