I want to get started in reloading. What to get?

[Norsesmithy]

RCBS hand prime uses regular shell holders, and is "nicer" in my hand than the Lee. Not a big deal if you are just reloading one or two types of ammo, but if you get like me, and end up with a stable of milsurp and obsolete guns where cheap blasting ammo is 2+ dollars a round if available at all, you'll like not having to track down the funny custom shell holder simply to load up the 100 or so cases you have in that caliber every once in a blue moon.

[gyrfalcon]

RCBS hand prime uses regular shell holders, and is "nicer" in my hand than the Lee. Not a big deal if you are just reloading one or two types of ammo, but if you get like me, and end up with a stable of milsurp and obsolete guns where cheap blasting ammo is 2+ dollars a round if available at all, you'll like not having to track down the funny custom shell holder simply to load up the 100 or so cases you have in that caliber every once in a blue moon.

To get all the Lee "custom" holders it won't cost you much... I dislike priming by hand so I really can't comment on anything else.

[Scott Notaeh]

To get all the Lee "custom" holders it won't cost you much... I dislike priming by hand so I really can't comment on anything else.

The more I ponder this stuff, the more I wonder if I should drop powder through the expander and prime on the press.

[Norsesmithy]

I am still digging through a mountain of military once fired. The primers are all crimped, so I need to futz with the casings after decapping and before priming, so priming on the press is not practical for me. You might be in a different situation.

[crbutler]

Through the expander die powder charging is in essence what all of the progressive presses do.

I think its probably more work than its worth on a single stage press.

You should get a case or loading block- they make them in a generic type plastic, but you can get them specifically for whatever cartridge you are doing, otherwise there is a lamentable tendency to knock the charged cases over.

I would likely stay away from 70 grain bullets for the .223 at first, stick with a standard weight until you are ready to start customizing to an individual rifle. Bulk 55gr FMJ are cheap.

Also, while companies like Mt. gold are cheap when you buy in quantity, staring out with hornady or speer bullets (with everything spelled out in the manuals) is probably a better starting point- you will have a OAL all ready for you, while Mt Gold or Zero, its a bit of try and see what works in your gun for reliability.

I would get either/or for polishing media, probably just the corncob until you are processing lots of brass. Corncob is better for a fine finish, while walnut is better for taking lots of crud off in a hurry. At first, its easier to just leave the cases in for 4-6 hours than to tumble in walnut, separate, then tumble in corncob.

[Scott Notaeh]

Picked up a tumbler off craigslist today. Had some media in it already. Not even sure what it is but I would guess walnut. Fired it up outside and tumbled the brass I have for a couple hours. Looking good. Forgot the piece of dryer sheet so I will add that to finish them off tomorrow.

Finished off the ABCs of reloading book. Need to add a powder funnel to my list.

[Seismic Sam]

Scott: The magic ingredient in tumbling shells, at least with walnut shells coated with red iron oxide, is cut up a dryer sheet into 4 or 6 pieces and put it in with each load. Eliminates the dust after a few loads, and the cases get shinier quicker. Oh, and buy your own dryer sheets, so you're not stealing out of your wife's stash for the laundry!!

[engnerdan]

If by chance you plan on reloading military once fired brass like 5.56 I would add this tool to your list. After watching my friend spend countless hours cleaning, chamfering and still struggling with 5.56 brass. I could not stand it any longer and did a little research and found this to fix the problem.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?p ... ber=235832

[IKMTU]

The OP you really want to hand prime, that way you have a good sense of seating the primer. This gives you help detecting loose primer pockets.... Get the RCBS, and it only uses RCBS Shell holders due to the bevel cut on base of SH and how it interfaces with the plastic pieces for large and small primer rod. Buy once and cry once.

There is no need to run a vibratory polisher for more then 2-3 hours. Media is cheap. Grainger moved to consolidate locations to one in St. Paul and one in Plymouth. You can get Corn Cob Blasting media 14-20 grit in bulk cheap. No need to use media more the 20-25 hrs. Espeically if the brass is very cruddy. If that bad a liquid bath before tumbling sounds like a better option then hours and hours of running vibratory polisher. Or, better yet get a brass catcher so your brass is not that laiden with crap.

[Norsesmithy]

The OP you really want to hand prime, that way you have a good sense of seating the primer. This gives you help detecting loose primer pockets.... Get the RCBS, and it only uses RCBS Shell holders due to the bevel cut on base of SH and how it interfaces with the plastic pieces for large and small primer rod. Buy once and cry once.

My RCBS hand prime works just fine with my Lee and Hornady shell holders.

[Scott Notaeh]

Started sorting 9mm brass by head stamps. Found some cool berdan primed 9mm to cull out. Tumbled some .223 today too. Book says to measure case wall thickness on rifle cases down near the web. Do folks do this? What about flash hole deburring?

Think I might make some loading blocks out of wood.

[DeanC]

Think I might make some loading blocks out of wood.

I was going to tell you not to waste your time, then I realized you have a drill press.

I just use one of these

[engnerdan]

Started sorting 9mm brass by head stamps. Found some cool berdan primed 9mm to cull out. Tumbled some .223 today too. Book says to measure case wall thickness on rifle cases down near the web. Do folks do this? What about flash hole deburring?

Think I might make some loading blocks out of wood.

Gun stop sells wood trays for about $6 each, they fit the 9mm nicely. If you determine that it is not worth your time.

[DeanC]

Started sorting 9mm brass by head stamps. Found some cool berdan primed 9mm to cull out. Tumbled some .223 today too. Book says to measure case wall thickness on rifle cases down near the web. Do folks do this? What about flash hole deburring?

Think I might make some loading blocks out of wood.

Gun stop sells wood trays for about $6 each, they fit the 9mm nicely. If you determine that it is not worth your time.

John tells the story of a guy who came in looked at those and bitched about the price and said that was like 50¢ worth of wood and he could do a better job. He came back a week later with his hand bandaged up and grudgingly laid his $6 down.

[rugersol]

Started sorting 9mm brass by head stamps. Found some cool berdan primed 9mm to cull out. Tumbled some .223 today too. Book says to measure case wall thickness on rifle cases down near the web. Do folks do this? What about flash hole deburring?

Think I might make some loading blocks out of wood.

Gun stop sells wood trays for about $6 each, they fit the 9mm nicely. If you determine that it is not worth your time.

John tells the story of a guy who came in looked at those and bitched about the price and said that was like 50¢ worth of wood and he could do a better job. He came back a week later with his hand bandaged up and grudgingly laid his $6 down.

Anyone who can't freehand their own loading block w/o drilling their own hands should NOT be attempting to use a reloading press!

Yes, I have a plastic one! ... so?! ... it was like $6!