The cheap mans reloading setup

[CAVEMAN]

Afternoon all

I have recently had a bit of a play with a Lee Loader, its old school and slow but it still makes a round. I've fluffed it out with a few pieces that make it a bit more user friendly.

The price break down follows
*308 Lee Loader $60
*Hornady Digital scales $70
*Powder funnel $15
*Soft faced hammer $13 (first batch i used a 2x4 that the manual says is an option)

And a few household items i stole from the kitchen or shed
*A cheap small cutting board to hammer on
*A small bowl to pour powder into
*A large clip lock container i use for storage and also cleaning brass (using hot water, dish soap and salt)
*A 10mm drill bit for chamfering the case mouth (not anything special just an old one from the tool box)
*A 50 round foam tray from some cheap rounds (used as a loading tray)
*And a few old 20 round ammo inserts for drying the rounds after cleaning

So for $158 plus some household recycling i have a basic yet usable reloading kit. I have reloaded a round or two with just the kit which is doable but the add on's just makes it a tad tidier. The lee loader doesn't seem to need case lube, has worked dry fine so far. And the cases i am using are being fired by and reloaded for the same rifle.

It is a bit of effort but once in a pattern it works pretty well, the worst part for me is measuring out the powder with just the scales and a dipper. I'm no bench rest shooter, but i'm happy with the product and its a bit of fun and a new skill. And so far my face is still fully intact.

With the picture of the rounds, top is a factory Remington 308 150gn Core-Lokt. And bottom is a reload with a 150gn Sierra.

[Oldbloke]

Many started like you. I did.
FYI, your loader only neck sizes & should lube the necks. Diff oil works. Lol

Here is a reloading DIY thread I started.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13453

Initially I just used a sharp knife to debure the necks and fine file for the outer edge. Sound rough but works.

[tomtom889]

Looks interesting and definitely would make ammo that goes bang! But I think I'll stick to my reloading press

[RoginaJack]

nothing wrong with that, after-all you'r hunting so not firing 100 rounds. A bit of light grease on the necks too.
I hunted around a found a pistol case that held just under the listed powder load, a bit of copper wire around the rim and away i went, just topped up on the scales...
Simple, eh?

[Blr243]

I struggle with the idea of anything that takes more time than it could Useing a powder thrower and Priming with a hand primer is really the only part that I can tolerate or sort of enjoy .... anything to do with flareing or sizing or seating on a press absolutely kills me . But everybody is different and some enjoy reloading no matter how long it takes ....if someone is having fun and producing safe ammo that’s all that matters. Anything beats drinking and smoking on the couch watching tv. At some stage years ago when bowhunting I must have been wallowing in the traditional roll yer own way of life because I made some of my own arrows by cutting arrow shafts on a table saw Useing left over beech from a building site ... I think they started out as roughly half inch by half inch squares and then I hand planed the corners of them. Then I sanded them , coated them with shellac, fletched them and fitted a steel two blade broad head. It was quite satisfying taking boars on cape York with arrows you made yourself.

[Ziege]

Hornady lock n load kit, has everything anyone starting out needs

[Blr243]

Just remember Ed I still had some under the house they had been sitting there for 20 years A couple of original squares and some octagonal ones pre sanding. Talk about a blast from the past I really should give them to a trad archer so they can be used instead of gathering dust. 2 doz roughly

[Oldbloke]

But there is always used kits about
Thing is he can try at every low cost. If you like it buy a lot or add to his gear later.

Cheap kits here.
https://www.ozgunmart.com.au/

[CAVEMAN]

But there is always used kits about
Thing is he can try at every low cost. If you like it buy a lot or add to his gear later.

Cheap kits here.
https://www.ozgunmart.com.au/

Ill probably never go any further than this, more of an interest than a need. But i will steal your dipper idea to speed things up. As long as its around the mark i'm happy.

[CAVEMAN]

nothing wrong with that, after-all you'r hunting so not firing 100 rounds. A bit of light grease on the necks too.
I hunted around a found a pistol case that held just under the listed powder load, a bit of copper wire around the rim and away i went, just topped up on the scales...
Simple, eh?

I might try something i've got lying around, let my inner bogan come out for a bit of lube.

[marksman]

l started off with the lee hand loader and it did the job for me

Blr you should start selling your arrows, l can see where you are coming from getting a buzz from making your own

[Blr243]

Sanding the wooden shafts I realised was a lot easier by wrapping sandpaper around the shaft and having one end of the arrow in the chuck of a cordless drill , just like Robin Hood would have done in the twelth century ( got to keep it traditional)

[RUGGA]

I started with a few lee loaders. Could make around 20 rounds an hour. Thought they were great til cases got to the point of needing FL sizing, then i bought their hand press. Poor man paid twice in my case.....

[FNQ]

CAVEMAN I’ve got the exact same set up.
Own Lee Loader Kits for every caliber in my collection.
I don’t make one round at a I do mine in stages or batches.
Never worried about lube.

Don’t save money on .223, .303, .308 but do on the .30/06
As for accuracy.. yeah maybe

[bladeracer]

I started with the Lee Loader as well, but I used a vice rather than a hammer.
I added an RCBS case length trimmer and a Redding beam scale (I still have these all but don't use them), and a full length sizing die.

My brother uses the Lee loader as well, with a portable vice.

[in2anity]

I still often use my lee hand press in front of telly.

[bladeracer]

I still often use my lee hand press in front of telly.

I gave up TV more than a decade ago, but the hand press is handy for some tasks, particularly with pistol brass.

[Oldbloke]

These are incredibly cheap. Were common donky years ago. But I think only good for FLSizing like up to say 223 or pistol.

Press Lee breech lock.jpg (24.74 KiB) Viewed 4796 times

[RoginaJack]

What about the "Super Simplex", where are they in the Zoo?

[JimTom]

I had a set of those Hornady scales mate. Traded up fairly quickly. Maybe I had a sketchy set but they wandered like a bloody nomad. Just keep an eye on them.

[Blr243]

Ditto the hornady scales wandering like a nomad , been a while since I used them so before I posted this I went for a look to check on their function to refresh my memory....but could not find them so perhaps they been wandering so much that they are now down the street somewhere

[Blr243]

But in fairness to hornady I must add that my locknload auto charge dispenser/ scales are always super consistent and to be trusted and I expect that for something 300 bucks or more

[JimTom]

Yes mate, agreed, not bagging out Hornady in general as they make some good kit, but those cheap scales perform exactly like cheap scales.

[Blr243]

I saw some cheap digital scales at lgs for 8 dollars a set. I wasn’t contemplating them but when the salesman saw them in my hand he walked up to me and strictly told me not to buy them

[northdude]

what i use to lube the necks is cut a 12g case open and empty the lead shot into a smal container with a lid so you dont spill it then i add some graphite to it and dip the necks in it

[snag]

Northdude, that's the sort of excellent tip that makes a forum like this great. I'm gunna try that next time I'm prepping cases.

[Stix]

Northdude, that's the sort of excellent tip that makes a forum like this great. I'm gunna try that next time I'm prepping cases.

Sorry you've missed it the couple of times ive mentioned it snag...hehe

It is a great way to lube necks...

I think about #5's are about the best size...i say that because i get a consistant but random 22 cal case that gets #4's stuck in it...no biggie, but need to be aware before sending the die into the case.

...err...or case into die even...lol

And #7's are too small--they dont hold enough graphite, but still work, just needs an extra trirl or 2.

I have mine in an old small air rifle pellet tin.

[boingk]

I'm getting into reloading myself and was torn between my usual thriftiness and getting a more time efficient setup. I ended up going with a Lee Classic Turret kit, but before I made the (considerable) decision to do that I would have gone this way:

$50 - Smartreloader Omega 800 O-frame press
$30 - Lee Improved Powder Measure Kit 90100
$80 - Lee die kit

So for $160 all up you'll have a reasonably functional kit which you can add to along the way with proper scales, trimmers, hand priming tools etc. All those prices are straight off ebay for anyone wondering.

The only downside I've been able to find with the very cheap press is that it has slop in the actuating arm assembly. I'd imagine that if you spend $10 at the hardware store on some stainless washers to shim that out you'd have a pretty solid setup. Alternatively, seek out a used press for similar money.