Reloader out of storage and ready. I am not!!

[Al Bundy]

Just got my reloader out this past weekend. A friend of mine gave it to me 15 or so years ago. I was unable to use and never opened it up. I knew the day would come I would be hunting again. So.. now its time. Its an old RCBS, best guess from the mid/later 60's. I know literally nothing about reloading or this unit.  Here are some images of what it is. I think the first step is read that book. Is this stuff out of date? Experts out there what do you think of this thing??  If there are any recipes in there I assume there are better now or?? I didnt see a scale. Instead there are plastic measuring cup type things you are supposed to pour the powder into.

 

 

 

[Culvercreek hunt club]

basically the process hasn't changed since it was published but it won't have the bullet and powder selections that the newer manual will have. Also may be missing some of the more modern cartridges.

 

and from the looks of the stuff there, he was casting some of his own bullets.

Edited October 21, 2014 by Culvercreek hunt club

[Al Bundy]

Checked out my dies and they are all .357 . Also some literature is for pistol reloading. Looks like this was geared to pistol.  Are there other pistol type specific parts that I may need to exchange for rifle or shotgun, other than the dies? That one I am aware of.

 

Thanks.

[philoshop]

The gear in your pics might be seriously worth something to a collector. I'm not a collector, so I can't even begin to put a $ value on it, and I can't identify most of it off the top of my head.

Do some research regarding the model numbers and such on ebay and gunbrokers to see what you have in that box. You may be surprised at what it's worth.

[Setters4life]

An old-school c-press, and bullet lubricator/sizer. For single-stage pistol rounds this is fine. Just not built for volume. It can still be used though.

[Al Bundy]

Thanks. I dug around the box a bit more this morning and found some more dies.  30/30 9MM Luger and 30-06. Glad it has the 30-06. The plan is to reload low recoil for my rifle. There are quite a few 30/30 rounds that I have no use for. Many primers.

 

Question: Do the dies go bad or otherwise become useless? Essentially I am worried due to age and storage the equipment may need replacing.  If anyone could answer that or give me a few pointers on what to look for to be safe, that would be great.

 

 

[Culvercreek hunt club]

the only thing that I can think of that would hurt the dies would be corrosion. From the pics they look pretty clean. If it were me and the dies looked good, I would hold the ones you are going to use and clean up and sell the rest of the stuff. Might be worth something to someone that is into older equipment. The lead pot(I think) and molds for sure. a new or even a newer used single stage press can be had pretty reasonable and you wouldn't have to question if it is ok.  

 

what type of '06 you reloading for?

 

couple things you should look for:

Powder scale.

calipers

case trimmer

chamfer tool and primer pocket cleaner

 

I also don't see where that press can prime so you may need a priming tool.

[Al Bundy]

Very very good info. Thanks. The dies dont look corroded at all. I have a Savage 11/111 30-06. Nice gun, carried it last season. Bought pre-shoulder issues and now its not real fun to shoot. So figured Id try my hand at this equipment I have and see if I could have some lite recoil loads. While I am at it, I thought maybe reload some lite loads for my wifes Savage Axis youth 7mm 08. This I am on the fence about. She shot it once 7 rounds, complained a little about shoulder hurting at the end. I want her to have a great experience so thought maybe while doing all this, may as well try that.  

 

I will be digging through all the stuff this weekend trying to figure out what tools are what here. There are some items in the wooden box I am not familiar with and may be some of the items listed above. 

 

Thanks so far. I am sure Ill have tons of questions coming up. Im likely going to use my existing stock and look into this during winter months.  

 

 

[Pygmy]

Your press has a priming arm.

You have powder measures, but a scale would be better.

However, with the press, dies and powder measures, you do have the capability of depriming, resizing, priming, charging powder and seating bullets.

It should be possible to make perfectly serviceable handloads with this equipment, but the addition of an inside/outside chamfer tool and a set of calipers would make it easier.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I knew the old guy in the forum would recognize that press. Lol

[Pygmy]

Looks like my first press, Culver.. RCBS JR press...

I used mine until the cast frame broke, then replaced it with a Rockchucker which will last me the rest rest of MY life..<<grin>>..

As far as priming tools go, lots of guys prefer a hand primer ( like the Lee), but I have never had any problems seating primers with the priming arm on my press, either the old JR or the Rockchucker.

[pistolp71]

Uuum, how do you make perfectly serviceable handloads without weighing the charges?

[philoshop]

Uuum, how do you make perfectly serviceable handloads without weighing the charges?

 

With the powder dippers and the accompanying chart(s). They can be very consistent once you've got the routine down.

I haven't used them in probably 30 yrs so I don't know if older charts would be considered outdated even for the listed powders.? Lee would have that info, though.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I have checked the dippers with the scale. Pretty consistent except for long cylindrical powder. If you are going to dip the powder though I would suggest getting the lee manual. Is is set up with info for dipper / grain info for the different powders

[Pygmy]

 

Uuum, how do you make perfectly serviceable handloads without weighing the charges?

Uuum...What Culver and Philosoph said....

[pistolp71]

The OP stated he had never reloaded, and knew nothing about reloading. He should not be attempting to reload without a scale. Period.

[Pygmy]

 

The OP stated he had never reloaded, and knew nothing about reloading. He should not be attempting to reload without a scale. Period.

 

Oh REALLY ?

So you are saying that using a Lee Loader or the Old Lyman Tong Tool along with properly graduated powder dippers and instructions is unsafe ?

Well, since you seem to be the supreme authority on everything concerning firearms, that's probably true.

Excuse me for responding to your sarcasm... It's time for my nap...

Edited October 24, 2014 by Pygmy

[philoshop]

I started with Lee dippers and Lee Loaders many years ago. Never had a problem.

[fasteddie]

Well , i'll be dipped !

[Al Bundy]

I might be dipped also.  This is good info. I do have access to a digital scale and could easily dip and weigh, seems like. This is great info from those in the know. 

 

 

"  Is is set up with info for dipper / grain info for the different powders " If this is a question for me, I dont know the answer.  I see a bit of upgrades in my future. I opened the lee powder thing and did not see a slide in chart that should have been there.  Hopefully its there somewhere.

 

There are quite a few primers in there, appear to be in perfect shape. Good idea to use or bad idea to use, given the age?

 

        

[Setters4life]

I might be dipped also.  This is good info. I do have access to a digital scale and could easily dip and weigh, seems like. This is great info from those in the know. 

 

 

"  Is is set up with info for dipper / grain info for the different powders " If this is a question for me, I dont know the answer.  I see a bit of upgrades in my future. I opened the lee powder thing and did not see a slide in chart that should have been there.  Hopefully its there somewhere.

 

There are quite a few primers in there, appear to be in perfect shape. Good idea to use or bad idea to use, given the age?

 

If the primers have been stored properly and haven't been exposed to moisture they should be fine. They won't go bad.

 

I have used those dippers back in the 70's and they throw close to what they say for different powders. Use a powder trickler to get as close to the measurement as possible if you are not going to use a powder measure/thrower.

 

You can make some nice medium power loads for your.30-06 that can go down to .30-30 power-levels with medium burn-rate powders like 3031, 4895, 4320, Varget, W748. Stick powders are sometimes difficult to work with in a thrower. I haven't tried the new "short cut" powders yet but that's what they were developed for. Ball powders work better but you might have fewer options than you would with stick powders.

 

My first centerfire "reloader" was this Lee that a friend gave me back in the70's. It worked fine, and there was no scale. (I have posted a picture of the original here before but can't seem to find the photo now. I still have the loader though.)

 

 

 

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I might be dipped also. This is good info. I do have access to a digital scale and could easily dip and weigh, seems like. This is great info from those in the know.

" Is is set up with info for dipper / grain info for the different powders " If this is a question for me, I dont know the answer. I see a bit of upgrades in my future. I opened the lee powder thing and did not see a slide in chart that should have been there. Hopefully its there somewhere.

There are quite a few primers in there, appear to be in perfect shape. Good idea to use or bad idea to use, given the age?

Should have said It is. It was a statement.

[Culvercreek hunt club]

If the primers have been stored properly and haven't been exposed to moisture they should be fine. They won't go bad.

I have used those dippers back in the 70's and they throw close to what they say for different powders. Use a powder trickler to get as close to the measurement as possible if you are not going to use a powder measure/thrower.

You can make some nice medium power loads for your.30-06 that can go down to .30-30 power-levels with medium burn-rate powders like 3031, 4895, 4320, Varget, W748. Stick powders are sometimes difficult to work with in a thrower. I haven't tried the new "short cut" powders yet but that's what they were developed for. Ball powders work better but you might have fewer options than you would with stick powders.

My first centerfire "reloader" was this Lee that a friend gave me back in the70's. It worked fine, and there was no scale. (I have posted a picture of the original here before but can't seem to find the photo now. I still have the loader though.)

How many guns did you blow up without a scale?

[Culvercreek hunt club]

I use the 4007SSC (short cut) in the '07 and 270 Win Meters pretty well

[Setters4life]

How many guns did you blow up without a scale?

 

None yet, but I certainly have moved on from that Lee Loader in 1975 to my Rockchucker's within a year. Sure it's a good idea to verify the charge weight that's about to go in the shell with a scale.