Noob started reloading... Equipment needed...?

[RentAChik]

Well I have an AR15 and a Bushy ACR. So reloading some 223/556 sounds like fun. I just purchased the following from Midwayusa

Lee 4 Hole turret press kit -- http://www.midwayusa.com/product/622290/lee-4-hole-turret-press-with-auto-index-value-kit
Lee double disk kit
223 pacesetter dies
Powder riser
Rifle charging die
Bullet puller (for the oopses)
Digital scale
Digital calipers
Hornady Match 75gn HPBT

I already have some primed 223 cases. Gonna pick up for IMR 4895 from Basspro later this week.

Am I missing anything...? Anything I should add?

 

[gspn]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=238214

 

[SASS#23149]

you'll want a case trimmer for bottle necked rounds,they almost always 'grow' after sizing.
size,measure,trim if necessary,then load.

 

[KansasSasquatch]

Don't forget CASE LUBE. I prefer Hornady's Unique, stay away from One Shot.

After you trim cases you'll also have to deburr and chamfer the mouths. I use the Lyman hand tool http://www.midwayusa.com/product/135615/lyman-case-prep-multi-tool but I wrap the threads of the bits with tape and chuck them up in a drill, mount the drill in a vise, and duct tape the trigger to run constantly on a fairly low speed. It's much cheaper than a powered case prep tool, you don't have to twist the hand tool repeatedly, and every man should own a drill even if it's a cheap one.

 

[45lcshooter]

Chamfer/debur tool. Powder trickler is always good to have laying around if you decide to do other calibers. I have Lee turret press set up for 9mm, but everything else i reload for is done with Rockchucker press the ole fashion way because i want better accuracy from the other calibers so i can tweek them. I make 9mm in bulk for buddies and myself but all other calibers i make for myself.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I hate to rain on your parade but I wish you would have posted this before you bought. i highly recommend the Classic turret press over the Deluxe turret press. It's a much better tool which handles the primers much better, has a cast iron base and the linkage is much heavier. (for very little more cost)

As for IMR4895, not a bad powder for the .223 but it will not meter well in your Auto-Disk with the double disk kit. A ball powder is a better choice, something like H335 would be better...

The Pro Auto-Disk is also a better tool than the standard Auto-Disk, a much better tool. (sorry)

This Kit is twice the price but it includes the cast iron press, the Pro Auto-disk, a manual, both safety primer tools and the quick remove mounting kit. IMO that is a much better kit because the tools are better.

 

[Kyle M.]

Case lube- must have
Case trimmer- must have
Chamfer tool
Primer pocket tool
Loading blocks- optional
Powder trickler- optional but makes life easier
Reloading manual

I've got the 3 hole turret press and both the auto disk and pro auto disk powder measures, both have worked perfectly fine for me. The pro auto disc is simply easier to change disk size and powder type with.

 

[Certaindeaf]

Something called a "reloading manual" is probably a good call. never know though

 

[dmazur]

While Item 12 in the list linked to by gspn does describe a cartridge gauge, and includes "...to see if your reloaded cartridges are within SAAMI specification", it doesn't appear to describe the other use, which is a tool to help set up your resizing die.

When reloading bottleneck cartridges, cartridge dimension to datum is important.

If this dimension is too large, you can have rounds that either won't chamber or may set up a slamfire. One is annoying and the other quite dangerous.

If this dimension is too small, you can have extremely short case life and case head separations. They you get to buy a broken case extractor.

While a Wilson type case gauge isn't the only tool available for setting up a resizing die, it is one of the simplest and will generally produce much better results than "turn the die down until it touches the case holder, then 1/4 turn more". Oh, and the other end of it works as a "trim length" gauge.

Here's a link to one source -

Wilson Case Gauge

Most reloading manuals do describe this, but it doesn't seem to get the importance it deserves...

 

[Otto]

http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-238214.html

 

[AJBarney]

stay away from One Shot

why?

 

[ErikO]

TAC is a good powder as well. Lots of luck with 23.7gr under a 55 gr FMJBT.

 

[gojuice101]

I agree with others. The biggest thing is a reloading manual, and some basic reloading books. I highly recommend "The ABCs of Reloading." I read that when I started loading, and it has a lot of information for a newcomer to reloading.

The best equipment does no good without a good idea of how to use it safely and effectively.

 

[GLOOB]

You might want to look at the RCBS X-dies. With this die, you only need to trim your brass, once. Otherwise, you won't be getting a whole lot of utility out of an auto-indexing turret press for loading .223.

I'd go with ball powder (TAC, H335, W748, BLC2). It makes loading less stressful when you're not paranoid about powder bridging, esp if you charge and immediately seat on a turret without inspecting the cases on a loading block.

Oh... bullet puller, eh? One of those kinetic hammer types, I take it? Have fun using that for 223. I predict you will use it exactly once, before resorting to your press and a pair of pliers.

 

[45crittergitter]

+1 on the reloading manual, and I strongly suggest 2 different manuals so you can compare loads and prevent dying from a misprint. I also highly recommend a chronograph instead of relying on the book velocity data.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

stay away from One Shot

Why?

Because almost every thread asking how to remove a stuck case in their sizing die starts with the words, "I'm using One Shot and..."

One Shot is not a great lube for difficult jobs plus many reloaders don't know you need to let it completely dry before sizing the case and that also causes problems.

 

[Kyle M.]

I've loaded several thousand rounds with one shot and never had single problem. I shoot a quick shot into the sizing die then spray down my cases and run them through, never a stuck case. Also one shot is the only case lube that any shop near me carries, and I'm not gonna spend $10 in shipping on a $5 bottle of lube. I use a Q-tip soaked in one shot to lube inside the necks, I then use a old rag and some carb cleaner to remove the lube. Got this idea from several local loaders who have been using carb cleaner to remove spray on lubes for years, and it leaves your brass nice and shiny.

 

[grumpy66]

After you get your press, dies, scales, and deburr tool, get a bullet puller!!!!!

You WILL need one.