Beginning reload setup for 223/556

[wdeister08]

Leaning Turret press since it gives me the opportunity to crank out the cheaper practice stuff at a faster rate, and also take my time to learn and spend time on the more precision loads.

What would I need to get going initially for this caliber? Also, what press would you guys recommend?

 

[Mosinitis]

Start with a single stage press, keep it simple and easy to keep track of the process. Forster Co-Ax is the best single stage. RCBS Rockchucker is very popular as well.

 

[thegatman]

If you are reloading range brass, keep an eye out for Boxer primed brass. Your deprimer pin will break.

 

[Darth]

If you are reloading range brass, keep an eye out for Boxer primed brass. Your deprimer pin will break.

Berdan primed breaks the pins. Boxer is the good stuff.

 

[kev74]

You'll need a press, dies, case trimmer, priming system, a scale, calipers and a reloading book.

On the want list: a powder measure, bullet puller, tumbler, and more loading books. A primer pocket swager comes in really handy for getting rid of the crimp on .223/5.56 brass.

 

[Mosinitis]

You'll need a press, dies, case trimmer, priming system, a scale, calipers and a reloading book.

On the want list: a powder measure, bullet puller, tumbler, and more loading books. A primer pocket swager comes in really handy for getting rid of the crimp on .223/5.56 brass.

Shhh.......... Don't scare him off. Let him invest in a press first and be at a point of no return.

 

[kev74]

If he goes with Lee, he can be up and running for $150 or so, less if he shops for deals. Not a huge investment.

 

[Mosinitis]

If he goes with Lee, he can be up and running for $150 or so, less if he shops for deals. Not a huge investment.

He will not enjoy it with poor quality reloading tools. Sooner or later it will catch up, good reloading tools last a lifetime.

 

[kev74]

He will not enjoy it with poor quality reloading tools. Sooner or later it will catch up, good reloading tools last a lifetime.

That's an ill informed opinion. Have you ever used Lee presses or dies?

I've been using the same Lee single stage press (purchased used) for almost 10 years and it still does it job. With that press and lee dies (and a bit of care and attention to detail), I can make ammo that will consistently shoot sub-MOA out of my ARs. I don't know what else you need to start out with.

Not everyone needs to invest in Redding or Forster, especially to start out with. About a year ago I picked up a Rockchucker and an RCBS powder measure. So far, I like my Lee powder measure better (it meters stick powder more consistently) and I'm happy enough with the Lee press that the Rockchucker is still sitting on a shelf under the bench - I haven't gotten around to mounting it on the bench. Lee's dies are good quality and an excellent value. I'm as happy with Lee dies as I am with RCBS.

 

[Mosinitis]

That's an ill informed opinion. Have you ever used Lee presses or dies?

I've been using the same Lee single stage press (purchased used) for almost 10 years and it still does it job. With that press and lee dies (and a bit of care and attention to detail), I can make ammo that will consistently shoot sub-MOA out of my ARs. I don't know what else you need to start out with.

Not everyone needs to invest in Redding or Forster, especially to start out with. About a year ago I picked up a Rockchucker and an RCBS powder measure. So far, I like my Lee powder measure better (it meters stick powder more consistently) and I'm happy enough with the Lee press that the Rockchucker is still sitting on a shelf under the bench - I haven't gotten around to mounting it on the bench. Lee's dies are good quality and an excellent value. I'm as happy with Lee dies as I am with RCBS.

I have plenty of Lee products. Sub-par quality and shitty materials, mostly pot metal. They will do the job, but they will break sooner or later, depending on how much you use them. Buy once, cry once.

 

[Acer-m14]

the OP is looking to make it faster i do believe in his post .. the cheap lee 3 or 4 hole progressive turrett if you call it that , you will need a stock of spare parts to keep it running .. plastic guides wear out and it wont index right ..

for precision loads i would go for a RCBS or Redding single stage .. one step at a time .. long and slow process .. but that's precision ..

 

[Mosinitis]

You can go a little faster with Forster Co-Ax than other single stage presses. Cases don't need to be inserted into shell holder and die changes are a snap.
It also has several other advantages. It's much more expensive, but well worth it. I love that press.

 

[Acer-m14]

BTW ... OP ... you won't save $$$ reloading .. you just end up shooting more .. heheheee . but the time spent making your own alone or with friends is priceless ..

[ photo of friends wife in hot tub while we are reloading some 300 blackout ] ... LOL .. BTW she was covered in bubbles .. i put bubble bath in it LOL ..

 

[togmaster]

Look into the Dillon 550. It's manually progressive and you can go as slow as you like for precision stuff and still be able to crank out a decent volume if you like.

 

[JamieZ]

I have a Lee press, Lee dies and RCBS dies. Been reloading with it for approximentally 20 years. Ive broke depriming pins but thats it. Ive reloaded thousands of 223 rounds, 1000 6.8 rounds and a few hundred 204 rounds. Its a single stage Lee press and Ive never had a problem with it,,,,,,,,,so to me,,that bullshit about sub par quality might pertain to some Lee products but not to the Lee Classic press. Its an excellent press. Lee Classic Cast Single Stage Press - MPN: 90998

 

[Calculon]

BTW ... OP ... you won't save $$$ reloading .. you just end up shooting more .. heheheee . but the time spent making your own alone or with friends is priceless ..

[ photo of friends wife in hot tub while we are reloading some 300 blackout ] ... LOL .. BTW she was covered in bubbles .. i put bubble bath in it LOL ..

Ummm - picture?

 

[MoMan]

Another vote for the Lee Turret press here. I have a Lee 4 hole Turret press that has cranked out well over 15,000 rounds (NO exaggeration here!!) of handgun ammo. I use it to reload everything from .380 up to and including 45lc. The only thing that I have had to replace so far was a plastic indexing rod ratchet (cost all of $.50/ea.). when I needed replaced mine I ordered 2 extras so I'd have another when needed... Haven't had to replace it a 2nd time yet.
My Son also has the same press, he loads everything up to 50AE with his and probably has close to the same 15,000 rounds as I do. He hasn't had to replace anything on his. We shoot a lot, and neither of us has any issues with our presses, they just work. I prefer to prime off press, which allows me to have a bunch of brass ready to load, and go. I can run 300 round/hr out of my Turret press. I know the progressives will run quicker than that, but for me I don't need anything quicker. I'm happy with my Lee equipment, and have no reason to change.

 

[Mosinitis]

If they make do with shitty gear the others should as well. I drove an old beat up car for a number of years in my younger days and it got me where I was going, doesn't mean I would recommend this to others. Just for the record I reloaded over 70,000 rounds of .223 over the last 20 years.
Tools made of sub-par materials will wear and break.

 

[JamieZ]

So many things to say but I would be acting just as uneducated,,,,,,,,,write something 10 times, only to erase it. Just whack my forehead and move on.........

 

[Gardnaaa]

Not sure where you are but bulletguy sells reloading stuff and could help point you in the right direction. In a couple of months I'll be looking to purchase a Dillon XL650. Never reloaded anything, but for me buy once cry once.

 

[meketrefe]

I think an old RCBS piggy back allows you to do that and in the end everyone needs a decent single stage press.
If you are not going to do large calibers then you can do with a modest single stage press.
I think it gives more leverage than the turret as one of the advantages of the turret is to have thing pre setup
but then the plates are very expensive.
I know some folks have reamed and retapped the turret plates so they can use the hornady lock and load
or lee breach lock bushing system that makes it more affordable and can mix and match preset dies.
Start small with the basics and then you can grow on this. There are many ways to skin a cat.
A big % of a job well done is brass preparation that is key. For this a turret will not help you neiter.
Lee progressive sucks in terms of teh primer but it might be a good way to start depriming
and sizing and getting the 1st stage of preparation faster, just like the piggy back.

for this the key is having a case feeder system to go faster through that process.

So here charging and priming that are the biggest issues with lee are not so critical.

For charing one can always resort to the Hornady case activated auto charger that is as good as the RCBS but cheaper.

again, so many ways to skin a cat.

 

[Eddie Gunks]

Buy fully processed brass. I do. Saves time. Makes it easier and fun. And gives more time to shoot!

 

[682SuperSport]

I started off with a Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit and still don't regret making that choice. Slower than other processes but when learning it allows you to take your time understand each step and make pretty precise ammo. I got my kit brand new in the box by watching craigslist and it also came with 3 sets up dies also new in the box. Keep an eye on craigslist, you may have to wait a little but I paid less than half the price of what even the best deals online are for all the equipment I got. The Forster Co-ax are also highly regarded as accurate and durable presses.