Starting from scratch...

[Chris J]

I'm just about to purchase some kit to start reloading for my .223. I had good results with factory ammo .5 MOA) but availability is becoming a bit of a pain and I'm keen to get a bit more control in this area. I've got about £500 to spend on the set up (not including the consumables bullets, powder etc). What should I be putting my money into? Do I need a tumbler for case cleaning to start off with? There is such a myriad of stuff available I'm in a bit of a spin as what's essential to start and this is a lot of cash for me to outlay so I'm keen to get it right. Any tips would be appreciated.

[ZAKDINGEL]

Hi when you start to reload be aware its additive You will not go wrong if you get a lee anniversary kit and a couple of extra quick change bushings BUT do get a different powder scale like a Lyman or Rcbs also get a case length gauge for your calibre and a tube or two of case lube I use lee dies and find them ok for what I need but you will have to decide if you want neck only dies or full length dies ---I use full length that means I can use brass form others that they don't want or buy second hand brass it can be good also if you get a loading manual like a lyman you should get all you need for well under £250 or less

[joe public]

Lee classic press 4 hole - £139 / https://www.henrykrank.com/reloading...ret-press.html
rcbs uniflow powder measure
jewelry scales - £13 item 183024392262
maplins ultra sound - £28 / https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/jpl-ultra...-cleaner-a04un
digital calipers £10- item 202208450343


dies to suit cals

all you will need for any calibre..i used this set up 18years , with great sucess in various calibres

[Simon_S]

Got Lee classic press 4 hole myself very good can change caliber in 2 sec.

If want good scale get RCBS 505

[Parabuteo]

Yep. Dont use cheap electronic scales. I use a set called Gem Pro 250 by a company called my weigh. I only got them on recommendation as they were being used by BR shooters in the states, but I watch the tare setting like a hawk (although the actual fluctuations will not really affect the group much anyway with my discipline). I have some RCBS for standby.

Make sure you get a decent set of electronic calipers as they will be your eyes and ears for fault finding, and keep records of your loads. If you get something seriously right, you want to stick with it right?

I would suggest getting both FL and neck dies, or possibly FL and Lee Collet dies as the latter gives a very consistant neck with minimum faff. FL is worth looking at because even new brass will benefit from being FL sized and trimmed before use. I FL size all of my 5.56x45 brass as it goes through an AR15 quite rapidly and has to chamber properly.

When you feel the need I would highly recommend the OAL gauges from Dave Bonwick at the shooting shed, and although I know they are expensive, check out a Forster classic case trimmer and 3in1 cutter head. I tried cheaper methods but went back to the 3in1 (although I have adjusted mine slightly to make the chamfer less agressive).

I dont know what to recommend regarding case cleaning...well I do but again it aint cheap. IF you want very clean brass, pretty well all over, then stainless media wet tumbling is hard to beat. All this said it is not beyond most people to build their own STM tumbler, I will when mine finally dies.

The most important thing initially is to be able to understand and operate the kit safely, then produce small volumes of consistant ammo. Shy away from kits as you will probably replace stuff as you go on. Some of the Lee kit is very good (I believe their classic press takes some beating) but some is crap. Their dies are OK, I use a mix of RCBS/FORSTER/LEE/REDDING/WILSON and have picked these up as I have gone along. Make sure you keep the cones of lee crimp dies and collet dies oiled or they will stick.

Once you can do it without blowing anything up, then work out what best fits your shooting. The various powder and bullet websites are good for load data. I would suggest loading to SAAMI dimensions first before you try messing about with different COALs etc. Adjust your load first then mess with the seating depth if the results are not acceptable.

Make your own case sizing lube from 1 part lanolin and 9 parts 99.9% IPA (Available on line, Amazon).

Finally, make sure you have either a mentor, or have a good read and understand the terminology, internal ballistics (What goes on when things go bang before the bullet leaves the muzzle) and what the dangers/danger signs are. If in doubt ask.

It sounds daunting but accidents are thankfully rare and most rifles will suffer some abuse, but dont forget it may be accumulative so if you dont like the look or feel of something, stop.

If your primer is flat, holed, has black round it or has gone....stop (and check out the state of your bolt face).

If your round is hard to chamber, dont chamber it. If it is hard to extract, it may be a sign. This is why FL sizing initially and correct trimming is important.

If it goes pop or less of a bang than you expected, for gods sakes dont load another and fire it. Be lucky and it wont chamber, be unlucky and it will chamber behind another bullet and blow your rifle up.

Dont get wrapped up in chronoing and micro groups. Results can sometimes be down to random harmonics and conditions. If it is good enough for now, go and shoot and tune later. Velocity is not everything, its handy but accuracy/precision wins.

Keep your test targets for reference, write the load details on the target.

Sorry, got carried away

Enjoy it mate, its addictive and yes, you will shoot more

[sundog]

All of the above is good advice and recommendation and I can only tell you what I use:

Good reloading manual(I have a few)
single stage press(RCBS)
dies(redding) neck,full length and bullet seater
case trimmer(lee)
case neck deburring tool(RCBS)
0000 wire wool to clean neck and shoulder of case( helps to spot any splits)
primer pocket cleaning tool(lee)
digital micrometer(aldi) check its accuracy by gauging the diameter of a bullet
primer hand press seater(lee)
imperial sizing wax
beam scales(RCBS 505)
powder funnel(RCBS)
powder trickler(redding)
reloading tray( bit of wood with holes drilled to suit cases)

Inspect all your cases before you start for any splits,grit or flaws. I find this is the minimum kit required to produce good,safe, accurate ammo with minimum fuss but of course you can spend what you like on what you want

I weigh every load using the scales,a teaspoon and a small dish but I don't tend to load huge amounts at any one time otherwise a powder thrower would be a good investment.

Be safe and enjoy.