Need help getting started

[elroyy]

Hi, I looked for a "reloading" faq and couldn't find one. I'm a new member and am going to begin reloading. I can't tell from RCBS, Dillon Precision, or Lee what exactly, at a minimum, I need to get started. I plan to load primarily 5.56 for my "black rifle" and 9mm. Any assistance is appreciated.


Thanks,

elroyy

 

[Valkman]

Check out THIS THREAD, especially the first post by MaxSteel. Get a couple of the books he recommends and read, read, read. It's the best way to find out the basics.

 

[Coltdriver]

I just started reloading in January or so.

So this is not expert info, but it is good beginner info.

You will need a press, I would recommend as cheap as you can get and still get good. Ebay has some great deals. I got a Lee press.

Get good dies. Redding is my choice. Don't scrimp on the dies.

You will need a case trimmer, the hand held lee version works great. You will also need a lube pad since for a 5.56 you should full size the cases. Don't forget to crimp them too.

A Lee hand primer is about $12 and is worth every penny.

You can pick up a de burr tool for about 5 or 6 bucks. Pick up a couple of case boxes. You will need to get shell holders for your press and one for your primer tool.

So, in order of execution, you will size the cases, trim them if needed, de burr them, lube them, full length size them, clean the lube off, prime them then load them with powder and insert the bullet and crimp the case.

For measuring powder for a 5.56 the lee measuring cups work fine and are very inexpensive. For the 9mm I do not think they are ok simply because with pistol cartridges overloading a case is a very real possibility and the results are disasterous. With the correct powder choice you are going to fill a 5.56 case up and even compress the charge.

I would recommend you get a copy of Lymans 48th Reloading book. You also could use a set of calipers to relatively accurately measure overall length. Plastic verniers are under $20.

If you plan to use military brass you may also have to fix the primer pocket as military primer pockets have a different press/lock for the primer in anticipation of full auto abuse in the magazine.

One other thing I have started doing on new brass is to take a small drill bit and ream the hole from the primer pocket to the inside of the case. There is a small burr present on new brass from the manufacturing process.

The 5.56 is a great place to start. The 9mm requires much more precise measuring of the powder.

I am sticking to rifles only right now and may progress to pistols later.

By the time I had the above stuff together along with a case to hold it all in and some bullets and powder I had about $300 laid out. That is definitely an entry level amount as you can go much higher!

Let us know how you fare.

 

[elroyy]

Hey, gus, thanks a lot. This is a great place to get started without all the manufacturer recommendations(which translate to "spend more money"). I definitely want to see what sort of accuracy improvements I can realize vs the Lake City 5.56 I shoot exclusively(great ammo compared w/ every other production ammo I've used). Again, appreciate the comments and will keep you posted on my progress.


Elroyy

 

[elroyy]

sorry, guys, not gus. Spell check is free, isn't it?

 

[Rocko]

Given the calibers listed and presumed usage, you'll likely find yourself in hell if you decide to go with a single stage press. Single stages are great if you are doing low volume for extreme accuracy or some of the more off the wall calibers. However, there really isn't that much potential cost savings in either .223 or 9mm for general purpose "plinking" loads, or generally for caliber where military surplus is available. Not to say there isn't any savings, but the time investment required for single stage loading isn't worth it for this, IMHO. While I don't find reloading tedious by any means, spending an hour loading what could take a few minutes to shoot and only saving one or two cents a round is pushing it for me. And given that you say the .223 is for a "black rifle", I'm guessing you're needs will tend towards the plinking end of the spectrum, vs. extreme accuracy, and so you'll want to do a decently large volume.

In your case, I'd guess you'll eventually want a progressive press. Dillon 550b is probably considered the standard by which all other presses are measured. When you can crank out around 400 rounds an hour, loading such calibers like .223 and 9mm, which have slim savings per round, start to make a bit more sense.

Arguments for or against starting out with a single stage - I did this and still on occassion use the single stage for oddball stuff. However, if you only plan on doing .223 and 9mm, I'd guess you'll never touch the single stage once you go progressive. In that sense, you'd be "losing" the money spent on the single stage.

Rocko

 

[C. H. Luke]

Can't speak to rifle but have loaed a ton of 9mm on a 550.
Brass is usually free so am loading for $3-$3.50 per box plus getting
exactly what I want in terms of accuracy and velocity from 9mm.
Not to mention it's FUN rolling your own!

 

[Sunray]

Start with one of the RCBS beginner's kits. It'll give you everything you need to start less dies and shell holder. There are two kits. One with a Rockchucker press, the other a 'C' press. The 'C' press is good for what you want to do. I've used nothing else for eons. Speed comes with technique. The Rockchucker press is stronger but you really only need one of them if you're forming cases and the design of it means it's a bit slower to use.
Buy a Lyman manual and read it. Yes, the kit comes with a manual, but the Lyman gives you loads for more than one brand of powder.
If you're shooting a lot, the Dillion press is the one for sure.
http://dillonprecision.com/default.cfm?dyn=1&

 

[g56]

One of the classic beginner mistakes is to buy cheap, buying cheap is far more expensive than doing it right in the first place. Too many new reloaders buy some cheap stuff, have all sorts of problems with it, and end up quitting reloading. A good starting press is the Dillon AT500, it is a turret press in its basic form, the nice thing is that it can be upgraded to a Dillon RL550B, so it can grow with you.

I highly recommend this page for more information:

http://www.brianenos.com/pages/dillon.html#which

.

 

[robctwo]

I bought the Hornady Lock n Load for 9mm. I will load other calibers as time goes on. I've loaded a little over 2,500 rounds in the past few weeks. My friend got the Lee loadmaster. It works, but the Hornady is better. For pistol I'm glad I got the progressive.

 

[Smaug]

I wrote a web page to help people get into reloading. Check it out, you may find it helpful:

Jeremy's Reloading Page