Let's Get Back to Basics

[Green Frog]

This section of the CB Forum is designed for discussion of 310 tools, Lee Loaders (the hand type) and other non-bench press type loading, in short Hand Tools. Has anyone done anything of note lately about or with these types of tools? I'm not seeing much about them here these days. :coffeecom I just finished gathering a set of 38/357 dies for the 310 and a set of iron handles so marked. [smilie=w: I had one of the old boxes laying around, so I guess I can now assemble a complete, early type set. There are a few old Lee Loaders on my table waiting for me to find time to use them, and as soon as I get some of my newer stuff stashed and make room to work (I know, it shouldn't take much room) I'll be able to get busy with them. Does anyone know how I can get "a round tuit??" :confused:

Froggie

[jmort]

Nothing of note, but I like hand tools. 3 Breech Lock hand presses, 2 Lanes Reloaders 12 gauge, multiple Lee Loaders, mucho Lee Auto Primes. Couple sets of Lee Powder dippers. I like the simplicity. Just as some like contraptions like 1050s, I like hand tools. Next step may be the Huntington Compac Tool. All theses simple tools do take up some space when you collect a few of them. KISS.

[NoZombies]

I haven't done much lately other than organizing some stuff.

I pulled all the stuff acquired over the last few years out and sorted it, making a few complete sets, including putting together the .32 S&W long set using the steel universal handles (those are a PITA to find!).

Every once in a while I pull a set out and load 50 rounds or so.

[IDSS]

For the last year, all I've used has been a Lee breech lock hand press. That's for .223, 30-06, and .44 Special and Mag.
We just moved last year and the basement is in a state of flux (read that "absolute mess") and the hand press has been my only option for getting any loading done.

I do like that everything for one caliber can fit in a tool box and that I can just set up on the coffee table, if need be. My wife is not as fond as I am of that feature...

[Mk42gunner]

I'm not all that enamored with the Lee Loaders, the only thing I have done with ones for brass cartridges is pick them up cheap and pass the savings along to members. My mental block about using them comes from starting reloading in my early teens with a Lee Loader in .410 and a year or two later one in 20 gauge; the crimps did not form well with plastic shells, even using the crimp starters. No resizing of the case head meant my H&R wouldn't even extract, forget about ejecting three inch .410's.

On the other hand, I have started to get really interested in 310 tools; I now have both a small and a large aluminum handle, and dies in .243 and .308 Winchester. I think there was a guy that had several sets of dies at the last local gun show, but I didn't realize what the boxes were until after the show was over.

I hope he will be at the one this week end; I really want to get sets for .22 Hornet and .30-40 Krag to go with my Savage 219 and 1899 Carbine. Seems like single shot rifles and Krags just cry out for tong tools.

Robert

[Green Frog]

Now that's what I'm talkin' about! :mrgreen:

jmortimer, if and when you get that HDS Compac Tool you will be blown away with how cool it is... I know I was. ;) I keep mine ready to do a final crimping step for Civil War style Maynard 50 cal. rounds. I'm convinced that with a proper set of dies I could load anything with this (by hand) that I could with any normal single stage or turret bench press. It was well worth the $$$ I paid for it.

NoZombies, I got very lucky and found a complete pre-War #3 boxed set (nickel, of course)for the 32 S&W including a bullet sizing die! I love to take it to the range when it's time to do load development. I also get good mileage out of my post-War blued 32-40 and 45-70 sets. It's fun but challenging to find the older dies and handles for calibers I actually load for... the hunt is half of the game! [smilie=2:

Mk42gunner, if you don't have any luck with that 22 Hornet search, I think I may be able to assemble a set out of my "chowder box." For a while there it seemed like I was seeing a lot of odd dies in that caliber. I can't help you one the 30-40 though, 'cause all I have is the TruLine Jr set for my little press... I shoot an 1899 carbine that my granduncle sporterized for deer hunting. :grin:

Froggie

[Mk42gunner]

Froggie,

Thanks for the offer, I may just take you up on it if I can't find anything.

The boxes I recall seeing were the black and white Lyman boxes labeled "inserts" I think. If the guy is there I will be asking to look in them.

Robert

[EDG]

I like the Wilson hand dies. At least I have used the neck sizers with a plastic hammer.
The seater dies are used with a small arbor press.
I also have a number of hand made loading dies in 6X47 are of higher quality than any factory die.
Most are unidentified but one sizer is marked Shilen.

[Pavogrande]

I started reloading in 1957 with a 310 set in 25/20 -- still use it
I generally like using the tong tool, I tolerate the lee hand press, but don't care for the lee whacker -
Even when using a regular press and dies I often expand or prime with the tong --
I have about 10 or more sets and a host of orphans trying to find siblings --
While a couple sets are "collectible" most are for general use.
I too am trying to complete a hornet set , a 250 savage set and 30/30 set ---
My goal is to pass on to each grandchild a weapon and reloading tooling for it - which is getting closer by the day :-)

[.22-10-45]

I have an original Ballard No. 2 in .25-25. Since it's a cast action, I only use Swiss 3FG. I am using a nickled Ideal .25-21/.25
Double-adjustable No. 3 Tong tool for bullet seating original Ideal 25720 100gr. bullets. Also trying to get a British W.J. Jeffery rook rifle in .255 Jeffery rook to shoot. Using the little 50gr. Lyman .25ACP bullet cast soft & using an Ideal .25 WCF No. 3 tong tool for bullet seating.

[sthwestvictoria]

Even though I have the dies I loaded up some .243 with the Lee Loader yesterday. Just a perfect tool for running up a few rounds.

[Green Frog]

Pavogrande,

I let a friend talk me out of my 32-20 die set for the 310 because I thought I had another. OOOOPPPSSS! So far I've gotten everything replaced except the neck sizer die, but I'm still looking for that one. :???:

I like to use the old Lyman push-in FL case sizers from time to time, so when I was making a mini-arbor press in a shop class that I audited where I teach, I talked the instructor into letting me make it to a size appropriate to use with these dies. I still have to use a rod and hammer to get the cases back out, of course. 8-)

Back to the idea of hand priming with 310 tongs... the first really serious caster and loader I ever knew (over 40 years ago) swore by them, and his 44 Spl and Mag loads worked every time! :Fire:

Froggie

[Wayne Smith]

I've got to empty some brass and cast some boolits. I load my 38/357 with 310 dies and my Jr press. I don't have much brass unloaded and ran out of boolits to load. Been shooting my 45's.

[Pavogrande]

froggie -- since I use the 32/20 MR for the carbine I can't help you out --

[catskinner]

I like the old Winchester 1894 tools and molds. Got a 32-40 and 32 Special with the correct mold for each.Like most of the ones you see at gun shows they are missing the decapping pin and charge cup also known as powder dipper.

[hydraulic]

I like the old Winchester 1894 tools and molds. Got a 32-40 and 32 Special with the correct mold for each.Like most of the ones you see at gun shows they are missing the decapping pin and charge cup also known as powder dipper.

Coincidence: Setting up at a local gun show today; took a walk around to see if anything interesting was coming in and found a #4 with 38 L.I.L marked as the caliber. Anyone got any idea what those letters stand for?

[Bent Ramrod]

Long Inside Lubricated. The mould should have a hollow base pin attached to it and be a nose pour.

[MT Chambers]

I've primed with just about every hand tool and bench mounted press out there, but only use my Co-ax and the 310 tool for priming anymore, both are solid, smooth with lots of feel.

[William Yanda]

"Does anyone know how I can get "a round tuit??" :confused:
All it takes is a broomstick, a table saw, and a sharpie

[krag35]

I like my Lee loaders once I get a load worked out for a particular firearm. I make a powder dipper for the specific load. I would not be without them.

[3006guns]

I became enamored with the 310 about ten years ago. A friend came back from a gun show with a set of the universal handles and dies for .303 Brit and 7 x 57 Mauser....gave them to me as a gift (it cost him $12 for everything). I didn't use them for some time because I didn't know how......until the advent of the internet. I've located one more set of 30-06 handles and probably eight more sets of dies in the old military calibers.

My standard "range and field" kit consists of 310 handles, dies, extra decapping pins (necessary!), one pound of powder, 200 primers and about 250-400 cast, lubed and sized boolits. I adjust the dies before leaving for the field but also include a small hollow ground screwdriver in case more adjustments are needed. All of it fits easily into a .50 caliber ammo can. All I need is my fired brass and I can sit around camp in the evening reloading while my companions are counting how many of those expensive "store bought" cartridges they have left. Oh, they usually give me their fired brass......suckers. :)

The reason for the extra decapping pins? When used correctly, the pins last a long time. However, the tool handle is swinging in an arc which forces the pin to bend.......ever so slightly.......and then bend back again. I usually adjust the die so that it barely pops out the fired primer and no more. They're tough little pins but they ARE little, so hence the spares when afield.

[bb07]

Like many others, I started out with a lee Loader back in the early '80's but haven't used one for years now. The 310 is a different story. I absolutely love these tools and have since buying my first set thirty years ago. Although I have modern tools, I simply get immense enjoyment using the old ones.
For decapping and priming I generally leave the press alone and reach for the 310, and I also like to load with it.
The Lee dippers are another thing I wouldn't be without.
I also found a very nice Tru-line Junior but don't even use it, preferring the tong tool.
Sometimes old and slow aren't so bad after all.....:)

[bedbugbilly]

Boy I love "310" threads . . . and shame on you all . . . YOU ARE A BAD INFLUENCE ON OTHERS! :-)

I got "bitten" by the 310 bug a couple of months ago after sitting on the sidelines for quite a while and just musing and admiring the 310 tools. I took the plunge, purchased a set of 38/357 view with an alloy handle - tried it - and was "smitten" with the whole process. I'm old and I like doing things "the old way" at times - very relaxing and enjoyable!

Since I purchased my first set - I've been able to assemble two sets of steel 38 tongs - one marked 38 and one marked 38/357 as well as sever die sets. I was able to put a set of dies together to reload my 38 Colt Shorts & Longs as well as one set for 38/357. I've been using them for reloading BP cartridges and really liking it.

From there - I ran across a set of 30-06 steel tongs and dies in a nice old Ideal box. I don't load/shoot 30-06 but will hang on to them as I may at some point. I'm using the 30-06 steel tongs with a set of 8mm Mauser dies I was able to "assemble" over time to shoot in my WW I Mauser that a distant relative brought back in 1919. Using the 310 set for that just seems "appropriate".

THEN . . . I've always liked the 30/30 cartridge - used to deer hunt with my father-in-law's old Winchester 94 many years ago. I ran across a set of Ideal steel 30/30 tongs so they had to come home with me and I ended up buying a new set of dies for that. I'm kind of going about it "bass-akwards" as I don't have a 30/30 rifle - but have finally accumulated everything to cast and load for one - so I'm looking.

So you see - you ALL really are a "bad influence" on others! :-) Like a lot of others, I'm trying to get my bench organized to where I can have room enough to "spread out" with the 310 tool to play. For me, it's not about "quantity" . . . it's about the great satisfaction I feel when I squeeze those tongs and then pull out a "hand loaded" cartridge that I made from bullets that I've cast. For some reason, when I chamber those rounds, they just seem to "shoot a little sweeter".

I really appreciate the great "310 threads" and reading all of the information the members here share as it's opened up a whole ne aspect of reloading for me that I wish I had discovered years ago! A big "thank you" to you all!

[Green Frog]

More, more! You guys are doing fine. From other posts in this forum, I was beginning to feel awful lonely. I guess it has been a case of "those who can load with 310 tools do, those who can't write about other stuff!" ;) I wonder whether Lyman could be persuaded to expand their line of dies once again, or whether we are all going to be left searching for old dies or looking for custom and semi-custom stuff. I'm still looking for that 32-20 MR die (hint, hint! ;) )

Froggie

[hydraulic]

Long Inside Lubricated. The mould should have a hollow base pin attached to it and be a nose pour.

Bent R: Thanks. Bought it for $25.

[Chev. William]

More, more! ............ ;) I wonder whether Lyman could be persuaded to expand their line of dies once again, or whether we are all going to be left searching for old dies or looking for custom and semi-custom stuff. I'm still looking for that 32-20 MR die (hint, hint! ;) )

Froggie

Have you found "The 310 Store" on the Internet?

Best Regards,
chev. William

[Pavogrande]

the 310 store is fairly well stocked -- but then so is tiffanys.

[.22-10-45]

For bullet seating in .22 Hornet & .222 Rem. I use an even older type of seater..though mine is quite modern..the straight-line seater. This type pre-dates the Ideal Mfg. Co. by quite a few years..Sharps made this type of loading tool for their rifles.
Mine is a Wilson chamber type seater with Sinclair micrometer adjustable top. I find I can seat both jacket & cast using palm of hand.

[triggerhappy243]

quick story here. My first reloading set was a lee loader for 30-30. then some mini-14 bug bit me, got a lee loader for that. learned an aweful lot about the loading practices of semi-auto reloading. you needed a small base sizer die for the brass. stuck the 2nd loaded round firmly in the chamber(jambed good and tight). destroyed 4 good cleaning rods getting that round unstuck. went to rcbs... never looked back.

[Green Frog]

quick story here. My first reloading set was a lee loader for 30-30. then some mini-14 bug bit me, got a lee loader for that. learned an aweful lot about the loading practices of semi-auto reloading. you needed a small base sizer die for the brass. stuck the 2nd loaded round firmly in the chamber(jambed good and tight). destroyed 4 good cleaning rods getting that round unstuck. went to rcbs... never looked back.


Yes, what works for one doesn't necessarily work for another gun. Most semi-autos tend to benefit from FL sizing which few of the hand tools can provide. Of course you could use a pound in type FL sizer for many of them, but I've never seen one in 223/5.56. :???:

Froggie

[gwpercle]

Not having enough " spare" time at home to load much, I packed up a Lee Hand Press, powder, dipper, dies , boolits, Lee hand priming tool , cases and went to the office. Loaded 200 rounds of 9mm luger, during spare moments at my office desk, over a two day period.
That worked out so well I did it again this week. Loaded 100 rounds of 38 special, and 100 rounds of 45 acp.
Seems like I have a lot more " spare" time at work than I do at home....might as well put that spare time to good use.
Never would have been able to do all that reloading at the office without that sweet little Lee Hand Press....I love it !
Gary

[jmort]

^ This is a perfect example of what can be accomplished. Love my Lee Precision Breech Lock Hand Press, Lee Powder Dippers, and Lee Hand Priming Tools.

[Good Cheer]

Hope there isn't some prohibition on links being posted.

http://www.amoskeagauction.com/silent/100silent.pdf

Went through that catalog and just seriously drooled.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

I use my 310 tools and dies, many of which have been out of production for many years and are considered rare now. As well I use 2-3 Lee hand presses sometimes with a now discontinued series of what lee called "Speed Dies". I load 38-55 sometimes with BP using a Winchester 1894 tool for which I made the missing decapper....for use in my 85 High Wall. Of course its not as fast as a regular loading press but there is no rush and a good feeling of doing it the old way and getting good ammo that shoots well...like it did once upon a once. LLS

[nemesisenforcer]

Nothing better for priming than a Lee hand tool, nothing easier for charging than Lee dippers.

But, my Dillon 650 is a machine/beast hybrid. [smilie=s:

[GhostHawk]

Looks around the room.

Nope, well nothing I can talk about.
Well nothing that I "Should" talk about.


Beenusingmyleeloaderfor7.62x54rto formbrassformy7.62x25Cz-52outof.223blanksbycuttingthe.223totherightlength, thenputtingtheminmyleeloaderandhammeronthemwithapu nchuntiltheneckisformedtothecorrectdepth.
Thenrunthemthroughmy7.62x25diesandpowderthroughexp andertosizethemcorrectlyandflarethemouth.

(Boltsforthedoor)

[Chev. William]

I have my 'reloading' area set up outside on my 'patio' so I, and my dogs, can share the shaded sunlight and outdoors feel as I 'putter'. This is practical as I live in the eastern San Fernando Valley portion of Los Angeles, CA; generally mild weather most of the year. This 'summer' I had to limit my outside time to morning and evenings as midday was TOO HOT and HUMID for reasonable comfort and reloading long term good for the components. Last winter I had some days when the Humidity was in the Condensing (raining) range so could only sit out and resize cases.

Still, the dogs came out with me and shared the peaceful rainy weather under my Patio 'tent'.

Best Regards,
Che. William.

[Mk42gunner]

Looks around the room.

Nope, well nothing I can talk about.
Well nothing that I "Should" talk about.


Beenusingmyleeloaderfor7.62x54rto formbrassformy7.62x25Cz-52outof.223blanksbycuttingthe.223totherightlength, thenputtingtheminmyleeloaderandhammeronthemwithapu nchuntiltheneckisformedtothecorrectdepth.
Thenrunthemthroughmy7.62x25diesandpowderthroughexp andertosizethemcorrectlyandflarethemouth.

(Boltsforthedoor)

At least I got a chuckle out of your post. Sounds like it works well.

Now for your typing. Repeat after me: "The space bar is my friend. I will endeavor to visit my friend after each and every word."

Robert

[Wayne Smith]

bolt for the door indeed! That's exactly what many of us do here - use the tool to accomplish what is needed. If you think that is weird, go read on the Swaging forum!

[GhostHawk]

Sorry guys, yes the space bar and I are old friends. I was just trying to leave a specific impression, (and laughing all the way while doing it)

Lee tools are IMO great tools for the money, and I would not willingly give up my Lee Loader in 7.62x54r. I just wish I had one in 7.62x25.

[Green Frog]

Sorry guys, yes the space bar and I are old friends. I was just trying to leave a specific impression, (and laughing all the way while doing it)

Lee tools are IMO great tools for the money, and I would not willingly give up my Lee Loader in 7.62x54r. I just wish I had one in 7.62x25.

That reminds me of one of the things I like best about the 310 arrangement... since they only neck size, it is frequently possible to do a "work around" for calibers Lyman never intended. My current personal favorite is the Maynard 1873 cartridge in 40-40 that I am loading using the current-production 40-65 dies. Couldn't be better if they meant to do it that way! :mrgreen:

Froggie

[bb07]

I like my 310's so much that even though I have several presses and a universal decapping die, I do all my decapping with the 310. It's just 'funner':bigsmyl2:

[35 shooter]

I've been doing all of my reloading with an older lee hand held press for years now. I love the freedom of load anywhere i go with it. My old rcbs rock chucker just sits idle.
I would love to try one of the huntingtons, but the the lee just keeps getting it done. I have loaded thousands of rifle rounds with the lee and now load my handgun rounds with it too.

[Green Frog]

I've been doing all of my reloading with an older lee hand held press for years now. I love the freedom of load anywhere i go with it. My old rcbs rock chucker just sits idle.
I would love to try one of the huntingtons, but the the lee just keeps getting it done. I have loaded thousands of rifle rounds with the lee and now load my handgun rounds with it too.

I had a Lee Hand Loader and was perfectly satisfied (or so I thought) but ran into an acquaintance who had a Huntington hand loader for sale at a local gun show. I got a "friends and family" price on a like new boxed unit, tried it once and never looked back. Would I have paid the retail freight on a new one? Probably not, but this deal came along and I really love the one I got. YMMV.

Froggie

[Wayne Smith]

Has anyone tried to use the Lyman bullet sizing dies on the TrueLine? There is absolutely no clearance to place a boolit and barely enough room for a round ball between the rod and the die. This is the .311 set. And what does the end of the rod fit? None of my shell holders, anyway! The rod I have for the .25 is so long it is impossible to use it with any press.

Oh, and when I screwed the die up in the press to make more room there was room for three round balls in the die before it spit one out. And I mean it spit it out, bounced off the ceiling and around the room before coming to rest!

[firefly1957]

Well earlier in the year i got a .303 Brit rifle to go with a set of .303 310 dies i got years ago it has some pitting in the bore but i have one cast bullet load shooting well now. I also have 310 dies in 30-06 and 44 special / mag with three handles i am set for loading in the field if i need to.

[Char-Gar]

In use cast bullets were lubed in a pan and cut out with the Lyman Kake Kutter. They were then put into the 310 sizing chamber base first and the tool closed. This "packed" the lube into the grooves and brought the bullet to correct diameter.

However the reality isn't as neat. The 310 tool lacks the leverage to reduce the bullet more than .001 with a soft bullet. Use a harder alloy and it is a no go situation. The sizing chamber can be used in a press with the adapter, but be prepared to cover the end of the chamber to catch the bullet or it will fly a good distance.

The 310 resizing chambers are not entirely useless, but darn close.

[s1120]

I gotta say that granted im a fairly new reloader, but those lee loaders scare me! :) I know its not based in fact... but tapping the primers in jst gives me fits. I really need to pick one p one day and get passed that. :)

Im a 310 user once removed. As a owner and user of a truLine Jr press, I have a foot in bolth rooms.

[BrassMagnet]

This section of the CB Forum is designed for discussion of 310 tools, Lee Loaders (the hand type) and other non-bench press type loading, in short Hand Tools. Has anyone done anything of note lately about or with these types of tools? I'm not seeing much about them here these days. :coffeecom I just finished gathering a set of 38/357 dies for the 310 and a set of iron handles so marked. [smilie=w: I had one of the old boxes laying around, so I guess I can now assemble a complete, early type set. There are a few old Lee Loaders on my table waiting for me to find time to use them, and as soon as I get some of my newer stuff stashed and make room to work (I know, it shouldn't take much room) I'll be able to get busy with them. Does anyone know how I can get "a round tuit??" :confused:

Froggie

I have a round "TUIT" in my coin collection. It is a wooden, round coin, and it is stamped "TUIT."
One of my little sisters gave it to me. She got very tired of hearing "When I get around to it!"

[cajun shooter]

I gotta say that granted im a fairly new reloader, but those lee loaders scare me! :) I know its not based in fact... but tapping the primers in jst gives me fits. I really need to pick one p one day and get passed that. :)

Im a 310 user once removed. As a owner and user of a truLine Jr press, I have a foot in bolth rooms.

My first Lee loader in 38 spl. came home with me in 1969 along with a 8 oz can of Bullseye, one box of 100 primers, and a box of commercial cast 158 grain bullets. My wife and I had a new born baby boy and after the third primer going off while in that hammer in the primer stage, she stopped the feeding just long enough to tell me to stop this crazy thing before I killed her and the baby. I was told to take all that "STUFF" outside and never bring it back.
I soon purchased the Lyman C press that had a seat with pressure primer piece on the press and my wife became civil again. The Lee does work but I would resign it to a total collapse of the world and my wife and I needed to eat. I would advise that you skip this learning phase and go a little more modern for under $20. Later David

[gwpercle]

If the Lee Hand Press counts as a "hand tool", I've discovered I can put it and everything I need to reload handgun ammo in a gym bag, walk right into my office, sit there at my desk and appear to be "working" and spend the whole day loading a few hundred rounds. Of course your boolits need to be cast, lubed and sized already
With the plastic mallet powered Lee Loader (wack-a-mole) the pounding gave me away....the hand press = quite....nobody knows but me! Sweet little tool!

Gary

[Wayne Smith]

Wow, Gary, I think I want your job, if no one knows what you are doing and no one notices the lack of production and you still get paid!

[bedbugbilly]

I have to assume that Gary is "self-employed"??? If not . . . he obviously must work for the government . . . er . . I mean "us". LOL

[claude]

Looks like Gary just might work for the government.........:kidding:

[gwpercle]

Naw...just a small business that I happen to own. The boss and I see eye to eye on everything.
The downside is every once in a while I don't get paid (unlike government workers) sometimes the bucks stop before they get all the way to the top, but the fringe "benefits" make up for it.
And I do consider reloading ammo very productive work.
Gary
You know, after thinking about it, it's a darn good thing I am the boss, or I would have to fire myself....I goof off the most around here.
Gary

[jmoore]

My favorite .32-20 mould.:

~http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b226/dave4201/Jmoore%20Stuff/general%20ammo%20and%20reloading/Bullet%20Casting/2013-03-30jmoorestuff020_zps087b392e.jpg

~

But as a reloading tool for .32WCF, it's not so good.

[Green Frog]

Well, the process continues... an e-friend of mine asked me to set him up with a tong tool and decapper (only) to prepare his black powder fired 44-40 cases for cleaning. I met him @ the North-south Skirmish Association Fall Nationals and took care of him easily. Good; one less odd set of handles and ready to go, right? No, I went up on Sutlers' Row to avoid cabin fever in my camper and found a nicely priced 38 Spl/357 Set in a really cool metal box (non-original of course) and just had to buy it. One step forward and two steps back! ;)

Froggie

[carbine]

Gee Froggie, maybe I need to prime with the tong tool as well

Lou Lou Lou

[Green Frog]

Gee Froggie, maybe I need to prime with the tong tool as well

Lou Lou Lou

Lou,

IIRC, you won't even need another tool to prime... the (early) tool you got from me was designed to do the priming function without another die. You should be able to just move the deprimed case over to the next hole (in the handle) and set a primer into the primer hole and seat it by closing the handles again... there should be a little teat on the opposite handle that pushes the primer into its new home. If that doesn't work, drop me a PM and I'll check into a PC die. I personally find that if I prime my cases in batches, whether using the tong tool or one of several other dedicated capping tools, I get much more consistent seating, and of course more consistency=improved accuracy, so for most applications, I bulk prime.

Best regards,
Charle the Frog

[carbine]

Will do. Yes to batch priming. Thanks again

[bedbugbilly]

Froggie - you ought to know better than to hit Sutler's Row at the Nationals! LOL

Years ago . . . a bunch of us would haul our 10 Pd. Parrots Rifle down to Winchester for both the Spring and Fall shoot. Always an enjoyable trip and of course it always involved a stop at Gettysburg either coming or going. I used to find some pretty neat stuff while down thee. I don't know which was mor dangerous . . . Sutlers Row at the N-SSA Nationals or the Sheep Sheds at Friendship!

[3006guns]

If the Lee Hand Press counts as a "hand tool", I've discovered I can put it and everything I need to reload handgun ammo in a gym bag, walk right into my office, sit there at my desk and appear to be "working" and spend the whole day loading a few hundred rounds. Of course your boolits need to be cast, lubed and sized already
With the plastic mallet powered Lee Loader (wack-a-mole) the pounding gave me away....the hand press = quite....nobody knows but me! Sweet little tool!

Gary

I worked for the local rural telephone company here for many years. When I was assigned to one of the unmanned outlying offices I'd spend my lunch hour reloading 6.5 x 55 Swede with the Lee hand press. Hey, there were no emergencies and it WAS my lunch hour! :) By the end of the week I had several hundred rounds for the weekend.

[kywoodwrkr]

That reminds me of one of the things I like best about the 310 arrangement... since they only neck size, it is frequently possible to do a "work around" for calibers Lyman never intended. My current personal favorite is the Maynard 1873 cartridge in 40-40 that I am loading using the current-production 40-65 dies. Couldn't be better if they meant to do it that way! :mrgreen:

Froggie

Lyman would mix and match I think as well.
I have a NIB 7,35 Carcano 310 set which is made up of 'other' parts.
In a Lyman box with hand written caliber on outside.