Stuff needed...

[Seesm]

Stuff I need still.... (just starting on .223/5.56 and .40 Caliber)

Power thrower and scale

Primer installer

I have full length dies for .223 but need a cheap neck set

have I think pretty much everything else...

Was usuing my father in laws stuff but he is a few hrs away...

Probably missing something... Ha!

[Darklyte27]

I just got the RCBS chargemaster, you enter the load you want, ie 24 grains, and it dispenses in about 10-12 seconds, you take it and pour into your brass, put the tray back and it auto dispenses the same again.
draw back is that it was 288$ plus shipping from midway with my 10% july 4th discount. Its pricey but worth it for a single stage press guy like me for now. I only load match type ammo with my single stage, 223/556 308 win and 30-06

bulk 223/556 will be loaded at my friends dillion progressive.

you can either prime your brass on your press or hand prime.

I have a LEE hand primer, its cheap and works theres other brands and more $.

if you havent already, check grafs.com wideners.com midway.com midsouthshooter.com or something like that

heres a vid of the chargemaster in action

[Sunwolf]

case gage,loading blocks and powder trickler.Ya need at least 2 loading manuals.

[Seesm]

yeah I have been using my father in laws stuff but I have most stuff... Frogto about the loading blocks cuz I was using his... Trickler I was calling a thrower.

After tossing all the little parts I should have just bought the whole kit with all the needed stuff PCBS makes


case guage you mean case trimmer? I have a machine shop so I have calipers and such...

[sytfu_RR]

I just got into the same boat as you, however my 40sw dies have been on backorder from midway for a while now. But all my .223 stuff has been in so I've been pretty actively reloading. Good Luck with it all, its a very enjoyable experience, just some components are scarce at the moment. FYI I'm using 2 single stage presses, lol later when i have more money maybe I'll upgrade to progressive.

[popeye4]

I just got the RCBS chargemaster, you enter the load you want, ie 24 grains, and it dispenses in about 10-12 seconds, you take it and pour into your brass, put the tray back and it auto dispenses the same again.
draw back is that it was 288$ plus shipping from midway with my 10% july 4th discount. Its pricey but worth it for a single stage press guy like me for now.

If you're going to drop that sort of coin, you should consider a Harrell's powder dispenser: http://www.harrellsprec.com/

I don't have one yet, but Zediker claims in his reloading book (Handloading for Competition, http://www.zediker.com/books/handloading/hlmain.html

[popeye4]

Also, the two primer tools Zediker recommends are the Sinclair (high dollar) and the Lee (dirt cheap). Both allow you to "feel" the primer seat.

Of course, as you go along, you'll find all sorts of items that are indispensible, depending on the cartridge(s) you load for and the quantity loaded. I find I use the following a ton:

Primer pocket uniformer (Sinclair)
Case trimmer (Giraud)
Hornady LNL (formerly Stoney Point) Head n Shoulders case gauge (with Sinclair bump inserts) and Bullet Comparator gauge set.
Calipers
Imperial sizing die wax or Dillon spray on case lube

And for those inevitable mistakes, the Hornady collet-type bullet puller.

[popeye4]

And one last thing: don't go cheap on dies. You don't always get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get.

[Fjold]

Are you loading the 5.56/223 in an autoloader or a bolt? If it's the autoloader, you don't want a neck sizing die.

[Beelzy]

Forget the neck set for the .223, and don't be afraid of "inexpensive" dies for
the Pistol ammo they work as well as the premium ones.

I'e been cranking out scores of Pistol ammo built with Lee dies for years and my bullets hit what I aim at just fine.