What will I need for reloading?

[TripleDigitRide]

I've never reloaded. I've never watched anyone reload. I know almost nothing bout reloading. I do plan on taking a TGO member or two up on their offers to show me the ropes, but I'd like to get an idea of what I'll need.

 

Being that I'm in the middle of this 300 Blackout build, reloading for this caliber is my main immediate concern. Other calibers of concern will be mostly .223/5.56 and .40 S&W.

 

What will I need? If it's not too much trouble, specifics (brands, types, models, etc.) would be most helpful. Also, items to avoid may also come in handy, too.

 

Thank you in advance.

[mikegideon]

I'm a huge fan of the Lee Classic 4 hole turret press. I load blackout, 223, and 45 ACP on it. There's a lot of stuff to get. Dolomite has a good list floating around.

[TripleDigitRide]

I'm a huge fan of the Lee Classic 4 hole turret press. I load blackout, 223, and 45 ACP on it. There's a lot of stuff to get. Dolomite has a good list floating around.

Would you recommend buying just the press, or the "kit"? I'd rather not buy a kit, if it comes with a bunch of junk that I'll need to immediately replace.

Edited December 1, 2013 by TripleDigitRide

[TripleDigitRide]

Is this the one you are talking about?

 

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Classic-Turret-Press/dp/B003BWTF1E

[orientalexpress]

I have a 4 hole turret and if I had knew any better I would have bought something else. The turret itself has a little bit of play in it. Sometimes it can make a difference in adjusting your dies. Also the auto indexing linkage is garbage. I didn't know anything about the press and as soon as I unboxed it I could tell the plastic indexing parts wouldn't last. I immediately removed it and I turn the turret by hand. Just food for thought. Edited December 1, 2013 by orientalexpress

[TripleDigitRide]

I have a 4 hole turret and if I had knew any better I would have bought something else. The turret itself has a little bit of play in it. Sometimes it can make a difference in adjusting your dies. Also the auto indexing linkage is garbage. I didn't know anything about the press and as soon as I inboxed it I could tell the plastic indexing parts wouldn't last. I immediately removed it and I turn the turret by hand. Just food for thought.

So, your recommendation would be to buy a different press, or turn this one by hand? 

[TripleDigitRide]

Is this Dillon press their version of the Lee 4 hole press?

 

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/catid/1/pid/25792/?viewImg=0

[orientalexpress]

Well both. If you must buy a lee turret Id probably turn it by hand. Or just use the indexing until it breaks. To be honest I bought mine because it was the cheapest one out there. Don't get me wrong it works I just wish I had bought an rcbs or something. Even though they're 2-3xs as much.

[orientalexpress]

Also one of the things I do with the auto indexing disabled, is that if I run out of a component (ie bullets, powder, etc.) without realizing in low. I can go ahead and resize and prime a bunch of brass essentially using it as a single stage. Edited December 1, 2013 by orientalexpress

[Dolomite_supafly]

Midway usa is about the best price when you take into account the discounts they give on big orders. They always have coupon codes available. Sometimes it is 10% on $100 and I have even seen them give 20% on $500.
I am making the list as though cost is the primary concern and not the time it takes to reload. It is going to be slow going but it isn't that bad. You will probably be able to load a round a minute.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/540522/lee-perfect-powder-measure
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/175512/frankford-arsenal-ds-750-electronic-powder-scale-750-grain-capacity
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/118739/lyman-electronic-scale-powder-funnel-pan
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/417494/hornady-electronic-caliper-6-stainless-steel
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/136199/lee-case-trimmer-cutter-with-ball-grip
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/518134/lee-case-length-gage-and-shellholder-300-aac-blackout
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/261325/rcbs-ar-series-small-base-2-die-set-with-taper-crimp-300-aac-blackout-762x35mm

The only thing I would replace on the list to make it a better list is the Lee Perfect Powder Measure. It isn't bad but because it is all plastic it doesn't exude a lot of confidence. I used one for about 2 years and it worked great but I have since replaced it with a RCBS version.

For presses I would get one of these two. They are about as low as I would go for quality reasons:
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/824144/lee-classic-cast-breech-lock-single-stage-press
or
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/814175/lee-classic-4-hole-turret-press

The difference between the two isn't speed but ease of keeping everything together. With the single stage you have to replace the dies when you switch operations. With the turret each die is preloaded into one of 4 holes. All you do is turn the plate 1/4 turn and you are ready for the next operation. You can also set it up so it automatically rotates so after you pull the handle 4 times a loaded round is done.

For making brass I would STRONGLY suggest buying these:
A Harbor Freight mini shop saw.
http://www.harborfreight.com/bench-top-cut-off-saw-42307.html
And one of these tools:
http://www.300blktalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=179&t=80842
Bascailly the second part replaces the vice on the mini chop saw. It can be adjusted so you can easily make brass that needs very little, if any, trimming. You can easily turn out 10 cases a minute if you get into a groove. It is also a lot safer than trying to cut the cases off using just the vice. Without these making brass can be very, very slow and frustrating. The 223 cases MUST be cust off at the shoulder before sizing and trimming. It can be done without the tools but you will get frustrated, trust me.

After trimming you must remove some of the flash left on the case mouth. It is on the inside and outside. For the inside you can use a standard countersink bit that is like $2 at any hardware store. For the outside some people who use scotchbrite pads and they work. Might try that to see how you like it before buying this tool.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/211588/lyman-outside-chamfer-and-deburring-tool
The countersink can also be used to remove the primer crimp from military brass.

There is no need to tumble cases to clean them. You can wash them and get them clean enough. I use Lemishine mixed wtih hot water and let them soak for 24 hours. Then I rinse them off a few times and let them air dry for a few days. Lemishine is nothing more than a lemon based cleaner. It can be found at Walmart for like $2 and it will last a very long time. You MUST clean any brass that has hit the ground. All it takes is a single piece of sand to ruin as set of dies.

Do you by chance have a treadmill? If you do I will explain a cheap and easy way to tumble.

For case lube do this:
http://www.tngunowners.com/forums/topic/48415-case-lube-for-cheap/
Then use a rag to wipe them down after they are sized.

That should be everything you need to load except powder, primers and bullets.

 

If you plan on shooting cast you need to bell the cases and Lee makes a universal die to do it.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/140461/lee-universal-neck-expanding-die

[mikegideon]

Is this the one you are talking about?

 

http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Classic-Turret-Press/dp/B003BWTF1E

 

Yes! They have two different ones. That's the better one

[mikegideon]

One correction, Gordon. The turret press is auto indexing, so you don't have to turn the plate like you do with most turret presses.

 

[media] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDfOO2j0zYI [/media]

[mikegideon]

Note that you can defeat the auto indexing feature by removing the bar. The main advantage of the turret over single stage is that you're not taking the case off the press for every stage. I still load some stuff single stage if I'm going for real high quality. It's just a lot slower, and not necessary for most stuff.

[enfield]

I bought an RCBS Rockchucker kit 30 years ago and have never needed anything faster or better. All of the kit components are high quality and things you really need. You'll also need a tumbler, a case trimmer, a stuck case remover and a bullet puller, in addition to dies for each caliber. I own both RCBS and Hornady dies and both are high-quality.

[mikegideon]

Well both. If you must buy a lee turret Id probably turn it by hand. Or just use the indexing until it breaks. To be honest I bought mine because it was the cheapest one out there. Don't get me wrong it works I just wish I had bought an rcbs or something. Even though they're 2-3xs as much.

 

I've loaded a few thousand, and it hasn't broken yet. They send a spare of the little square part that wears out.

[TripleDigitRide]

Yes! They have two different ones. That's the better one

According to Lee, the 4 hole is better for handgun only, and the Classic is for both handgun and rifle.

[Dolomite_supafly]

One correction, Gordon. The turret press is auto indexing, so you don't have to turn the plate like you do with most turret presses.

 

 

Pretty sure I mentioned that.

 

The difference between the two isn't speed but ease of keeping everything together. With the single stage you have to replace the dies when you switch operations. With the turret each die is preloaded into one of 4 holes. All you do is turn the plate 1/4 turn and you are ready for the next operation. You can also set it up so it automatically rotates so after you pull the handle 4 times a loaded round is done.
 

Edited December 1, 2013 by Dolomite_supafly

[mikegideon]

Is this Dillon press their version of the Lee 4 hole press?

 

http://www.dillonprecision.com/#/content/p/9/catid/1/pid/25792/?viewImg=0

 

Nope. That's a progressive, that doesn't auto index. Dillon presses are great, especially if you go up to the 650. 

[mikegideon]

Pretty sure I mentioned that.

 

I didn't read far enough. 

[Hozzie]

I am not a Lee fan myself (and I have used them).  I think any beginner should start with a single stage press and go from there.  You will always need a single stage in my opinion.

 

I think the best qulaity to value right now is the RCBS Rockchucker Supreme kit.  It's on sale at midway.  Add a set of RCBS dies and get the $50 back from RCBS.  You will need more, but it will get you the basics and get you off to a good start.

 

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/937051/rcbs-rock-chucker-supreme-master-single-stage-press-kit

 

Or add this to it and get the $50 off with rebate.  I like having a separate stand for my powder measure.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/125792/rcbs-advanced-powder-measure-stand

Edited December 1, 2013 by Hozzie

[TripleDigitRide]

Gordon, the die set you posted has only 2 dies. Will I not need 4?

[mikegideon]

According to Lee, the 4 hole is better for handgun only, and the Classic is for both handgun and rifle.

 

I don't know. I have a friend loading rifle on the regular 4 hole. He's just loading 223. The classic is just a better press.

[Dolomite_supafly]

I didn't read far enough. 

:)

 

I am the worst for doing that as well.

[Dolomite_supafly]

You do not need 4.

 

All you need is a sizing die and a seater die if you plan on dropping the powder yourself or run the turret as a single stage.

 

If I were setting it up I would do this.

 

Hole 1: Sizing die

Hole 2: universal rifle chargin die with powder measure

Hole 3: Seater die

 

Or if I am shooting cast it would be:

Hole 1: Sizing die

Hole 2: Universal neck expanding die

Hole 3: Universal rifle charging die with powder measure

Hole 4: Seater die.

 

Or if you want to drop you own powder

Hole 1: Sizing die

Hole 2: Empty (drop your powder then drop the powder into a funnel on top of the case

Hole 3: Seater die

Hole 4: empty

[Dolomite_supafly]

This:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/652922/lee-universal-charging-die

will screw into this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/652922/lee-universal-charging-die

And this will screw into your turret plate.

 

And it will automatically charge your case with powder when the handle is raised.

 

I would recommend this:

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/150005/lee-auto-disk-adjustable-powder-charge-bar

To make adjustments easier and more tuneable.

Edited December 1, 2013 by Dolomite_supafly