reloading setup question

[Catalyst81]

I'm starting to get into precision shooting and to save money, I'm seriously considering investing in a reloading setup. I've read through Randall's list here and have a question. My two main goals for reloading (at least for now) are to reload match quality ammo in .308 (bolt) and to reload plinking ammo in .223 (AR). How would I need to modify that match ammo list to accomplish both goals? Would a different setup work better for my needs? Something like the Lee Turret Press? I'll be shooting twice as much .223 but I save more money on the match reloads. I've been reading a lot but could use the advice of seasoned reloaders.

[AandO]

I bought a Dillon 550B ($259.00). I use it for my .308 ammo. Granted, I use this ammo in semi auto's but have been pleasantly surprised at the consistency.

I use only Redding and or Dillon Dies for Rifle rounds. I've found the dies to be the one area in particular that really makes the difference in producing quality ammo.

The 550B is just that, Basic. No frills such as powder drop or primer system.

I use a Lyman 1200 DPS for powder throws and am still going thru 3,000 LC 7.62 primed Brass I bought a few years back.

The advantage? Four Stations and Progressive means that the 550B is four times as fast as a Single stage.

I have the 223 conversion shell plate for this setup as well but have never used it. I've got a 650 setup for 223.

My 308 production rate is about 300 rounds an hour. 223 would be somewhat more due to less powder being used/dispensed.

Curious thing is that I also have a conversion kit for 308 for the 650 but have never used it.

Depending upon how big a run I need of pistol ammo determines whether I use the 550 or 650.

I have a RCBS 1500 Scale set between the 550 and the loading trays and weigh each round to use up the extra second for powder dispensing. Why? I've never had a squib and certainly don't want to start with 308 ammo.

[stand125]

I may get called a moron for suggesting this, but wait on loading for 223 since it is so cheap to buy and get yourself a LEE Classic Loader in 308 for your bolt gun. You will spend less than $40.00 for the kit and will learn reloading in the most basic form. You will also always have it as a back up and it will make excellent ammo. Since it only neck sizes also, you can reload a case quite a few times. Now if you load a few boxes and decide that reloading is for you, then look into spending the hundreds of dollars that most reloaders end up spending on all the other stuff, and god knows we have alot of it. I have friends who saw my reloading setups and bought all the stuff and will probably never load enough ammo to pay for their setups. I linked a video of my 30 year old loader that I got in a box of used reloading stuff and another of my 223 loader.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_zD6B6Ph60

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOpQVOBUq34

[LynnJr]

I would not change much from Randall's list. I don't think you need the Lyman reloading book or the Charge master powder dispenser but they are both nice to have.
I load to benchrest standards for all of my guns and once you have down what actually matters it is quite easy.

[eric n]

If you want plinking rounds, you can spit them out pretty quick just dumping charges....Faster then the chargemaster

[stilly]

I say look for a nice single stage for your match ammo so you can craft it nicer and get a Lee Classic Turret (the CAST iron one, not the aluminum one) and use it to make your .223. It is much faster than any single stage and you can load ammo in singles instead of batches.

[bsumoba]

Single stage press for precision reloading.

[Catalyst81]

I say look for a nice single stage for your match ammo so you can craft it nicer and get a Lee Classic Turret (the CAST iron one, not the aluminum one) and use it to make your .223. It is much faster than any single stage and you can load ammo in singles instead of batches.

This is what I'm leaning toward. Is there a reason to choose the Lee Challenger Kit Randall recommends vs. the Lee Classic Cast Breech Lock Single Stage Press? From reading the reviews it seems people prefer the beefiness of the Classic Cast vs. the Challenger.

[stilly]

This is what I'm leaning toward. Is there a reason to choose the Lee Challenger Kit Randall recommends vs. the Lee Classic Cast Breech Lock Single Stage Press? From reading the reviews it seems people prefer the beefiness of the Classic Cast vs. the Challenger.

I have no experience with either of those presses but the Classic Cast Single Stage is probably the most HD press you can get. I only say that based on the Lee Classic Cast winning over the RCBS Rock Chucker in how strong it was on another site several years ago when I was looking at swaging. The Lee Classic Cast iron single stage is about as big and heavy of a single stage that you can get.

I was thinking more like one of those Forster Co-AX presses, but a nice SS like the Lee or RC should do you good.

I can not comment on the challenger, but the Classic Cast was also only one or two mods away from being a swaging press, and the design made it better than the RC as well...

[9mmepiphany]

I compared the RCBS Rockchucker and the Lee Classic Cast closely before going with the Lee.

The only reason I didn't go with the Forrester Co-Ax was the cost difference...I am still kicking myself for passing on the RCBS Summit.

If you decide to go with the Classic Cast, I'd recommend stepping over the Breech Lock and go all the way to the one that takes regular dies. Then take out the insert and install the Hornady Lock-N-Load Bushing Conversion Kit...you mind as well get some Sur-Loc rings while you're at it

[JMP]

Randall's list is exceptional. The only place I differ is that I prefer to use the 3-piece Redding Competition sets, which I have various reasons for my preference. Where I strongly agree with him is that the dies are an absolutely essential part of making good ammo.

Everyone and his uncle makes 308 brass, and the neck bushings cost $25 each. Thus, the best way to reduce cost is by deciding on what brass you will want to use. You'd probably need .329" through .338" to cover every single brass case and tune your load. Notably, Winchester brass has a neck that is quite thin compared to most others, and that will likely want .329" to .331". For the average brass, generally a .334" bushing is a good size. You'd want a bit larger if you use FLC, and a bit larger than that if you use Lapua.

For making the most accurate ammo in a bolt action, you will want a single stage press--there are no two ways about it. One thing you may want to consider when getting a single stage press are the cartridges you may end up using. I ended up with a lot of presses to handle various cartridges and I have dies in all three common sizes. I'd go with a larger press that has 1.25" threads such as the Rock Chucker or a Redding. You can use the Hornady LNL bushings for convenience in a 1.25" press as an adapter is made for it. These are convenient for quick changes. I do not know how the Lee lock system is in terms of compatibility with other sizes.

If you have a nice strong 1.25" press and a 50 BMG press, that's all you need to load about anything.

Where you can save money is on the .223 dies. If you are using an AR, most are generally fine with a cheap $40 set of RCBS dies as folks typically do not even sort them by headstamp as they are all fairly close. You'd obviously need to sort and get better dies if you wanted to load .223 more accurately, but you are limited by the accuracy of the rifle.

Then, two items that aren't strictly necessary, but I'd highly recommend for convenience are a Giraud Power Trimmer and an RCBS Chargemaster.

[boomer135]

With my experience in reloading, for the most heavy duty single atage press its going to be the redding big boss II. Whatever press you choose get a quality high mount to go along with it.

[LynnJr]

The strongest presses are the ones purpose built for the large bore rifles.
The Corbin Mega-Mite in my bedroom weighs 80 pounds and is roughly 5 times stronger than a Rockchucker and 3 times stronger than an AmmoMaster.
I also have the cast iron Lee Classic and it works very well.
Most here won't need a $1000 press.

[milotrain]

I wouldn't bother making plinking .223 especially if you are really getting into precision rifle shooting. Once you go down that path you are not going to want to shoot anything inaccurate again and the difference between match .223 reloads and .223 plinking loads is very small cost wise.

You can also get a lot more good practice with the .223 for cheaper than the 308. I use a 550B, and while it won't make Benchrest rounds it will make match rounds.