reloading the Handi

[45/70fan]

Life has changed and I no longer have anywhere to set up my reloading equipment. I'm looking at getting a Handi in .223 or .243, can either of these be neck sized only if reloading with cartridges fired only out of this one rifle? Looking at the little Lee kit and they neck size only from what I understand.

[revbc]

45/70---Never had much luck neck sizing for the handi.  Usually to much frame flex that causes the cartridge to be stretched a little.  Always had to bump the shoulder slightly on my 7mm-08 and 308.

Couldn't get consistent lock up.

Your mileage may vary........

Bobby

[cwlongshot]

Neck sizing only is NOT handi friendly.

It will work for a time and how long depends on the op pressure. Higher the pressure worse it is. Light pressure loadings may work just fine. Neither of your calibers are lo pressure.

CW

[45/70fan]

Thanks guys. I'm really wanting a .357, but I can't find any available from anywhere I've tried, so these are my 2 other options I've been looking at. Sounds like have to be factory loads.... 

[OSOK]

What about the Lee Hand Press? Not much bigger, and you could use FL dies.

[44 Man]

When we downsized from a house to an RV, I lost my loading bench also.  I use a small Lee turret press and just screw it down to a post when I need to resize ctgs.  Everything I need to reload .223/7-08/30-30/44 mag/45 colt/38 spl now fits in a medium tote with a sturdy top. (the kind that can lock with a padlock)  It's easier than you think to stay into reloading.  44 Man

[YRUpunting?]

I've tried neck sizing the 357 maxi, but after a few reloadings it looks like will need to full size them.

As for reloading space my set up is in a closet ( thank you Swampman for the idea!).  The bench is standing height with the stool stored under the bench so door will close. The press is mounted so it's movable and held in place by a cleat on the back wall and a single C clamp.  You don't need a lot of space but you do have to be efficient and creative on how it's used.

[Catshooter45]

Take a lookie here:
 

 
Are you sure you don't have any space? 
 
 
Cat

[Spanky]

Take a lookie here:
 

 
Are you sure you don't have any space? 
 
 
Cat

 
Looks good to me.
 
 
 
Spanky

[murphdog]

I agree with the folks above.  I've got a 223 and tried neck sizing only.  I got inconsistent lock up because head of case protruded slightly from chamber due to change in head space.  With my handi, I've got to full-length size to set the shoulder back where its supposed to be. 
Duane

[murphdog]

I meant to add a 1+ on the Lee hand press.  Thats what I use and it works very well for FL sizing 223 brass.  And it stores away in a closet when I'm done.  Kitchen table will work, no need for a permanent bench. 

[Brian P.]

If you make a wooden box with one side open, from 1" thick wood you  can lay it on it's side and have a place to mount a press and can put it in the closet when you're done. It doesn't take much unless you're wildcatting brass.

[OldSchoolRanger]

If you make a wooden box with one side open, from 1" thick wood you  can lay it on it's side and have a place to mount a press and can put it in the closet when you're done. It doesn't take much unless you're wildcatting brass.

Great hint, I might make one just to see about clearing up some room on my work bench top.  Any suggestions on size (H" x L" x W")?

[Brian P.]

I seen some guys at the range do it with boxes about 1 ft wide by 1 foot deep by half foot high.  And while the bottom board is a foot front to back the top board might only come towards you 1/2 way; geez it's hard to explain. hmmm best search images online. Use this " portable reloading press bench "  if you take the press off you can probably slide it under your bed. 

[OldSchoolRanger]

Brian P. - Thanks for the tip.  I found this one, looks like a great addition to have.

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/10/portable-bd-workmate-reloading-bench/

Guess I have some shopping around to do.

[Brian P.]

Holy cow that's a fancy one!

[greg916]

I load 30/30, 45-70, and 22 hornet with Lee Loaders and haven't had any problems.

[gcrank1]

Low pressure, reduced velo and cast bullet loads can often get away with neck sizing, but if you like upper end data loads you are going to need to FLS eventually, if not all the time. I have two of the Lee Hand Presses, liked the first one so much I nabbed the second one first chance I had at a gun show. For 223 they have enough leverage to do what you need, and 'on your lap' while watching TV, etc. no less. The small single station press will do well also and even a turret press mounted at one corner of a workbench, kinda out of the way from most of your other benchwork, will do great. If you must have it 'takedown' you can get some of those screw in the bench lag bolt/std machine nut thread studs at the home center; locate them on the bench pop on the press and washer & wingnuts, your ready to go. For that matter, mount the press to a piece of 2x6 scrap and C-clamp it about anywhere you can get some leverage.
Point is, get and have the reloading stuff; you will figure out a way to utilize it without having to have a dedicated bench!
Self-sufficiency feels so good....

[Sourdough]

When I lived in DC we were short on room.  I mounted by shot shell presses on a piece of 1X8 board about four feet long.  I got some large C clamps that were padded, and clamped them to the dinning room table, or to the kitchen counter.  I used an old piece of carpet to pad under the board and the table to prevent damage to the table.  When not in use they resided in an outside storage shed.  I currently have two single stage presses mounted on a three foot piece of 1X4.  To use them I just clamp the board in my big shop vice on the work bench.  I have a multi stage press mounted on my reloading bench, but sometimes I need a single stage press.  The shop vice holds them securely.   

[Dinny]

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/10/portable-bd-workmate-reloading-bench/

I have a very similar setup. Instead of the extra shelf and sides, I just have a piece of quarter round going around three sides of my bench top.
 
Works fine for a office reloader like me.
http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,241362.msg1099394870.html#msg1099394870


Thanks, Dinny

[mechanic]

If the other solutions don't meet your needs, the Lee Loader will work fine.  Just check case length before sizing and loading. 
May be slow, but it's reliable.
 
Ben

[OldSchoolRanger]

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/2012/10/portable-bd-workmate-reloading-bench/

Guess I have some shopping around to do.

If anyone is interested, in picking up the Black and Decker Workmate Bench #425, Amazon has them on sale for $89.97 - $10 = $79.97, with their automatic coupon, and it qualifies for free shipping.  The B&D Workmate Bench #225, which is just a little smaller in size, sells for $59.97 - $10 = $49.97 also with the automatic coupon, it also qualifies for free shipping. 

If you apply for the Amazon credit card, you get a $50 off gift card which you can use to buy the workmate bench.

All you have to do is build the top, which is an easy rainy day project.

[hoytcanon]

When I lived in DC we were short on room.  I mounted by shot shell presses on a piece of 1X8 board about four feet long.  I got some large C clamps that were padded, and clamped them to the dinning room table, or to the kitchen counter.  I used an old piece of carpet to pad under the board and the table to prevent damage to the table.  When not in use they resided in an outside storage shed.  I currently have two single stage presses mounted on a three foot piece of 1X4.  To use them I just clamp the board in my big shop vice on the work bench.  I have a multi stage press mounted on my reloading bench, but sometimes I need a single stage press.  The shop vice holds them securely.   

This is what we do in the winter... just clamp the board to the card table in the basement...  the garage is not heated and -40 degree weather keeps down our interest in reloading!

[.Dirty-.30]

God bless the Handi in .22 Hornet     10 reloads per case with only 1 full length resize and anneal needed around load #6