Getting into med range shooting

Will this die set be good for a beginner?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00BHPTDU0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1491431876&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=redding+dies+223

Oops - looks like it includes a seater

LC brass from Kaleo

I have an old Lee turret press my friend is letting me borrow.  He also let me borrow his Lee C press

Looking at Hornady autocharge with straw mod

Varget powder

Cci 400 primers

Sierra tmk probably 69 grain

Getting a bench this weekend

I'm still reading about the things I need - books, pullers, trimmers, swages, calipers, etc

A coworker will have her husband give me 1-2 hour lesson

4/9/17 update
My coworker's husband is a heavy equip mechanic that used to shoot service rifle matches at Puuloa so he was very helpful.

He had a lot of Redding containers/boxes in his drawers.  He also uses the Redding dies that I was I looking at.  Because he uses a semi, he uses the full length sizing die and crimps the neck.
He liked the micrometer on the seating die.  He said the micrometer isn't necessary but makes things easier.  I think I'll get the same set since I plan to later get a semi.  The hornady auto charge will have to wait....

He also had a device that would trim the diameter of the neck to help make it more concentric.

He had an rcbs electronic powder dispenser....I think those are $250 or so.  Nice!

He even had an annealing machine.  My coworker said he could do my cases

I got my bench today too.   

It was a good day....at least till I looked at my cart in amazon :-)

The redding die set you have in mind is good to go, it helps when you have a micrometer type adjustable seating die.

The one thing I would consider replacing when you get around to it is the Lee Turret Press. I am sure I am going to get blasted for this. LOL I have the Lee Turret Press. While I feel it is okay for casual, plinking and making all around pistol ammunition, I think if you are going to spend the big bucks on the National Match Redding dies you should consider buying a good single stage press. It seems pretty extreme to get this set of dies for a beginner so I am assuming you want to make precision ammunition. The Lee turret press has some play in the turret. In other words, when sizing the brass and seating the bullet the turret moves slightly during these procedures. For ammo used for non competition this is fine. Obviously, you chose the very fine Redding dies when you could have just as easily purchased Lee dies or other less expensive dies. This is the basis for my suggestion. Otherwise if I am not correct about this then why not just buy less expensive dies?

Anyway, I love my Lee turret press for what it is. I can make 300 - 400 rounds an hour of straight wall pistol ammo with it. It is good enough for my type of shooting. But I use my RCBS Rock Chucker single stage press to make my rifle ammunition. This is just my preference as I am not trying to tell you what to do, just making some suggestions.

Good luck with your new project. 

You shooting a bolt gun or semi?

That's a great die set. Like inspector says, if you're spending the bucks for those dies, and your intent is to make the most accurate ammo possible, then you should get a better press as well. I use the Lee dies on my single stage press and it shoots sub MOA through my AR and Bolt Gun. Never shot them beyond 100 yards so don't know how they'd do farther out.


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Hi Dave/Mike
Thank you for your advice!  I will look for a better press and look into the rock chucker. 

(My friend and I got the Lee years ago when we were newer.  He now uses a Dillon I sold him a few years ago for about $50.  Because of a reloading incident, I never used either of the presses.

He now uses the Dillon to make ammo for the shooting sports fair with the hra folks.  He is so busy with being an RO with HRA and LIFE that he actually doesn't shoot that much)

My other friend just started a few months ago and wants to try long range shooting.

Hi Oldfart,
I recently picked up a cheapy ruger predator 223 bolt rifle.   

Later may build a precision AR if my friend is still into long range shooting.   But they cost a bit and my 2nd kid will be going to college in 2018-2019......so that toy is a bit down the road.

I guess if you can afford it, get the expensive match dies then later upgrade the press. I use the $30 Lee dies and haven't had the urge yet to upgrade to a micrometer, yet...

Oldfart's loading system is impressive. I doubt I'll ever get to that level.

read good stuff about those dies but I dont want to spend that much $$.
I can buy a new single stage and a set of Lee dies with that cost...then again I am Chinese

Bolt gun shooters like to neck size for better accuracy.
That expensive Redding set says it's a full length size.
So the case might be loose goosey in your gun which may cause a decrease in accuracy.
Theoretically anyway.
Also that die set comes with a taper crimper which may not be a good thing in your case.

Seems like that die set is designed for semi auto rifles.
I never loaded 223 for a bolt gun so I'm just extrapolating my experiences.

I'll throw my $.02 in. $210 too pricey for a die set which has dies you may or may not use. Will you use the crimp die? I never crimp 223, I set neck tension to .003" and never had a set back. --- To full length size, bump shoulders, neck size is all personal preference. I bump shoulders and neck size seperately. I use a Redding body die to bump the shoulders back ($30ish), a Lee collet die to size the necks ( I have the 4 die set) and a Forster Bench Rest seating die ($50ish). You could upgrade to the Forster Ultimate Seating Die is you seat to .0005". I didn't feel the need to seat to that tolerance.

I decent single stage press and the Lee 4 die set can produce very good ammo for that $210. My friend loads on the Lee turret press and shoots sub MOA at 100y.

Thanks guys for all the feedback!

Since we are just starting it may be more prudent  to start with more cost effective components and later move to better equipment as we get better.

I think I need to watch some mores reloading videos to better educate myself

I was just watching a video of a Forster co-ax press and learned quite a bit.

 

you'd be surprised at what a set of Lee dies and press can do.

you'd be surprised at what a set of Lee dies and press can do.

...
This is true.
If push comes to shove, You can reload surprisingly wonderful ammo without any press at all.
Not fast or easy, but quite possible.
Remember the old saying......it's not the tool, ...etc

Thanks guys for all the feedback!

Since we are just starting it may be more prudent  to start with more cost effective components and later move to better equipment as we get better.

I think I need to watch some mores reloading videos to better educate myself

I was just watching a video of a Forster co-ax press and learned quite a bit.

You can always bequeath the old dies to someone here.

Elvis Ammo and Fortune Cookie are big youtube reloaders but I can't stand their accent. My favorite is Johnny's Reloading Bench. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ7ZytKrmCQnRp9LXXxinJQ

Thanks guys for all the info and advice!

I'll stay with the Lee turret for now.  I'll keep learning about reloading and what dies to get.

Tnx again!

Thanks guys for all the info and advice!

I'll stay with the Lee turret for now.  I'll keep learning about reloading and what dies to get.

Tnx again!

I think that is a good decision for right now. You can make some very fine ammo with the turret press and Lee dies. When you decide that you want to get into competition then you might want to consider getting the micrometer die sets and a more precision press. Also, you can use the turret press like a single stage press for things like just decapping or just swaging primer pockets or using a collet bullet puller etc.

Here's some essential tools you'll need. RCBS is the highest quality, Lyman in the middle, and Lee at the bottom but they all do the same thing, so it's debatable if one is better than the other.

https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Anniversary-Challenger-Kit/dp/B00162RM3E or https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Classic-Turret-Press/dp/B008M5TSCG
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SEZ5PG/ Lee Precision Pacesetter Dies .223
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063IDE6A/ RCBS Trim Mate Military Crimp Remover-SM
https://www.amazon.com/Frankford-Arsenal-672060-Electronic-Caliper/dp/B0018E9FVC/
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004MCMCYE/ Lyman Case Prep Multi Tool
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GU6ZVC/ Hornady Powder Trickler
https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Power-Quick-Trim-Adapter/dp/B00MHZO6MY
https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-223-Gauge-Holder/dp/B000LC2348
https://www.amazon.com/Hornady-99240-Handbook-10Th-Edition/dp/B01MAUZ71V

Optional but I think it helps.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002SF2ZXU/ Lee Precision Decapping Die
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001B7ZB4Q/ Quick-n-EZ Impact Bullet Puller
https://www.amazon.com/Lyman-Products-Small-Rifle-Checker/dp/B00URUE85G
https://www.amazon.com/MTM-Round-Rifle-Ammo-5-56x45/dp/B004XLA4A8
https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Powder-Measure-Kit/dp/B000N8OIE8

I should mention that most of this is available at WGS but they're only open on weekends now, AFAIK.

Thanks RK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As long as my ammo and gun shoots MOM I'm happy!