Reloading basics

[Norman89]

So late to the game as usual, I'm starting to reload finally as ammo has been scarce and I just built a ar for relatively close range (sub 300yards) basic 556/223 upper 16 inch 1/8 twist. I have plenty of brass collected from over the years both 223 and mil spec I have a few thousand cci primers a few thousand 55 gr boat tail seconds from midwest to start the gun off with and a few pounds of varget( all I could find at this time) I'm searching for cfe 223 to try out as well but haven't found any locally. My plan is to shoot 55 or 53 gr Hornady v-max as this will be a coyote hunting rifle that I hope will minimize pelt damage as I'll be harvesting for the fur market. Any input and thoughts from excperienced reloaders and coyote hunters would be much appreciated as im told the learning curve is steep. To be realistic if I can shoot minute and a half I will be satisfied for now until I can upgrade the barrel to somewhere around 18-20 inch and a rifle length gas system and start pushing for a little more velocity and accuracy. If I'm on the right track or not let me know

[h20hunter]

varget is a good powder for that, 55gr 'ers....yup....pick a load mudway between min and max, get a case guage, load up 10, run em.

[wadu1]

I run 24.5 grains of Varget behind a 55gr Hornady in my .223 bolt gun. And as H2O said get a case gauge. If you are using milspec ammo get a primer pocket De-burring tool, they have crimped ln primers. 

[Norman89]

I'll eventually be loading for my 45 acp and my 300wm as well what would you guys recommend for a press setup that would cover those 3 rounds? Is there a preferred die set you guys favor over others? I'm not concerned with production I enjoy the tinkering aspect of building things so I'm fine with a single stage press or maybe a turret style but not looking to empty the bank account on a dillion progressive like my pistol loading buddy's 🤣

[jasnt]

I offer my canned response regarding what a new reloader needs to get started (with my recommendations):

First, read lots of books and manuals:

The ABCs of Reloading
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1440213968
Also available on iTunes

The Beginner's Guide to Reloading Ammunition
http://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Reloading-Ammunition-Apartment/dp/148207379X

Lyman 50th Edition Reloading Manual
http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-50th-Edition-Reloading-Manual/dp/B01N76GD2F

Lee Precision - Modern Reloading
http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Modern-Reloading-Format/dp/B000N8OKAU

And watch videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmith/videos?flow=grid&view=0&sort=da

t=58s

And conduct other research:
http://rcbs.com/Resources/Introduction-to-Handloading/Step-by-Step-Reloading.aspx
http://ultimatereloader.com/

Equipment: Start out with a single-stage press. A single-stage press will force you to focus on each step. You should master each step before you attempt to combine them into a single-pull of the lever. Further, turret and progressive presses add complexity and points of failure that single-stage presses don’t have. You will always have a use for a single-stage press on your reloading bench, and you may find that you never need anything more than a single-stage, so get a good one.

The Bare Minimum:

□ Books & manuals (You can never have too many books and manuals)
□ Reloading press* (Single-stage - RCBS Rock Chucker)
□ Scale* (Balance beam scales; pref. Ohaus, RCBS, Lee, etc.)
□ Priming tool* (Rcbs hand primer)
□ Case lube* (Hornady one shot)
□ Funnel*
□ Calipers ($10 eBay Stainless .001")
□ Shell holders (rcbs)
□ Dies (for the specific cartridges you will be loading)
□good accurate chronograph is a must
□ powder trickler

Near Essentials:

□ Bullet puller (Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Impact Bullet Puller)
□ Primer crimp remover (Lyman)
□ Case trimmer (rcbs trim pro)
□ Chamfer/deburring tool*
□ Case headspace gauge (Hornady)
□ If loading .223/308 for AR platforms: Small base sizing die(s).
Note: If you need them, you need them; regardless, highly recommended, particularly if reloading for semi-autos.

Very Nice to Have:

□ Powder measure*
□ Loading block*
□ Plastic cases for your loaded rounds

Other stuff to make your job easier:

□ Hornady Lock-n-Load bushings (adaptable to many presses)
□ Digital powder measure (RCBS Chargemaster; 1500 or Lite)
□ Brass tumbler (Rotary/wet: Cheap - Harbor Freight Dual Drum; Best - Extreme Rebel 17. Once you go wet, you never go back)
- [ ] Hornady aol gage
- [ ] Hornady bto comparator set
* Included with most starter kits (RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit)

Note: The RCBS Rock Chucker is probably the best-selling single-stage press ever made. The other tools in the kit are also top quality and, no matter how far you “advance” in the reloading game, you will always be able to use every component in the kit and they will outlive you. It is a little more expensive than some of the other kits but remember that this is a lifetime investment; it is not money wasted but a solid foundation to build on. RCBS customer service is as good as any.

[Stein]

I would start with the pistol, it's easier to get the basics down with straight wall pistol cartridges as there are many fewer steps.  From there you can move up to bottleneck rifle which requires more equipment and steps.

I load everything on a Lee Turret, it's pretty much a couple steps from the lower end of cost, but it's extremely versatile and easy to switch between calibers without having to adjust all the dies every time.  There are better presses that are faster for pistol or cost more for rifle, so it really depends on how much you have to spend and how much bench space you have.

[Norman89]

Lots of reading check
Lots of videos check
Iv been watching several reloading channels on youtube for quite some time now I actually watch them before bed to put me to sleep 🤣 that's how I came up with the varget load that isn't recommended in my Hornady books was a loading channel that was powder testing with his ar for long range loads and he ended up with sub moa loads at about 24.5 of varget with 55gr spear. Iv been around reloading a long time lots of friends and family that do it I just didn't need it as my 300 shoots outstanding with stupid old remington coreloks then I switched to archery hunting a few years back and really didn't need it but with the new rifle build IV caught a bug wanting to build loads and see how I can push for better shooting while building my shooting skills as well hence wanting to start with building 223. Plus this ammo shortage has me a little more then worried Ill have this shinny new toy I can't go play with

[Fl0und3rz]

For .223, Ramshot TAC and AA2230 are good powder options to consider.  Another is Win746.

[HighlandLofts]

I have been useing 4198 for my grandsons AR15.

[huntingfool7]

Carbide dies for loading straight wall pistol rounds.  No lube required.

[birddogdad]

one other thought, if you plan to plink a lot, components for reloading have been up and down over the past few years.. get inventory of what you load once you have developed or you may go months without something, powder, primers, even brass have been on and off....

[Norman89]

I was just sorting brass right now I have about 2300-2400 pieces of brass ready to go

[KNOPHISH]

I separate brass by head stamp. Case capacity/volume vary.

[Jason]

If your reloading plinking ammo for an AR I wouldn’t waste time sorting brass other than maybe sort out the Lake City brass and save that for your accuracy rounds.

[Norman89]

Reloading both for target rounds and for coyote hunting rounds that's why I was sorting. And the lake city brass is separate IV read it's pretty good stuff