The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post

JimJD · May 6, 2007, 01:05 PM

Hi there,

Once again, I'm looking at reloading. Bought two books on the subject, one of which is the "Lee 40th Anniversary Pack" that comes with a book and that neat little "reloader press".
I still have space issues though and might not be able to set up a bench mounted press. So, I'm looking at the Lee Hand Press again.
To start, I would be loading two calibers. .45 ACP and 5.56/.223. I've read that .45 ACP is no problem in the Lee, but how about 5.56/.223? I imagine it would take a little more effort and that's it. I'm looking at lee dies (carbide) for both, but is there anything I should know about the ones for rifle? BTW, I'm going with Lee for most everything.

If I go this route, I'm thinking I would need / could use:

A press (in this case, the hand press)

Dies (Lee carbide)

Hand priming tool and shell holders

Powder scoops / Powder measure kit

Digital scale (to double check charge weight and finished cartridge weight?)

Case tumbler (with media separation doo-dad, I have a lot of saved brass)

Primer pocket cleaner/tool

chamfering tool

Bullet puller

Digital Caliper (to check OAL of a finished round?)

Reloading tray/block

Safety glasses

Is there anything that I'm missing here? Things I should know, other uses or the proper use of tools listed?
Besides powder, primers, and bullets...
Please let me know, I'm dying to get into reloading!

May 6, 2007, 01:05 PM	#1
JimJD Senior Member Join Date: May 18, 2004 Posts: 128	Lee Hand Press Hi there, Once again, I'm looking at reloading. Bought two books on the subject, one of which is the "Lee 40th Anniversary Pack" that comes with a book and that neat little "reloader press". I still have space issues though and might not be able to set up a bench mounted press. So, I'm looking at the Lee Hand Press again. To start, I would be loading two calibers. .45 ACP and 5.56/.223. I've read that .45 ACP is no problem in the Lee, but how about 5.56/.223? I imagine it would take a little more effort and that's it. I'm looking at lee dies (carbide) for both, but is there anything I should know about the ones for rifle? BTW, I'm going with Lee for most everything. If I go this route, I'm thinking I would need / could use: A press (in this case, the hand press) Dies (Lee carbide) Hand priming tool and shell holders Powder scoops / Powder measure kit Digital scale (to double check charge weight and finished cartridge weight?) Case tumbler (with media separation doo-dad, I have a lot of saved brass) Primer pocket cleaner/tool chamfering tool Bullet puller Digital Caliper (to check OAL of a finished round?) Reloading tray/block Safety glasses Is there anything that I'm missing here? Things I should know, other uses or the proper use of tools listed? Besides powder, primers, and bullets... Please let me know, I'm dying to get into reloading!