PDA

View Full Version : Portable Reloading


Ben
03-11-2013, 05:35 PM
I've been wanting to setup a Portable Reloading package for 38 Special.

My goal was something that you could pick up with one hand, was portable, had everything in it needed to reload 38 Spec. and would easily slide under a bed or into a closet when not in use.

I found the case to put everything in at a Thrift Store for $4.00. My friend Ken is an excellent woodworker. We made dividers and compartments on the inside with a hinged folding locking lid this morning.

Everything needed to reload 38 Special ( other than fired 38 Spec. brass ) is now in the box and ready to go.

Currently in the box is :

A Lee Breech Lock Hand Press w / correct # 1 shell holder in the press.
A 1/2 pound of Bullseye with a spoon to throw 3.5 grs. B'eye
200 ea., 125 gr. cast bullets , lubed, sized .358" and ready to load
200 Winchester primers
A de-burring tool.
A primer pocket clean out tool.
A complete Lee Carbide , 38 Special , 3 Die set with all dies with Beech Lock rings on them for rapid change in / out in the hand press.
An RCBS ram prime ( w/ breech lock ring ) set up for small pistol primers
A Lee funnel
A loading block

I'm putting all this together for my grandson. It could be switched over to another pistol or rifle caliber rather easily.

Easy to slide under the bed when not in use. Throw an old towel on a coffee table , get everything out of the box and start reloading.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/005-28.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/004-40.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/003-42.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/002-47.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v494/haysb/001-43.jpg
LatheRunner
03-11-2013, 06:57 PM
Nice job Ben. It looks like he will be ready to go. My father had powder measures made like that. You could even use that set up at the range.
Ben
03-11-2013, 07:13 PM
LR,

Yes, if you wanted to test a few loads at the range on a pleasant spring afternoon, I'd think it would work nicely for that also.

Ben
LUBEDUDE
03-12-2013, 06:26 PM
That is pretty slick Ben!

Sure beats the Lee Loader I started with.
s1120
03-14-2013, 06:09 AM
Thats a real nice setup!! I realy like the homemade powder dipper! Id be looking for a screwtop powder container though. Sometimes those snaptop containers pop the top when you least want/expect it.
Ben
03-14-2013, 07:54 AM
s1120

I'm sorry that I didn't include close ups of the powder containers. THEY ARE screw top containers.

You're right, the snap on containers would never work.
Texantothecore
03-14-2013, 09:48 AM
I have an outfit much like that and I treasure it highly. Your gift to your grandson will be with him for the rest of his life.

You done good, Gramps. Very good.
Ben
03-14-2013, 10:55 AM
Yes, when I was 17 I would have been thrilled for someone to offer me something like this.

Ben
Bo1
03-14-2013, 11:14 AM
Awesome setup Ben, thanks for sharing.... I might have to use this idea for some mobile reloading stuff for my daughters...
Bo
Ben
03-14-2013, 11:48 AM
No patents here on my end.............go at it ! !

Ben
s1120
03-14-2013, 07:27 PM
My bad. Looked like the glad type containers

I really like that the press is held solid to the box. That's one of the little touches that show good craftsmanship



s1120

I'm sorry that I didn't include close ups of the powder containers. THEY ARE screw top containers.

You're right, the snap on containers would never work.
Catshooter
03-14-2013, 11:45 PM
Ben,

Your point about how the right 17 year old would treasure such a thing made me realize how right you are! That didn't occur to me when first admired your thread. Last Christmas I gave my new (by marriage) grandson his first rifle. An H&R .30-30/20 gauge.

But now I know what he'll need next! What a great idea and he'll be thanking you here someday.


Cat
Ben
03-15-2013, 08:39 AM
I'm concerned that my grandson may never have access to an expansive loading bench with 5 or 6 loading presses, loading scales, powder measures, etc.

This system will allow him to load any centerfire cartridge without all that.

Ben
dragonrider
03-15-2013, 09:06 AM
Excellent kit
cajun shooter
03-15-2013, 09:24 AM
I tried to interest both of my sons and now my grandsons to reloading and casting both. The effort has failed as none of them have shown one iota of interest.
I have given my wife instructions on what I want to do with all of my things including guns.
Doc Highwall
03-15-2013, 09:47 AM
Cajun shooter, that was nice of you to think of me! We can work out the details later.
jmorris
03-15-2013, 09:59 AM
Not quite as compact as your kit but a few years ago I had a bunch of different powders to try out for 38 IDPA loads, so I built a receiver mount for one of my SD's. Everything would fit in a large tub and cut hours off the process the way I used to do it.

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv5/qvideo/gn/3533895716_0a7f11a958.jpg
opos
03-15-2013, 10:47 AM
Congrats on a nice kit. I have a full size set up in the garage but also have a similar (though not near as nice) kit for the days I want to sit in my "office" and do a little loading....A Lee breech lock hand press makes it all possible...I use dippers and a scale and weigh each load..I only load straight case handgun cartridges so the hand press works out great. I sometimes tumble brass but often when it's just my brass I give it a citric acid bath and rinse and dry it...I use a Lee "on press" little primer unit or also an older Lee round tray unit for priming. Being in absolutly no hurry and doing low volume loading...the Lee hand press is terrific..again glad to see others like the simple way and the kit you made is just the thing.
jmort
03-15-2013, 11:03 AM
As a powder dipper devotee, I have to say that is one seriously nice powder dipper. As noted above, nice kit.

And jmorris that receiver "bench" is genius "beer can engineering." Love it. BTW I feel close to someone going by jmorris being jmortimer. We would have lined-up next to each other in school.
Ben
03-15-2013, 12:19 PM
Sometimes, it just doesn't have to be " over - engineered " to work.
The simple things in life continue to work well.

Ben
OutHuntn84
03-15-2013, 12:42 PM
Not quite as compact as your kit but a few years ago I had a bunch of different powders to try out for 38 IDPA loads, so I built a receiver mount for one of my SD's. Everything would fit in a large tub and cut hours off the process the way I used to do it.

http://i664.photobucket.com/albums/vv5/qvideo/gn/3533895716_0a7f11a958.jpg

Well I guess I've got a new project for the jeep! My poor poor bank account lol.