any suggestions on a budget reloading press for .223 ammo and where to purchase one - new or used - thank you in advance for the help

any suggestions on a budget reloading press for .223 ammo and where to purchase one - new or used - thank you in advance for the help

Are you looking for just a press? Or do you need all the other things that go along with it such as a scale, small handtools, reloading manual, etc.? Lee makes a good single stage press and a beginners kit with the same press in it. I prefer RCBS equipment over Lee in most areas and they offer similar products at a little higher price.

I bought the RCBS Rock Chucker Press KIt awhile back from Midway. I took advantage of the RCBS rebate and got $50 off plus bought it on sale. Highly recommended! Started out reloading .223. Of course added a few items along the way but super happy with the kit.

just starting out so i will need to get a ton of stuff, trimmer, brass tumbler, etc - i was considering a lee single stage press kit for .223 - or a budget 2nd hand progressive press.  im trying to reload the most inexpensive way i can

just starting out so i will need to get a ton of stuff, trimmer, brass tumbler, etc - i was considering a lee single stage press kit for .223 - or a budget 2nd hand progressive press.  im trying to reload the most inexpensive way i can

Trimmer I bought Lee (looking into a Giraud), Tumbler went with Frankford Arsenal, Trickler Redding, Dies Lee, etc....You will soon find out that reloading is a hobby in itself. It can get costly if you let it, Many helpful people on this site. Good luck, have fun and most of all be safe.

There's a few threads started about loading .223/5.56. IMO i would suggest buying a kit ,as opposed to ala carte, if you have nothing. Things like scales, loading blocks, funnels, powder dropper and most important a loading manual usually comes with a kit.

 

The Lee challenger kits are an inexpensive way to get started. You can produce accurate ammo with the Lee press and upgrade to better accessories over time. Even if you upgrade to a better press later, the single stage will have a place on your loading bench.  I reload on a Dillon but still use my Lee single stage for decapping all my brass with a universal decapping die. Then I wet tumble using stainless media.
My Lee press gets filthy but my Dillon stays really clean. 


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Start with a bench mounted single stage rather than the hand press.
Personally I like the hand press but beginners need a decent single stage press to learn on.
If you pursue the hobby further, you will end up with a progressive-something at some point in time.
But you will always need a single for doing little stuff or oddball jobs.
I do have that standing invitation for a quick overview for newbies who don't already have a buddy that loads.
A number of people here on this forum got their first step at my house.

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Here is a shopping list that I posted from an old thread:

Press/dies/shell holder
Sturdy/heavy table or bench. There are both downward and upward forces
Analog or digital calipers
small tumbler+media+polish for nice shiny ammo
reusable ammo boxes are good to have
acetone based carb or brake cleaner (Johnsens non-chlorinated brake cleaner)
some sort of case lube
brass-powder-primers-heads obviously
primer pocket chamfering tool if using mil brass
Digital powder scale (these are cheap nowdays)
A mesh fishing/diving bag to separate the brass from the grit (unless your tumbler comes with a separator already)
plastic bucket to catch the grit
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Trimmer device for rifle stuff
Case mouth chamfer tool

thank you for the feedback OF! 

Agree about single stage presses. I just bought my 4th the other day. Yeah I've been bit by the bug.

I would add a bullet puller to the list. When I first started reloading, I used mine quite a bit due to inexperience. I don;t use it much now but still is a good tool to have on hand. I have the RCBS collet puller/ good tool.

Yo Everyone!

Thank you for your suggestions,comments, and wisdoms - just ordered a lee 4 turret press deluxe kit from Midway - hoping to save a few bucks making my own!  hope i dont screw up too much costing more to reload than buying packaged goods from the store.

Aloha

Be careful and methodical in your loads. Stay safe and work up slowly.  Have fun.

Absolutely!  Thank you!

Ask questions if not sure. A lot of helpful guys on this forum. Better safe than sorry.


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Ask questions if not sure. A lot of helpful guys on this forum. Better safe than sorry.


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Roger that!  Really not wanting to be a weekend headline!

Yo Everyone!

Thank you for your suggestions,comments, and wisdoms - just ordered a lee 4 turret press deluxe kit from Midway - hoping to save a few bucks making my own!  hope i dont screw up too much costing more to reload than buying packaged goods from the store.

Aloha

That is a good starting kit.  You can use the turret like a single stage at the beginning by removing the indexing rod.  Get extra indexing bushings (the small square rubber piece at the bottom of the index rod).   Would also recommend getting a powder trickler and a stuck case remover kit.
I have the RCBS one which helped me twice after getting stuck in the die.  There will not be a 3rd time for me after that.   No can help, you will end up buying all kinds of accessories later, guarans.
You can go to WGS and ask Henry (or Joe if he's back) to demo the lee turret press for you.  They should have one set up like at the HK store and they will let you reload a few too.   Good luck.

i'm almost ready to begin reloading - any suggestions on where to buy powder, bullets, and primers for .223 - and what powder to begin with using 55 gr projectiles.

thanks guys in advance for the tips and suggestions

i'm almost ready to begin reloading - any suggestions on where to buy powder, bullets, and primers for .223 - and what powder to begin with using 55 gr projectiles.

thanks guys in advance for the tips and suggestions

If you only want to go to one place then I will suggest either X-Ring, Young Guns or WGS. If you want to save a little money I would suggest buying your powder and primers at Security Equipment (SEC) and then going to one of the above mentioned LGS and buy your bullets there. SEC does not carry a lot of bullets. They may have some. In which case you can buy them there. But just in case they don't SEC has the best prices on powder and primers usually.

I prefer H335 for 55gr bullets. But you can also use (in no particular order) CFE223, Varget, BLC-2, IMR3031, IMR4064, IMR8028 XBR, IMR4895, H4895, Winchester 748. There are many others but these I know work for .223 loads. I have used all of these powders for 55gr .223 loads with varying success. Some of the these powders work better than others. For instance the Varget will work better with heavier bullets around 64gr and heavier. Same goes for some of the others I mention here. But all will work. That is what reloading is all about for me. Experimentation to find the best combinations.

Let us know what you come up with?

Thank you for the good info Inspector!  as soon as i make the move ill share - i found a website usreloading.com for bullets which they were selling bullets for $10.38 per 100 with free shipping - ordered a couple hundred bullets - will see how that works out when i get them.

powder and primers looks like one of the shops you mentioned! 

Aloha