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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131,647
Campfire Sage
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Campfire Sage
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 131,647 |
In 1980 I started reloading using Lee Loader sets, mainly for .38 Special. Pretty much all I shot were my own handloads from those sets for a few years. I couldn't afford factory ammo at the time. Not at the volume of shooting I wanted to do.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,404
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 13,404 |
Herters, a massive press and dies, still have most of them.
Dog I rescued in January
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17,173
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 17,173 |
Started with a Mec 600 in 1972, loading shot shells. In 1974 I started loading rifle rounds. I was reading everything I could get my hands on. Trying to smart myself up some. Still working on getting smart.
Last edited by Hammerdown; 04/27/20.
Randy NRA Patriot Life Benefactor
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,584
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 3,584 |
RCBS Rockchucker kit, RCBS 30-06 dies, 1# of IMR4064, 165 grain Nosler BT's and WLR's (best load in the Lyman manual) about 2009. Like most others I've added a boatload of stuff since then.
Wag more, bark less.
The freedoms we surrender today will be the freedoms our grandchildren will never know existed.
The men who wrote the Second Amendment didn't just finish a hunting trip, they just finished liberating a nation.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,525
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,525 |
I started in 1974, bought a Lee Loader for 12gauge at the KMart store in Olathe KS. That got me started, it wasn't long before I bought a used RCBS Jr. , and from that, I went to a Dillon Square Deal, then a 550B, and a used Rockchucker for heavy chores.
I couldn't begin to count how much ammo I've loaded over the years.
You can roll a turd in peanuts, dip it in chocolate, and it still ain't no damn Baby Ruth.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 25,873
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 25,873 |
For many years I did my reloading on my cousin's equipment or my Uncle's. Cousin had an RCBS Jr. I purchased a Lee Powder dispenser, another cousin bought the RCBS 505 scales.
After marriage and my own house, I loaded for several years with a Lee hand press and a Pact digital scale. Until I managed to get a couple very hot loads in a Savage 114V 22-250 with 60 gr Hornadys and H 380.
I threw the Pact scale in the garbage and have been using an RCBS 10-10 since.
People who choose to brew up their own storms bitch loudest about the rain.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,532
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,532 |
Started with an RCBS Jr. press in 1971. Had loaded with Dad's RCBS A2 press before that. (before they were painted green!)
Used a set on non magnetic scales and dribbled in powder in with a small spoon to balance the scales.
My!...... how things have changed since then....
Virgil B.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,378
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,378 |
Lee loader in 41 Mag. - started in 1966 - I lasted one day with the Lee setup.
As I was seating a primer (pounding it into the case with the supplied rod) it detonated and my hand stung like crazy. After about five minutes assessing the situation, I simply cleaned all of the Lee loader into the trash can!
Back to the local gun shop - I got a used A2 RCBS press, carbide die set, and a scale and never looked back!
Fifty four years later and I still remember the noise from that CCI350 going off as I pounded the primer into the case!
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 10,279
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 10,279 |
Lee loader, shotgun actually. I still have it and use it for black powder shotgun shells. But I haven't fired that old Damascus double barrel Savage in decades.
The older I become the more I am convinced that the voice of honor in a man's heart is the voice of GOD.
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 563
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 563 |
lee loader 1970. dipper and all. graduated in 1973 to a rockchucker. and later to a Dillon progressive. mec for shotshells.
still use all but kept the lee as a memento. no digital gee whiz scales yet. I had the same primer problem with the lee, until the original lee priming tool
which I rate right up there with fire as an invention.
If you're not having fun; you're not doing it right!
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 28,379
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 28,379 |
1968, Lee Loader for .38 Spl. Used the supplied scoop for powder charging. I remember the first round fired was out of an Old Model Blackhawk. I stuck the revolver out in front of me, turned my head the other way and pulled the trigger. Was somewhat surprised and relieved when it went bang instead of kaboom, so I was hooked. Maybe a year later got a Lyman 310 tool and then a Lyman C press.
1978 got an RCBS Jr single stage which I'm still using.
Gunnery, gunnery, gunnery. Hit the target, all else is twaddle!
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,776
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 2,776 |
In about 1978 I bought a RCBS Rock Chucker Jr. for my .270 and 7Mag. It was one of those kits they marketed back then that had the press, scale, powder trickler, and a few other things. Still using the original press and bought another one at a farm auction for $5 about twenty years ago and set it up for for seating.
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 45,020
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 45,020 |
Just 12ga on a lee load all long ago. Got cheaper to just buy factory double AA super handicaps eventually.
I could reload an old school double AA hull maybe 6 or 7 times before the crimping started cracking too much, didnt have issues resizing the base. Then they changed em and resizing the base and the crimps were a Pita and would last 4 maybe 5 at the most.
JME....
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,755
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,755 |
Lee loader and a scale in 1969.
He who joyfully marches in rank and file has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would suffice.
- Albert Einstein
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,735
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,735 |
1956. RCBS press, scale and powder measure. Have had in the years since, Lyman, Redding, Herters, Lee with multiple versions of them and RCBS.
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,457
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,457 |
RCBS rockchucker kit in the 80s. Still a good rig.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,624
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,624 |
Somewhere around 1988, RCBS partner press reloading kit, 505 scale, Hornady 45 ACP dies. Locally sourced cast H&G 68s with W231 and CCI 300s. When I was feeling flush I bought a box of the Speer 200gr. ‘Flying Ashtray’ and some Blue Dot and was lucky not to blow up the gun. Later moved into .30-06, .308, and .30-30., with the .270 for friend. Now I load too many to count, and have moved to a Rockchucker.
Old70
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 9,603
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 9,603 |
1973, My first loader was a Pacific DL 105 in 12 ga.
1974, an RCBS Jr. RCBS 22-250 dies, an Ohaus 505 scale & an uninked stamp pad from the office supply store, greased with RCBS sizing lube.
I've never regretted it but I have upgraded a bit.
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 10,872
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 10,872 |
started as a young boy beside my dad and his rcbs stuff, eventually went to a rock chucker and partner press, still have them both, also used the lee load all toto load 16, 20 and 12 guage shells, was at one point up to seventeen different calibers. Started out weighing powder on a redding oil dampened scale, now also have a rcbs electronic scale.
"The 375HH is the greatest level of power you can get for the investment in recoil." (JJHack) 79s and losttrail, biggest waste of air.
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,382
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,382 |
Started in '76 with a Pacific C press and two sets of CH dies I picked up at a flea market, added an RCBS 5-10 scale and lube pad, didn't take long to decide I needed a powder measure. This was to save money on ammunition, of course. I'm sure you all can guess how that worked out. ![grin grin](/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/default/grin.gif)
Last edited by DHN; 04/27/20.
Dale
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