What did you do in the reloading room today?

@TomGCherry you have given me the idea the add a counter weight to the toggle on the handle. Also like the handle hook to keep the ram in the down position.

I picked up a Jr 2 press that was 50 years old. No one will ever wear out those cast iron presses.

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If you have the handle in the same configuration (you can reverse the toggle so that the handle points up at an angle or straight down) as mine with the handle pointing up when the ram is down....the do this.

Get a 3/4 or 1” or maybe 1.25” 1/2 x 20 bolt. Use a piece of 3/4 flat stock....say 5” long. Drill a 1/2” hole in one end of the flat stock. You will see there is a threaded hole on the bottom of the toggle. You can play around with weights. I used a piece of 1/2 stock. Approximately 3” x 4”. I used two 1/8 pop rivets and attached it to the other (opposite the drilled hole) end of the strap. You have to have the press mounted away from the edge of the bench or elevated or cantilevered out. Mine is on a piece of 2 x 6 OLD HARD Oak). That elevates it nicely and then the counter weight will clear the edge of the bench. I THINK that with the steel, that a single Bakelite ball will work and the handle will be kept in the UP position or the Ram down.

NOW you know....good luck. Next you need one of my customized balls....as that is the NUTS!
 
@TomGCherry so basically you took another forum members elegant and simple ideas and made them more complicated? Just kidding....great job. I know you're going to be happy with the results. Now...about that hook!!! Lol
 
Now now. Never mentioned a hook. The Ergo handle was, to the best of my recollection, never discussed here

Had it not been for a friend’s propensity to duplicate rather than purchase a tried and proven design, would not have pursued this

The friend is sometimes unconventional and stubborn. He can afford nice things, but gets satisfaction from creating his own. We get along
 
I broke one of my Lee Drum powder measurers. Not exactly sure how but managed to sear off one of the bottom lugs which resulted in launch drum full o HP38 into the air onto the reloading table. :( Needless to say I did not load much ammo today.
 
I broke one of my Lee Drum powder measurers. Not exactly sure how but managed to sear off one of the bottom lugs which resulted in launch drum full o HP38 into the air onto the reloading table. :( Needless to say I did not load much ammo today.
I've noticed there is a LOT of spring tension in those measures. Never thought about the possibility of your situation. :eek:
 
Loaded 200+ 44m & 38sp. Had completed the “Poor Man’s ERGO” upgrade for my RCBS Jr II press. Press is probably 45 - 50 years old. Friend of mine and fellow poster saw a Rock Chucker with the ERGO (Inline Fabrication) handle and made one out of spare parts. He decided it was a bit “overkill” for some operations as he only loads pistol. He then found a ball and fabed up an alternative which he switches as needed.

I looked at the ERGO handle for the Jr. Some of the reviews had said it was overkill and they choked up or held it by the shaft and not the ball for some steps.

Bottom Line. I made an adapter (4” sleeve) with a 2” Bakelite ball for mine. I ordered a bunch of different balls and the concept has evolved as most mods or redesigns do, My handle is slightly longer...maybe 2”. That would be good if you were forming brass or running bottle neck cartridges. The Jr. is OK for that, but the 2” would help here. I necked down a LOT of 30-06 brass to .270W many years ago on this press. Have now loaded almost 500 rounds and love the ball.

I have since figured out HOW to adapt one using the extra 2” balls to the existing handle. I may try that. I have also ordered a 7/8” plastic “bicycle handle bar” grip to go on mine. I find that half the time I just put my hand around the grip.

I have also got some extra balls for 1/2” shafts....that might be used on other presses.

IF anyone is interested in upgrading their press (Jr. or one with a 5/8” or 1/2” shaft), I will make a custom one and ship it for my material cost. The single ball can be attached via a recessed Allen screw....and if you don’t care to make it removable....a dab of Gorilla glue will permanently affix it. My sleeve is overkill as I have TWO Allen screws in it. If someone wants my sleeved ball, I might part with it and stay with. Single ball. You can ALSO use the existing grip handle with the single, non sleeved ball.

BTW....my original intent was ALSO to add a counter weight to the toggle arm so that the ram would stay DOWN. This would be an aid when seating bullets or swapping cases. Worked GREAT....until I added the weight of the sleeve.

If you want a picture of the counter weight and a $1.25 fix (you provide the flat stock for the weight), I will describe off line. The attaching bolt for $1.25 from Ace or Lowes is all you need.

Really cool setup. I don’t have any shoulder or arthritis issues, but if some do, this might be a God send.
Finished the handle, now have a very comfortable bicycle/lawnmower handle grip over the sleeve and the ball is on the end. I am very pleased.

Also received the RCBS Uniflow small drum and installed it. Family vacation starts tomorrow....so will test everything late next week.
 
I've noticed there is a LOT of spring tension in those measures. Never thought about the possibility of your situation. :eek:

Yeah I spoke with them and they stated that it can happen if you have screwed down the powder drum to tight to the riser. The ram is slightly hitting the drum and over time it will shear. They said send it back in and they will fix/replace it.
 
Tested out my new Lyman Brass Smith case trimmer. Once I got the technique down, trimming some 308 cases went really fast. Came with the adapters for most common calibers.

I also modified a new Para P14 mag so that it would work in my SAR K2.
 
Tested out my new Lyman Brass Smith case trimmer. Once I got the technique down, trimming some 308 cases went really fast. Came with the adapters for most common calibers.

I also modified a new Para P14 mag so that it would work in my SAR K2.
I was looking at that, I need that for straight wall cases. Maybe they will come out with a straight wall case trimmer like that.
 
I was looking at that, I need that for straight wall cases. Maybe they will come out with a straight wall case trimmer like that.
That type of trimmer spaces off the shoulder, so straight-wall brass will never work with it. I will use my Lee trimmer setup for straight-wall brass.
 
@wsfiredude very nice, super clean setup!

Added 16lb rifle powder and 500 175gr Nosler CC’s to the stash. Grabbed the MP440 (Tac) from American Reloading.
 
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Leveled and recalibrated my redding powder scale. I ran out of adjustment on the levelling screw on my powder balance so it was time to correct the problem. First, I checked the surface the scale is on with a spirit level. Right on. I then placed a small torpedo level on the scale base and adjusted the levelling screw until the scale was level. With the scale set to zero and the pan clean and empty the scale read 5 lines heavy. The weight on the bottom of the scale pan had a bit of corrosion on it I guess because of its age. With a needle file, I cleaned up the bottom and sides of the weight and almost zeroed the scale! A tiny bit more of careful filing on this weight zeroed the beam exactly. The leveling screw is now in the middle of its adjustment range.
Just to be sure, I got a 2.5 gram 24 carat gold bar from my stash (the smallest one I have) and weighed it. It came in at 38.6 grains which is right on the money.
 
Last night I loaded up 32 rounds of 30-06 reduced loads for my Garand. Cleaned the guns from the range trip today, sorted and decapped brass.
 
Just turned the AC on and waiting for it to cool off. Maybe an hour. Then play around with some 204 brass
 
Last night I loaded up 32 rounds of 30-06 reduced loads for my Garand. Cleaned the guns from the range trip today, sorted and decapped brass.
I keep offering to let you use my sissy pad, but you just have to act like a tough guy. :D
 
Spent the weekend disassembling the reloading room and boxing everything up for coming move to Alabama at end of June. Sucks. No sanity time for a couple of months is my guess, but a chance at a new and improved room and bench. Well maybe after all of the new furniture and decorating are done.

No telling how many laws I will be fracturing when I drive all of this powder down to Alabama. To be sure, I will be observing the speed limits. "Well officer..."
 
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It's ironic that I typed this earlier....then today while I was checking some .40s I made yesterday, I found one with no primer! So much for "don't check, and see how it goes". :)
Very rare that I get a round that fails case gauge but I do catch the primer issues.
 
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I claim to inspect my brass, but one time I found a split case that failed the case gauge. Either I missed it earlier in the reloading process, or it may have split during bullet seating.
 
Last week order some Hornady 30 cal 125 grn MP and SST bullets for the 300 BO and 4 MTM cases for a small rifle.
Loaded:
20 - 204 Ruger with 32 grn Nosler Varmint bullets
20 - 300 BO with Hornady 150 FMJ and Shooters World Blackout powder
20 - 300 BO with Hornady 125 Match Point with IMR 4227
20 - 300 BO with Hornady 125 SST with IMR 4227
This is the first time shooting any 30 caliber below 150 grn and using IMR 4227
 
Loaded tge last if my 115gr berrys for 9mm. 134rd. Might be the last 9mm I load for sometime as its so damn cheap. Got 223 lined up next...
 
Loaded 3,000 Blue 147 RN, 250 Berry 147 RN, and 650 or so Blue 147 FP. Used my Dad’s Dillon 650.

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Loaded 50 H&G 68 clones from an Arsenal mold over various charges of CleanShot.
Got irritated, ordered an RCBS seating die, I'll pull the stem from the old Lee and use it to crimp.
 
Loaded 34 rounds of 460 S&W. Hornady 200 ftx bullets, 49.0gn of H110 powder, Starline brass. Those are the last of the 200 ftx bullets I have.

I will try the 300gn Speer Deep Curl bullets next - start low and work up!
 
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