Need some basic supplies

[Enfield47]

I need to pick up a few basics for reloading my rifle rounds. I only have IMR4064 powder and I learned first hand at the reloading clinic on Sunday that the powder throwers don't like stick powders. Since I am also working up some test ladder rounds I will be doing this by hand.

I am in need of a funnel for .223 and one for larger cases like my .303. I have seen a funnel kit by MTM for around $15 online for a variety of cases/uses but I don't know if it is worth it or not. Anyone have any experience with it?

I also would like to pick up an RCBS Primer Pocket Swager-2 for removing the crimp on my XM193 cases. I used one that Peter had at the clinic and decided I liked it much better than their other bench mounted swager. I will eventually need some other Lee equipment for my turret press like a rifle powder charging die, double disk kit and more turrets, but I don't think anyone sells Lee equipment here (at least not listed on the Lee website) so I will have to order those online.

Does Phillips Wholesale or Turners carry any of these items or do i have to order them online? I'm not sure where else to go, those are the only places I know of that are close to me (around Whittier).

[Colt562]

You will probably need to order them online....as far as the stuff you asked for

Funnel: pick which one you find that will work and the price you want to pay. A funnel is a funnel.

Primer Pocket Swager: I was looking at one as well and found them in stock at midway. The only place I found them. Better order quick though.

I would order from Midway or if they are instock at grafs.com their shipping is 6 dollars flat.

[Enfield47]

Thanks, I just placed the order with Grafs (picked up a Hornady manual too).

[Colt562]

Thanks, I just placed the order with Grafs (picked up a Hornady manual too).

nixce

[Exodus343]

Thanks, I just placed the order with Grafs (picked up a Hornady manual too).

Grafs = good to go!
they're the only ones that I can find PPU projectiles anyways

[damndave]

As for a funnel, nothing beats a Satern. They are more expensive and caliber specific.

For taking out the crimp, I use a Hornady reamer.

Since you use a Lee Turret Press, I would go with a powder that meters well since it seems you are not going to be hand measuring each one. Powders like TAC and H335 will meter great for you.

For local shops that carry equipment, theres Turners, Phillips, Stockade, Field Time, Angeles Reloading store. Not sure if any carry Lee though.

[Che762x39]

When I started reloading I just got an RCBS Starter Kit and everything was in it. I basically started with handguns and got hooked on the hobby and added rifle calibers.

For years the Rockchuker, a single stage press was good enough. BTW when you reload the 303 just neck size the brass and it will last longer. If you full length resize the brass will be worn out after two loadings.

Go to www.303british.com lots of great information there.

[Enfield47]

Thanks Allied, I (like everyone else) am having problems finding the powders that meter well. I am on the lookout for CFE223, 1200-R, H335, 748, basically any spherical ball powder that is good for .223. I'm hoping that I will be able to find some locally and save the haz-mat fees. I really don't want to have to hand load for the .223 any longer that I have to. Once I settle in on a powder and a load, I want to be able to crank away on the turret press. I bought the IMR4064 when I was going to get a single stage press, so I figured it would be ok for that.

I'll also keep an eye out for the Satern funnel locally. They are pretty expensive, are they really that much better than other funnels?

I want to check out Phillips, Fowlers and Field Time to see what they carry. Should make for a fun outing!

Che, thanks for the link, always good to have multiple resources. I do have the Lee Deluxe die set so I can neck size only to make the brass last longer.

[SmokeWagon]

Anything Lee related I buy from Natchez. They stock pretty much everything made by Lee and have the cheapest prices online I have found. People complain about their shipping costs but if you phone in your order you can get it sent USPS priority flat rate. I have their funnel and it is stepped inside to handle multiple calibers from .22-.45. You might also try Reloader 15 or 19 as a powder choice.

Edit: Phillips doesn't carry much of anything Lee related as I called. Neither does the stockade, don't know about Fowlers or Angeles. I do know OakTree doesn't have Lee stuff as I was just there a couple days ago.

[Enfield47]

Smokewagon, also check Titan Reloading, they carry all of the Lee equipment line and have great prices too. I got my turret press kit from them and shipping turn time is fast.