Reloading BS thread

Interesting, thanks for all the info, I still have a lot to learn.

I would love to wet tumble one day, the goal with the ultrasonic cleaner was the most versatility with the least overall cost, at 150 for the ultrasonic or 110-120 for vibratory tumbler and media the ability to clean my suppressors and other gun parts won the extra 30 bucks from my wallet.

Interesting, thanks for the heads up, I’ll have to make a data sheet for using the proper additives with different metals and finishes.

 

Love my wet tumbler

 

I broke in the sonic cleaner by cleaning my .22 can.


And then I cleaned some 9mm brass, baking it to dry, and I found the vibratory tumbler so they’ll get a short tumble for polish.

 

We ended up finding quite a few reloading items, I found about 1800 primers (no small rifle though), projectiles, powder (it wasn’t good anymore), case lube kit, Lee safety scale, Lee press prime, Lee hand primer, a decent bit of brass, some organizers, and a few other small things including deburring tool, case trimmer, and 2 die sets.

I just need to get some media for the vibratory tumbler to be able to use it, and I need to build more bench/shelf area for the tumbler and sonic cleaner.

 

Assuming I don’t get blown away or struck by lightning during the upcoming hurricane I should be organized enough to do some loading.
My brownells order finally made it despite a week long delay courtesy of fedex so now I have some 6mm projectiles and a more trustworthy set of calipers.
I also built a shelf for the sonic cleaner and vibratory tumbler today after work.
My bench from left to right.

 

Just a thought...I don't know the climate of where you're at, nor exactly the type of building your set up is in (a shed?), but keep an eye on the temp and humidity in the room. Those dies and other metal things like the powder drop will rust quickly. My setup is in my temp/humidity controlled basement and I get light blooms on random stuff once in a while. Keep the metal protected with dry lube or CLP.

 

Yep.

Mine is in my war room. I have to shut off all the vents in there and close the door to block any air currents when using any electronic powder meter. Something else to consider too.

 

Hot and humid south Ms, as of now there’s no climate control in the shed but before next summer it’ll have power and AC. I’ll definitely have to use some sort of dry lube on both the press and dies, the powder dispenser is plastic except for the base and screws so I’m not terribly concerned about it.
Before it was in the shed the press and bench were underneath a mobile home in similar conditions but near the gulf (closer than I am now) and it had rust on it after about 18 months, I had to take steel wool to the shaft, repaint the handle (that’s where the Cat yellow handle came from) and the 38/357 dies are still a bit rusty.

I noticed that if I have the box fan pointed straight at me from the side it doesn’t mess with the Lee safety beam scale but if it’s pointed at the bench at all it gives a slight wobble. I’ll see how much of an issue it is once I get the AC hooked up.
Hopefully by the middle of next year I’ll have it insulated.

 

Back in 1989 a co-worker got me started into reloading, as I was shooting more than he wanted to load. Started with and still use a Lee single stage press, in 9mm at first. Later I got a 357, so I got dies for same. Then lately got some 380acp dies and ran a few just to try. Have a little old powder left, need to shoot it before it goes bad. All my stuff stays in the house, I can watch TV while loading, no wife is the secret.

 

A friend has some reloading dies for sale if interested...Rcbs.445 super mag, rcbs 44mag, 6mm hornady(NIB).

 

I’m going to pick up this shotshell press tomorrow after work, I happened to tell our concealed carry class instructor that I was getting back into reloading and she wanted to know if I wanted a shotshell press because a friend of hers was getting out of it due to age and was giving his press away.


Also, I haven’t had a chance to load .243 or 6.8 because we had to move my shed during hurricane cleanup, once we get the fence rebuilt I’m going to build a lean to shed for the mower, generator, chainsaw, and fuel and then my shed will be reloading only, I’m also going to run power and Ethernet to it so I have permanent lights, AC, and cameras on the shed. (Yellow is lean to, purple is shed)

 

Do you fine folks in here know the differentiating factors concerning the MEC shotshell loaders? I picked up the mec after work today but there are no markings on it, I think it’s either a versamec or pre-82 mec jr, based on the story I was told I don’t think it’s likely to be pre-82, I think it was bought new sometime in the early/mid 90’s.

 

I agree, looks like a JR. Definitely not a size master since it doesn’t have the resizing collet.

 

I emailed Mec with photos this morning, it’s a pre-82 (early 70’s) 600 Jr.

Now I need to do more research, can I reload high brass shells with it? 3”? I have another loader that I’ll be getting in a few months, it’s currently setup for 28 gauge but I want to convert it to 16 gauge.

 

What are you guys seeing on powders? I know primers are unicorn right now..

Talked with one gunshop, and they are low stock he said the powder companys are buying back powder trying to fill ammo orders

 

I've been an avid reloader for 40+ years

If UR loading semi pistols...you need this Lee factory crimp die

Seat in your #3 die...this will factory crimp in the 4th step...along with resizing the case

If you have issues..this die may correct any problems...try one !

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1011209519?pid=716704

 

Seems most popular powders are gone....

Recently bought some H4198 retail...some Win 231 from Midway

Watch for Midway's free shipping days...haz mat was on $12 extra

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2900372783?pid=372783

 

I can get most powders through a local supplier, his prices are on par with online, he supplies the local shops with their reloading orders.


I’ve decided that my next investment in reloading needs to be another powder dispenser, the current Lee perfect powder measure will get setup for 9mm and stay the same setting because it’s difficult to adjust the charge (plastic is in bad shape) so with a budget of about a hundred should I get the deluxe Lee powder measure and a set of drums for other charges?

 

Just ordered a 4# jug of 'TiteGroup'

Natchez had it in stock....

$117 total....delivered

$29/pound.....oh well right ?

 

147 grain round nose projectiles cost 3.50/500 more than 115 grain round nose, I’ll be shooting some suppressed but is it worth the negligible price difference to have 147’s vs the 115’s?