Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.
Above is my home built reloading press made from pictures on the internet and what cam out of my own mind. It is pretty heavy duty and should deliver way more power than what is needed. The ram is 1" Tompson shafting that I had on hand in the shop and is guided by 1 1/4" OD bronze bushings mounted in precision bored holes. I incorporated extra stroke and extra press opening. The press works very well and is rock solid. Note the positive ram stop. I made it large so I could incorporate a turret die holder in the future. With the press about 90% complete I located a back woods gun shop that had Lee reloading dies on hand for the .223 rounds. The shop was a 40 mile ride on my motorcycle.
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.
This shop was near Harvard Illinois and the shop owner was setup for conducting conceal carry classes. He would teach the conceal carry course then demonstrate reloading techniques and hopefully sell some reloading equipment. I told him I new nothing about reloading but needed a set of reloading dies for a 223. He cheerfully said, allow me to demonstrate reloading. He was great, reloaded (4) 223 rounds and we test fired them in his backyard. He was so helpful I decided to buy more than the just the 223 dies. I bought a single station Lee press, the dies and enough materials to reload 200 rounds of 223. I really wanted to get measurements from the shell holder receptacle on the ram so I could duplicate it on my own press. So far I have 100 rounds reloaded but untested.
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.
Got to thinking since I have 2 presses I should have at least 2 shell casing holders, one for each press. The shell casing holders can be purchased from Lee for $8 each but with no work in the shop these days I decided to try making my own shell holders.
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.
They were fun to make but it took 3 hours to make 3 shell holders. With a shop rate of $50/hr I have $50 each invested plus they need to be heat treated, but I have my own heat treat facilities as well.
I know there are several bullet pullers for sale but I made my own and it has already come in handly.
I'll make another for the 300 blackout round tomorrow.
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.
Above is my newest AR-15, 300 Blackout build. I purchased the kit from Daytona Tactical in June, assembled the upper but used the lower receiver from my 223 to test fire the blackout. Ordered the 80% lower receiver in July to spread out the expenses. Shells for the 300 Blackout cost 67.5 per round and the cost goes up from there. This was motivation to get into reloading.
Lets see now, this makes (2) complete AR-15s doesn't it.
Hope this was entertaining, Jim
Bookmarks