Reloading 5.56

[PuppY_K1ck3R]

Hey guys after a couple trips to the range with my newly built AR, I started playing around with the idea of reloading my own. If you guys can help me out with what I need to get as far as equipment and knowledge that would be great. I live in a condo with some animals no garage of my own. Im guessing I would be needing something relatively safe for reloading in a small space. Thx in advance and any help would be appreciated.

[mif_slim]

If you use the search button you will find tons of info on this topic....

but! in short:

1. Ask yourself how much your planning to shoot
2. When you figure it out, a single or progressive will feed your need
3. Lee, Hornady, Dillon, etc are all good press.
4. Buy a reloading book
5. start having fun reloading.

[Dark Mod]

id just start with a single stage press anyway, its a minimal investment and it will get the job done. Its also easier to use. just get one of the lee kits for like $100 bucks, some dies, then the components and your ready to rock

[gunboat]

Or, if you are really cramped for space, a lee hand press will get the job done. You can keep the whole lot in a small box when not in use.

[mnguyen84]

if you're unsure about reloading then a single stage might be a better investment. Else, shell out the money for progressive press, because reloading 223 in bulk on a single stage i no fun.

[SixPointEight]

Or, if you are really cramped for space, a lee hand press will get the job done. You can keep the whole lot in a small box when not in use.

I started reloading with this:


Lee hand press and dippers. Saved up a whole lot of brass, had a couple boxes of hornady bullets, and all the other little tools. They all fit in that tub with the green lid. If I hadn't kept all my reloaded ammo in there, I could fit the hand press setup into a 50 cal can easily.

[mif_slim]

^ hehe, I remember that picture!! Dang seem like it was only yesterday!

[SixPointEight]

If I could find my bench under all the mess, I'd take a current pic haha

[Paper Boy]

I would go to your nearest gun shop and buy a reloading manual from one of the big name companies and read it front to back. Once you have done that and if you still want to reload watch ebay for a while see if you can snag a press for a good price if not this will start you out fine

http://www.cabelas.com/product/50th-Anniversary-Breech-Lock-Challenger-Reloading-Kit/740258.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=%2Fcatalog%2Fsearch.cmd%3Fform_state%3DsearchForm%26N%3D0%26fsch%3Dtrue%26Ntk%3DAllProducts%26Ntt%3Dlee%2Bkit%26WTz_l%3DHeader%253BSearch-All%2BProducts&Ntt=lee+kit&WTz_l=Header%3BSearch-All+Products

[RaymondMillbrae]

Click on the video RELOADING .223 VIDEO below my signature.

It was made for y'all.

In Christ: Raymond

[Ross]

Get the green one.

No wait, get the red one.

Wait, wait, wait, get the blue.

Of course if you're color blind, you'll probably never the difference until you tell somebody else what color reloader you have.

[yakmon]

one of the best places to start, before you invest any money, is watching raymonds youtube videos. after that, like said before, buy a manual, or abc's of reloading. read them. after that, any questions you would like answered can be answered here, usually within minutes.

[NotEnufGarage]

id just start with a single stage press anyway, its a minimal investment and it will get the job done. Its also easier to use. just get one of the lee kits for like $100 bucks, some dies, then the components and your ready to rock

I second that. I got this kit and the only thing I immediately reupgraded was the scale. The beam scale is way too sensitive and takes too long to settle. I got a $25 digital and it sped things up.

If you're going to reload handgun calibers, get the Lee 4 die set with the powder through expanding die. It really speeds things up. You can prime, expand and load in one step, put the shells in a block then go back and seat bullets.

[gau17]

If you're not shooting more than 1-2k per month, I would just buy bulk ammo. 223 prices have gone down. Just stock up.
Processing 223 ammo is very time consuming. clean, de-prime/size, trim, , chamfer/debur, clean again to remove lube & brass shavings, and swage if you have military crimp. repeat that for 1-2 K. That's just brass prep.

I had the luxury of owning a Giraud trimmer and it was still a pain in the ***.




You don't save money in reloading... you just shoot more.

[Bongos]

If you're not shooting more than 1-2k per month, I would just buy bulk ammo. 223 prices have gone down. Just stock up.
Processing 223 ammo is very time consuming. clean, de-prime/size, trim, , chamfer/debur, clean again to remove lube & brass shavings, and swage if you have military crimp. repeat that for 1-2 K. That's just brass prep.

I had the luxury of owning a Giraud trimmer and it was still a pain in the ***.




You don't save money in reloading... you just shoot more.

+1 Plus dreams of upgrading your EQ.. RCBS Rockchucker... Forster CO-AX... adding a Progressive like the Dillon 550B... then auto-index like the Hornady LNL... or a XL650.... then adding a case feeder... then a bullet feeder.. than a foot paddle drive so you don;t have to pull the lever....does it end...