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Let's see what it costs to get into 17 caliber? dies? special funnels, maybe a K&M chamfering tool, bore brushes and tiny tinney patches and especially dedicated cleaning rods. I could buy a Shamrock Shake every day for a month for what that shit costs.

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Its not that spendy or anymore than going with a new gun with a different cal.. Should of gotten into them before all the prices jumped..LOL
I use the same chamfering tool for my 17 cal.s as what I use for the others. (VLD chamfering tool), I have two sizes of patches and use both sizes in both cal. I shoot (17,20, and .224).. I also use the same bore guide on my Remmy actions.
About the only thing extra would be the cleaning rod,jags,and brushes...

By the way what did you get at the gun show you attended????????????
 

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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on April 07, 2013, 11:40 AM:
 
handguns
 

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Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on April 07, 2013, 11:40 AM:
 
17 cal. jags 3.99
nylon brush 2.99

The jag will last a long time, depending on how much you shoot and what you clean with you need to stock up on brushes, most cases they only last one cleaning session but have been useing a 20 cal brush in the bore when its worn down to much for the 20 cal... I look at it this way, instead of spending 1400.00 on a scope I just buy one in the 500-800.00 range and apply what I just saved for cleaning or reloading products.
 

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Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on April 07, 2013, 11:42 AM:
 

quote:

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handguns

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Really!

You need help..JK

Any XP-100's???
 

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Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on April 07, 2013, 12:11 PM:
 
I just fire formed a hundred rounds of Lapua 243ai and a hundred rounds of Lapua 22-250ai brass. Got the 243 brass primed and ready but haven't started on the 250 yet. I have to work brass when I'm in the mood but I hate trimming, probably the biggest reason for AI-ing for me.

I clean primer pockets too, can't see how anyone can leave em dirty.

Anyway, I try to prep and prime all my cases after I shoot them. Doing 10-15 rounds isn't as big a burden and when I get ready to load, it's all done.

Of course coming home from the range with several hundred machine gun cases, all bets are off.
 

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Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on April 07, 2013, 12:15 PM:
 
Do you clean primer pockets? uuuhhhh, do you wipe your butt?
Until the price of brass went thru the roof I usually let my fired 9mm brass lay because it was so cheap to replace. Now I pick up what I see w/o getting down on my hands & knees to find it.
As for my revolver brass, I pay more attention because of the OAL & crimping and the fact it doesn't fly everywhere when fired.
 

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Posted by Cayotaytalker (Member # 1954) on April 07, 2013, 12:47 PM:
 
Im new at this thing they call reloading my self. and not so good at it my self. I have the lyman trimer and had such a hard time with it. Well I got it set and it took a bit not that it was that hard.But it was hard to pull it out of the brass. I got to the point where I was about to throw the thing in the creek.I had to adjust it over and over. I got to the point I was thinking about giving it to some one I hated.I was working on 500 brass.I got it done but had no fun doing it.
I took that pilot and buffed it up real good with with the dremal tool.So now it does not hang up in the case mouth.
 

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Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on April 07, 2013, 12:55 PM:
 
If I was rich, a Giraud would come in handy.
http://www.giraudtool.com/prod02.htm
 

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Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on April 07, 2013, 01:15 PM:
 
CT, you might try mounting your trimmer on a board. I use a 2x8 & use a couple of "C" clamps to secure it to my bench while trimming. Another thing i do is remove the cranking handle & mount a cordless drill, using it at slow speeds to trim a pile of brass, it will speed up the process.
 

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Posted by the bearhunter (Member # 3552) on April 07, 2013, 02:55 PM:
 
good idea on the drill PP. will have to try that.
 

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Posted by DAA (Member # 11) on April 07, 2013, 04:45 PM:
 
Unless I'm forming cases that absolutely require trimming as part of the forming operation, I usually trim once after the first firing. Then never again after that.

I measure all my chambers so I know what I have to work with. Have never in my entire shooting career had cases for a factory chamber grow long enough to worry about. Depending on you own loading habits, YMMV greatly though...

Some rifles, like my .17P, never trimmed any of them at all, not even once, and don't ever intend to.

- DAA
 

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Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on April 07, 2013, 05:39 PM:
 
"Depending on your own loading habits"
DAA, that about tells the story. Along with the fact that AI'ing a factory barrel usually results in a tight headspace, if done correctly. And let's not forget that neck sizing is almost as common these days as reloading itself is.
The majority of my case trimming goes to straight wall handgun cases that require a good roll crimp for consistent ignition & prevention of bullet walk due to recoil.
 

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Posted by Cayotaytalker (Member # 1954) on April 07, 2013, 06:44 PM:
 
No man my lyman case trimmers not on a block of wood yet but will be. I have seen guys use a drill on You Tube.Not so sure my handle will come off my lathe not so sure I want to try and take it off.I think lyman sales the shaft for the drill as an extra.
I have the Lyman deburing tool and the 2500 tumbler and use the crushed wallnuts from the pet store. And its not so much that Im a lyman guy its just what they had on the shelf. I do find that deburring to be handy. The tumbler not so bad I mean atleast it dont bouce all over the floor.
 

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Posted by Cayotaytalker (Member # 1954) on April 07, 2013, 07:12 PM:
 
Dave I cant seam to cut the brass as well as I would like.But my lathe is cutting better now. I have been triming 223 and looking for 1.750 was geting 1.749 1.751 to 1.750. I now get 1.749 to 1.750 most of the time. I have blown the after noon adjusting the lathe just a hair at a time trying to get it perfect. Not so sure I got that OCD thing or not but i do face the products at wall part from time to time and hell I dont even work there.
 

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Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on April 07, 2013, 07:27 PM:
 
Can't speak for all case trimmers but some of them have the collet which holds the case head when you tighten it down (screws in). I've found that not all brass is exactly the same dia. around the head of the case so when you screw the tightener in for the collet to grab a case that is a little smaller in dia. will seat out farther, thus get trimmed shorter and a case on the fatter side will get trimmed less than the avr. size case. This maybe the reason for the var. in lengths when you trim... Don't worry about it if you are just shooting coyotes.

[ April 07, 2013, 07:28 PM: Message edited by: TA17Rem ]
 

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Posted by Cayotaytalker (Member # 1954) on April 07, 2013, 07:29 PM:
 
Not so sure what I want for overall length.I will be loading 223 Rem savage 12 varmint.I get the OAL is 2.260.
I took one brass and cut two slits in it put in a bullet and put it in the chamber. I did all this nice and eazy. And not just three times but nine times.I came up with something like 2.271.
Seams a bit long but I have some factory that is 2.262 2.263 2.264.
so how do you guys figure out how to get close to the rifleing or mesure.
 

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Posted by Cayotaytalker (Member # 1954) on April 07, 2013, 07:31 PM:
 
TA I get what your saying.
 

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Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on April 07, 2013, 08:12 PM:
 
For finding or measureing O.A.L. some guys use a steel rod and take abunch of measurements. I just use a Stoney point guage and dummy case. You can get it from Cabala's...
A reloading manual will also talk you through the steps on how to do it by just makeing up a dummy round and smokeing the bullet or covering it with machinest blue.
 

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Posted by Cayotaytalker (Member # 1954) on April 07, 2013, 08:24 PM:
 
I know I didnt have any luck with a sharpie blkacking one out with smoke might work good enough.
 

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Posted by Cayotaytalker (Member # 1954) on April 07, 2013, 08:58 PM:
 
I will try and post some photos of what I have been up to.This is my reloading bench. over kill but works. There was to be two more photos but they didnt take.
The edit was just to add the work bench coment.



[ April 07, 2013, 09:03 PM: Message edited by: Cayotaytalker ]
 

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Posted by Prune Picker (Member # 4107) on April 07, 2013, 10:26 PM:
 
CT, that's a nice bench. I'm not sure you can overbuild one. If you have any thoughts about adding a progressive press in the future you will be glad you built a sturdy bench due to the vibrations encountered with a progressive. As far as Lyman products, no worries as far as quality goes, they make good "stuff"
 

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Posted by Kokopelli (Member # 633) on April 08, 2013, 03:43 AM:
 
Cayotay Dude;
Listen very carefully.........
"Anything worth doing is worth over-doing!!!!"
(And there are few things more worthless than a wobbly workbench.)

 

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Posted by Az-Hunter (Member # 17) on April 08, 2013, 06:23 AM:
 
One thing you will come to grips with is, it's to low. To my mind, a reloading bench should always be at the height you can comfortably stand in front of to utilize properly.
I can't imagine sitting, and operating the handles and levers of my loading equipment.
 

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Posted by Kelly Jackson (Member # 977) on April 08, 2013, 06:39 AM:
 
it took nine firings before I found a 243AI brass that needed trimming...hate to trim brass and not a primer pocket cleaner.....yet...lol
 

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Posted by Baldknobber (Member # 514) on April 08, 2013, 06:51 AM:
 
Well, I take the redneck approach to brass trimming. I put a brand new piece of brass in the trimmer, set the stop on the trimmer to that length and then trim away. Hasn't seemed to hurt my accuracy any. I reload so hunt and save $ so Im not that anal about it. Seems to work for me.
 

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Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on April 08, 2013, 06:52 AM:
 
Benches are certainly a "preference" type of deal,I have yet to buy or build the ideal one.

That being said, I'm with Vic. I like to stand up, years ago I stiffened up reinforced an old TV entertainment center we were going to get rid of.

The press is on top, and everything below makes for good storage ect..It's redneck for sure but works..

[ April 08, 2013, 06:54 AM: Message edited by: Dave Allen ]
 

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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on April 08, 2013, 07:27 AM:
 
That's exactly what I thought, looking at the photo; not high enough. I don't always stand, depending, but I spent much time locating the bar stool that was the right height.

These things evolve.

Good hunting. El Bee
 

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Posted by Cayotaytalker (Member # 1954) on April 08, 2013, 07:32 AM:
 
Dave and Vic It might well be a bit low it's 8'long,2'wide and 34''tall.I'm on curb watch for somthing that would fit on top just right for storage.
This bench could be a combo bench of sorts. I work off of a chair reloading. But stand at it for odd jobs. But it's ment to be reloading only.
I just cleaned two carbs one a quad one a motor bike. And had to replace the primeing bulb on a lawn mower did that one off the tail gate of a pickup. The two carbs mostly hand held and standing up.
 

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Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on April 08, 2013, 08:31 AM:
 
Oh' I think you're good. I just prefer to stand up when re-sizing brass, press operation, ect..

My buddy sits, and uses an old desk, like I said we all have different "preferences" in how we do things.

Might need to get after the dream reloading bench, you may have provided the insperation !
 

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Posted by TA17Rem (Member # 794) on April 08, 2013, 09:22 AM:
 
I'm the same as Leonard, I use a stool to sit on when I reload. Sure gets old if you have to stand all the time..

Cayotaytalker if it gets to be a hassle cause its to low just put some cement blocks under the legs to raise it up some...
 

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Posted by Dave Allen (Member # 3102) on April 08, 2015, 05:55 PM:
 
I thought this might be worthy of bringing a two year old thread back ?

I noticed Dave mentioned trimming after the 1st firing.

I wonder about trimming to minimum spec when the brass new and just forget about it ?

That's kinda what I've been doing anyway. This might be a topic again where we can all exchange info from. Plus we should probably all get AI's anyway !!
 

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Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on April 08, 2015, 08:15 PM:
 
I clean primer pockets, can't stand not to.

Well that was 2 years ago and before the Dillon, LOL.

I still hate to trim brass

[ April 08, 2015, 08:16 PM: Message edited by: TOM64 ]
 

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Posted by knockemdown (Member # 3588) on April 09, 2015, 03:10 AM:
 
I do what Dave does. Allow that virgin brass to form fit & spring back in your chamber on that 1st firing, then trim the whole batch to uniform size.

And being that my flashhole de-burring tool's cutter indicates on case length, after trimming 1x fired to a set min. length, that brass gets a "one & done" ride on the de-burring tool. Seeing the amount of shrapnel that bitch cuts away from inside the flashhole of some brass makes doing so worth the effort...

+1 for Improved shoulders!
Just received the PT&G bolt for my 6x45AI build, should be a cute little sucker...

[ April 09, 2015, 03:18 AM: Message edited by: knockemdown ]
 

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Posted by Fur_n_Dirt (Member # 4467) on April 09, 2015, 05:39 AM:
 
I noticed on the 223 , the brass length changes with each firing..

You guys were right, with the AI's , the brass doesn't want to walk.

I use the Wilson trimmer. That thing is bad ass. I put the brass in a metal sleeve, the sleeve sits on the rail, and start spinning the cutter..
 

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Posted by Leonard (Member # 2) on April 09, 2015, 07:45 AM:
 
I will concede this much. If you are "reloading" on a progressive, who gives a shit about primer pockets? The whole thing screams PRODUCTION PISTOL RELOADING, and MACHINE GUN RIFLE RELOADING.

In almost fifty years, I have never even given it a thought towards a Dillon press. Because I'm not a volume shooter, blasting away at targets, etc. In a hunting application, I question the need?

You have people (like Victor) that get into comp pistol and that's a volume situation and if you already have it, then I can see using it for some bottleneck cartridges. Especially suited for all you blasters out there. Or, anybody with an AR who loves to pull the trigger. And, loves to pull the trigger....

I have never trimmed any handgun cases? I have never trimmed any Ackley cases? I don't hate neck trimming. I don't hate neck turning. I don't hate chamfering. It's good therapy.

Good hunting. Good hunting. El Bee
 

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Posted by TOM64 (Member # 561) on April 09, 2015, 09:31 AM:
 
Ya ElBee, this thought of progressive presses never took more than a "be nice to have" even as a machine gunner. But when I decided to get serious about pistols, I found myself shooting 150-200 rounds each trip. That meant a Dillon and I'm glad I did it.

But it also showed me I took too much time prepping cases. Need to spend more time shooting and less time fretting the small stuff.
 

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