Reeder Custom Guns - So taken to reasonable minumums what else?

What do you really, truly, need to load .357 cartridges? Skeeter's old article inspired me a bit for a bug out load kit. It has to be small, small shoe box size. Sorry, the only "saddle bags" I have are for a motorcycle so I'll forgo the romantic drama.

The old Lyman 310 kit is interesting but gets the job done. I personally find the LEE "tap, tap, boom" kits far superior. The Lee box kits weigh 2/3 less and come with powder dippers and data. It does require an additional soft ended hammer. The Lyman 310 looks complex but does fundamentally the same thing as a bench press. They must have been around for at least as long as the metallic cartridge! Loading (50) cartridges today in an hour is not all that difficult and fun every once in a while. You just do batch operations.

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Thinking of it;

Lube/pad - the 310 requires some case lube as it neck sizes only, but it still needs lubed cases.

Load block - would be very handy for doing a box batch.

Funnel - really a necessity

Powder dipper - likely the most simple. Just stay with one load. But teeny electronic scales and a smaller volumetric dispenser sure would add versatility.

Primers, small well marked container of dedicated power, bullets?

Skeeter went down the road of field casting. That is a bit beyond my scope but I guess an admittedly historical note. The old timers sure did. I'll pass for now.

*I think the extra die tool far right is a "bullet sizer"?

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add a copy of SURVIVAL RELOADING FOR HANDGUNS
Kindle - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086H1MQ1H
Paperback - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086PRKVNG

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The internet warriors cannot fathom the absence of their benches festooned with multiple, four digit cost each, blue presses, and adornments. Complete with LED and audible buzzers. That's the way it's always been, right?!

I'm so blessed to have been taught (self mostly) on the most simplistic tools. This has allowed me to fully comprehend the function and interactions of each process. I "understand" how it all works together. A monkey can pull a lever and a loaded cartridge slides out the chute. Setting it all up to do that every time and feeding it is another matter altogether. 4-5 actions or more are happening with each pull, can you manage them all every time? Lets swap calibers for a could hundred of something else?! Noooooo, buy another press for it! Time is money!

This is a different thing. Something to do for enjoyment, not necessarily efficiency. It's not a bad thing to teach young folks the fundamentals on such primitive devices. Otherwise you are showing them where to dump bullets, primer, powder, and check levels so the lever can keep being pulled. What are they learning? Do they know how to set it all up?

I can appreciate automation and I do. But It's fun to look back too. At least for me.

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I would get a black powder pistol flask and cut the spout so that it measures the correct amount of powder. Thus eliminating the need for a powder measure and funnel. Also makes the 'need' for a loading block a little less.

Years ago in college, a buddy of mine reloaded 44 mag with one of those in his dorm room because of space.

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the idea what if I croaked and the flask somehow got into a yard sale. Some idiot decided to use up the rest of the BP. BOOM!

Maybe I think too much.

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soldered a handle on a fired .22 LR case ... gives around 3 gr. of Bullseye. Excellent load for .38 Special. I have a bunch of different dippers he made up - this was before the LEE dippers - with everything from .22 Short to .30 Carbine. The .30 Carbine case threw close to 18.5 gr. 2400 .. perfect for the .45 Colt ... excellent load in the .44 Magnum.

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a case that was for that load, I.E. I used a 38 spl case for the 38 spl load and so on. An old guy came into the gun shop I was working part time in 1970 and showed us his and I copied his idea.

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WHEN I USED IT FOR .357 AND .45 COLT I BOUGHT SIZING DIES AND THEN TOOK THE CASES AND DIES TO THE LOCAL GARAGE WHERE I USED THEIR VISE TO SQUEEZE THE CASES INTO THE DIE AND THEN KNOCKED THEM OUT WITH A PUNCH.

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I guess if they are shot and re-loaded for the same gun it would be ok. The Lee “straight wall” kits full re-size. The rifle kits neck size only. But they seem to work fine usually.

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So taken to reasonable minumums what else?

Unabashed Commercial Plug

The Dillion guys head explodes!

Unabashed commercial plug or timely reminder? Thanks Jim.

If its purpose built for a bullet/cartridge

Sounds interesting. But my mind wanders to

My Dad made powder dippers from fired cartridges ..

Thats what I use for some of my BP pistols.

I did the same. Soldered a piece of wire to the case. I used

THE ONE THING IT LACKS IS FL RESIZING

That’s another point for LEE’s kit.