First time check list.

S

Shep546

CGN frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
22   0   0
I have a quick question for you guys. I want to get into reloading and I know the first step is "read a manual first." problem is, the manual is coming free with my reloader so I would rather wait to order everything I will need then start reloading.

I want to be able to reload .223 remington in bulk, this is what I will be ordering.

-Hornady reloading manual 8th edition
-Hornady Lock-n-load auto progressive reloader
-Digital scale
-223 remington die and crimp set
- 22c. 55g .224 projectiles x1000
- Small rifle primer x1000
-IMR POWDER 3031 x1lb
- Spent .223 brass


After I read the manual and get comfortable to start will I run into anything else I will need?

Thanks.
 
Do you have a caliper for measuring overall length? Does the LnL come with a chamfer tool? Do you have a lube pad and case lube? If you are using spent brass, do you have a tumbler to clean the cases? What about a case trimmer, like the Lee case trimmer?
 
Last edited:
I have calipers to measure OAL but I don't have any of the latter, I have no idea what a swage tool is so I doubt it comes with the LnL kit. The brass is clean has no dirt or anything so I don't think I'll require a tumbler right out of the box.

So I need lube?

Also can you suggest a powder for .223 remington that is better suited for progressive loaders?

Thanks a lot.
 
I'm looking for the bare minimum essentials to produce plinking ammo in bulk I don't think I will need a bullet puller will I??

If I mess up I'll just scrap the round
 
Sorry and nothing personal, but it sounds like you might want to downsize your expectations. You're dropping a wad of cash on some pretty decent equipment; don't stint on some very minor stuff that you will also need.

It's easy, for instance, to say that you'll just toss any round you screw up. Let's say you realize that you've made a mistake on a run of them. (It happens and anybody who says it hasn't happened to them is a) really new to reloading, b) obsessive-compulsive or c) 'mistruthing' you.) Going to toss the lot? Or let's say you've seated the bullets just a touch too deep - going to toss them? A $15 kinetic puller is not what most would call a luxury.

As another example, your brass is clean now. What's going to happen when you come back from the range? If you're going through a lot of ammo, as your '1,000's seem to suggest, cleaning the range crud off your brass is going to be a real pain without a tumbler or something like a tumbler.

Other stuff:

- good lighting is a must. Even a cheap Ikea lamp will do, but you must be able to see properly.

- a safe and legal way to store your components (see the sticky).

- a solid reloading bench - it can be custom-made, an adapted workbench, a WorkMate or whatever, but you cannot load without one.

- eye protection. You only get issued two of those.

- everybody sooner or later runs into two tech problems. The one is when the depriming pin on your dies breaks and the other is when a case gets stuck in the sizing die. These things will eventually happen to you and spending not much more than $5 now for a stuck case remover and spare pins is cheap insurance.

- some sort of record book to keep notes of what worked well and what didn't. A cheap Leroy scribbler will do.
 
I'm happy with my hornady M2 tumbler, also I would use H335 powder and you will need 4 pounds to load 1000 .223. Loading rifle required lots of powder and to make it pay to reload you will want to buy your powder in 8lb lots...

Buy spray lube, Dillon or Hornady and spray the cases, resize only and then tumble, take out the resizer and load at will... :)

Where are you located?
 
Halifax


edit:

Just crunching some numbers here, and If what you're saying is correct.

Projectiles x1000 = $130
4lbs powder = $100
Primers= $35

I'm looking at about 25 cents a round if I use my old brass?

I can buy bulk ammo for almost that cheap?
 
Sounds about right. There are some calibres, 7.62 x 39mm and 5.56mm NATO in particular, that have been dirt cheap for a long time. Anything else, the savings accrue much faster.
 
Shep546 said:
Halifax


edit:

Just crunching some numbers here, and If what you're saying is correct.

Projectiles x1000 = $130
4lbs powder = $100
Primers= $35

I'm looking at about 25 cents a round if I use my old brass?

I can buy bulk ammo for almost that cheap?
Click to expand...


One reason I reload is because I can tailor the rounds for the best accuracy for each of my rifles. 99.5% of what I load is match ammo for shooting 300-1000 yards. It is way cheaper to reload match ammo, than it is to buy some match ammo that might work.
 
If your numbers are correct, the savings may not be as high as some of the cals/ammo that costs $100 for 20 shells, however your ammo quality should be much better, totally non corrosive, and more accurate. You certainly have picked good equipment to start with if a progressive is what you want/need....Ben
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom