Interested in reloading 9mm and .223

[L4D]

Hi,

I have zero experience in reloading but would like to start. My intention is bulk reloads for plinking in 9mm and .223. I would like to produce 100-200 rounds in 9mm and 200-300 in .223 per month and can expect to dedicate 5-10 hours per week doing so. Is it possible to get started with a $700 budget?
Would love to hear some feedback and recommendations here while I do more research into this.


Thanks!

[robodeer]

Hi,

I have zero experience in reloading but would like to start. My intention is bulk reloads for plinking in 9mm and .223. I would like to produce 100-200 rounds in 9mm and 200-300 in .223 per month and can expect to dedicate 5-10 hours per week doing so. Is it possible to get started with a $700 budget?
Would love to hear some feedback and recommendations here while I do more research into this.


Thanks!

I've been doing some research for 9mm and .223 as well. The Lee Classic Turret and Breech Lock Pro are both around $100. Might be an affordable option.

[L4D]

I've been doing some research for 9mm and .223 as well. The Lee Classic Turret and Breech Lock Pro are both around $100. Might be an affordable option.

Thanks, I was just looking into the turret style presses. Very affordable, within budget to allow all the other components i'll be looking into.

[Abenaki]

$700. It is very doable.

Are you saving your brass?

Take care
Abenaki

[JackEllis]

$700. It is very doable.

Are you saving your brass?

Take care
Abenaki

Agreed. Even without annealing you should be able to get a minimum of 4-5 reloads from .223 brass. I don't load for pistols but apparently pistol brass can be reused more times than rifle brass.

Instead of buying new tools consider buying used from other Calguns members. You can also find decent deals on components (powder, primers, used brass and bullets).

I do most of my reloading from December through February when it's snowing. Once I have cases prepped and primed, I can load 40-50 cartridges an hour using a balance scale, an RCBS manual powder dispenser and a Rockchucker.

[L4D]

$700. It is very doable.

Are you saving your brass?

Take care
Abenaki

Not as much as I should have over the years.

[bohoki]

[L4D]

Your post was quite intimidating and then you took it to another level with the Golden Nugget Special! lol

I like the idea of the turret presses but as Im looking through all the type of components available, depending on the components selected, it modifies the process a little. I guess that refers to the term "batch loading"?

[bohoki]

Your post was quite intimidating and then you took it to another level with the Golden Nugget Special! lol

I like the idea of the turret presses but as Im looking through all the type of components available, depending on the components selected, it modifies the process a little. I guess that refers to the term "batch loading"?

to me a batch is i start out with like 104 cases prep them then finish off with 100 in a baggie at the end the extra 4 are safetys in case i notice a cracked case or torn rim or loose primer pocket or just one that i think has the bad juju

once your cases are all set and primed that to me is when reloading really starts

then i put in the powder then seat the bullet often in my mind i think of fill the jar with mayonaise then put the cap on

i do not crimp the bullet to the case


just so you know i'm not a crazy liar you can get by without an impact cartridge disassembler ooh i forgot the little clamp i use to clamp the powder measure to my press board also its nice to have a little bin to store the cases also after priming the ashtray becomes my bullet holding bin it easily holds 100 223 or 9mm


Are you ready to party at Honky Tonk at The Tank with The Rhyolite Sound?! The FREE event kicks off at 9pm tonight. Doors at 8! golden nugget FREE PARKING FOR OUR HOTEL GUESTS.

[RiskyBusiness]

Get a lee classic turret by itself and add a auto drum. This should leave you with enough cash for all your components, measuring tools, dies, etc.

223 cases will need lube and a trimmer so expect more cost in your initial investment for that caliber. I'd say start with an 8lb jug of either titegroup/unique, box of spp and srp (can usually find them for $20 here), plated 9mm either extreme or berry's are the cheapest route, Caliper, digital scale (WAOAW $17 on amazon), bullet puller, Lee Die sets (make sure to get the powder thru riser) and lee factory crimp dies.

[Dragginpanda]

I don’t like turrets.

I have a Lee, $100, progressive that was bought used and I use it to deprime. I started with a Harbor Freight tumbler and it works fine, just run smaller batches. Use the Harbor Freight coupon for more savings. Vibratory tumblers are frequently on sale and I’ve gotten shine from corn cob to reptile bedding.

You can reload rifle rounds in batches. There’s even a Lee Classic Loader which uses no press. I think it’s $50.

There’s a lot to loading rifle rounds in 223 though.

[L4D]

[bohoki]

a turret adds like $100 bucks

if you dont want to go lee there is lyman

https://www.cabelas.com/product/LYMAN-BRASS-SMITH-C-FRAME-PRESS/2726079.uts?productVariantId=5527132

but really its not any better than lee

https://www.cabelas.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=1317216

for the love of god please do not buy a "lee loader" i bought one of those to reload 30 carbine and about 30 cartridges in i went to order .30 carbine dies it was just too much hammer whacking its a bit terrifying to use a hammer to whack a case onto a primer at the time it was $13 now i think they are $20

[Full Clip]

Yep, went with an RCBS turret system. Short of a progressive, this is the way to go.
Start with 9mm. Far fewer case prep steps with straight-wall pistol brass.
Get your flow down, then go to .223.

[robodeer]

A gauge (gage?) block like those from Mitutoyo might be good as well. Just to double check the calipers, etc.