If you're a medium volume loader like me, or new to the AP press, you may want to consider the
Hornady Pistol Bullet Feeder Die.
Under $30, and includes a PTX powder through expander.
I recently picked one up, and could not be happier with the performance. I will add the
Hornady LNL Bullet Tube (under $30), and will be good to go.
Not a major time saver, but getting into the groove with one less step seems to make a big difference being able to concentrate on the other variables.
For me, at this time, it is extremely hard to justify the cost of the bullet feeder. In addition, I was worried that the noise of the collator would drive me mad through my reload therapies.
Question: Since Hornady does not make this type of device for 223, without having to buy the whole bullet feeder system with collator, do any of you have an alternate suggestion?
Mr.BulletFeeder seems to be close to what I am after, but a little hesitant, since there does not seem to be any information on real life experiences. I was thinking of rigging up individual polycarbonate tubes to hold the bullets in. They have a couple of systems (Lee, etc.) with more tubes; not very crazy about the added weight. Anyone with real life experience with this setup for 223?
I was looking at buying just the Hornady 223 feeder part of the assembly. Unfortunately Hornady does not sell it outside of the feeder system, and there are no known plans to make a rifle one similar to the pistol option as above. This would be an attractive option even at a $100ish price point, since the setup would seat and crimp as well, saving space on stations.
My last thought was to just buy the case feeder for the 223 to lessen manual steps, then later add the collator for other calibers.
1st world problems.