I've never handloaded much, have a single stage kit buried in closet but really don't have room to set it up here.
Been thinking about smaller tool for fairly small volume loading of 38 special and 44 special mainly, possibly a bit of 30-30 as well. Maybe 32 S&W/32mag eventually if I get a LCR in 327 mag.
Is the Lee hand press easier physically to use? Meaning easier on hands? Or is it a wash?
Any real pros or cons vs them?
The Lee press will be able to use regular dies with carbide, the 310 tools use proprietary dies and they werent carbide and dont full length resize. Its not insurmountable, just a factor.Originally Posted by Dov
When I didnt have space for a full loading bench I bolted my RCBS rockchucker jr to a piece of I believe 2x8 about 14-16" long and C clamped it to a regular kitchen table to load. I used carriage bolts counter sunk from underneath. It worked out fairly well for a limited space thing. I first used it bolted to the end of a wood box, all my loading was on it on the floor of the trailer I shared rental on. Loading tools and supplies went in the box when i wasnt loading. Charging was mainly with the Lee powder scoops, they work reasonably well if one follows the directions.
“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”
― Theodore Roosevelt
Are the Lyman 310s still made?
I think theyve finally been discontinued, but theres piles of them floating around as well as parts. Ebay has scads, and theres a good, long term ongoing 310 trade/swap thread on the castboolit forum. They turn up for same there also in the classifieds there, theres quite a few guys there that like and use them.
Looks like it started in 2016, https://castboolits.gunloads.com/sho...0-Swap-thread&
I have a new in the box 8mm mauser full set with handle Id sell for a bit under whatever the going price is, just as an example. I have a fair amount of 310 stuff, mostly things I have guns for, use, or may use one day.
“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”
― Theodore Roosevelt
I'd go with the Lee hand press. I've loaded thousands of rounds on mine. It takes standard dies, so if you have them in your closet for the calibers you want to load you don't need to buy new.
"Everything in life is really simple, provided you don’t know a f—–g thing about it." - Kevin D. Williamson
Thanks everyone
Think I will go with Lee Hand Press for now, I don't even remember for certain what dies I have, IIRC think have carbide 38/357 & 44 Spec/mag, as well as 6.5x55 Swede that I don't have rifle for anymore.
The gadget nerd in me just really likes the tong tools
Lee is definitely the way to go. The quick change bushings make it super easy to change dies, the downside is they are kind of expensive. I've loaded about 400 rounds of 44 special and 45 Colt on mine in the last 6 months. It works remarkably well.
I cannot think of any realistic personal need for one, but I almost bought one a couple times...The gadget nerd in me just really likes the tong tools
On this topic, you can lubricate pistol cases even if the dies are carbide. While not needed, it will still smooth up and ease resizing. Even just every tenth case being lightly lubed will keep things running smoothly.
Having used both, I would recommend the Lee for reasons already mentioned UNLESS you have some deep, atavistic urge to use the 310 because... "history."
gn
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