Got some reloading equipment

[80sDweeb]

My Dad just gave me an old Argentine Mauser Model 1891 (read about it in my post in the Rifles forum) in 7.65 x 53mm. Not a very common caliber, but I've read that its performance is similar to the 300 Savage, or others say almost as good as a 308. Anyway, good enough for me, for certain. So, with this relatively rare cartridge, the only feasible commercial ammo available comes from Prvi Partizan in Serbia, at almost $1 per round. I've learned that it's possible to reform 30-06 brass to fit, so reloading would be a very economical ammo alternative.

So, I started looking for reloading stuff. I spent a lot of time stalking eBay auctions, seeing what was available and how much it was all selling for. I noticed a lot of stuff was selling for more than new prices! Yikes. And at places like Midway the new stuff was often backordered, double yikes! I had determined that I'd find a lesser-known but sturdy reloading press (to save money), when someone replied to a Craigslist posting of mine and said they had some reloading stuff, did I want to take a look? Saturday I drove over to Victor and bought:

RCBS Rock Chucker II
RCBS Uniflow Powder Measure with RCBS Stand
RCBS Powder Trickler
RCBS 505 Beam Powder Scale
Lee auto primer
Forster Products Case Trimmer
Quinetics Kinetic Bullet Puller
RCBS Lube Pad
Speer Reloading Manual #11 (1989)

He also included 1000 CCI large rifle primers.

All in excellent condition, paid $235.

More than I was planning to spend, but I probably would have spent more in the long term, so I'm pleased, and the quality is top notch. Also, the Rock Chucker is plenty strong for forming cases like I'm planning - don't know if the current "bargain" alloy presses would hold up. Most of the older presses I could get for less money have a less sophisticated single-link lever action, which means a lot more force needs to be applied to do difficult operations like forming brass.

When I get my permit, I can see that there may be value in getting a progressive press for handgun ammo, but I'd still probably want the Rock Chucker. It's a keeper!

By the way, I really did luck out, as the next day, the Craigslist Nazis "Flagged" my posting. I had gotten away with it for a day and a half only because I used vague terms (metallic reloading equipment) and didn't mention "ammo", "pistol", "rifle", etc. Someone eventually caught on anyway. EVIL GUNS ON OUR PEACE-LOVING CRAIGSLIST, OH NO!

Now I've got to set up a workbench in the basement, someplace to keep my small group of gun tools together, and to set up my reloading equipment. I've never been very organized, but I'm trying to change that.

Also, been reading the Speer manual (plus I plan to get the latest Lyman reloading manual.) Lots to learn.

Scott in Penfield

[Phlyan Pan]

Congrats. Sounds like you got a pretty nice setup. I've been meaning to get into metallic reloading for a while now myself but just can't seem to come up with the extra funds to do it. I've reloaded shotgun shells for years to shoot skeet and sporting clays but for some reason I just don't get to shoot as much metallic as I'd like.

One tip....if you do decide to go progressive, learn how that puppy works really well before you really start using it and trying to go fast. I had reloaded on a single stage shotshell press for years before I got my progressive hornady and thought I knew what I was doing. About 2 hours of swearing and shot dumped all over my work bench later I realized I wasn't quite there yet.

[80sDweeb]

I certainly will take it slow, first with single stage, and also if I ever go to progressive.

Wow, I just thought I'd mention that I found a TON of GREAT reloading articles on Surplusrifle.com. I've read all about rifles there many times, but must have overlooked the other stuff they offer. These guys really know their stuff, and write articles with lots of illustrations and personal experience working with old and new reloading equipment. I've got a LOT of reading to do there now...

Later!