Product advice

[A. F Medic]

Would like a very simple reloader for .223 and .308. Never did it before and I have limited space.
What do I need? Powder type? Bullets? Primers?

I realize that as I get more experience , I will progress to a larger loader etc . Thanks!!

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[jmoore]

Probably the easiest route would be to get one of the single stage press "kits" that are made by most of the tool mfg's. Press, scale, reloading manual, loading blocks, etc. I'd also get a hand priming tool, as most of the press mounted ones are a bother. You will probably have to purchase dies separately. Hornady/Pacific, RCBS, Lyman, Lee, Redding, etc. All have their followers. I tend to prefer Redding, CH4D, and Lyman dies. Lee priming tools and trimmers. But don't let the brand name preferences keep you from getting what you need. Get what's available, which ain't much right now in the US.

[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

Lee sells/sold an Anniversary Kit that was cartridge specific as I recall. Expect to replace lots of little things as you get further along.

[A. F Medic]

Reloaders are now out of stock! Lee is plus seven weeks. Give me more time to get $ together. Thanks!

[jimb16]

Go out and buy the Lyman Reloading manual. You're going to need that anyway. Read it before you buy. It not only contains reloading data, but pretty complete instructions on how to reload. It explains all about the components and procedures. It is worth its weight in gold to the beginning reloader.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

Natchez Shooters Supply has an AR kit .223/.308 on sale $360 off. Seems to include everything.

[Aragorn243]

$360 off??? how much was it to begin with?

I bought an RCBS press about 20 years ago and never got further than taking it out of the box. I have dies for some of my calibers but not for many of the milsurps. I get them when I find them and put them in the nice cabinet devoted to my reloading stuff. One of these days I'm going to have to get started. I got a belding and mull powder measure from my grandfather and an old belding and mull horizontal press with half a dozen dies. The powder measure is said to be one of the best ever made. I'm not too impressed with the horizontal press. Most of my dies are RCBS but I have a few Lee's. I've been meaning to go down there an inventory them so I know what to get. Last set I bought is still sitting here in my office, a 222 Remington RCBS I picked up for $16 at a flea market. I used to buy a set of dies when I bought a new rifle but I am way behind at present.

[HOOKED ON HISTORY]

I am about to start dusting off my reloading equipment. Have not touched it in twenty years as all my hunting rifles preformed well with (what used to be) cheap ammo. The combination of my intrest in milsurps and ammo prices/avalibility have altered the cost to benifit ratio quite a bit.

[villiers]

Re-loading is to me what knitting used to be to wimmin. It gives me time to contemplate and daydream. As I shoot P08s (Lugers), I even re-load 9mm Para (most likely´d be cheaper buying it). .223 & .308 are hardly worth the effort here either. But as you progress, you can genuinely improve your range ability using your own re-loads. The first choice you have to make is either to go in for accuracy or mass production (the Dillon type setup). I use a Forster press, a good powder dispenser (+ a specific one for BP) and a digital weighing scale. Most people here usually only recommend re-loading for exotic calibres (like my 7.65 Para and Werder) where it´s really worthwhile.

[jmoore]

I've taken up bullet casting again. But it's hugely time comsuming. And lead isn't available for little or nothing anymore. For the 32-20 loaded this week, some of the "products" used were:

1) Pre-WWII Ideal scissors mould (which also has a neck sizer, decapper [in-op] and bullet sizer on the inboard side of the scissor pivot.)
2) RCBS die set. With which I'm fairly unhappy in regards to the sizing die (seriously overworks the brass) and the expander. (Only brings back the ID to 0.308" which is way small.) Ended up buying a .32S&W expander which was only ~0.001" smaller than desired.
3) Pacific precision scale. Very nice unit and the first scale in the collection!
4) Pacific powder dispenser.
5) Redding powder trickler. (Much better than the RCBS) Wasn't used much as the dispenser was working quite well.
6) Pacific O-7 press. (Also the first press in the collection.)
7) Lee priming tool. They're known to wear out or break, but they're great until they fail! I have yet to destroy one, though, but they're also inexpensive, so there's a spare already on hand.
8) Lyman bottom dispensing lead pot of ancient vintage and rough condition. Still does the job.
9) Also, went and made a custom Lyman derived "M" type expanding spud for the next loading session.

So, it's run what works. You just tend to end up with some things that fall by the wayside over time.