There are about 2 dozen threads along this topic. You should do a search and read up on it.
First things first: Buy a reloading manual like the Lee and READ it. Not the data, just the text. ~Muir
This! The search function of the forums, threads and titles on this site gives you a lot of knowledge. I suspect you'll find nearly everything in the historical posts you'll need for a long time!
I have to respectfully disagree, though appreciate "naff" can be interpreted in many different ways...
I thought you might find helpful a quick summary of my reloading journey, now I've been at it for about 6-months. I started as an indoor 22LR target rifle shooter and started fullbore (.223) at the beginning of last year. Purely a range shooter putting through 30-50 rounds at time - this is/was a big problem for my stalking 223 with skinny barrel that would heat up considerably over the summer as I was practicing reloading/shooting.
This is basically how my reloading journey has played out so far:
- Read/watch/download - for a good couple of weeks/months. There are some free (official/unlicensed) downloads from the web. I got a number of loading manuals and loads of bullet and powder specific manuals as PDFs off the websites. Watched a number of Youtube videos from the official makers of the equipment and loads of other Youtubers. My goal was to understand the process in the most safe and efficient way...performance and fine tuning later. That's the rabbit hole for me!
- I bought a "Lee Loader" kit, some powder based on availability and the reloading manuals), primers (eyewatering prices in July 2022) and 3 boxes of heads (Sierra, Nosler, Hornady) for my 223. That plus a rubber mallet, calipers and some jewelers scales was all i thought I needed. I added a ebay set of used balance scales for piece of mind when weighing charges as I started bricking it becoming so real! (I was scared using just the scoop, though its very good!).
- I had pre-fired brass (pre-fired) from my bolt action and made the rookie error of not properly adjusting overall length for the particular head, plus having some grime in the chamber, making it stiff to close. Once I ironed that out, it was silky smooth shooting and slightly better performance (I'm still adapting to fullbore from smallbore) than the factory 223 I was using.
- I could have called it quits with the Lee Loader but I got a variation for 6.5creed and the loader isnt made in that caliber. Plus its a bit noisy (in my setup) and perhaps not as efficient for a rookie like me....so....
- I bought a used press from ebay, scoured these forums classified section for dies in 223 and 6.5CM. Didn't take too long at all. Just remember that used can be good but has its own caveats. I was crushing my first cases with a die until I realized I was sold a crimping die but the instructions supplied were for a non-crimper!
- The additional things I think are invaluable for me are: trickler and cheap powder thrower (to speed up instead of a scoop+plastic spoon), an on-press primer die (to seat the primers) a reloading tray (helpful!) and a length gauge and cutter, deburring tool. NOTE: I'm neck sizing only in this setup. FL sizing will need lubrication! I bought a Lyman hand-press which I hate - reading some of the reviews I wonder why I did! Each to their own...
Equipment wise, I have a spreadsheet and I'm around £300 mark excluding consumables. If you already have good shot brass, theres already a saving, but I went into it knowing it wasn't (all) about price. Precision wise, I honestly can't tell despite getting massively improved groups with my reloads - as I get a better shot and move over to the 6.5CM which has a heavier varmint barrel I'll get a better idea of whether it makes a significant enough difference. I'm biased and already think it does! But its a great feeling for me to do it myself and learn and put into practice something new. Depending on how much and often you shoot, a Lee Loader might just be the first way to dip in your toe. Despite loading now with the press, I'll never sell the loader kit!
Hope that adds some colour and ideas to contemplate. Hope you have fun and above all, be safe!
BRP
