Handpress for 38/357?

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  • Robert1955

    Ultimate Member
    Dec 25, 2012
    1,614
    Glen Burnie
    What are the thoughts on low volume use of a handpress? And is there a better place to look for info besides youtube video's?
     

    ihriec

    Active Member
    Aug 10, 2013
    492
    I've used the Lee handpress for years. It's not very fast but I found it easy to use at a dinner tray. I've loaded hundreds of rounds during baseball season. Btw, I found 38/357 to be one of the easiest rounds to reload. Just be careful to visually inspect the powder in each load.
     
    You could also use a Lee Loader. It does one step at a time which allows careful loading at every step. It's how I got into reloading. 6 month deployments on a US Navy warship gives one a lot of down time. Taking enough components to reload 1000 38s passed the time nicely...eventually I bought a used 3 hole turret press and dies for more calibers. 35 years later I still have the press, and 2 more and reload 12 calibers..That's how I've been passing my time during this lock down. Just finished 1000 9MM, 600 40 S&W and 600 300BO subs. Starting on 1500 .45ACP over the weekend while cleaning 6000 5.56 for the next batch...It's addictive if you spend a lot of time at the range or are a hoarder..I'm a little of both.
     

    alucard0822

    For great Justice
    Oct 29, 2007
    17,633
    PA
    38/357 is as easy as it gets to reload for, and a handpress is simple enough that you can work up loads at the range to try out, had one, fine for 357, but sucked for working up loads on rifle cals. I mounted a powder measure and a CH tabletop press to a board and use it for that purpose, can stamp out a few loads, maybe 20 or so in a reasonable ammount of time with the hand press. If you want to do 100 or more rounds at a time to actually shoot, then you will probably want a more substantial press.
     

    rseymorejr

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 28, 2011
    25,945
    Harford County
    I started out reloading for 38 special and 30-30 when I was about 16 with Lee Classic Loaders just like this. About as low volume as it gets but they did the job!
     

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    ironhead7544

    Active Member
    Oct 27, 2018
    188
    The Lee hand press will work just fine. You can keep your reloading setup in a shoe box.

    I started out reloading with a Lee Loader, 44 Magnum, in 1972. Very slow but works. If you go this route, get a hand primer. The Lee Loader has a hammer priming system that can pop a primer. That hurts. Or just wear a leather glove.
     

    John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,641
    Socialist State of Maryland
    Another vote for the Lee hand press. I bought one when it first came out. It is great for watching tv and sizing and belling brass. Then I would use the hand primer to prime. I would then move to my bench for powder and bullet seating. When the first one wore out, I sent it to Lee with a note about how great it was. They sent me another free of charge.:party29:
     

    august1410

    Marcas Registradas
    Apr 10, 2009
    22,561
    New Bern, NC
    I’ve been using a hand press for as long as I have reloaded. Today marks 8 years since the fine folks here helped me get started. Gonna load some .357 today!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    Seagrave1963

    Still learnin'
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 6, 2011
    9,976
    Eastern Shore
    I’ve been using a hand press for as long as I have reloaded. Today marks 8 years since the fine folks here helped me get started. Gonna load some .357 today!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    You shoot .357 through your shotguns?!?!?!? :lol2:

    Enjoy the reloading sir!
     

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