Stupid question from a newbie here.

Where does most have their reload shop set up at? I got basement,
But it gets quite a bit of moisture in it. I do have a spare bedroom on the second floor that is pretty much empty and is carpeted. I just want the best idea and safest place to build this room. And how many keep fire extingishers on hand in these rooms in case of a bizarre mishap?

I have been reloading for 30 years. I will admit that I never thought about a fire extinguisher. Thank you for the idea!!!!!

You can not keep reloading equipment in a damp place. It must be kept in a heated, dry area. I have equipment that I bought 30 years ago. It is as good today, as it was then. My 12 gauge loader is over 30 years old, I can imagine what it would look like in a damp basement. Good equipment is expensive, take care of it.

I suggest you buy the best equipment that you can, and do not get in a big hurry. Buy lots of manuals, and read, read, read them all first. Tom.

lead, [/align][/align]I've also been loading a very long time, probably 35 yrs. or more now.[/align][/align]I agree a damp basement is probably not always the best place, but how damp is damp ? Running water damp, or just humid ? The reason I ask is because I built my shop in my celler when I built my house in 1995. I was able to change the plans and incoporate the shop into them. I built insulated walls to house my whole mess, and added heat and a dehumidifier. [/align]Having your reloading setup upstairs in your living space is a good idea, but, depending on your carpet, it can get pretty messy sometimes. Spent & live primers will drop into the carpet, and if it's a thick pile type, you probably wont find them. And, the static charge generated from a vacuum cleaner will set one off (don't ask how I know). [/align]I guess of the two options you gave, unless you wanted to construct a small room downstairs and control the humidity,I'djust do it upstairs(depending on the Mrs's frame of mind) as you asked. [/align][/align]I've got so much equipment gathered over the years, including casting stuff & moulds, that it just wouldn't be practical to have my shop upstairs. Sometimes I forget thatall folksdon't necessarily gather all the junk I do. [/align]Also, depending on your locale, the presses anddies will still rust even upstairs, just not as bad. If your in area's like Arizona, or N. Mexico, etc., then probably no, and likely neither in the cellar either. [/align]I live way SW upstate New York, and humidity can be pretty heavy in the summer months.[/align]Finger oils andacids will accelerate the rusting issueif there is a sufficient amount of humidity to support it and sometimes you'll see where a thumb or fingerprint hasstarted to rust onto a presses handle, or whatever. Where ever you decide, always wipe the stuff down with an oily rag after each use (avoiding the priming mechanisms) and you'll be good to go. [/align][/align]Hope this helps, [/align][/align][/align]Take care, [/align]Bob[/align]

Thanks for the reply guys. The basement does get wet only when it rain and in one corner. But it takes about four days to dry out and I would think that there would allways be moisture down there.Prob to much for a shop. I can use the upstairs spare room then. The carpet isn't the high loop style and I can see usually pretty good if something small falls on the floor. I can actually afford about 400$ now to buy a reload kit. What kind not sure. I have been reading anout Lees and RBC. I am not sure what the difference is though as in quality and specs. I don't think I will be getting into any unpopular calibers when I start. Mostly 243, 30-06, 30-30, 7mmRM,RUM, SWM,STW, And I am undebated about a varmit rifle. I am leaning towards the 6mm or 6.5 RM.I think I could reload one of these to actually shoot flatter and less drop than if reloaded a 22-250. But these are the only rifles I and my kids own of now that will be reloading for. I am not sure what kit would be better for these applications. When you mentioned this. How big is the equipment your talking about? I haven't read anything about casting or moulds. Again thanks guys. One more thing,I am a virgo, We are very precise and picky when it comes to precision and detail.

I've got so much equipment gathered over the years, including casting stuff & moulds, that it just wouldn't be practical to have my shop upstairs.

First of all I would like to know the story about the vacuum cleaner and the primers. Sorry but it does sound funny. I will definitely be adding a fire extinguisher. I added a throw rug years ago.

Here is what I would consider the basics:

At least 5 reloading manuals(not the pamphlets)
Minimum press requirement for quality and strength- RCBS Rockchucker, or press of similar quality. Do not go cheap on your press-it will last you forever if you buy a good one.
Decent quality scale-does not have to be the best.
Decent quality trimmer-does not have to be the best.
Powder dispenser is nice, but not necessary to get started-buy the Lee dipper set with a good trickler, it will be a little slow, but it will do the job. Do not buy a cheap dispenser-wait until you can buy a good one.
Inexpensive set of calipers is OK for now.
Powder funnel-cheap plastic is ok.
Block to hold your casings.
The Primer arm that comes with the press will do fine.
Case chamfer tool.
Dies, powder, primers, and bullets-You are ready to go.

This will get you started loading some good shells. Tom.

2 things to add.......I prefer calipers that measure down to .001, my parents for christmas one year got me a set that only measured down to .01 and I didnt like them. And get several blocks to hold your casings. I got one with my set but bought 3 more, youd be surprised how it keeps the clutter down.

lead,
[/align]As far as kits go, Lyman, RCBS, and Lee all have one. Unless your really strapped for cash (yes, I know it's Xmas....me too), I personally would start with the Lyman or RCBS. Lee's are okay, but they are more or less designed for the loader on a budget. Not to burn feathers or nothing, but I haven't had real great luck with all but a few of their tools, and I've used theirequipment, off and on, for the better part of 25-30yrs. But that's me and not anyone else.
To their benefit, they just recently came out with a cast press called the "Lee Classic". It's more "on par" with the other strength and style of presses. Another consideration, although not as common, is the Hornady equipment. I don't know if they have a kit, but you can check.

The high end presses like Redding's are very strong and suitable for swaging brass and bullets on a regular basis. I don't own one currently, but I plan I getting one, one of these days.

I personallyprefer the Lyman kit, as you have two choices of presses. The "O" frame Orange Crusher II, and the "TMag II" which is a 6 station removable turret. Last I knew, they both came with the press (either/or), the 500 Lyman scale, loading block, the Mod# 55 powder measure, a powder funnel, a lube pad, a current manual, and some other small items (case chamfer, etc.).
They used to come with a die set "of your choice", but I think they did away with that.
Currently I have both the single stage Orange Crusher, and the "T Mag". I use them both a lot, and I couldn't be without them for my needs.

Regarding dies, I like either RCBS's dies, and Lyman's current dies (the older ones were cheaply chromed). I have several sets of Hornady "New Dimension" dies, and I hate em', Seems like you really gotta crank down that decapping stem with the pinch nut, and if you don't tighten it enough it'll push loose. Someone's better idea.....apparently not because they redesigned their new dies. Redding dies are the "Cadillac's" and are quite pricey, but they're great. They are cut very precise internally.
Overall, regarding price and quality, I'd stick with the first two choices I guess.

RCBS's quality is every bit as good and their warranty is excellent.
In my opinion, I feel that Lyman's equipment designs are a little more "thought out" than some of RCBS's, regarding being more "handloader friendly", but that's just me. One case in point was their entry into the progressive press market several years ago. It had a lot of problems as it "seemed" like it was designed in separate sections then put together. The separate areas regarding powder and priming were fraught with complications, and didn't functionsmoothly together.

I had bought oneslightly used, and found out why it was sold. Everythingwas functional, but needless to say, not very smooth.

I had the first model Dillon RL450 back then, and after using it, then picking up the RCBS (Max, I think the name was) progressive, I guess I was spoiled anyway. Since that time, I've bought two other Dillon's and upgraded my old 450 to a 550B.

It's kind of like my uncle told me when I started loading......he said, "Buy it right, and you'll buy it once.......buy it wrong, and you'll get a second chance". I never forgot that, and he was dead right.

When you order the kit, you'll get 90% of all the stuff. Other than whats in the kit, you'll need the dies (naturally), a good vernier caliper is always a plus,
[/align][/align]Other opinions may, and will, vary.....but that's my best advice.
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[/align]Take care,
[/align]Bob




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[/align]Well, okay....at the cost of sounding like a total idiot....
[/align]I had half a tube of primers spill when I was filling them ahead of time for my progressive press. It makes things a lot quicker.

Anyway, I forgot to stick one of those hairpins in to keep the primers from falling out and the stick fell over and spilled half of them all over the carpet. Anyway, I thought I got them all.

About two days later, I was pulling the spent primer catcher off of one of my other presses and I had a few loose one's fall onto the carpet. Figuring they were all spent primers, and not knowing that I had missed some live ones, I fired up my old Eureka and started going to town on the carpet.

Well, you know that sound when you pick up hard pea gravel or stones that are on your carpet with your vacuum. That "loud" whack you hear, yeah, well I heard that several times....then all of a sudden "BANG".....sh*t.....what was that ?

After a few minutes it dawned on me that a couple live one's got by me. I was chatting with my local supplier, and I told him about it....he started laughing and said "yep, static electricity".

"That's nothing", he said....."you should'a been around when I was young and stupid and tried to vacuum up black powder I had spilled in my dad's reloading room. He said that he wasn't allowed in there, and snuck in to get some BP for his dad's cannon to fire it off while his dad was at work.

Well Mike's a little on the clumsy side, and the can slipped and fell on the floor. He dumpedabout a third ofthe can on a deep shag carpet and couldn't recover it manually, so he tried to vacuum it up. Well we all know now what happens to black powder when static is around. Afterabout halfway through sucking it up......yep......., Mike said "it ignited" and"POOOOF", caught the carpet on fire and blew thedirt bag (before bagless)right out of the vacuum cover. It smoked outhis dad's reloading room, and the vacuum was toast I think. The carpet had a nice round basketball sized burn mark, and Mike's a$$ was in hot water forquite sometime.
Just damn funny thinking about it.....like stupid pet tricks....

You had to be there to listen to Mike tell it.....FUNNY....I laughed like hell for ten minutes.
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[/align]Take care,

[/align]Bob

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I am not laughing at you. But I am laughing with you. I once took my uncle groundhog hunting. He said he did not want to shoot, but after he watched me bust a couple he just had to shoot. I had the rifle lined up on another hog-so instead of handing him the rifle, I just rolled out from under it. That was when I rolled over a fresh cow pie. Thank God I had a truck. I rode home in the back. Tom.

Nice..........fresh cowpie....man that had to feel good.....betcha you were the brunt of jokes for several holidays to come.....[/align][/align]Sh*t Happens...and life is Funny......just gotta look at the world with a smile and see the humor in life.....makes things a lot more bearable.[/align][/align]Also if you walk aroundwith a smile on your face all the time, folks will think you're nuts and leave you alone.....[/align][/align]Take care, [/align]Bob[/align][/align][/align]