Want to start reloading 223

[selfshrevident]

Sorry if I am resurrecting a dead thread out there. I want to start reloading for 223 and just need to know what equipment I will need (I am rocking the RCBS rock chukar supreme right now so it'll be a little tedious). Will be reloading for my AR.

What kind of dies will I need? Some sets only come with 2 pieces while others come with 3. I don't want to go too fancy with expensive dies but want good quality to get the job done right. Also to crimp or not to crimp? heard only do so if bullet has cannelure.

Also most of my brass is military and from what I've read they are tedious to prep; the primer will pop out with regular resizing/decapping die but I need a swager to take the crimp out? Any other special equipment I'm missing?

Pretty much just wanted to know equipmentwise what I'll need. For the rest I can just follow the manual. Also any tips or pointers?

Thanks!

[17+1]

Sorry if I am resurrecting a dead thread out there. I want to start reloading for 223 and just need to know what equipment I will need (I am rocking the RCBS rock chukar supreme right now so it'll be a little tedious). Will be reloading for my AR.

What kind of dies will I need? Some sets only come with 2 pieces while others come with 3. I don't want to go too fancy with expensive dies but want good quality to get the job done right. Also to crimp or not to crimp? heard only do so if bullet has cannelure.

The rock chucker is a good press, even if it's slow.

You only need a 2 die set. One is a full length sizer/decapping die and the other is a bullet seating/crimping die. LEE makes decent dies for the price. I'm sure most brands will work fine though.

I don't crimp, but others do. People talk about bullet setback but you shouldn't need to crimp if you have proper neck tension. Some claim better accuracy with a crimp. Also, I usually trim after the first firing and then not for another couple firings, if the case is still within the length limits. Can use a dial caliper, locked in position, as an inspection tool. I'd imagine you'd want to trim every firing if you're crimping so you'd have a consistent overall length.

Also most of my brass is military and from what I've read they are tedious to prep; the primer will pop out with regular resizing/decapping die but I need a swager to take the crimp out? Any other special equipment I'm missing?

Pretty much just wanted to know equipmentwise what I'll need. For the rest I can just follow the manual. Also any tips or pointers?

Thanks!

Can either cut or swage the primer crimp. Cutting is easy if you have a drill press or a hand drill to put the cutter in, and probably the cheapest way as the only thing you need is a cutter. You could even use a countersink if you have machine tools lying around. Just be careful not to get too aggressive with it.

[BigBronco]

I would spend a few more dollars on the dies and get RCBS or Hornady, I like the Hornady the best of the three brands mentioned so far. Many like the Dillon. I have never tried them so I can't say. For the AR platform use the CCI military primers to avoid bump fire issues.

[selfshrevident]

The rock chucker is a good press, even if it's slow.

You only need a 2 die set. One is a full length sizer/decapping die and the other is a bullet seating/crimping die. LEE makes decent dies for the price. I'm sure most brands will work fine though.

I don't crimp, but others do. People talk about bullet setback but you shouldn't need to crimp if you have proper neck tension. Some claim better accuracy with a crimp. Also, I usually trim after the first firing and then not for another couple firings, if the case is still within the length limits. Can use a dial caliper, locked in position, as an inspection tool. I'd imagine you'd want to trim every firing if you're crimping so you'd have a consistent overall length.



Can either cut or swage the primer crimp. Cutting is easy if you have a drill press or a hand drill to put the cutter in, and probably the cheapest way as the only thing you need is a cutter. You could even use a countersink if you have machine tools lying around. Just be careful not to get too aggressive with it.

Alright sweet. RCBS is doing a $50 mail in rebate right now through Midway USA if you order $300 worth of their products before 12/31. Will be getting the case trimmer, dies, swager, and prep center from RCBS.

[selfshrevident]

I would spend a few more dollars on the dies and get RCBS or Hornady, I like the Hornady the best of the three brands mentioned so far. Many like the Dillon. I have never tried them so I can't say. For the AR platform use the CCI military primers to avoid bump fire issues.

Just bought 2000 CCI 41 primers from the Cal Expo gun show this weekend for about $50