Need advice for reloading setup

[massnee]

First let me say that I have done some searching on the site regarding my questions. It seems that my needs are different from most.

I do a lot of plinking with .223. I would like to begin reloading for plinking purposes. . I am not interested in producing target loads. My goal is to reload at a cost savings. And since I shoot about 75 rounds of .223 a week I would like to be able to produce large quantities of ammunition. I would be happy with producing 150 rounds an hour.

While I desire to spend as little as possible on a press I do not want to purchase something that will not get the job done. What press should I get?

 

[ocabj]

There have been dozens of threads with similar questions.

Get yourself a good manual on reloading and read it.

After that, get a good single stage press and the necessary tools and you'll be good to go.

Buy bulk bullets like generic FMJ or even military pull down and military surplus powder and you'll be able to keep your costs at a minimum.

 

[Barr]

If on a budget buy Lee
If you have some experience reloading or a friend with some experience that can help, I would recommend a Lee Pro 1000. This press is not perfect but makes good quality ammunition for the money, just be prepared to tinker with it a little bit because it does require fine tuning.

If you are just beginning to reload, a Lee Single Stage works very well.

If willing to spend more money buy RCBS or Dillon
RCBS and Dillon both make very good equipment that will last a lifetime, just be prepared to shell out for it.

 

[SpiderJohn]

Be warned, with a single stage press, I average only about 20-30 rounds an hour when making rifle ammunition. Weighing powder is NOT something you need to rush through when reloading.

 

[1911user]

Weighing powder is NOT something you need to rush through when reloading.

weighing every powder charge is a royal pain in the butt and absolutely not needed for plinking loads and it's debatable for match grade loads. Get a decent adjustable powder measure, operate it consistently, and make life simple for yourself.

I'd recommend a good single stage press, a good adjustable powder measure (not Lee), and a decent scale to start with. There are lots of opportunities to find these items used. If you need higher volume production in the future, add a good progressive press to the mix.

 

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

I'm going to go against the flow here and recommend a Lee Classic Turret press with a safety prime and a Pro Auto Disk Powder measure. Get the ABC's of reloading, a Lee's Modern Reloading book, a good quality scale such as the RCBS 1010 (the scale I wish I'd bought, instead of the Redding I have), an RCBS kinetic bullet puller for fixing your mistakes, a set of Lee dies (Don't buy the neck sizer set unless you plan to reload for a .223 bolt action) and you should be good to go for the quantities you're talking about. You can reload single stage with this press while you're learning and go to auto matic advance of the die set when you're ready, which won't take long.

It's a nice heavy duty setup and inexpensive to add calibers to if and when you choose to shoot other firearms. It's capable of reloading 200-300 rounds per hour, though most owners are getting right at 200 per hour typical. Should be ideal for your needs.

Regards,

Dave

 

[db_tanker]

Dave has the right idea...

one of the auto-indexing Lee turret presses would be just fine for what he is looking for. and with that classic cast, its heavy enough to do the jobs for the bigger cartridges.

Heck, I have one of the cheaper Lee turret presses and its enough to do 308, but I am still working out the kinks here and there.

If you get the Lee turret press, be sure to get the auto disk powder measure along with the rifle charge die and the doube disk adapter as you will need these things...and many say you won't/don't need it, but I also suggest getting the lee factory crimp die if your shooting it in an AR or other type of SLR.

Just remember that when you use this kind of setup, be sure to take a sample out of the works ever 5-8 rounds...dump the powder and see if its still throwing "true" to what you measured out.

D