New (Potential) Reloader, some quick questions.

[N003k]

Well, having already ordered the Lee, and since it already shipped, I think I'll stick with it for awhile.

And Hondo, I have 2 fears about reloading...
One is quite valid, one is based out of inexperience in it and I already KNOW will fade once I get the manual and learn what the heck I'm doing...

One of them is that I'll mess up and blow up one of my rifles, the other is that I'll end up spending MORE money reloading, because I'll end up shooting more often because of it.

Guess which is which?



I DO actually have a quick question though, I'm going to be getting 62 Grain bullets (.223), already have some brass on the way, know I need small rifle primers...

But, should I want to get some powder before everything gets here next week...uh...what type would be good? And by good, I mean just acceptable for a starter. Looking at all the types on midway kinda just confused me

 

[GCBurner]

Varget powder has a good rep for accurate loads in the .223, a lot of competitors use it. Varget has the virtue of being fairly insensitive to temperature changes, so it shoots about the same in really hot weather as in really cold weather.

 

[jcwit]

I know you're going to be reloading .223, but what kind of rifle are you using the reloads in and what is the barrel twist?

 

[N003k]

I actually meant to include that too, bleh. I'll be firing more immediatly out of an AR15 20" with a 1/9. Though I'm also in the process of getting a preban AR (CT still has an awb) that has a 16" barrel, not sure the twist on it. Also have an MSAR STG556 16" 1/8.

Thing is, I'll only be shooting out to 100 yards, as thats the current max range at the club I go to, so I'm not horribly concerned with long range accuracy.

 

[LiveLife]

H335 would be a good choice for .223 and it meters very well in Lee powder measures.

I have H335, H4895, IMR4895 and Varget to reload for my AR (20" 1/9 twist).

H335 is flattened ball powder whereas H4895/I4895/Varget are typical rifle stick powders. I prefer to load rifle cartridges single stage and out of Lee Perfect Powder measure, all the above powders measure very consistently.

 

[drfroglegs]

Lee Components

I recently (about a year ago) joined the reloading addiction. If you go with a LEE setup (as I did), I strongly suggest ordering your stuff from factorysales.com The place is apparently right across the road from the Lee factory and sales everything LEE makes. In fact, they even went to the factory to get my 5.7x28 die and still sold it to me for less than LEE's website. I absolutely guarantee you wont find anything cheaper! I bet I've ordered $500 worth of stuff from them in the past year and haven't been disappointed yet!

If I can tell you one thing you MUST order, it's the LEE hand press! It is the single most impressive piece of engineering that will fit between 2 hands (other than a woman).

My wife gave me a 2'x4' square of the garage, I think I'm making great use of it

 

[N003k]

Think I might have to make a new topic for this one...but...uh...anyone know any stores that stock a good amount of reloading stuff in central CT?

Hoffmans had some, more than anywhere else I've been, but, didn't have either suggested powders, and while they had a good AMOUNT, they didnt have much selection wise... BMG Guns didn't have anything, Newington Gun Exchange doesnt appear to have much, unless they keep it all downstairs...Probably try Riverview Sales this weekend if I get a chance, but, I suppose if I absolutely have to, I'll just get it online and pay the hazmat fee.

 

[N003k]

Alright, got MOST of the stuff in today. Just placed an order with RMR for bullets, picked up powder and primers at a semi-local shop (cost a bit more than Cabela's, but damn, the service was so EXCELLENT! Great selection too!) called Riverview Sales, was a 25minute ride, so not the closest, but hey, better than waiting for it to be shipped and paying hazmat fees. Can't mount my press yet, because the work benches top wasnt quite good enough, so got a hardwood plank I intend on cutting to fit once the weather clears this weekend to replace the surface.

I also am still waiting for my tumbler and first 200 casings from Cabelas, and the lee bench plate I went ahead and ordered from Midway. With any luck, I'll be all set up and reloading late next week! Til then, I get to feel like a kid on Christmas morning with all this stuff to open up and learn how to use!

 

[LiveLife]

Great!

In the mean time, you can always clean and lube your press, practice zeroing/calibrating your scale, trickling powder charges, look up/verify load data, etc.

When I help set up a new reloader, I make out a step-by-step check list with him/her (yes, women reload too) and post it right in front of their press to follow. (I also include some quality control check steps in the check list like powder/load data check, powder charge check, OAL check, taper crimp check, barrel drop/function check, primer seat depth check, etc.)

Some will use different color highlighters to make it easier for them to group tasks. Perhaps, you can work on a check list in the mean time?

 

[N003k]

Definitely sounds good! Can never hurt to be ready for when I do start. So far all I've done is get the arm attached to the press, and then watch to see how it functions. Can definitely say it came nicely oiled out of the box, now as a side note.

What I had already done is tape the little chart to the above bench storage box with the collets to use for various calibers on the bullet puller. I think I'll be doing that with load data, and probably the checklist you recommended also.

Finally, I just want to really thank everyone that's given me advice so far again. I really have no idea how this would have all worked out without any of it, probably not too well though. You've all been a great help so far just picking out the equipment and getting ready, and I really appreciate it. I know I'm going to learn even more from you folks as time goes on and I go through learning to actually reload also.

 

[rfwobbly]

Mr N -
Welcome to the hobby !

Each bullet is going to like a special load and may ever prefer a certain powder. It's very important that you get a lab notebook to keep notes in. For me at least, I find that starting a new page for each brand or weight of bullet is the best way. That way you won't get confused when you buy the same brand of bullets again in 4 years.

About the time you start your second or third year or reloading, you'll have 5 or 6 different bullets and 3 or 4 different powders all hanging around. It can get confusing unless you write things down from the very first.

There are tens of great powders for the 223, but for the novice I highly suggest you stick with the ones mentioned in your reloading manuall, or other published material from the powder companies that you might pick up at your gun store. In other words, get comfortable driving the car you own before you start trying out everyone else's.

Secondly, start low and work up. The "starting load" is just what it says.

All the best!

 

[LiveLife]

When I do my load work up from start to max load data, I used to put the notes with targets in a binder. I am transitioning from paper to a table on my computer desktop to make the range data more accessible (I take pictures of targets now).

Once I find a very reliable, consistent and accurate load, I make a load recipe card and hang it above my press to use when I am reloading. My eyesight is waning (I finally got bi-focals this year ) and the larger letters on the load recipe card help me prevent cross reading lines on the published load data (which is tiny ... like 6-8 pt font! ). Can't have enough of "safety precautions"

Here's a sample. I triple check with load data before I print out the card and triple check with powder bottle/scale before I start reloading.

 

[RustyFN]

For 55 and 62 grain bullets my go to powder is H-335. I have tried Varget, W-748, BL(C)2 and H-335 and liked H-335 best. It meters great in the Lee measure and has been very accurate for me.

 

[N003k]

Well, this is my bump to this thread. Earlier today I took my first (small) batch of handloaded ammo to the range. I took 20 rounds, intending to load one mag, but single loaded a few as I was unsure of the primers, and didn't want the gun going full auto on me...

Everything went off without a hitch though. After single loading 2 rounds, then double loading 2 sets, I shot off the remaining 14 from the mag straight through. Went with a 62gr bullet with 24gr of H335. New (Well, most is new still! ) Remington Brass, and Federal 205 Small Rifle Primers. My AR seemed to love them, though I have no idea quite about accuracy just yet. After finding out it had no problems with them, I loaded up another 50 at home, and hope to finish up loading the other 150 pieces of brass I have now through out the weekend.

I suppose this officially makes me a handloader, eh?

 

[ssbn642]

Congrats. Work your loads up from min to max, then let your rifle decide which load it likes best.

Pay attention at all times when at the bench and stay safe.

 

[popper]

You already bought, but skip the spray lube, look at possum-hollow trimmer, If this is AR, get a case gauge. HF has a good digital caliper and the FA digital is god also. Get a PP uniformer, good PP swager. Just wash your fired brass in Lemishine and Dawn, rinse, dry, load and shoot.

 

[Hondo 60]

Congrats!
I remember that rush of first time reloading like it was yesterday.
I think I prayed all the way to the range, hoping it wouldn't blow up my gun..

Saving money is important, but good luck doin' that! LOL
I've found I probably spend more now, but I get to shoot a WHOLE LOT MORE!

Just be careful, next thing you know, a box of brass will follow you home for a caliber you don't have.
Then you have to go buy a new gun.

It's happened to me a couple of times.
(I started out reloading 38 spl, I now reload 7 calibers)

 

[N003k]

Haha Hondo, I know that feeling...even though I weighed every charge and measured every complete cartridge, for some reason I was terrified I messed up...and even re-weighed the cartridges at the range before loading each one!

As far as new calibers following me home as brass...well...I never turn down an excuse to get a new gun!

As far as saving money...yea...I'm already worried about that...pfft, money saving hobby my rear end...I usually dont take 500 rounds of one caliber to the range at a time...now I get the feeling that'll be common place

 

[RustyFN]

...I usually dont take 500 rounds of one caliber to the range at a time...now I get the feeling that'll be common place

Common place for me is bringing four guns to the range all four different calibers. When I load up the ammo boxes I usually have close to 2,500 rounds with me.