The Reloading FAQ

[CJ]

Supposedly it'll be around $300 for press, dies, and tools. Plus a bench to put it all on. If I get it, I'll post up the haul.

Yeah first make sure you have everything, rarely do you get a complete setup at an estate sale.

[71chevellejohn]

Supposedly it'll be around $300 for press, dies, and tools. Plus a bench to put it all on. If I get it, I'll post up the haul.

[CJ]

I was recently informed that a friend of a friend has a reloading setup that he picked up through an estate sale. He's not in to reloading, it was just part of a package deal with some other stuff he bought. I'm going to take a look at it later today to see if I want it.

Is there anything to look for/things to avoid? Anything common that breaks/breaks down?

Thanks in advance.

As long as the powder is sealed you should be fine, Most all reloading equipment is good to go.

[71chevellejohn]

Used reloading equipment

I was recently informed that a friend of a friend has a reloading setup that he picked up through an estate sale. He's not in to reloading, it was just part of a package deal with some other stuff he bought. I'm going to take a look at it later today to see if I want it.

Is there anything to look for/things to avoid? Anything common that breaks/breaks down?

Thanks in advance.
(I know it's kind of vague since I don't even know what brand any of the equipment is)

[71chevellejohn]

On youtube in the vid description it gives a email addy to contact the guy that makes them. Or you can search "CTS case trimmer" on ebay. I looked at "recently completed/sold" and saw multiple calibers available.

[CJ]

As far as a case trimmer goes, are these any good?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4vrMAaLWmk

They go for about $40 on ebay, but there aren't any for sale right now

That's interesting. I might buy one now that I've seen it has such a nice cut. If you can find a cheap trimmer that deburrs also, that's the holy grail. When it comes to prepping rifle brass you have 4 basic stages.

1) resize
2) trim
3) deburr inside
4) deburr outside

If you can take 2-3 out with one tool, that's the way to go. I just wonder how long it will cut the cleanly, when it dulls down I expect it will start to fan the edges. I like that it apparently runs in a drill and you can hand hold the cases. For large volumes having another person trimming is the way to go.

[71chevellejohn]

As far as a case trimmer goes, are these any good?

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4vrMAaLWmk[/ame]


They go for about $40 on ebay, but there aren't any for sale right now

[Bassics]

You Must have

Press, dies, calipers, scale, headspace gauge, lube, a way to cut the brass down to length, and a way to clean range brass if not buying new.

If you buy brass from places you can buy it processed, That will add 13-15cents per round vs range pickups and doing it yourself.

If im forgetting something please chime in.

I am posting for bottle neck rifle cases. Handgun is alot less tedious as far as case prep.

A bullet tray is one thing people tend to leave out. Just for the convenience and safety. A primer pocket tool and chamfer tool are generally something you'll want that may or may not come in a kit. If you can get carbide dies then do so.

for a cheapie though, i loaded many many 38 & 357 rounds with a wooden hammer and a lee loader, and nothing else. And generally was pleased. I had a pretty good system going that overall matched a smooth but not too fast single stage operation, and I often did it on a bench at the range.

Speaking of that, if you will mount a powder drop and single stage to a board, grab some big c-clamps from harbor freight, and set it up on the tailgate or shooting bench at your choice of venues, you can safely knock out some load tests on the spot. In your load room just clamp it to your workbench and leave it most of the time. It has the advantage of letting you easily take it all down when you need the bench cleared for other work.

[GSXRK5]

Congrats! (no sarcasm)

Haha thanks! And just got done going through them! Not one problem. Thanks C.J. For putting up with all the questions! Going to load a few hundred more this week!

[ceyko]

Congrats! (no sarcasm)

[GSXRK5]

My first batch of rounds. Going to the range tomorrow!

[ThreeFingerPete]

I can load them for 5 times cheaper than 20 cents a round. You can't reload them not because of the steel, but because of the primers flash holes. Next time I reload a bunch of .223 I'll invite you over for slave labor and in turn you can learn everything you need to know.

Oooh, OOoooh, Me next.

[Homemade]

So I was looking at buying a Lee hand press because I need a mobile setup and I wont be doing any real volume to speak of. My goal is to prep the 1500+ .223 cases that I have, first, then to load them in 50-100rd batches as I learn the mystical art of reloading. I am confused though, my bro-n-law has a Dillon progressive loader and he takes his tubbled brass straight to the press. After a little reading it sounds like its necessary to resize and decap , trim, camfur/de-bur, and clean the primer pocket on every load. Is that all necessary or how does he get away with not doing all that?

[AnthonyS]

I'm gonna buy a Lee single stage press kit for about $104. Comes with everything needed to start supposedly. Then after that I'm gonna be watching YouTube videos left and right to make sure I got it down right.

There is a guy posting by the name iraqwarvet on YouTube that uses the Lee kit.

His videos are pretty good.

I'm reading the ABCs of reloading right now and then I'm going to make my purchases.

I'm torn between the less expensive Lee kit, the RCBS rock chucker kit, and the Lyman single stage kit right now. $100 for something that will work or $300 for something that will probably last a lifetime with a better scale and powder measure.

I'm also torn between piecing everything together off of fleabay too starting with a Lee Classic Cast press, since it isn't offered in any kit.

[GSXRK5]

I'm gonna buy a Lee single stage press kit for about $104. Comes with everything needed to start supposedly. Then after that I'm gonna be watching YouTube videos left and right to make sure I got it down right.