Using a hand press in public.

[gray wolf]

Just think--we the people let it happen.
nervous ?? is that a new law now ?? he/ she made me nervous
Sounds like the bottom of the slippery slope has been reached.
I used to read gun rags and polish my shot gun during recess at school, and then go up to the 22 range for a little shooting. I got your nervous ( read huckleberry )
51% telling the other 49 % what they can do, politically correct,
6 year old kids in hand cuffs, can't fly a flag, what vitamins I can take,
I do respect the fact that a place of business can say no ! you can't do that.
But they can't say no I wont serve you, and so on, and so on.
Keep voting in the same slugs and expect a change ??

[Shiloh]

I prefer to keep my reloading practices to myself and fellow shooters. No one needs to know what I do.

Shiloh

[mrjog]

I've been working this studio job for a major broadcasting network for the past month or so. From time to time they make us clear out of the studio so they can use it. I might have an hour or so kill while I'm on the clock. There are only a few of us on the job. We don't really have enough time to drive out and do much. However it is enough time load some ammo. I do it in my work truck, and nobody really knows I'm reloading in there, except the guys I work with. I don't reload in public places because I want people to know what I do. I do it because it is a convenient way to deal with idle time.

[Kicker96fs]

There are those that think that if there is not a law saying you can do something, it is therefore illegal. Those people are called idiots.

[Reload3006]

I think Shiloh is 100% on the money. I can understand the sheep being nervous. It may be and inconvenience to you but look at whats going on in the world. Timothy McVeigh, 911, Waco, Columbine, and the list goes on and on. While most of us can look at these events with an educated mind most cannot. While you probably present no danger to anyone people dont know that. I have to admit I would look on you with a degree of skepticism.

[Reload3006]

there is a time and place for everything.

[GT1]

What a great way to empty out a public establishment.

there is a time and place for everything.

Exactly. There are almost no instances where public reloading is even remotely a good idea(Outside of your shooting range).

Although, there might be a couple places out in the sticks somwewhere that it would be fine, where you can still spit tobacco on the floor.

[mrjog]

So then you guys are opposed to open carrying a firearm?

[Bassleg]

I think if you want to open carry that is just fine I just won't reload in public but I have reloaded
at work when I was alone.

[Sonnypie]

Exactly. There are almost no instances where public reloading is even remotely a good idea(Outside of your shooting range).

I find it interesting that some actually do reload at the range.
I make up my loads at home in my shop, mark them well so I know what rack of rounds I have. And usually shoot all test loads over a Chronograph to record what they are doing.
To me, it would be an unwieldy hassle to haul a bunch of reloading equipment around to try and develop loads at the range. Even a Lee Hand Press.
I go to my shop to tinker and reload.
I go to the range to damn well shoot.

[mrjog]

If we are talking about a regular indoor range with no room to work, then I would feel the same way Sonny. But at a big outdoor range where I'm with friends, and have plenty of space, then I have no problem using a hand press. At home I load on a progressive press which yields less consistent loads than my hand press. And I have a single stage that I could use and give more attention to detail with, but it doesn't usually happen that way. So if I can do some loading while hanging out, and the only hassle is the use of the hand press rather than any bench mounted press, then I will be able to enjoy the process.

[Steve s.]

Why, sounds like a real PITA?!?!

Shagging your tools, cases rolling off the table, lube on your fingers. Fiddling with primers. Sounds like something to do at your bench where you're already set up.

[Texantothecore]

"I find it interesting that some actually do reload at the range."

I always reload at the range. It draws a lot of people and many times I will have them reload a couple of rounds and step over to the firing line and shoot them. If they seem interested I write down the equipment they would need to start on the back of a business card and hope that they will check it out when they go home.

Most people at the range have never seen anyone reload before and they are usually astonished at how easy it is. Since I use a Lee Classic Loader I just tell them that they can get started for about 35.00, not 700.00 as they thought.

I also meet lot of people this way.

It also alllows me to store only a small quantity brass, now just under 200, which is probably a lifetime supply.

I find it quite enjoyable. A real conversation starter.

[MBTcustom]

I'm with Texantothecore on this one, and my experience has been the same. I take the whole dad-burned setup to the range and I stay there for 4-6 hours. I have two ammo cans full of the different powders I intend to use and another one with primers, a special cigar box for my scale to stop the wind, my Rock Chucker, five reloading books, all the boolits I intend to use, and a chronograph. I have a special shutzenwagon I built just to haul all that stuff out there.
However, reloading in a bowling ally is realy asking for it. In case you hadn't noticed, firearms and ammunition freak some people out? Its always a good idea to keep your firearms in there place as well as the ammo. Taking the press along to show your buddies is one thing, whipping it out and setting up shop between games? What did you realy expect was going to happen?
Seriously, if you're going to make a scene, please make sure its going to cast shooters and reloaders in a more responsible light and not less!
I tell folk all the time that I reload and sometimes I'll even carry a loose piece of ammo in my pocket (separate from my pistol) so that I can show folks what I made if I think they are interested, and everybody knows I'm a gun nut, so its cool. I tell them if they are interested in getting into it, to come buy the house in the evening, and I'll show them whatever they need to know.

[bearcove]

Doing brass prep where people eat and drink is probably not a good idea. Primers are a bit source of lead in the process of reloading.

[edsmith]

I find it really strange that someone would want to reload in public. also more fodder for the anti-gun flock of sheep.

[GP100man]

Read this thread twice & came to the conclusion that if someone was to complain the LEOs would have to use the Endangerment of the Public scenerio ???

That said ,I have weighed powder & seated boolits at the range but not prepped brass

[.22-10-45]

Hello, everyone..Interesting posts! I sometimes reload at my private range..get alot of strange looks..especially from the young guys.."you pack your own?" But I don't size or prime..these chores are done at home..brass is prepped & primed, (unless I am experimenting with differen't primer effect on load). I use a Wilson chamber type seater with a Sinclair micrometer top..with the .22 Hornet & .222 Rem., I can easily seat bullets with palm pressure only. Powder measure is Harrell's Schuetzen..with charge tables I made up. No loads are close to max.
I need to do some more work with a Stevens 44 1/2 schuetzen in .25-20 S.S. With this rifle, I breech-seat tapered Barnett bullet in throat & load primed & charged case. I do prime & charge cases then. This method will bring even more people over to ask questions.

[Reload3006]

I have absolutely no problem with someone hand loading at the range. But the Range is not even remotely in the same league with a company cafeteria or Bowling alley or bar.

[David LaPell]

I wouldn't call this in public, but back about three years ago I worked an overnight security gig that saw me sitting behind desk from 10pm-6am. I had the entire place to myself and what I would do is bring my Lee Hand Press in and go through and resize, trim, expand and prime as much as I could. I would not bring powder or bullets but I would get alot of work done that saved me hours of not having to do it at home.