Starting Reloadin

[Dylan Never Sleeps]

I suppose it's a good time to post up a thread about reloading. After researching for months on whether or not it was worth it to reload, I figured that right now, with the ammo shortage and all, is the perfect time to get into reloading. Opinions and suggestions are welcome. The actual reloading equipment is unfortunately on back order Midway, but here is a list of it:
-Lee Classic Turret Press W/Auto-Index
-.223 dies
-.45 ACP dies
-9mm Luger dies
-2 extra turrets

I am gonna purchase a rotary rock tumbler from Harbor Frieght but a buddy of mine has an ultrasonic cleaner that he is letting me use for the time being until I can get my own. Amazingly enough, down where I am stationed in "Used" Mexico, there are actually some reloading supplies available. Granted, it is very, very limited, but they have 9mm bullets, .224" bullets, primers, and some powders available. For handgun loading I got some Hodgdon Clays powder, and some 9mm Speer Gold Dot Hollow Points, but have been unable to get any .45 bullets. Primers for pistols here are hit and miss, but the shop I buy from gets some in about once a week. For the .223, I got some 53gr Sierra Match King's, Accurate 2520 Powder (definitely not my first choice, but make do with what is available right?), and some CCI Small Rifle Magnum Primers. Due to a glaring lack of load data online regarding the use of AA2520 Powder, I had to place a call directly to Sierra Bullets this morning, and the gentleman I spoke to on the phone was able to find me the load data for exactly what I was reloading, so many thanks go out to Sierra for their fantastic customer service regarding it.

Before I sit down and start reloading, I am going to read through the Lee's manual, and I have already read through the ABC's of Reloading. I think after reading through the mass of info on the web, and the info in the two books I will finally be ready to really get cracking on building up my own loads. Again, if anyone has any suggestions or opinions let me know!

[BuffCyclist]

Have you checked with titanreloading.com for the press or dies? I ordered my press (lee classic breech lock single stage) from them and they not only had them in stock but shipped it the next day. Cabelas had my lee carbide 4die .40 in stock and shipped next day too.

[Dylan Never Sleeps]

Have you checked with titanreloading.com for the press or dies?

No, I didn't unfortunately. Oh well, they should be here next week anyways, so it's not that big of a deal to me, but I do appreciate the info!

[dwalker460]

Powder measure/thrower?
Powder scale?
Case trimmer?
Calipers?
Primer pocket cleaning tool?
Primer pocket decrimp tool (if using military .223 brass)?

Would not get a rotary tumbler, just takes too long. Highly recommend the standard vibratory tumbler. HF's is about $20 more expensive than the Frankfort Arsenal one that Midway, Sportsmans, etc carries.

I love 2520 for .223, but I am out of it atm.

[Dylan Never Sleeps]

Powder measure/thrower?
Powder scale?
Case trimmer?
Calipers?
Primer pocket cleaning tool?.

All these were in the Lee Kit, minus the Calipers which I already have some digital ones

Primer pocket decrimp tool (if using military .223 brass)?

Still need to buy this, but I would say 98% of my LC brass has already been decrimped, however, I have a few that aren't, so I will put it on a list.

Would not get a rotary tumbler, just takes too long. Highly recommend the standard vibratory tumbler. HF's is about $20 more expensive than the Frankfort Arsenal one that Midway, Sportsmans, etc carries.

Not a bad idea, I'll do some more reading about it, and probably go with the FA one. That'll go on the list as well.

I love 2520 for .223, but I am out of it atm.

Good to hear. I was hoping to get some CFE223, IMR4895, H335, or IMR8208XBR, but none of them were available when I got it so I ended up with the 2520.

Thanks for the suggestions!

[losttrail]

Here's my experience with a FA tumbler.

I purchased one in 2009 from Sportsman's Warehouse as a secondary several years ago when I started shooting more, so I could do rifle brass in one and pistol in another. My primary was an old Lyman circa 1985.

The FA died within a month and under not heavy use. The Lyman was getting the majority of the workout. I returned it and got a replacement. Within 6 months the second FA died.

I replaced it with a Lyman Turbo 1200 which is still going strong. The original Lyman died this past December so I'm back down to one but my shooting volume has dropped off also.

Just my experience.

[rondog]

Here's my experience with a FA tumbler.

I purchased one in 2009 from Sportsman's Warehouse as a secondary several years ago when I started shooting more, so I could do rifle brass in one and pistol in another. My primary was an old Lyman circa 1985.

The FA died within a month and under not heavy use. The Lyman was getting the majority of the workout. I returned it and got a replacement. Within 6 months the second FA died.

I replaced it with a Lyman Turbo 1200 which is still going strong. The original Lyman died this past December so I'm back down to one but my shooting volume has dropped off also.

Just my experience.

Similar experience here. FA tumbler crapped out, went to the Lyman 1200. The 1200 runs circles around what the FA could do. The FA had a flat bottom, where the 1200 has a bottom shaped like an upside-down donut or bagel....the center of it rises up. This seems to greatly enhance the "churning" ability of the 1200 and really gets the brass and media moving. I could easily overload the FA and bog it down to where it wouldn't do shit, but that 1200 will handle a surprising amount of brass and media.

One thing, put the tumbler on a hard surface like a concrete floor, etc. Carpeting will absorb some of the vibrations and diminish the effectiveness of the tumbler, and those things usually draw their cooling air in from the bottom as well. So carpeting will also mess up the airflow and make 'em overheat.

Good luck with the reloading! It's addictive.

[losttrail]

Similar experience here. FA tumbler crapped out, went to the Lyman 1200. The 1200 runs circles around what the FA could do. The FA had a flat bottom, where the 1200 has a bottom shaped like an upside-down donut or bagel....the center of it rises up. This seems to greatly enhance the "churning" ability of the 1200 and really gets the brass and media moving. I could easily overload the FA and bog it down to where it wouldn't do shit, but that 1200 will handle a surprising amount of brass and media.

One thing, put the tumbler on a hard surface like a concrete floor, etc. Carpeting will absorb some of the vibrations and diminish the effectiveness of the tumbler, and those things usually draw their cooling air in from the bottom as well. So carpeting will also mess up the airflow and make 'em overheat.

Good luck with the reloading! It's addictive.

Great points. The Lyman is easily 4 times more active than the FA was. Better results in about 1/4 the time of the FA. The only detriment of the Lyman is the open 'grill' of the lid lets dust fly about. But I have a plastic bag that I slide over the bowl that keeps it in. That and a couple of tablespoons of Brasso.

[dwalker460]

I use CFE223 as well, I like it a lot. I also use Tac, X-Terminator, Win 748, for .223/6mmx45, H110 for 300blk, Clays for 9mm/45

[Dylan Never Sleeps]

Clays for 9mm/45

How do you like Clays? I have read a ton of loads that use it so I figure it is a pretty good jumping off point for pistol loads.