picked up some reloading gear - need help

[FatalKitty]

I've never really been much into reloading, I shoot a lot but I buy good cheap ammo in bulk and could never load as much as I shoot in a weekend during my (lack of) free time.
But I am a prepper and think that reloading is a useful skill and wanted to pick it up - just didn't want to spend $800+ on progressive reloader and stuffs

at a yardsale I found a box full of stuff, all RCBS, all at least 20 years old (according to the owner)
a bench type press, 3 sets of dies (2 die .223, 3 die 9mm, 3 die .45) uniflow measure, stand, scale, auto primer feeder, lube kit, ect. The thing have never been used, all in original boxes and packaging, some parts still sealed in the the bags. the press itself was rusted, seized. but I let it soak in some CLP for a hour and it's fine now.
It also came with a hardbound book on reloading, so I have been reading that and am ready to try my hand at it. I have bullets, once fired cases that I've been collecting from my outings. all I need is powder and primers - oh and I need a case trimmer. I have read some tutorial threads here and I think I have found a good trimmer I can buy from midway

but I am missing one thing, it's the shell holder I guess, for .223 - both the 9mili and .45 kits have them but the .223 is missing... where can I get one?

also, can someone recommend a way I might be able to set this up in my apartment? I was thinking of just building a small bench out of 2x4 and some planks.

ideas would be appreciated thanks in advance!

[707electrician]

Midway for the shell holder

[WRENCHHEAD]

1st thing, get an up to date reloading/data book. procedures and recipes will not be accurate in the older book.

[chknlyps2]

x2 on Midway for the shell holder. Most of my reloading stuff is used from here or there except I got a new Lee hand primer tool and they take their own shell holders which are pretty cheap.

I was going to use the lower part of a small roll away tool box for a bench, the drawrs would be great for storing stuff. I was looking on craigs list for one when I came acrost a small lockable cabinet on casters for 25 bucks. I made a bracket on the side for the press and most of my stuff fits inside when not in use.

[FatalKitty]

1st thing, get an up to date reloading/data book. procedures and recipes will not be accurate in the older book.

Oh, yeah, thanks
I plan to use the reloading data I have from the bullet manufacturer. the book is more about reloading, trouble shooting, stuff like that - there are some recipes in there, but I ignored those.

[gunboat]

The book will still be fine for the specific components listed in it.
Speer 100 gr pills and 2400 are still speer 60 gr pills and 2400 is still 2400.
A 6" vernier caliper will prove useful for measuring case length and overall cartridge length.
Case mouth deburr tool.
A small funnel for pouring powder into case if you don't use the measure.
Reloading blocks to hold cases.
A small can of naptha to dampen a rag to wipe down the completed cartridge.
Likely you will not need to worry about trimming cases for a couple of case reloadings.
my tuppence

[Javi]

Check out my thread in this forum section for a solution to reloading in your apartment I think it would work.

[george223]

When I was a renter, I drilled holes in my kitchen table and mounted my press there. Was quite a conversation piece

[Hunt]

I use C clamps and clamp my rockchucker to a table, when not in use I put everything in one of those giant plastic storage bins, put it in the closet.

[problemchild]

There is so much more to loading than reading a book and getting a shell holder. My advice is sit down with someone and load some rounds and asks lots of questions.

[FatalKitty]

The book will still be fine for the specific components listed in it.
Speer 100 gr pills and 2400 are still speer 60 gr pills and 2400 is still 2400.
A 6" vernier caliper will prove useful for measuring case length and overall cartridge length.
Case mouth deburr tool.
A small funnel for pouring powder into case if you don't use the measure.
Reloading blocks to hold cases.
A small can of naptha to dampen a rag to wipe down the completed cartridge.
Likely you will not need to worry about trimming cases for a couple of case reloadings.
my tuppence

Thanks for that! I do have all that stuff, as the box came with an accessory kit - the deburr tool is also rusty so if I can't clean it up I will likely get another.

There is so much more to loading than reading a book and getting a shell holder. My advice is sit down with someone and load some rounds and asks lots of questions.

gee really?!?!!!

[problemchild]

gee really?!?!!!

Yes really. But you are welcome to a different opinion. Some choose not to take advice, maybe that's you? I offer this advice to every new person. I was trying to impress on you that it is dangerous and complicated and you need to sit with someone and reload. Rifle rounds are levels more complicated than pistol. I would start with pistol and move to rifle. But only after sitting with someone. Im sure there are many people that would help. If you are in my area I would offer help.

With a rifle round you need to understand:
Headspacing
How to measure headspace
You need tools for meaasuring headspacing
If you have an auto you need small base dies and they need to be adjusted properly
You need two sets of calipers
Measure for shoulder bump
Understand shoulder bump
You need a trimmer
You need to know where your lands and grooves are and how much jump or jam you have. (may not be so important in an auto because of mag limit length limit)
You need JP minimum sammi spec headspace gauges (for autos this is a life saver)
If you are running an auto its wise to use military primers so you dont have a primer strike on bcg close.

I could go on and on and on. Do you see why I suggested sitting with someone?

[FatalKitty]

yes I was being a smartass - I know that its serious business. I have lots of friends that reload, and it's how I got interested in it in the first place. I've already loaded about 100 rounds of 9mm with a friend, but his is an automatic turret type press that is quite different than I will be working with.

on a single stage press like I have, how much do you think I can load? like say... during a couple episodes of My Little Pony

[problemchild]

yes I was being a smartass - I know that its serious business. I have lots of friends that reload, and it's how I got interested in it in the first place. I've already loaded about 100 rounds of 9mm with a friend, but his is an automatic turret type press that is quite different than I will be working with.

on a single stage press like I have, how much do you think I can load? like say... during a couple episodes of My Little Pony

Are you going to weigh each charge or buy a powder dump? Its slow tedious work on a single stage. I have a dillon 650 and all the bells and whistles. I can bang out 800/hr once all the ducks are in a row. But getting the ducks in a row can take days. I reload huge quantities. I have 16,000 rds of brass sitting here and maybe half that much loaded in a box.

On a single stage you might get 50 and hour if you rush and thats only after the brass has been polished, sized, tumbled to remove lube, primed and charged. Then you can set the bullet on and seat and after that a KISS of crimp for an auto (maybe .0005). I would load in stages and do one process per night. Night one tumble range brass. Night 2 lube and size and tumble, 3 prime, 4 charge, seat and KISS crimp

[bruceflinch]

The .223 shellholder is a #10 IIRC.
What area are you in?
Starting out w/ pistol will be much easier than rifle.
I'd recommend you get your feet wet w/ pistol first.