reloading press for beginners (Read 43859 times)

dustoff003

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #20 on: May 05, 2016, 06:58:30 PM »
FYI x-ring is getting out of the reloading game they clearanced their inventory months ago, what's left is on top of the display case near the door.


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556fun

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #21 on: May 05, 2016, 07:07:07 PM »
FYI x-ring is getting out of the reloading game they clearanced their inventory months ago, what's left is on top of the display case near the door.


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Thanks for the update!  I gotta go out to Kapolei tomorrow maybe I'll check what they have left! 

Bushido

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #22 on: May 05, 2016, 08:54:03 PM »
FYI x-ring is getting out of the reloading game they clearanced their inventory months ago, what's left is on top of the display case near the door.


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Thanks I may have to take a look see. By the way, I went to Security Equipment the other day and they have a ton of powder in stock. If you're going to be out west, check out Roy's fishing supply for powder and primers

556fun

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #23 on: May 06, 2016, 01:15:01 PM »
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 everyone for your help - went to SEC today got me some H355 not bad $31.55, 300 CCI small rifle primers, WGS for some processed brass, and hornady bullets
now i am waiting on midway for the lee double disk kit to be shipped to me!  hopefully, reloading in a week or 2 - in the meantime more reading of reloading, etc.

Inspector

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #24 on: May 06, 2016, 01:31:02 PM »
Thank you everyone for your help - went to SEC today got me some H355 not bad $31.55, 300 CCI small rifle primers, WGS for some processed brass, and hornady bullets
now i am waiting on midway for the lee double disk kit to be shipped to me!  hopefully, reloading in a week or 2 - in the meantime more reading of reloading, etc.
I think you will like the H335 powder as it a spherical powder which flows smoothly and measures accurately and consistently. Just be aware that as you get into heavier bullets a powder with a different burn rate (Slower) might be a better choice than H335. Also, better bullets will more than likely give you better groups/accuracy.

I use the same Lee powder measure when loading pistol cartridges. I find that it throws very consistently. Especially with spherical and flake powders.
SCIENCE THAT CAN’T BE QUESTIONED IS PROPAGANDA!!!

556fun

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #25 on: May 06, 2016, 06:52:15 PM »
I think you will like the H335 powder as it a spherical powder which flows smoothly and measures accurately and consistently. Just be aware that as you get into heavier bullets a powder with a different burn rate (Slower) might be a better choice than H335. Also, better bullets will more than likely give you better groups/accuracy.

I use the same Lee powder measure when loading pistol cartridges. I find that it throws very consistently. Especially with spherical and flake powders.

started to put my press together and the primer loader is sort of a confusing and a rinky dinky set up and doesn't look so stable and reliable.  Thinking of going to WGS tomorrow and plunk down another 30 or 40 to get a upgraded or hand primer press.  The 4 turret kit looked liked a good deal but having to buy upgrade after upgrade parts,  it feels like I bought everything ala carte!  But I guess it's still cheaper than owning a boat! 

powder monkey

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #26 on: May 06, 2016, 07:27:51 PM »
lee auto prime

Inspector

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #27 on: May 06, 2016, 07:41:34 PM »
lee auto prime
I use the RCBS hand priming tool. I hear the Lee is a good one as well.
SCIENCE THAT CAN’T BE QUESTIONED IS PROPAGANDA!!!

oldfart

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #28 on: May 06, 2016, 09:27:55 PM »
lee auto prime
...
I started with the lee auto prime decades ago. Love it.
Only bad thing is the handle tends to break after a lot of use.
But I always got free replacements.
What, Me Worry?

Bushido

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #29 on: May 07, 2016, 02:08:06 PM »
I prefer hand priming and I think for someone starting out it's the best way to go. You'll be able to feel the pressure better when seating.

I also use the RCBS priming tool


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Inspector

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #30 on: May 07, 2016, 03:11:50 PM »
FYI x-ring is getting out of the reloading game they clearanced their inventory months ago, what's left is on top of the display case near the door.


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Thanks for letting me know. I have not been there for quite a few months. Obviously.  :rofl:

The problem I have is I really have not had much time to go to any LGS including X-Ring. Fortunately, I stocked up on supplies enough to last me at least a year if not two.
SCIENCE THAT CAN’T BE QUESTIONED IS PROPAGANDA!!!

whynow?

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #31 on: May 07, 2016, 06:03:11 PM »
Another RCBS hand priming tool user here for rifle rounds.   Two safety suggestions I always follow is to angle the mounted shell on the tool away from you while pressing in the primer and wear safety glasses while priming.

556fun

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #32 on: May 07, 2016, 06:21:13 PM »
ok, got the my 4 turret press mounted, fitted the deprime/prime die and deprimed about 120 cartridges. i know im suppose to clean and tumble them but, i was originally going to load processed brass which i got from wgs.  but what the heck i was interested (impatient) to see how the press worked. may wash the brass tomorrow with some water softener and dawn soap, dry them, size, deburr and chamfer.  ill probably prime, charge and seat about 20 rounds friday to see how well i did saturday - wanna take it one step at a time.  shoulda bought a single stage press.

 

Bushido

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #33 on: May 08, 2016, 08:24:01 AM »
  ill probably prime, charge and seat about 20 rounds friday to see how well i did saturday - wanna take it one step at a time.  shoulda bought a single stage press.

Did you find the manuals and  load data that you were looking for earlier? Just curious what load you were planning to start out with and what you will be firing them from.

556fun

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #34 on: May 08, 2016, 08:49:46 AM »
Did you find the manuals and  load data that you were looking for earlier? Just curious what load you were planning to start out with and what you will be firing them from.

Yes, I have a modern reloading second edition manual by Richard Lee that came with the Lee kit

Been trying out the deprime die to get a feel of how to deprime and set the die - tried washing brass, case trim using the Lee trim guide, chamfer and deburr tools on about 20 Pcs of brass as practice prior to actual production.

 Im awaiting on digital calipers and a digital scale from harbor freight.  Won't actually load until those items come in.  Also awaiting on a couple extra depriming pins I just ordered since I just busted one! 

I know I'm doing things out of order but I want to understand each step separately before I actually get going!

Heavies

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #35 on: May 08, 2016, 09:08:54 AM »
Yes, I have a modern reloading second edition manual by Richard Lee that came with the Lee kit

Been trying out the deprime die to get a feel of how to deprime and set the die - tried washing brass, case trim using the Lee trim guide, chamfer and deburr tools on about 20 Pcs of brass as practice prior to actual production.

 Im awaiting on digital calipers and a digital scale from harbor freight.  Won't actually load until those items come in.  Also awaiting on a couple extra depriming pins I just ordered since I just busted one! 

I know I'm doing things out of order but I want to understand each step separately before I actually get going!


No way. That is perfect.  The key to successful and safe reloading is attention to detail. You are on the right track!  :thumbsup:

556fun

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #36 on: May 08, 2016, 09:26:55 AM »
No way. That is perfect.  The key to successful and safe reloading is attention to detail. You are on the right track!  :thumbsup:

TY - H

oldfart

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #37 on: May 09, 2016, 11:17:31 AM »
I don't  see any mention of a  choice of die set. Some are more suited  to different purposes and rifles.
What, Me Worry?

556fun

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #38 on: May 09, 2016, 11:20:59 AM »
I don't  see any mention of a  choice of die set. Some are more suited  to different purposes and rifles.

Lee 4 die kit

Next time I'll try the 9mm Rcbs carbide dies

oldfart

Re: reloading press for beginners
« Reply #39 on: May 09, 2016, 11:43:17 AM »
Yes, I have a modern reloading second edition manual by Richard Lee that came with the Lee kit

Been trying out the deprime die to get a feel of how to deprime and set the die - tried washing brass, case trim using the Lee trim guide, chamfer and deburr tools on about 20 Pcs of brass as practice prior to actual production.

 Im awaiting on digital calipers and a digital scale from harbor freight.  Won't actually load until those items come in.  Also awaiting on a couple extra depriming pins I just ordered since I just busted one! 

I know I'm doing things out of order but I want to understand each step separately before I actually get going!
...
The deprime die you mention is the sizer die, isn't it?
What, Me Worry?