Reloading On the Cheap -- Starter Kit

[jds holler]

So I've got a grandson who is interested in learning to load for his 38 Special. He's mid twenties, and it's starting to look like he might actually be human. I've got plenty of extra everything it seems, and I decided to put together a little starter kit that includes EVERYTHING that he needs to load some basic 38's. If he remains interested, we can start adding to these basics, and improve both quality and technology of the equipment he needs.



When I said basic kit, I meant it. The press is a RCBS Special that I got for 5 bucks (seriously) at a local gun show. It didn't cost five bucks because it was pretty either. I did spend actual money for a set of Lee dies, and a Lyman pocket scale. Powder dispensing will be accomplished by "powder scoop method", and I've provided several scoops which are fully adjustable. Simply shorten the case.

I sat down today and loaded a dozen rounds just to make sure I've included everything necessary, and It brought back memories of thirteen year old jd pounding shells together with a "Lee Loader". This kit is much more advanced than that, and by the time he's used up the half pound of Green Dot, and the Berry's plated bullets, we'll know just how to improve it.

I'd bet that most of us here have enough stuff to create a few of these "starter kits"; I could do a few more, especially "cave man models". jd

 

[brokeasajoke]

I've scratched together a couple myself with some decent deals on things here.

 

[acloco]

Check your PM.

 

[Jester560]

I have an as new Lee Perfect powder measure you could add to the kit.

 

[SSL]

So I've got a grandson who is interested in learning to load for his 38 Special. He's mid twenties, and it's starting to look like he might actually be human. I've got plenty of extra everything it seems, and I decided to put together a little starter kit that includes EVERYTHING that he needs to load some basic 38's. If he remains interested, we can start adding to these basics, and improve both quality and technology of the equipment he needs.
View attachment 1407224


When I said basic kit, I meant it. The press is a RCBS Special that I got for 5 bucks (seriously) at a local gun show. It didn't cost five bucks because it was pretty either. I did spend actual money for a set of Lee dies, and a Lyman pocket scale. Powder dispensing will be accomplished by "powder scoop method", and I've provided several scoops which are fully adjustable. Simply shorten the case.

I sat down today and loaded a dozen rounds just to make sure I've included everything necessary, and It brought back memories of thirteen year old jd pounding shells together with a "Lee Loader". This kit is much more advanced than that, and by the time he's used up the half pound of Green Dot, and the Berry's plated bullets, we'll know just how to improve it.

I'd bet that most of us here have enough stuff to create a few of these "starter kits"; I could do a few more, especially "cave man models". jd

Great start. Silly to jump in with both feet without learning the basics. There's enough to pay attention to without all the bells and whistles and multiple things happening at once with each handle pull of today's progressives. Too many new loaders are in too big of a hurry to learn and understand each step.
Good job and good luck to both of you.

 

[Homerange]

I have an as new Lee Perfect powder measure you could add to the kit.

Good option too ....for a while.

As accuracy requirements increase JDS Jnr 2nd will need scales for which he can use the Lee to throw light and trickle up then grandpop might shout him a Chargemaster and the lad can then pass on the Lee to another newbie....just as I should do with mine.

 

[nakneker]

So I've got a grandson who is interested in learning to load for his 38 Special. He's mid twenties, and it's starting to look like he might actually be human. I've got plenty of extra everything it seems, and I decided to put together a little starter kit that includes EVERYTHING that he needs to load some basic 38's. If he remains interested, we can start adding to these basics, and improve both quality and technology of the equipment he needs.
View attachment 1407224


When I said basic kit, I meant it. The press is a RCBS Special that I got for 5 bucks (seriously) at a local gun show. It didn't cost five bucks because it was pretty either. I did spend actual money for a set of Lee dies, and a Lyman pocket scale. Powder dispensing will be accomplished by "powder scoop method", and I've provided several scoops which are fully adjustable. Simply shorten the case.

I sat down today and loaded a dozen rounds just to make sure I've included everything necessary, and It brought back memories of thirteen year old jd pounding shells together with a "Lee Loader". This kit is much more advanced than that, and by the time he's used up the half pound of Green Dot, and the Berry's plated bullets, we'll know just how to improve it.

I'd bet that most of us here have enough stuff to create a few of these "starter kits"; I could do a few more, especially "cave man models". jd

This is awesome. I’ve watched videos on the Lee Loader, bought a couple of them, haven’t used them but I intend to. Some of that older stuff intrigues me.

 

[jds holler]

I want to thank you guys for your comments and offers. Frankly I've got powder measures and everything needed to expand his kit as he progresses. I want him to get the basic principals down, and the scoop is nice and basic.

Tomorrow, I'll be teaching him to set up his dies, priming both with a hand tool and the press, measuring powder with the proper scoop and the electronic scale, and seating and crimping the bullet.

Our load is 4.5 gr. of Green Dot, under a 125 gr. Berry's plated flat point. It's a load from the old Hercules manuals back in the seventies that I still use today for targets and steel banging.

Here's a pic of the young man and his little sis who I've showed off around here quite a bit.

 

[nmkid]

and It brought back memories of thirteen year old jd pounding shells together with a "Lee Loader".

Aww man...July 1971

 

[nakneker]

I want to thank you guys for your comments and offers. Frankly I've got powder measures and everything needed to expand his kit as he progresses. I want him to get the basic principals down, and the scoop is nice and basic.

Tomorrow, I'll be teaching him to set up his dies, priming both with a hand tool and the press, measuring powder with the proper scoop and the electronic scale, and seating and crimping the bullet.

Our load is 4.5 gr. of Green Dot, under a 125 gr. Berry's plated flat point. It's a load from the old Hercules manuals back in the seventies that I still use today for targets and steel banging.

Here's a pic of the young man and his little sis who I've showed off around here quite a bit.
View attachment 1407276

He’s a lucky grandson to have a grandpa who gets involved and teaches him a new hobby. Good lookin kid, sister two.

 

[K22]

I'm envious, I wished that my grandson was into the shooting sports, but he is not. You are a lucky man and so is he.

Pistol is a great way to start reloading. It's easier than rifle, less can go wrong. Also, loading for the 38 Special is about as easy as it gets.

 

[Sandstorm]

I always like hearing about these Family bonding moments...Your the perfect Granpa Sir,
as it should be.

 

[jds holler]

I always like hearing about these Family bonding moments...Your the perfect Granpa Sir,
as it should be.

Sandstorm, I'm not often accused of being a perfect anything, except --well you know. jd

 

[Sandstorm]

We all have our moments...
Nice in any case... and he will always remember these days.

 

[jds holler]

I made a custom scoop for the load we're gonna do, but I'm including this old Lee kit for versatility. Price on the box says $4.50, so it's from awhile back.
Nothing says "cheap but effective" like Lee.

 

[brokeasajoke]

I sized some 9mm with my cardboard box lee loader this morning just for the heck of it.

 

[jds holler]

I sized some 9mm with my cardboard box lee loader this morning just for the heck of it.

Funny how we sometimes feel like getting back to basics, or simplicity.

Couple weeks ago, I did a couple hundred with my old Ideal Tong Tool.

These days, I do about as much pistol loading with the Lee hand press as I do on my bigger presses. jd

 

[Homerange]

As worthy as it is helping the grandson on his journey into shooting sports we all need focus more on the fairer sex, the mothers of tomorrows shooters !
If the mother in any family is an ardent shooter then the whole family will be.....best none of us ever forget that.