New to Reloading

slick39

slick39

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So as the title states, I am new to reloading...actually I have no experience at all. I recently traded with another member for his AR-15 and am expecting to be shooting a lot more. I want to start reloading .223 (5.56) and maybe some 9mm... my question is, if you were able to start over now with all your experience, what equipment would you buy? (I need a list of everything necessary and prices, I only have about $600 to spend as a max. Although I would prefer to keep prices down as much as possible...) To my understanding I will need a:

Tumbler,
Deprimer,
set of dies,
case lube,
actual press,
crimper,
scale,
Powder funnel

Am I missing anything? If you could please lend a noob to this subject a helping hand it would be greatly appreciated! :)

Thanks,
Josh
 
I started with a Lee press and a RCBS scale,Old Speer manual.That was about 25 yrs ago.
I am still using a Lee press and RCBS scales.I think money wise it is a good way to start.
Get a couple of good reloading manuals and follow the book to start with,You can always up grade.(About 350.00)
 
Have a look at one of the LEE starter kits and a manual. It will get you going, and if you want to keep costs down you do not need a tumbler right off the bat.
 
I wish some other experienced guys give all the needed information before I start the rant but I would sugest that you start reloading for some BOLT-ACTION ammo , not the one you gonne be using in semi-auto. AR's are specialy or better have a good crimping die and be familiar with COL's and MAG's and it be too good if some one can show you some tricks of trade
 
Lee Turret Press will speed things up but keep the price a little low. Not sure but i just read that you can buy a unit that will fit your RCBS Rock Chukar and turn it into a progressive press. I forget the name. Wholesale sports had something about it. Might be something to start with. I'm sure the guys will fill you in . AGE
 
Manuals are a must have! Lyman is great, so are Hornady and Nosler. They are full of good info. Safety glasses and a bullet puller are good ideas. The other is a clean work space and a steady bench of some sort. The guys here are a great source of info so ask if you have any other questions. You don't need to spend great amounts of money to get started, but having said that don't try to be cheap. Look for quality.
 
Your set of dies is your deprimer and crimper, a tumbler is not necessary at first, good manuals and case trimming equip. will be necessary. I'd get a good press and a good set of dies first, Forster Co-ax, RCBS, Redding, all make great dies and presses.
 
ben hunchak said:
Your set of dies is your deprimer and crimper, a tumbler is not necessary at first, good manuals and case trimming equip. will be necessary. I'd get a good press and a good set of dies first, Forster Co-ax, RCBS, Redding, all make great dies and presses.
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im surprised it took 12 post to straighten that one out.
the only thing that hasn't been mentioned which i personaly consider crutial to keeping the process neat and orderly is a loading tray. cheap and handier than hell.
 
Since you will be loading for an AR I assume you'll be going through a lot of ammo. A setup similar to mine would suit you well and come in under your price limit.

Lee 4 hole turret press kit
Lee autoprime for this press
.223 dies (I like Lee collet dies, no case lube required)
shell holder
Lee rifle charging die
Crimp die (comes with the Lee deluxe die set)
loading tray
A quality powder throw and/or beam scale
Calipers
Lee case trimmer and .223 mandrel

I use this setup to load .204 and .223 in quantity. I can really pump out accurate ammo with a minimum of fuss. The most time consuming part of the process is scaling every load. I have an auto dispenser/scale on the way to speed things up but it doesn't fit into your budget.

This setup would also work very well for 9mm which I will also be loading as soon as I can find primers (been looking for a year now). You may want to consider the Lee autodisk powder measure for this application.
 
this has been very helpful everyone! One thing I saw at my local gun store was the hornady lock-n-load class kit which is $460 dollars...it seems to come with everything I would need...would this be a good choice? I am leaning towards something like this because it comes in the kit and just the ease of picking it up...?

Thanks,
Josh
 
Andrewe said:
Since you will be loading for an AR I assume you'll be going through a lot of ammo. A setup similar to mine would suit you well and come in under your price limit.

.223 dies (I like Lee collet dies, no case lube required)
Click to expand...

i may be wrong as i know very little about AR's but arent you meant to FL resize for a semi auto due to the lack of camming action.?
 
slick39 said:
this has been very helpful everyone! One thing I saw at my local gun store was the hornady lock-n-load class kit which is $460 dollars...it seems to come with everything I would need...would this be a good choice? I am leaning towards something like this because it comes in the kit and just the ease of picking it up...?

Thanks,
Josh
Click to expand...

This would be a good choice. Hornady makes good stuff. The electronic scale won't be a keeper IMHO. You'll probably want to replace it with a decent set of balance beam scales in due course. If your dealer will swap the electronic scales for a brand name balance beam other than Lee, I'd go for it, otherwise this kit is a good start.
 
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