Reloading .223

[pbrand]

With ammo prices high I am looking for a cheaper solution to my unquenchable shooting habbits. I want to reload both used .223 brass and probably new brass as well. I have a general, but brief understanding of the process and needs to take place. Currently the only equipment I have is a nice digital scale. With Christmas coming I am looking into using some of the cash recieved to buy reloading equipment.

What equipment do you recommend I buy for a complete reloading solution and where?

Any other suggestions, comments, and articles you can point me to I would appreciate.

[Blue]

Any other suggestions, comments, and articles you can point me to I would appreciate.

The reloading forum

[Nefarious]

Just about everyone is going to tell you a Dillion 650

If you have your C&R, your best total price is going to be Graf & Sons. The package/setup I am ready to buy is going to set me back $791 where others are asking $920+ for the same setup

[WolfMansDad]

First get the book "The ABC's of Reloading." Reloading can be an involved process for the uninitiated. Get an idea of what you're in for before you start sinking money into equipment.

[rksimple]

A good reloading manual would be a start. How much do you shoot a month? A single stage is a good place to learn, just slower than a progressive. If you have the money, buy the Dillon and don't look back.

[wildcard]

I'd say merry x-mas and give you some once fired brass I got sitting around but you're in Fresno..

[rksimple]

I'd say merry x-mas and give you some once fired brass I got sitting around but you're in Fresno..

What kind of brass are we talkin' here? I'll be at the next APS match.

[Sgt Raven]

Get a single stage press even if you end up with a dillon. It's easier to work up custom loads on a single stage press. Plus if you get some .mil brass with crimped in primers you can swage the primer pockets on the single stage press to get rid of the primer crimp.

[kmca]

Get a single stage press even if you end up with a dillon. It's easier to work up custom loads on a single stage press. Plus if you get some .mil brass with crimped in primers you can swage the primer pockets on the single stage press to get rid of the primer crimp.

+1..except you might also consider getting a turret press, makes working up loads even easier

[Sgt Raven]

[uscbigdawg]

Education: First, be honest with how much you know about reloading. If you don't know much, then take the time to learn. Get good books like ABC's, Lee Reloading Manual and the Sierra Reloading manual (just naming a few) and read as much as you can. Reloading is not hard, but it is a detail oriented hobby and knowing more up front makes for fixing or finding problems later much easier.

Equipment: Presses. You have 3 basic options. Single stage - One operation at a time. Semi-progressive - Multiple operations but still requiring manual indexing of the turret. Progressive - Multiple operations where you could be doing simply pulling the handle and placing the bullet, or just pulling the handle.

Single Stage - For this, frankly, the RCBS Rock Chucker is it. While I'm a Dillon guy, you can usually find Rock Chucker's at garage sales or random gun stores for next to nothing. They're built strong and WILL last forever. I still keep one on my reloading bench for working up loads. It's a great place to learn to do everything right and do it over and over again.

Semi-Progressive - Best example of this is the Dillon 550B. Four station press that you have to manually feed a case and bullet, pull the handle and then index the turret (where the cases are at). It is Dillon's #1 selling press and they last forever. Also, if you ever wanted to sell it to upgrade to a 650 or 1050, they sell quickly. However, you no longer have to do that since there are add-on kits now that will allow you to upgrade your 550 to a casefeeding, self-indexing (i.e. progressive) press.

Progressive: My 2 favorite examples are the Dillon XL650 and the RL1050 (now the Super 1050). They are multi-station progressive presses that do EVERYTHING (with the 1050 being the best). The only thing you have to do on this is place a bullet and pull the handle (and keep the casefeeder, primer tube and powder measure full). The 650 is the king when it comes to reloading multiple calibers on the fly. The 1050, while conversions aren't bad, is better left as a single caliber. Reloading rate on the 650 is probably in the 800-1200 rounds per hour range. On the 1050, it's pushing 2000 rounds per hour. Both are well built and will last forever.

A note 'cause it'll come up. The Lee Pro 1000. Some people have loaded a lot of ammo on these with success, but they are cheap for a reason. Dillon products carry a No B.S. Warranty and if something breaks, it's free. You call, it's there within 3 days. You need help with the setup or are having problems with ANYTHING, call them and they will help. Free and with a smile.

Side note about progressives and the new guy: I don't recommend them for the new guy reloading. Multiple reasons. There is a good chunk of money invested and after a little bit, may not want to reload any longer. Between prepping brass, allocating space in the house or garage, chemicals, hazards, etc., for some people it's just not worth it. So, keep it simple and go with a single stage.

What I have and what I recommend: On the bench I have the following:

2 - Dillon RL1050's (38 Super and 40 S&W)
1 - Dillon XL650 (9mm, 223, 45)
1 - RCBS Rock Chucker
1 - Sinclair AP-1000 Arbor Press (6mm AI, 6BR, 243 & 6.5-284)
1 - Mec 1000G (12 Gauge)
1 - Case Pro Roll Sizer

Additional crap you need to think about getting:
- Chronograph
- Tumbler w/ some kind of media seperator
- Calipers
- Case gauges
- Bullet pullers
- More reloading manuals
- Primer tubes and primer flip tray (Dillon specific)
- Dies
- Lubricants
* I'm sure I'm missing stuff, but the point is that there's a lot to consider.

Here's what I'd recommend:
- Get a few books and read them and then go to a simple setup like this:
- RCBS Rock Chucker or Dillon Square Deal
- RCBS or Dillon dies for the caliber(s) of your choice
- Lyman or Dillon tumbler
- Calipers from any good source...but get good ones (that doesn't mean digital)
- Pact or similar chronograph
- Look at the Dillon catalog, Midway and Graf's. I'm sure they have some kind of "starter kit" for reloading. Heck, when I get to CA, I know I have an extra Rock Chucker you're welcome to have.

Just be patient and don't dive in to a progressive just yet. Ask yourself how much you shoot and go from there. I shoot IPSC and 3-Gun competitively and frankly shoot around 3-5000 rounds per month of pistol, rifle and shotgun. That doesn't really include matches either and the damn LR matches that I'm getting into. So that's why I have the presses I do. Not everyone needs a 7' long reloading bench.

Hope that helped. PM me any time with questions.

Rich

[uscbigdawg]

Oh yeah...best source for Dillon products is from Brian Enos.

[4D5auto]

Always use a Case Gauge for your rifle brass!!