The Reloading Page
OK. When it comes to reloading, as of 10/07, I am a rank amateur compared to many you will find on the internet. However, for those of you perusing this web site looking for reloading information, my basic amateur status may be a big plus in helping you get started without the mass of confusion I sorted through when I started a few months ago. I had to figure out what equipment to buy, what brass, bullets and powder to use, how to do it without my bullets blowing up, etc. I reloaded quite a bit about 30 years ago. It was all .357, .38 special and .44 magnum loads for revolvers which was all I owned. I did quite a bit of it and did it successfully and safely. But things change over a 30 year period. When I got back into shooting in a big way and consequently back into reloading, I found way more information than I was looking for. On a detailed web site dedicated to reloading, the information will leave the starting reloader with the idea that you have to be a scientist cerebral enough to make Albert Einstein look like he has a small forehead. So, I pondered it a while and figured it would be to the beginning reloader's advantage to read about reloads that go to the simplest and safest techniques, while still turning out enough handgun bullets to make it worth your while. And you will only find information from me here that will lead to loads that fall between recommended powder charges without pushing the envelope. I'll start out on this page by talking about the work bench and area. That's not something most want to think about, but if you're not willing to put a little money and effort into a work area, just save your time and money and buy factory. The work bench must be STURDY. That means 2x6 and 2x4 solidly assembled bench sturdy. The one shown below is an old work bench that I repaired, replaced wood on and put a backstop on. Don't try to use a bench without a backstop. You will have more stuff dropping off the table than staying on it.
That table is about 6' long and sits in a corner of our sunroom. Next to it, not pictured is an old roll top desk with lots of cubby holes and drawers that holds all my supplies, charts, tools, dies, etc. Once your reloading table and area are set up then you can concentrate on the biggest single investment in equipment, the loader itself. Reloaders come in the simplest, single hole, single die machines that you can load a few rounds per hour with through progressive machines that claim a production rate of over 1000 rounds per hour. Here is one thing that is universal among beginning hobby reloaders. All of us think we are going to need to reload more than we actually are. I imagined thousands of rounds per month at first, and while I shoot quite a bit compared to the average gun owner, I don't come close to needing the reloaded ammo that I imagined when I began to look into reloading. So here is where I can probably save you some time and money. Remember also, that no machine is permanent. If you buy one and it becomes too slow for the amount you shoot, you can always sell it and upgrade which is typical for people who progress in their shooting. I initially looked at several different machines by several manufacturers. Then I narrowed it down to 3, then 2 and that's where I finally made my decision. My final decision was between a Dillon 550B that claims a production rate of up to 500 rounds per hour and a Lee Classic Turret Press with auto indexing claiming a production rate of up to 200 rounds per hours. A significant difference, but a significant difference in price and ability to buy accessories. The machine I settled on after much stress, was the Lee Classic Turret Press. Now I don't have the Dillon to compare it to, but I have not been sorry for my decision. Realistically, it produces plenty of ammo in a reasonable amount of time for the shooting I do presently. In the future, I may shoot more and if necessary, I will go to a progressive press. But for now the Lee Turret press does great.
The "auto indexing" feature allows you put in a 4 hole turret (to hold 4 dies) to move one bullet to 4 stages until fully loaded by simply pulling the handle, if you use all accessories available. However, I use the 4 hole turret loaded with dies to do single stage operations to multiple shells before moving to the next stage. That gives me a measure of safety that I would not be comfortable without.
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