from zero to shooting; newbie saga

[SanJoseScott]

Ok, rather than pollute with many different posts full of newbie questions and information requests I figured I would start a newbie thread to work through the entire process from cradle to g...scratch that, from zero to shooting.

So I have ordered:

Lee Lock-n-Load AP press
Shell plates for .357, .308, .223
Lee 3 dies sets for all calibers (already had those)
Hornday reloading manual
CCI large rifle primers
CCI small rifle primers
Hornday 55gr .223 bullets (500pc)
Sierra Match King HPBT .168gr .308 (love this bullet) (200pc)

Now I fully understand that it will be some time before I'm ready to use the primers/bullets but they are on order.

I'm thinking I need a few more things:

Scale
I already have Calipers
Probably a couple of more reloading manuals
Powder
Other suggestions?

I'm buiding up the bench this weekend

So here we go. Hope this thread might help out others who are contemplating this move.

 

[gregintenn]

Pretty quickly, you'll need some way to trim, deburr, and chamfer case mouths. If you are like me, it won't be long before you'll want a bullet puller. Case lube is a must for rifle cases. I see you didn't mention brass, but I suppose you have a supply you've emptied already.

 

[kwselke]

Small pistol for magnum primers for .357 Mag. and or small pistol primers if you intend to load .38 with your .357 dies.

 

[SanJoseScott]

should add case cleaner "thing". Have seen everything from hydrosonic to walnut shells. Will probably opt for the latter since I have a buddy who packages it for fleabay.

.357 primers are on the list but I'm going to start with rifle rounds

I have a bunch of once fired brass in all three types

Now on list:

trim, debur, chamfer case mouths "tool(s)"
Case Lube (duh, left that off the original list)
Bullet puller

 

[Titegroups]

You would be better off loading handgun rounds first.

 

[quneur]

Lee Lock N Load press might be a wee bit hard to find.

 

[SanJoseScott]

Lee Lock N Load press might be a wee bit hard to find.

It is already on order and due in on the 26th. Cabelas has them but I ended up getting it from Amazon. I paid $480 for the press.

 

[quneur]

Hornady makes the Lock N Load ap press. Lee makes the Breech Lock system.

For the .357, if your dies are carbine then you won't use lubricant. Also, get the factory crimp die, makes a big difference when fitting the case into the cylinder of a revolver.

 

[SanJoseScott]

UGH.... Amazon just shifted my .223 shell plate to a 2 - 4 week delivery. I blame them because there is no way that "I" missed that.

If I want the shell plate to arrive anywhere near the press I will have to pay double the normal price and use fleabay.

 

[iouri]

Where did you find .224 bullets ? I've been looking all over the place, none have them in stock (I am not paying gunbroker prices for it)...

 

[SanJoseScott]

I picked up 1000 rounds of Hornady 55gr FMJ BT for $.26 per round off gunbroker. Yes, I probably paid a bit too much but given current climate and the desire to get my reloading up an running I'm ok with it.

Primers were $.10 and $.09 each for 1000 for CCI small rifle and CCI large rifle respectively. Again, price is a bit high but still keeps my per round price around the $.50 (not including brass which I have).

 

[iouri]

Thanks for clarification, Scott, I thought I've missed some super sale

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

For case lube, I would think you should use a spray lube (mostly in pump bottles nowdays) of a type that won't foul your primers. Hornady and Dillion both sell these. For powder on a progressive press use a ball type. WW231 and Clays both work well for many handgun loads. WW748 works for both 223 and 308 very well. I did a 20,000 round batch of 223 with CCI primers, WW748, AND Winchester 55GR FMJ's about 25-28 years ago and am still using them. I loaded them on a Dillion 450 for a mini-14 (no accuracy) and shoot them in a Cooper 21 bolt gun now, at 100 yards they shoot less than 1/10 MOA. Primers have changed since then (not for the better). CCI's are OK for hand gun but for your future rifle primers, you might look at Federal 205M (small rifle) and 210M (large rifle) both are match primers and pre panic prices were about $36/1000, non match were about $28/1000. (The best primers of all time were pre 1998 CCI BR-1 and BR-2, followed closely by pre'98 Remington 7 1/2 BR, But the EPA changed the regulations on lead in priming compounds) So Federal is the best bet for medium pressure rounds and Remington 7 1/2 for high pressure rounds with small primer only. By the way, Hornady sells shell plates at MSRP+shipping. Go slow, pay attention and you will have fun! Ivan

 

[SanJoseScott]

Well I have almost everything on order now except:

1. Case trimmer and deburrer
2. Tumbler
3. Scale
4. The things I forgot but will discover soon

The only thing that is causing me some heartburn is powder. Looking for an 8lb bottle of a "starter" powder to get me going. My local guru and advisor suggested started with Varget. Try and find that! Not going to happen any time soon.

So if anyone has an idea on a good starter powder for .223 and .308 send me a link or suggestion. Sure would hate to get everything set up and working only to not have any friggen powder.....

 

[gregintenn]

I suggest you buy powder and primers locally to avoid the exorbinant hazardous shipping fee. I also recommend you buy powder one pound at a time until such time as you settle on one particular load.

I've been using IMR 4320 in 223 with very good results. It seems to be easier to find than Varget. It is probably passable in 308 as well. It's been many years since I've loaded 308, but I might start with WW 748, Imr 3031, IMR 4895, or even IMR 4064.

 

[SanJoseScott]

Lordy lordy lordy. $60-$70/lb for powder if you can find it. Auction sites are the only place I can find it.

buying locally here in the DPRC is about as likely as DiFi getting impeached for violating the constitution.

Oh well, I have some necessary homework to do anyway. My reloading books (ABC, Lyman and Honady) arrived and per the excellent advice in another thread I am in fact reading them carefully.

I will probably pick up a couple of lbs of overpriced powder to get started while I wait for prices to come down.....

 

[iouri]

I'd suggest don't feed auction sites. Supplies start to show up. Last week Cabela's had powder, Midway had small pistol primers, Natchez had 55 grainers, so those are all signs that things coming back to normal.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Internet orders:
NOTE: If your unit does not have "Priority shipping" it will go to the END of the line and be shipped when all the other packages ahead of it are shipped !!

Just a heads up for all of you.........
UPS etc only has so many trucks and one stop a day to cover all the areas and their orders. Hang in there.

Good luck with that reloading desk and with the reloading in the future............... Good time to read up on loads and stuff
to get an idea of what you might use.

Stay safe.

 

[SanJoseScott]

Picked up a couple of pounds of Alliant Power Pro 2000MR which is reputed to be pretty good for .308 and heavier .223 bullets. Should at least get me started until things calm down (shhhhh....don't ruin the fantasy)

 

[rwsmith]

Good start

Ok, rather than pollute with many different posts full of newbie questions and information requests I figured I would start a newbie thread to work through the entire process from cradle to g...scratch that, from zero to shooting.

So I have ordered:

Lee Lock-n-Load AP press
Shell plates for .357, .308, .223
Lee 3 dies sets for all calibers (already had those)
Hornday reloading manual
CCI large rifle primers
CCI small rifle primers
Hornday 55gr .223 bullets (500pc)
Sierra Match King HPBT .168gr .308 (love this bullet) (200pc)

Now I fully understand that it will be some time before I'm ready to use the primers/bullets but they are on order.

I'm thinking I need a few more things:

Scale
I already have Calipers
Probably a couple of more reloading manuals
Powder
Other suggestions?

I'm buiding up the bench this weekend

So here we go. Hope this thread might help out others who are contemplating this move.

Powder funnel.

Some means to dispense powder. Scoops or a powder measure.

I find 2 Loading blocks (you can make your own) are best for me. The left is the unprocessed cases mouth down. The right is the processed cases mouth up. Keeps you from double charging which can be a very evil occurrence.

Don't forget cartidge brass!!!!

I made a thread on this same subject. If I think of anything else, I'll update here.