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Posted: 6/1/2012 4:31:50 AM EDT
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I'm getting into reloading due to the vast number (10+ gallons of .223 brass) brass I have collected over the years. Most of my .223 are military brass, so I do have to put in more effort, but I'm willing to do that.
Today I ordered my first few items to get started. 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/176078/lee-challenger-breech-lock-single-stage-press (My reloading press) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/420765/lee-classic-loader-223-remington (My emergency loading kit just in case) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/389104/lee-chamfer-and-deburring-tool (For removing those pesky military crimps) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136543/lee-universal-depriming-and-decapping-die (Deprimer die for removing military primers) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/274540/lee-universal-depriming-and-decapping-die-pin (For Removing military crimp primers) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/645558/lee-universal-shellholder-4-17-remington-204-ruger-223-remington (Shellholder, not sure if it even fits my press) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/776391/lee-deluxe-3-die-set-223-remington (3 die set, not sure what else I'm missing) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/943305/lee-improved-powder-measure-kit (Powder measuring kit) I'm not sure what Dies I'm missing, so if anyone can fill in what else I need to start reloading my .223 I'd really appreciate it. The primers, bullets, and gunpowder I will handle that myself. |
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Full discretion, I am still new to reloading myself. Therefore, take my comments with a grain of salt. 1) The 3 die set contains the only dies you need. You may choose to get a factory crimp die, however there are plenty of reloaders who claim success without one. Get rid of the other dies you have listed, and the pin, that is a replacement. 2) Get rid of that powder measure set. Powder should be measured by weight, not volume. Get a well known scale (balance beam or digital, I hear great things about the RCBS 505 scale.) 3) For .223, you will need a way to trim the cases. Along those lines, you need a good set of calipers if you do no have some. There are various ways of trimming, depending on the quantity you will be working with. 4) Your 3 die set will come with a shell holder also. Finally, I understand the excitement when you are getting into reloading, as I'm going through that myself, but please start doing some research. Just by reading the product descriptions, you would have known that you were buying extras of parts that are included in another set you are buying. It's been a few years by your own admittance, whats a couple weeks worth of research? ETA - Also, there is a reloading forum. This does not belong in the ammo forum. |
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Thanks for the suggestion! I actually needed the extra die because I'm reloading military 223 which has a crimped primer. I read all the reviews and they said that die will remove the military primers like butter without breaking the pin.
I will get a scale, and a reloading data sheet. As for trimming do you mean the full length resizer die? If a mod could move this to the appropiate section I would really appreciate it! |
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Quoted:
I'm getting into reloading due to the vast number (10+ gallons of .223 brass) brass I have collected over the years. Most of my .223 are military brass, so I do have to put in more effort, but I'm willing to do that. Today I ordered my first few items to get started. 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/176078/lee-challenger-breech-lock-single-stage-press (My reloading press) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/420765/lee-classic-loader-223-remington (My emergency loading kit just in case) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/389104/lee-chamfer-and-deburring-tool (For removing those pesky military crimps) POS tool-With the number of cases you have, you would be better off getting the Dillon primer pocket swager. JMO 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136543/lee-universal-depriming-and-decapping-die (Deprimer die for removing military primers) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/274540/lee-universal-depriming-and-decapping-die-pin (For Removing military crimp primers) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/645558/lee-universal-shellholder-4-17-remington-204-ruger-223-remington (Shellholder, not sure if it even fits my press) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/776391/lee-deluxe-3-die-set-223-remington (3 die set, not sure what else I'm missing) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/943305/lee-improved-powder-measure-kit (Powder measuring kit) Like mentioned above get a better powder measure. I'm not sure what Dies I'm missing, so if anyone can fill in what else I need to start reloading my .223 I'd really appreciate it. The primers, bullets, and gunpowder I will handle that myself. |
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Quoted:
Thanks for the suggestion! I actually needed the extra die because I'm reloading military 223 which has a crimped primer. I read all the reviews and they said that die will remove the military primers like butter without breaking the pin. I will get a scale, and a reloading data sheet. As for trimming do you mean the full length resizer die? If a mod could move this to the appropiate section I would really appreciate it! No, he means a case trimmer. Lee sells a version with a pin and a replaceable cutter , I think they are sold separately This is where your deburring tool is used, if you remove much brass, you'll have a burr on the case mouth. You do this after decapping, the pin sets the case length and it's gaged off the face of the case holder |
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I started out with the lee single stage kit that comes with everything but the dies and for a new reloader I would suggest looking into that.
The hornady crimp remover works pretty good for removing the crimp, chuck it in a drill and go to town. Your fingers will hate that method though. |
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Other things you will want to consider from what was already mentioned
Shell Tray Holders during your reloading process Case Lube Funnel for pouring your powder into a shell Reloading Manual Case Extractor Shell Cleaners / Media if you want shiny Primer pocket cleaner Powder tricklers are nice if you to get into match grade ammo But I can't stress enough to research and ask alot of questions like you have for this thread. If you can find somebody locally to get you a head start would be much helpful, but the internet can provide alot of good info and mis-info as well, just be cautious. |
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You should buy and read "The ABC's of Reloading" before buying anything.
-and- This thread should really be in the Reloading Forum. |
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Quoted: That sentence in bold is not completely correct. Full discretion, I am still new to reloading myself. Therefore, take my comments with a grain of salt. 2) Get rid of that powder measure set. Powder should be measured by weight, not volume. Get a well known scale (balance beam or digital, I hear great things about the RCBS 505 scale.) Powder is measured by volume all the time and it is a very accurate way to weigh charges. The caveat is you need a scale to set or at least verify the powder drops. Now, if you're just starting out reloading, you should get a scale first and use that for a while before you get a powder measurer. A powder measurer will allow you to reload at a higher rate but when you're starting out, you need to go slow and learn the process inside and out. One mistake can destroy a firearm or worse. |
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IMHO, but you may want to get another chamfer/ deburring tool. The Lee one works but it is small and hard to hold after a while of using it.
The Lee dies comes with a shell holder so you can not order/ return the one you are ordering.. You will need some case lube, either a lube pad or spray lube. You will also need a case trimmer. How are you planning on cleaning the brass you have? Dirty brass is harder to inspect and increases the chances of scratching your sizing die. Also you might think about getting a scale for your powder. I used the Lee scoops for 6 months and had a lot of inconsistencies using them but YMMV. |
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I've already cleaned my brass with steel shot, walnut media, and brown rice in my dryer. Very clean polished brass came out with no pitting.
I have added more items to the cart http://i1205.photobucket.com/albums/bb422/ulawe/ar15.png |
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Quoted:
1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/389104/lee-chamfer-and-deburring-tool (For removing those pesky military crimps) Jeff, You may have made a mistake here. That item is for chamfering and deburring the case mouth, not for removing primer crimps. Case mouth crimps are removed by the neck expander ball during sizing. Be sure to get a dedicated primer crimp remover. They are inexpensive, can be motorized and are essentrial for processing military brass. Get a small one for 223 and a large one for 308. Crimp Remover |
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the lee chanfer and debur tool stinks anyway i use a hornaday chamfer and debur tool and it removes primer crimps fine in addition to chamfering and deburring
Quoted:
Quoted:
1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/389104/lee-chamfer-and-deburring-tool (For removing those pesky military crimps) Jeff, You may have made a mistake here. That item is for chamfering and deburring the case mouth, not for removing primer crimps. Case mouth crimps are removed by the neck expander ball during sizing. Be sure to get a dedicated primer crimp remover. They are inexpensive, can be motorized and are essentrial for processing military brass. Get a small one for 223 and a large one for 308. Crimp Remover |
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Quoted: I would remove the Lee champher/ deburing tool, there are a lot better tools out there.I'm getting into reloading due to the vast number (10+ gallons of .223 brass) brass I have collected over the years. Most of my .223 are military brass, so I do have to put in more effort, but I'm willing to do that. Today I ordered my first few items to get started. 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/176078/lee-challenger-breech-lock-single-stage-press (My reloading press) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/420765/lee-classic-loader-223-remington (My emergency loading kit just in case) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/389104/lee-chamfer-and-deburring-tool (For removing those pesky military crimps) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136543/lee-universal-depriming-and-decapping-die (Deprimer die for removing military primers) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/274540/lee-universal-depriming-and-decapping-die-pin (For Removing military crimp primers) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/645558/lee-universal-shellholder-4-17-remington-204-ruger-223-remington (Shellholder, not sure if it even fits my press) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/776391/lee-deluxe-3-die-set-223-remington (3 die set, not sure what else I'm missing) 1x http://www.midwayusa.com/product/943305/lee-improved-powder-measure-kit (Powder measuring kit) I'm not sure what Dies I'm missing, so if anyone can fill in what else I need to start reloading my .223 I'd really appreciate it. The primers, bullets, and gunpowder I will handle that myself. Spend some time reading the FAQ's and Tutorials at the top of the page. Read the 4 part "how to reload 223" up in Tutorials. |
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