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Posted: 8/10/2008 7:57:36 AM EDT
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Hey All, Hopefully I posted this in the right forum; I couldn't find any specific place to post about reloading. With my recent purchase of a S&W M&P15T, and the high cost of .223/5.56 Ammo, I began looking into reloading; I talked to a few people, watch many online videos, and ordered a reloading book. Meanwhile, I have put together what I *think* is everything I need press wise for reloading. Here's what I got: Lyman "49th Edition Reloading Handbook" Reloading Manual Lee Classic 4 Hole Turret Press (Cast Iron) Lee Pro Auto Disk Powder Measure Lee Double Disk Kit Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure Riser Lee Safety Prime Small and Large Primer Feeder for 2006, Later Reloading Press Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set 223 Remington Lee Auto-Disk Rifle Powder Charging Die 22 to 30 Calibers Lee Case Length Gage and Shell holder 223 Remington Lee Primer Pocket Cleaner Lee Case Trimmer Cutter and Lock Stud Hornady Chamfer and Deburring Tool Before anyone steps in and says "Don't Buy Lee, Buy Dillon, Buy RCBS, etc” Please don’t! I have talked to many people, and read 100's of reviews and the Lee Classic Turret Press is rated top notch. I don't have any need to spend $500+ on a Dillon Progressive press, and after looking at what's available, The Lee Classic Turret press was the best of the middle of the road, which is where I'm looking to get in at. Moving on, I know I still need a tumbler, separator, and a Swage tool, what else will I need? Are all tumblers and separators equal, or is there any specific one I should get? What's a good Swage tool to pick up? I will be using Lake City brass from once fired Federal XM193 ammo; I have 1,000 rounds I purchased, and will probably purchase another 1k rounds, and use this brass. My basic/quick calculations put me at about $0.20/Round for powder/primer/bullet, which saves me $0.15/Round from the $0.35/Round I am paying for XM193 and $0.10/Round over Silver Bear that I am getting for $0.30/Round. Thanks in advance for the help. -ThaChad |
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I use my Lyman book lots but it is good to have several. I like the sierra for rifle loads. If you are useing the Lee powder measure the Lee manual has some guides right on the loading charts that will help you set up any particular load faster. I do my Rifle on the lee turret I love the lee dies I prefer a seperate hand primeing tool,my favorite is the RCBS , some perfer the Lee I have used and discarded the lee scale as a piece of junk, For me the RCBS or LYMAN ballance beam type seems to work best. |
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Best bet is to go here This link is in the Armory forum, then on to the Reloading section. They will take good care of you there. Best of luck 
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Thanks! Maybe a mod can move my post? -ThaChad |
Zip on over there and read the FAQ's an the tacked threads. Most of you questions will be answered there! Oh yeah, get the RCBS swager. ETA: Lee .223 factory crimp die, and a must-have; dial or digital calipers. |
And as you said, digital scale and caliper. ____________________________________________ So, how are you planning to deal with the cleaning job? You can spend more $$$ on a tumbler/vibaratory cleaner with media. Or, How about a liquid case cleaner? Perhaps.......
_______________________________________________ And, how about military de-capping? And prep? Perhaps?
________________________________________________ Re-size and trim jobs...... You seem to have covered it. Though, you didn't mention lube. So, what are you intending for that? LEE lube, pad and other lube, wax with fingers for application or spray? ________________________________________________ As for re-priming cases. I like the LEE auto prime hand held tool (don't forget the special shell holder).......it's fast and easy. ________________________________________________ AND............a VERY IMPORTANT ITEM.
________________________________________________ Aloha, Mark |
| List of equipment you need is here www.ar15.com/content/page.html?id=486 |
Yeah, That's not really what I asked though. I know what I need, I am making sure I got all the parts needed for the Press, since there's a dozen *other* parts that are needed for the press to actually do anything (IE: Dies). Thanks for the post though.. -ThaChad |
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Wow, What an awesome reply!! Thank's soo much for taking the time to not only reply with great information, but to sort it all out! To answer your questions...
Do you use liquid case cleaner? How does it work? I was actually going to go with the standard tumbler/seperator, are all Tumblers/seperators equal, or is there one better than another?
Will the standard Lee case Sizer & de-capper that comes with the 3-piece .223 Die set not work for military crimped primers? As for swage, I was thinking the Dillon, but I don't know what it costs? I will take a look at the lyman hand reamer, I might go that way..
I know I will need some sort of case lube, I haven't really spent any time looking at the options, though I did see a video on YouTube where the guy had some sort of Ink-pad type thing he just rolled the cases over, that looks like the cleanest way to do it.. One thing I read said to tumble/clean the cases, then lube, resize, and de-cap the cases, then re-tumble to clean the lube off. I also read another place that you don't need to remove the case lube. How do you do it?
For re-priming, I will use the LEE Safety Prime with the press. The case resize & de-cap die will re-prime on the down stroke with the use of the Lee Safety Prime, which is on my list with the press.
I will take a look at the products you posted, I think it is a good idea to have a *Double-Check* methoid/tool, and the case guage would be it. Thanks again for your time and input. -ThaChad |
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