To Re-Load or Not???

[oneyeopn]

Stav, Most commercial brass is boxer primed and you don't have to swage the primer pocket. I also at times bought bulk Lake City brass (Berdan primed) from Midway that was already swaged. The only time I champfer or debur the case mouth is on new brass or after I have trimmed it. You can buy a cheap hand held tool that does a good job of that. Go ahead and reload for .223. After you clean and inspect your brass, you need a brush so you can lube the inside of the neck so the expander doesn't get stuck. I have a lube pad, that you roll the brass lighly on to keep it from sticking in the sizing die. Then you can get a cheap Lee hand held priming tool to prime your brass, and then you are ready to charge and seat the bullet. I would advise buying a digital caliper so you can measure case length occasionally. You will also need a trimmer and for convenience a powder measurer and scale. As others have stated, it is relaxing.

I have bought some Euro Mil-Surp for my 8x57's that was berdan primed but I have never seen any U.S. production ammo that was berdan primed. Are you sure the LC brass was berdan primed and not just crimped, almost all of my brass is LC and none of it was berdan and even my steel cased ammo wasnt berdan primed. Just Asking?

I did some research and at one time there was some 30cal marked LC52 that was Chinese cases copied from captured ammo but I haven't found any US, Lake City quit using berdan primers in 1951 with lot number 13700 on 30-06 brass. If you look down in the brass and see two little holes it is berdan if not it is boxer. If it is berdan it is definitely not Lake City Brass

 

[Gomizzou1954]

Oneye, You are correct, I should have said it was crimped and had been swaged. Late night and long day.

 

[LTC]

Just my $.02. I would agree with most everything that has been posted. Only one other post commented on the safety aspect of reloading. This is serious business that can be performed by the average person if, you are willing do dedicate the time to learn to do it correctly.

Yes, with the right equipment you can load 350 - 500 pistol rounds an hour, but you need to do it correctly and consistantly. Some reloading errors can cause serious problems to your health.

Think about handling lead bullets, where to store them, how to store them. How to maintain a clean and safe environment. You do not want to contamenate your home with lead residue. You may want to consider using plated bullets for your pistol calibers. You don't want to be blowing up your favorite guns either.

Reloading takes patience and concentration. You can't have any distractions taking your mind off of the reloading task.

I reload because I want to be able to shoot a fair amount of centerfire pistol rounds, 2500 -3000 per year. I could never afford to do that if I had to purchase commercially made ammunition. Loading 9mm, .38 Spec., .40S&W, .45ACP and .45Colt my average cost is about $.12. I found that my break even cost to cover the equipment purchases was about 3000 rounds.

Good luck with you decision and be safe.

LTC

 

[stavman11]

So Correct Me if Im wrong

1. Remington and PMC purchased Rounds (all my rounds i shoot, no strays from the Range)... I shouldnt need to Swag the primer pocket?
2. Champfer and Debur only if Re-size is done? or If I BUY Brass..
3. So de-prime before, Then clean again to remove Oil/Wax from re-size de-prime. Is it easiest to put back in tumbler if using the Spray oils or Wax's? Or is another cleaning step needed?? Or can i just do de-prime and Prime and re-size on the turret in the 1st stage or re-loading????
Keep hearing different versions of this step???


So am I getting a handle on it guys??

The more I investigate the more i see not ALL steps are always required. I can separate Brass that needs re-sized and do them all at once when i get enough.....
Clean em in one day...
THEN LOAD THE PISS outa em....LOL

Thanks again for HELP Guys.....

Ducts are clean at My Hobbyshop now so heading to Cabelas SOOn ta spend some MONEY....

Think Im pulling the TRIGGER today... and YES Pun was intended....

 

[oneyeopn]

From what I have read it seams that just about everyone has interpreted reloading to fit their equipment and time and money. For me with a single stage press loading only the brass that I pick up from my shooting at our farm range or occasionally new brass, I will break it down in the simple steps that I do as I have noticed not everyone does them this way, I wash in our dishwasher before I tumble to help keep the media clean and lasting longer, no one told me that, it just made sense to me.
With my Deluxe Lee .223 3 die set.
1. spray with lube, decap and full length size same stroke of press.
2. dishwasher and when dry, tumble
3. whatever brass prep is necessary then Prime, charge and seat bullet.
4. factory crimp.
I prime on a downstroke, pull the case, charge it and then seat the bullet on the upstroke. As I get a case from my loading block I look to see what is necessary ie. clean flash hole, chamfer whatever. I have found that trimming isnt always necessary but I do it on an as needed basis before the dishwasher after I decap and resize.
Thats my steps, as is said so many times YMMV

p.s. I didnt have anyone to teach me so I started doing it and learned by trial and error but am always willing to listen to some of these guys that have done it a lot longer than I have.

 

[BHarada]

Stav,
Here's my single-stage, step-by-step process...

• Clean brass in tumbler to prep for resizing; this is to clean off grit and grime to save wear and tear on the resizing die
• Decap and resize -- I use Imperial resize wax and dry neck lube so I dip the case neck into the lube powder then dab some sizing wax on my finger tips and apply it to each case as I load it into the press;
• Tumble resized brass to clean off sizing wax
• Check cases for length using dial calipers set to 1.755", 1.76" is max case length so I'm trimming before they reach that point
• Trim over length cases as needed; deburr
• Prime cases using RCBS hand primer; you could also use the priming arm on your press

After this step I typically stop and just put all the primed cases into a small plastic bin.

When I get around to actually reloading I...

• Drop powder into primed case one-by-one, then place the charged case into my loading tray
• Quick visual check to make sure there are no over/undercharged cases in tray
• Place charged case in press and seat bullet

I used to put the primed shell into the loading tray then use my RCBS L'il Dandy powder measure to drop powder into each case, but my new Lee PPM is fixed in its stand on the bench so that's not possible anymore.

 

[oneyeopn]

See Bill has a system, I wish I lived closer to Bill or Rod so I could have learned from someone who has done it longer than I.

 

[BHarada]

See Bill has a system, I wish I lived closer to Bill or Rod so I could have learned from someone who has done it longer than I.

That's funny since I've just started reloading necked cartridges. I'm just doing all that I can to keep my Sport from exploding at the range. haha

Stav,
For tumbling media I've been using reptile cage litter. Specifically, Zilla crushed walnut desert blend. The consistency is almost like cornmeal so it's small enough to get into the 223 neck and primer pocket without getting stuck in the neck or primer hole. I've tumbled about 1000 223 cases in it without ever finding a single plugged primer hole.

I tried using crushed corncob (also pet cage litter) which worked fine for cleaning 44 mag cases, but it would get wedged inside a 223 neck to the point where I needed a nail to dig the pieces out.

I used to buy treated tumbler media which was essentially crushed walnut shells with jewelers rouge mixed in, but adding in a couple of table spoonfuls of NuFinish car polish into the Zilla media gives me bright and shiny brass...makes me feel like I'm loading my Sport with expensive hunting rounds. hahaha

 

[stavman11]

BHarada and oneyeopn yer POSTS confirmed my plans thanks again

I just got back from cabelas... and my $CASH$ is $344 lighter in my Pocket...

Didnt get any Loads or primer yet... wanna be sure what CCI primers guys use, as well as GOOD Powder and bullets.
I got confused cuz Bullets said 224 not 223...LOL so just passed since dont need components YET!!
ill probably just get some from Cabelas ta start then get BULK online... BHarada Ill check yer recommendations once I get dialed in

I am POT Committed now guys......

Once i get some Brass on the VIBRATOR... ill post what all i got...

as always YOU GUYS Rock.... Thanks for the Help..

here is a quick pic of my toys that will NOW have CUSTOM loads ta EAT

the ENTIRE Crew, Wife's Walthers P22, XDm 9mm, S&W .357 19-3 also shown

Bushy C15.. w/ 3x7 Scope

M&P 15-22 w/ Slide fire Stock

M&P 15 Sport.... w/ Slide fire Stock

 

[Powder Burns]

Another vote for "To Reload." It adds a whole new, fascinating dimension to shooting and collecting.

 

[mchech]

I forgot to add, reloading can be a mind numbing, boring, thankless and dangerous project if you let it. Sitting there repeating the same task over and over is not very challenging for those used to the fast lane. Getting in a hurry is just asking for a trip to the ER.

Then again nothing equals the feeling of smoking a woodchuck at 300yds with one of your pet loads or shooting knot hole groups at 100yds off the bench with your deer rifle. It is all part of the shooting game and requires some time and dedication to be safe. I really don't care what Wal-Mart is selling 44 mag, 45 ACP or 223 factory loads for because I know an almost unlimited supply of ammo is in the basement for me to assemble. All I need to do is get in the proper frame of mind. When I go to the range or in the field I am 100% sure my ammo is as good if not better than anything commercially available. The 100% sure comes at the cost of some time consuming boring tasks but I believe it is worth it.

Reloading is a shooting sport in itself. It's about research, tooling, load testing, technique and component shopping. Take your time. Enjoy it as another hobby and do it safe. The alternative is grim.

 

[BHarada]

Reloading is a shooting sport in itself. It's about research, tooling, load testing, technique and component shopping. Take your time. Enjoy it as another hobby and do it safe. The alternative is grim.

This in a nutshell.

Reloading is definitely something to keep your mind in the shooting game on the days when you can't get out to the range. I only wish I had the ability to step out on my front porch to do load testing, like Grover (oneyeopn) can. haha.

 

[stavman11]

Ok spent about 5 hours prepping Shells (1 hour more and they are ALL Tumbled) maybe 800rds .223, 400 9mm and 400 .38 special (for .357)

had some Challenges with the lee pro 1000 setup... mainly the Chain with the Powder feeder.... so Changed it to a Little Bungee Cord i had... and is DIALED!!! found that on YouTube...

Changed my Mind at LAST minute on the Pro 1000 vs Classic Turret... like guy said at cabelas... If yer not happy Bring it back...

Case feeder is PIMP... once I dialed it in it feeds with NO hickups..... May look into the Bullet feeder

So what did I get......

..Cabelas Tumbler Kit $66 (with sifter pan DIDNt use, media and polsih)
..Cabelas media Separator $29
..Lee pro 1000 Progressive with .223 setup $174 ($32 cheaper than Classic Parted out setup)
..Hornady Elect Scale Gs-1500 $29
..Cabelas case lube $9
..Had a Digital caliper from RC planes and cars... FREE from my shop...LOL
Total was $342 with tax....... Ya coulda saved maybe $20-30 online... but I HAVE IT NOW!!!!!....LOL

So after about 4 hours of tedious setup.... Double dotted I's and Tripple crossed T's... another trip back to Cabelas (1-1/2 Miles away... ya I know... TOO CLOSE!!!)

X-Terminator Powder
200 CCI Primers
100 Hornady 55gr FMJ Bullets

Just ta get some reps in with... ill order BULK this week...

Not sure Im ready ta reload yet, meaning ME not Setup...LOL... gunna do some more DRY runs tomorrow...... Check everything for the 5th Time.... Dry Run again.... and LET ERR Rip....LOL

In all seriousness... i respect the Volatility of this Process... im a Scorpio... I dont do ANYTHING half Arsed...... so why start Now... Right

Was Killer, Like you all have said, ta have something ta fill my time today... since noon untill now (not done yet) been playing with my Toys... NEW TOYS... Wife evene asked quite a few questions.... She never asked what it Cost's.... so THATS always GOOD..... im a Lucky man...

1/2 Hour ish and FINAL brass is Cleaned..... stuff is REALLY pretty when done..... BLING BLING baby

Anyways... thanks again Guys....

This is my initial Setup area... yes thats an RC plane in the Pic.... Moving my Rc stuff ta make room for reloading.... I have a den and bedroom for my STUFFS..errr Toys... someday Ill post those as well.....

Time ta get back to LEARNING.....

Oh Dont worry.. the BEER is a JOKE in My Pics.... only my... errr.welll......LOL...... Loading Tomorrow will be BEER FREE DAY...LOL

 

[BHarada]

Read the setup instructions for the dies carefully the first time you run them. The factory setup may not be perfect, but it'll get you in the general ball park without doing any damage to cases or dies. haha

 

[stavman11]

Read the setup instructions for the dies carefully the first time you run them. The factory setup may not be perfect, but it'll get you in the general ball park without doing any damage to cases or dies. haha

Ya Already re-did the De-prime die, seemed a bit sloppy.. If that makes sense.....and getting the case Loader to go without fail was fun, got a shell, well kinda STUCK in de-prime die, so am taking my TIME from now on...... just did 20 cases in auto feeder and no Hiccup...... just started playing with Primer feeder.... Primers are a BI@CH.... they wanna jump EVERYWHERE...LOL.....

Next is to PLAY with Powder Die Tomorrow...., just kinda Playing and testing Now.....

Fun Times for sure....

 

[oneyeopn]

I can tell you are an excited happy man....You will find a lot of pleasure and pride in shooting something that you built, Plus the consistency and accuracy possible are out of this world.

 

[Gomizzou1954]

Just a suggestion, I'd start out maybe only loading 10 or so and fire them to make sure you are ok.

 

[stavman11]

Just a suggestion, I'd start out maybe only loading 10 or so and fire them to make sure you are ok.

what I was thinking exactly

maybe do 10-40 maybe a couple different Grains....

Pain ta get GRAINS where I want...... but Im learning.....


Time ta chill...... been 9hrs of learning... im too OLD for This...LOL

 

[gunfighter48]

When I had my last AR about 15 years ago, I reloaded all my own rounds. Quite truthfully I enjoyed reloading, load development, as much as I did shooting. But that's the geek side of me, I love to tinker and you will do a lot of tinkering doing load development!!!!! Another black hole for your "spare money", yea righttttttttttt.

 

[stavman11]

Alrighty Then

All my Brass is Cleaned....
Beer is ON ICE for when im done..
Tested and Tested my Grain counts

Time ta LUBE some Brass and go ta work....

X-Terminator Powder
CCI 400 Primers
Hornaby 55gr FMJ-BT

Right at 23.4 gr on multiple tests....

Gunna do maybe 10 at 1st... BREATH... the do some more...LOL

Wish me luck guys

Stav