My neighbor can't figure out why the wheels on his truck always need balancing.
Helpful and Thrifty Reloading Tips
I first read a thread like this on another forum. Folks posted ideas on how to make reloading more efficient, less expensive and fun. A couple ideas I had posted before:
Instead of an expensive brass shifter. I bought a litterbox with a litter box size sifter for cat poop. I pour in the tumbler load and shake over the litter box. I can clean up a tumbler load in about ten seconds. It lets errant .22 brass from the range through but traps everything else. Cost $10 or less at Walmart.
Use a router with a V-groove bit to put a v-channel about an inch in from the edge of your reloading table. Catches everything that rolls and makes spilt powder clean up a breeze.
Heavy plastic Planters peanut containers from Sam's or Costco are great for storing clean brass. They also store most anything else.
Desiccant (drying agent for storage) can be had on ebay for pennies. Search under "flower drying"
Instead of an expensive brass shifter. I bought a litterbox with a litter box size sifter for cat poop. I pour in the tumbler load and shake over the litter box. I can clean up a tumbler load in about ten seconds. It lets errant .22 brass from the range through but traps everything else. Cost $10 or less at Walmart.
Use a router with a V-groove bit to put a v-channel about an inch in from the edge of your reloading table. Catches everything that rolls and makes spilt powder clean up a breeze.
Heavy plastic Planters peanut containers from Sam's or Costco are great for storing clean brass. They also store most anything else.
Desiccant (drying agent for storage) can be had on ebay for pennies. Search under "flower drying"
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
Oh yeah, like the idea. Thanks:tongue:
I put a used dryer sheet in the tumbler to keep the dust down.
I use the peanut butter jars for .45 ACP. The dryer sheet goes in to & that makes the media last longer too.
I use ziplock bags from Dollar Tree its $1 for 25 or 50 (can't remember) for the gallon size bags. Right now I have 5 of them filled to the point where they are about to bust.
I had not heard of that tumbler/dryer sheet trick. But if two of the first five posters use it, there must be something to it, so I'll be trying that. Thanks!
It will come out dirty. Sure makes media & polishing compound last longer & a young lady, new shooter, & loader on another board taught me that one.
When reloading I always turn pistol brass upside down in loading tray until the case has been charged. Guarantees that there is no possibility of a double charge. I have not found this necesary for rifle brass as a double charge would easily overflow the case.
I lube my 45acp (and 45LC) cases before dumping them into the case feeder even though I shouldn't have to because of the carbide ring on the resizing die. I reload on a progressive press, so with every pull of the handle multiple steps are going on at the same time and lubing the cases makes the handle pull just a little easier. The 45acp Lee Factory Crimp Die is especially tight, and a little lube on the cases makes reloading go a little smoother.
I use powders that use the least amount bulleye, clays both less 4gr=more round per pound
I picked up some boot sole leather and cut it into 5x5 squares and screwed 3 overlapping sheets to my bench. I use it for pounding my bullet puller on when I screw up and it keeps me from beating holes in the top of my bench.
I found that a Lee Primer Pocket Cleaning tool fits right into the chuck of my cordless drill. Now cleaning primer pockets takes a lot less time.
I used to dig lead out of my old range when it was closed on Sundays (with permission) - dig down about a foot on the IPSC Standards range where I would find huge clusters of bullets about a foot under the surface.
Sift those to get most of the dirt off and take home about a 1/4 ton of lead for a few hours' work. Spray with a hose and melt them in an aluminium army canteen; I sold most for scrap lead when I was unemployed. I kept a few ingots to mold my own 200 gr SWCs for personal use - they turned out pretty well, although I had no way of testing for hardness at the time.
Sift those to get most of the dirt off and take home about a 1/4 ton of lead for a few hours' work. Spray with a hose and melt them in an aluminium army canteen; I sold most for scrap lead when I was unemployed. I kept a few ingots to mold my own 200 gr SWCs for personal use - they turned out pretty well, although I had no way of testing for hardness at the time.
Just discovered that you can quickly clean really dirty brass by soaking in a mixture of simple green and hot water. After brass is removed (about 5 min.) rub gently with 0000 steel wool and wipe clean. Stuff looks like new.
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
1911 Forums : 1911Talk
A forum community dedicated to 1911 firearm owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Recommended Communities
