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I still have some fired brass cases cut to length that were used as dippers, it took some trial and error to get the right length but it is well worth the effort and they can be surprisingly accurate.

Sorry all, I forgot to add to the last post; a bench can start off simple. See the attached pic, a bench made out of two pieces of 18 mil ply glued together to make the 36mm thick bench, 750mm by 350mm to which is attached the kit. Above is a shelt for caliper, et cetera and I added another shelf, later, for a case trimmer.

what did we do in the 1880?

greenshoots

I started off with a Lee "O" press and the Ram Prime, which is a spindly wire thingie that sits on the end of the ram. You put a primer into the spring-loaded cup, then raise the ram to insert the primer into the case, which is held in a regular shell holder in an aluminum adapter that sits where the loading die normally goes.

I have a couple of dedicated priming tools now, but I mostly use the Ram Prime, which I find to be easier and faster to use. Could be because that's what I started with.

Some equipment may be more solidly built than other equipment, but the skill and care of the operator is still the deciding factor.

I'd like to put a plug in for my favorite reloading book: "ABCs of Reloading" by Dean Grennell. There's another book out by a different author now; you'll want to look for the real thing. It'll probably be thirty years old, printed on acid paper, and turning brown and crumbly. Don't worry about it. There are lots of reloading books out there, but Dean's book assumes you're a reasonably intelligent person, just unfamiliar with how to reload ammunition. He then proceeds to tell you. For me, the best part was the pictures of what could go wrong, what you could safely ignore, when you should start over.

Don't see a mention of "Safety Glasses", very important piece of gear especially when priming.

Also, Brown trousers, for when that primer does go off when you're priming a case. (Just don't ask )


Has anybody else EVER had a primer go off when they've been priming a case?????????

Andy632 wrote:Don't see a mention of "Safety Glasses", very important piece of gear especially when priming.

Also, Brown trousers, for when that primer does go off when you're priming a case. (Just don't ask )


Has anybody else EVER had a primer go off when they've been priming a case?????????

No (but I know someone who nearly lost an eye in a primer-related accident, so the advice os sound).

You really shouldn't be using a centre punch and claw hammer to prime cases, though...

You really shouldn't be using a centre punch and claw hammer to prime cases, though...

of course not , everyone knows you should use a ball pein hammer!

Or a half brick.

Could I suggest that before you let yourself loose in reloading for yourself, that you find a shooter that is willing to show you how to reload safely.
That is the way I started and found it invaluable before getting stuck in myself.

The Cupcake Kid wrote:

Andy632 wrote:Don't see a mention of "Safety Glasses", very important piece of gear especially when priming.

Also, Brown trousers, for when that primer does go off when you're priming a case. (Just don't ask )


Has anybody else EVER had a primer go off when they've been priming a case?????????

No (but I know someone who nearly lost an eye in a primer-related accident, so the advice os sound).

You really shouldn't be using a centre punch and claw hammer to prime cases, though...

Not even a 2lb Ball Pein hammer, it was a Lee Auto-prime.
Der, this one feels a bit tight & sticky, I'll just give it a damn good squeeze!