On to reloading!!!

[pklin1297]

Will be getting a complete set of reloading equipment, never used, from a friend's relative this weekend for free... Very excited to finally start reloading after many years of trying to save up money to get my own setup going...

Don't know what exactly is in this setup just yet, but this guy usually buys top of the line stuff and apparently has all the necessary components to load almost all his guns so it should be complete. Dillon maybe? I sure hope so.

Anyway, I plan to try loading .223 for my AR first, or maybe 45 ACP for my 1911 to relearn the process... Question is, with the price of metals going up around the country, where can I find good brass for a decent price? Thanks.

[Prc329]

http://www.scharch.com/

Not sure how the price compares but this is where i got my 223 from. My 308 came from my gun.

[rksimple]

Question is, with the price of metals going up around the country, where can I find good brass for a decent price? Thanks.

Your local range! I've picked up tons of LC brass that has been perfect for my AR's. Stay away from FC marked brass as its pretty soft. Be sure to ask lots of questions and read as much as you can before you start. We've all made mistakes and it's best to learn from others' and not make the same ones. Good luck!

[PLINK]

I have good luck getting brass from Ebay at decent prices. I only buy .40 S&W and .45 ACP though. YMMV

[anotherted]

Hey, its entirely up to you, but I wouldn't start reloading for a semi-auto rifle your first go around.

Ted

[MT1]

I pretty much stick to my own brass, kinda weary about using stuff off ebay.

That being said, reloading is very easy no matter what people will tell you. Stick to the proper procedures and take your time, buy the Lyman reloading manual and read it through before you even try your first load. I had a neighbor teach me when I was 10, so I have been doing it for quite a long time, still there were several things that I did not know about, that the reloading manual teaches you. Get a good quality scale, and again - take your time....glasses are a good idea when working with primers, I have heard that every reloader explodes one at some point...thankfully no me yet

[mike100]

I just buy factory new ammo and save the brass. As a matter of fact I started saving brass for about a year before I started reloading.

I hope you got most of what you need from this guy because you might get nickel and dimed to death buying all the little stuff.

[pklin1297]

Finally got through the stuff I got this morning...

Press: Hornady Pro-jector progressive 5-station press equipped with auto priming, auto indexing, and auto powder.

Scale: Nexus eletronic scale and RCBS balance beam scale. Will probably add the RCBS Chargemaster combo to setup.

Trimmer: Lyman motorized case trimmer.

Tools: Assorted case prep tools new in package, as well tools to undo the mistakes.

Assessories: Assorted ammo boxes and styrofoam inserts, approximately 100 boxes in all.

Components: Once fired brass approximately 1000 in all, mixed calibers of 45 ACP, 9 mm, 38 special, 357 magnum, and 10 mm. About 25,000 primers, mixed small and large, pistol and rifle.

New bullets - Approximately 1700 count .38 special semi-wadcutter, 1250 count 45 ACP 185 gr. and 200 gr. semi-wadcutter, 1200 count .32 semi-wadcutter, 700 count .308 Sierra 110 gr., 1500 count 9 mm... There might be more, I got tired of counting.

Powder: Hodgdon, Winchester assortment of powders... Haven't documented the brand and number yet.

Miscellaneous: 1 vibratory cleaner, 1 ultrasonic cleaner.

Dies: Hornady New Dimension Die sets for 45 ACP, 38 Special, 357 Magnum, 40 S&W, 32 ACP, 308, .223 Remington, and 9 mm. All barely used.

I'm so glad I held back on getting my own reloading setup! Judging by the amount of 38 special components I have, I just might need to get me a S&W revolver so I can make use of them...

[SnWnMe]

Nice.

Scour the manufacturers' sites for load data. Alliant even teaches how to get started. For handgun data I've used Taffin's loads with success and he covers all the popular ones.

Happiness is picking up your still warm brass.

[MrLogan]

Is there a good source for NEW 5.56 brass?

[sargenv]

Best bet is to buy new ammunition and save all your brass so it has been already fired in your chamber. I know, it's expensive, but only the first time. After that you only need pay for powder, bullets, and primers.

[PistolPete75]

Hey, its entirely up to you, but I wouldn't start reloading for a semi-auto rifle your first go around.

Ted

my first time reloading was for a .223, and i had no issues.

i do recommend going with new brass for the first time around though, since it will bring down the probability of errors. if you go with used brass, make sure you trim and fullsize correctly or you will have tons of feeding issues or a possibility of damaging your rifle. also remember when you reload, go all the way up, and then all the way down. this simple task will also bring your prabability of errors down. pay attention when you reload, and learn the machine. it will take some practice and some patience, but in the end you will reap the rewards with all that nice ammo!

[grywlfbg]

Is there a good source for NEW 5.56 brass?

Best I've found is Powder Valley or Cabela's - each around $150/1,000 new .223 Winchester.

I bought 1K of new to start with since I'm new to reloading and wanted to eliminate as many variables as possible. Once I'm through this first thousand I'll be using once-fired from my own pick-ups and from other stuff I find at the range.

[thmpr]

Best I've found is Powder Valley or Cabela's - each around $150/1,000 new .223 Winchester.

I bought 1K of new to start with since I'm new to reloading and wanted to eliminate as many variables as possible. Once I'm through this first thousand I'll be using once-fired from my own pick-ups and from other stuff I find at the range.

Exactly what I did....

[ocabj]

I've been getting my Lapua 223 Match brass from Grafs. $33 per box of 100.

Scharch/Top Brass is about the best right now for processed once fired LC brass.

Graf's has brand new LC brass in their database, but it's out-of-stock.

Winchester is decent brass, but the rims don't last very long in auto loaders (as far as their .223 brass is concerned).

I've got a 5 gallon bucket full of LC03 once fired (still primer crimped) that I need to get processed. I could do it myself, but considering it the brass was given to me for free, I figure I can afford to pay for professional brass prep on these.