Help looking over my reloading supply list

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Michael94

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Hello,

I'm looking to get into reloading so I don't go thru all of my ammo. I originally planned to get a single stage, but the Lee turret kit only ended up being $100 more. I'll primarily be reloading 223, and 9mm, these are for plinking, not sub moa accuracy. Eventually I may load 308/6.5, but not within the next year or so. Can someone look over my list to offer any suggestions. I have never reloaded before and do not know anyone that has, so this is all new to me. I plan to use CFE223 and federal 205 primers for 223 loads, and w-231 and cci 500's for my 9mm loads.

90304 CLASSIC TURRET PRESS KIT
90502 DIE SET 223
90963 DEL. DIE SET 9MM LUGER
90114 C.L. GAUGE 223
90153 C.L. GAUGE 9MM
 
Do you have a reasonably good caliper (cheap can be good)? I'm not familiar with the lee kit- but does it come with a way to trim brass? You will need that for the .223 eventually. . Get your powder and primers first before you settle on something- may have to be flexible with what you can find vs what you want.

The other thing missing is a way to clean brass- some people like vibration, some like ultrasonic. Could get by with paper towels to start...
 
I have a set of cheap chinesium calipers I got off ebay. It comes with a case trimmer. I think it's the kind you attach to a drill or screwdriver. I don't have a Tumbler, but I was planning to get the cheapest one I can find.

Primers and powders, I ordered whatever I could find at the lowest price.
 
Michael94 said:
I have a set of cheap chinesium calipers I got off ebay. It comes with a case trimmer. I think it's the kind you attach to a drill or screwdriver. I don't have a Tumbler, but I was planning to get the cheapest one I can find.

Primers and powders, I ordered whatever I could find at the lowest price.
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You need to purchase the caliber specific kit for your lee trimmer

Example https://x-reloa d.com/lee-case-length-gauge-shellholder-223-rem.html
 
Looked over that kit- has a lot of stuff. Most importantly comes with a book. Best to read that first. Reloading can be done with minimal equipment. Expense comes from improving quality and speed. For plinkers keep powder charges to the low end and get some loading under your belt. It isnt rocket science, but you can do damage- especially with a double charge of powder (very bad) or pistol powder in a rifle case (really really really bad).
 
Yup I planned to get the 9mm and 223 case gauge from Lee. The kit comes with a book, I might pick up another later on if I find it necessary.

How do I know the type of crimp my brass has? I have a mix of norinco, federal and Winchester. Also does the type of primer I use affect this?
 
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Michael94 said:
Yup I planned to get the 9mm and 223 case gauge from Lee. The kit comes with a book, I might pick up another later on if I find it necessary.

How do I know the type of crimp my brass has? I have a mix of norinco, federal and Winchester. Also does the type of primer I use affect this?
Click to expand...

Federal bulk .223 is typically crimped, you'll usually see a ring around the primer which you'll need to remove. Compare with a 9mm round and the primer pockets should be different. It might be more apparent when you deprime the cases. Check online for examples.

It won't affect the type of primer you'll be using, it'll be small rifle primers for .223 regardless.
 
josh.s said:
Federal bulk .223 is typically crimped, you'll usually see a ring around the primer which you'll need to remove. Compare with a 9mm round and the primer pockets should be different. It might be more apparent when you deprime the cases. Check online for examples.

It won't affect the type of primer you'll be using, it'll be small rifle primers for .223 regardless.
Click to expand...

Thanks.

Will something like this be suitable for this?

https://www.canada brass.ca/products/lyman-primer-pocket-reamer?variant=1544760644
 
I've been meaning to buy case length gauges for as long as I can remember. All these years later I still don't have any, and don't miss them. Your calipers will do the job just fine.

Also you didn't mention if money is an object, but if you can afford it I would definitely recommend a wet tumbler over a dry one. I got a wet tumbler last year and will never go back. You just have make sure you dry the heck out of them before using. Not only do they do a much better job, I now no longer have lead laden dust floating around my basement. :)

Also as already mentioned you'll likely want a better scale, keep an eye on the EE the RCBS 502's and 505's and equivalent come up every once in a while, I would recommend something like that.
 
Michael94 said:
Thanks.

Will something like this be suitable for this?

https://www.canada brass.ca/products/lyman-primer-pocket-reamer?variant=1544760644
Click to expand...

Yup, that'll work. I'm not sure how much volume you'll be reloading, but if it's in the thousands of rounds, you may want to consider a case prep station down the road, since having to ream / swage 1000's of cases can be a real chore, but that tool is cheap enough to get you started, and you typically only need to do it once per case.
 
Michael94 said:
Thanks.

Will something like this be suitable for this?

https://www.canada brass.ca/products/lyman-primer-pocket-reamer?variant=1544760644
Click to expand...

That will work, but a pocket swager setup (RCBS) I have found to be much better for getting rid of crimps. Crimped primers are a pita- I try not to bother with them if I don't have to. Cutting a few hundred crimps out with a hand reamer isn't my idea of fun.
 
Michael94 said:
How do I know the type of crimp my brass has? I have a mix of norinco, federal and Winchester. Also does the type of primer I use affect this?
Click to expand...

I don't think I've ever heard of Winchester having crimped primers (at least in 223 anyways). Should be OK there.

If the Federal brass was from bulk, then its crimped and will need to be swagged.....if you see circles stamped on the head, then they need to be swagged.

The Norinco will be crimped.
IMO, don't bother reloading Norinco brass (in any cartridge), make your primer-powder-projectiles count for something.
Norinco is good brass for equipment calibration/experimentation.
That is, if the Norinco has been fireformed to your particular 223, then use it to help setup your sizing dies, trimmers, etc. Then throw it away.
 
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Does the rcbs swager only work in rcbs presses or other brands too? The Lee press has a 7/8"-14 thread just like the rcbs swager, so it should work?

If i remove the crimp once, will it have to be done again on that same piece of brass of I reuse it again?
 
Michael94 said:
Does the rcbs swager only work in rcbs presses or other brands too? The Lee press has a 7/8"-14 thread just like the rcbs swager, so it should work?

If i remove the crimp once, will it have to be done again on that same piece of brass of I reuse it again?
Click to expand...

I've the RCBS swagger die.
It will work in any conventional ( "O" or "C" style) press.

Its once and done operation,
 
cartwheel said:
That will work, but a pocket swager setup (RCBS) I have found to be much better for getting rid of crimps. Crimped primers are a pita- I try not to bother with them if I don't have to. Cutting a few hundred crimps out with a hand reamer isn't my idea of fun.
Click to expand...
I have both and like the Lyman system better. The Lyman primer pocket reamer puts a slight bevel on the mouth of the primer pocket which makes priming much easier, especially in a progressive press. I use the Lyman power adapter shaft which is hooked up to a drill or power screwdriver. Far quicker and less tiring than cranking the shaft by hand. The RCBS system leaves a very square edge on the primer pocket and I find that it still leaves the pocket very tight so you really have to squeeze some of the primers to get them fully seated.
 
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