Savings realized with reloading

[wapit_eater]

I appreciate all this great info.

How does one know when the life of the brass/steel has been met?

Can yuz guz recommend a good starter kit?

I think it would be great to learn the processes, the science, and do some reloading...seems good for the mind, and good for the pocket book.

-Tom

[a77ssii]

If you pick up any good reloading book like the ones from Speer or Hornady they actually have pics of backed out primers, split necks, seperated cases, etc. Inspecting is 99% common sense, if there's damage other than minor denting, trash it. There are alot of AK's chambered in .223 which upon ejection dent the casing. I reload as normal and when fired from an AR or my bolt action the case is reformed and the dent is gone. Typically on the AK casings the side where the dent is will eventually get a crack which is easy to pick up when inspecting. As to the reloading equipment I would suggest a set from RCBS, I have a mish-mash of Lee, Redding, Lyman and RCBS and by far my favorite is RCBS although I am planning on trying one of the Lee progressives for .223 since they are only around $180.

[a77ssii]

BTW, Wapiti reloading is about 50% common sense, 30% patience and 20% borderline psychotic attention to detail. For example after about 500 rnds I have found one of my AR's likes 55gr Remington FMJ's, CCI primers and BL(C)-2 powder. I have ??lbs of powder that all gave me alot of fliers, big groups or insufficient pressure to reliably work the bolt along with hundreds of different bullets that gave me hideous groups. Luckily I have another .223 that will swallow any bullet with any powder at any pressure without having any bad effects on accuracy. Each rifle is different. My .300 Win Mag groups 12"@100yds with Nosler's, 8"@100yds with Barnes and 1.25"@100yds with Combined Technology all running the same gr wt of bullet and powder but my 7mm-08 groups 4" with Combined Technolgy and 1" @100yds with Noslers. The finicky AR likes middle of the road powder charges but my bolt action .223 want full max pressures (I have special boxes for the bolt action rounds). That said I would suggest also buying a Load Book for the cartridge you want to reload and slowly working through it until you find a load your rifle/pistol likes. It's time consuming and can be $$ but IMO well worth it.

[nontactical]

I am still able to get 55 and 62Gr bullets for $80 per K. Far cry from the IMI bullets @ $40 per K but I still have some of those left. I am still loading at $105 per K of .223

Hey where can you get bullets for either of those prices?

[jerrymrc]

Hey where can you get bullets for either of those prices?

The IMI bullets were purchased a few years ago. The $80 for 55 and 62Gr are current prices where I get them. Brand new not pulls.

[jerrymrc]

I appreciate all this great info.

How does one know when the life of the brass/steel has been met?

Can yuz guz recommend a good starter kit?

I think it would be great to learn the processes, the science, and do some reloading...seems good for the mind, and good for the pocket book.

-Tom

As I did and as I recommend anyone starting out get this. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=121744

Some of the items you will use forever and some you may want to upgrade in the future. Like the powder measure. It is great for stick powders but only so-so for ball. I use an Auto disc for ball. I still have my challenger press but I now have the classic cast turret press.

"reloading is about 50% common sense, 30% patience and 20% borderline psychotic attention to detail"

This is so true and that is why I firmly believe everyone should start out on a single stage. You need to understand the how and why of each step of the reloading process.

[gnihcraes]

Pay for the better reloading equipment - I started with Lee equipment and didn't have much fun. Got out of reloading for 10 years and now I'm back using RCBS (used) and love the equipment. I think the lee equipment made the reloading more frustrating than productive. They have good dies, but the presses are a little on the cheap side.

just my 2 cents. Kc.

[Hoser]

Pay for the better reloading equipment

Cry once and get the good stuff.

If its painted blue or green, you should be ok.

[jerrymrc]

Pay for the better reloading equipment - I started with Lee equipment and didn't have much fun. Got out of reloading for 10 years and now I'm back using RCBS (used) and love the equipment. I think the lee equipment made the reloading more frustrating than productive. They have good dies, but the presses are a little on the cheap side.

just my 2 cents. Kc.

Have ya tried the new classic cast series? If anyone ever gets down to the springs I would love to have you try my turret press.

[C Ward]

Buy good equipment and if you take up reloading to save money your headed down the wrong path . You won't save a dime , you end up shooting more .
Reloading steel cases is asking for trouble but if you are willing to destroy a 1k dollar rifle because you are to cheap to get brass cases to reload knock yourself out .