$800 Later And I Don't Have A Clue What I'm Doing.....

Redhouse

Redhouse

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but that's OK, learning is at least half the fun! Absolutely 100% brand new to reloading, other than reading some on the 'net. So here's what I picked up tonight:
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The bullets are all .224 - 52gr and 75gr Hornaday (bought moly coated AMax 75 instead of ordinary, strictly by accident) and 69gr Sierra Match Kings. Varget powder and CCI BR4 primers.

First question, I'm sure more will follow: I only bought a neck sizing die, as I already have fireformed brass from the rifle (Savage .223). I asked at the store but think I got a bad answer - DO I NEED A SEATING DIE TOO? Or does the sizing die serve dual purpose (I suspect not). And will one seating die work for both the lighter (short) and heavier (long) bullets I bought? :confused:

Thanks!
 
You will need a seating die. It will work with all bullets in its given caliber.

The redding competition die would be an excellent choice, and makes jumping back and forth between bullet sizes easy (it has a micrometer attachment on top).
 
I'm going to Genessee this Saturday, round noon. Bring your dies, brass, powder and primers and I can bring a scale and a portable press, if you want.

You'll need at least a sizing die (full or neck) AND a seating die.
 
Actually, looking at your pic, I'd get a trickler as well (I don't think they come in the kit). They're cheap, and pretty much a must for precision loading.
 
RCBS Rotary Case Meadi Seperator....GREAT CHOICE. What a fcuking pain to empty lots of small necked cases without it.
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Varget Powder
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CCI BR4's
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Rockchucker Kit (I don't own one but I give it a
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anyway just from all the good stuff I hear about it.
Sierra 69grn MK's
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Tumbler (a must have)
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Lyman Media
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(should have gone to the pet store and bought a 20lb bag of Reptile Litter {Crushed Walnut Shells} and saved a few $)

And yes get a trickler.
I bought a Redding trickler.

Redding Pros:
Heavier bottom to avoid moving and slight tipping while trickling powder.
Love the wrinked finish on the Redding products
Built like a Brick Siht House

Redding Con's
I find the threads used to move the powder to aggressive which sometimes drops 3-5 granules rather than 1-2 (and of course it always happens when you want only 1-2 to come out)
 
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CyaN1de said:
(should have gone to the pet store and bought a 20lb bag of Reptile Litter {Crushed Walnut Shells} and saved a few $)
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Or... visit yer local industrual/abrasives supply and pay $30 for a 50lb bag of crushed walnut shell:)
 
Go buy 2 or more reloading manuals. I recommend the Lee and Nosler manuals. I've heard the Hornady and Sierra are good too.

Read them thoroughly. A few times.
 
Hornady makes a decent seating die. You can buy the optional competition adjustor as well, both should set you back less than $50

Also, I highly recommend getting the Hornady Lock N' Load conversion for the dies & press. Makes changing out dies a snap (think quick change coupler).
No more setting up your dies each time you change them out.
 
Well he's got one manual. The Speer one comes with the rockchucker kit. A second manual is definitely helpful, though.
 
667 said:
Or... visit yer local industrual/abrasives supply and pay $30 for a 50lb bag of crushed walnut shell:)
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Yeah forgot about that, I tried to get a 50lb bag from a local building supply store but they were special order only and did not want to wait.
 
Thanks guys!

Well, when I said I'd read a little on the 'net, I lied. I've read A LOT about reloading, for 2 months now. LOL. But I agree that there's no substitute for reading a couple of manuals, I took the Speer manual for bedtime reading material last night. I'll pick up another one shortly. I'm getting to where I can envision *almost but not all* of the steps in my head. Changing dies (conversion kit??) I cannot picture yet....I'll get there soon.

I knew I could probably find alternate/cheaper media but hadn't read of the sources you guys mentioned. Cheaper media incoming next time.
 
Silverado said:
Go buy 2 or more reloading manuals. I recommend the Lee and Nosler manuals. I've heard the Hornady and Sierra are good too.

Read them thoroughly. A few times.
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I find the Lyman manual the best.

They are not trying to sell you their bullets. they don't make any
They are not trying to sell you their powder. they don't make any

They offer you a wide range of data, that's it.

If you could only have one book. Lyman's is it.
 
looking at all that green ($$$)you spent to buy all that green equipment..you will neaver regret it..
once you start to reload you will find out you made a wise choice...
even if you find out you do not enjoy or like reloading..you will get a lot of your money back,just by reselling all..
but if your like me...you will find lots of other item,s that you think you need to reload:redface:..
it a fun hobby/sport,and passtime..
enjoy it,and dont be shy to ask for any help on things that you dont understand..
 
You need a set of dies and a shell holder. Not just a neck sizing die. Right now, you can't seat the bullets. The die set comes with another sizing die and a seater die. The sizer will likely be a full length sizer die. You'll need it if you ever buy a semi-auto .223 and if you ever buy brand new brass.
Read the manual before you do anything else. The Lyman manual has more loads with more powders and bullet weights than any bullet manufacturer's book. It's not so much that it's better, it's just more vesatile.
Pop onto the RCBS site and go through their 'Reloading Guide' page. It's a step by step how-to with pictures.
 
Sticker said:
I find the Lyman manual the best.

They are not trying to sell you their bullets. they don't make any
They are not trying to sell you their powder. they don't make any

They offer you a wide range of data, that's it.

If you could only have one book. Lyman's is it.
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I don't see what them not trying to sell you anything has to do with it. Data is data. Check multiple sources, and it's usually pretty close. The key, though, is multiple sources. Of the manuals I own (basically all of them), I like the Hornady manual the most. hodgdon's website kicks ass, too, if you use Hodgdon powders (I do, availability seems to be the most consistent). Nosler and Sierra manuals are top notch. Speer, Lee and Lyman are OK, but not my favourite. Barnes is really only useful if you use barnes bullets.
 
sunray said:
You need a set of dies and a shell holder.
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I was smart, informed, or lucky enough to get a shell holder - you can see it in the pic, just in front of the Varget. I'm not in the forseeable future gonna have a semi 223, nor buy new brass - I'll just fireform some cheap ammo if I need more brass than the ~500 I have now. That being the case, I think I'm OK at least for now with just the neck sizing die, and need a seating die if I can find one single or a set if not.
 
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