Is this everything?

mmtecg · August 15, 2009, 10:42 PM

Hi, I'm new here but not to guns. I have never reloaded but would like to start so I did extensive research on reloading for an AR-15 (which is what I am reloading for, .223) and have now bought everything (I hope) that is needed to start reloading.
________________________________________________________________

I'd like anyone who sees something that I missed to please let me know what it is, and also to give any "secret" reloading tips that you might have.
________________________________________________________________

Lee Classic reloading kit from Kempfgunshop.com

(This kit comes with...
Lee Classic Turret Press
Lee PaceSetter Dies (3 Die set)
Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure
Lee Saftety Prime System (Large or Small)
Lee Auto Disk Riser
Powder-Thru Rifle Charging Die
Case Lube
Double Disk Kit
Pro auto disk powder disk measure (upgrade)
________________________________________________________________

Possum Hollow Kwick case trimmer
Possum Hollow power adapter (for drill)
2X4 Basics reloading workbench
Cabalas case tumbler kit (includes everything for case cleaning)
Forster original case graphiter
Forster in/out de-burring tool
RCBS case lube kit
RCBS primer pocket uniformer SMALL
RCBS flashhole de-burring tool .22
RCBS primer brush
________________________________________________________________

RELOADING COMPONENTS

Remington Per 1000 Primers 7 1/2 SMALL

Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullets 60SPZ 100
Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullets 55 SPZ 100
Sierra Rifle Bullets 69 GR HPBT 100
Sierra Rifle 65 GR SBT 100
Sierra Rifle 60 GR HP 100
Sierra Blitzking Bullets 55GR 100
Sierra Rifle Bullets 55 GR FMJBT 100

Hodgdon Powder H335 1 LB
Hodgdon Powder H322 1 LB
Hodgdon Powder VARGET 1 LB

albsch · August 15, 2009, 10:59 PM

I do not see a reloading manual or two on your list. Does the Lee Classic kit include a scale?

mmtecg · August 15, 2009, 11:01 PM

Thank you.

mmtecg · August 15, 2009, 11:02 PM

And yes, the kit includes a scale.

**Bud Helms** · August 16, 2009, 12:31 AM

You should have bought a reloading manual (or two) and read them before you spent a penny on hardware. Then you probably wouldn't be asking, "Do I have everything I need?"

Don't put them on the shelf. Read 'em.

SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 · August 16, 2009, 05:42 AM

G'day. Have you considered a chronograph? It cah help show your consistancy and highlight a potential hot load.

jepp2 · August 16, 2009, 09:25 AM

I load for various AR's. Two items I use that you don't have listed:

Case length gage. I use it to adjust my resizing die correctly. You can also use it to check case length to see if they need to be trimmed or not, and it is a good check on loaded ammo. Not very expensive and extremely useful.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=268983

Inertia bullet puller. If you ever have to pull the bullet on loaded ammo (find your load is too hot, or whatever), you will appreciate this.

I am guessing that most of your bullets ran $14 per hundred or more. If you want cheaper plinking ammo, try Montana Gold or Roze for 55 gr FMJBT bullets. They run about $8 per hundred, shipped.

CrustyFN · August 16, 2009, 11:32 AM

I would suggest a caliper to check OAL and case length. Check out this video for some tips for loading 223 on a classic turret. It's very close to the way I do it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOpN9iYOyE8

30Cal · August 17, 2009, 12:41 PM

+1 on the caliper and case gage (or better yet, a case comparitor so you can measure fired cases). You really shouldn't be using an FL die without some way to measure what you're doing to the case shoulder.

oneounceload · August 17, 2009, 01:30 PM

didn't see a kinetic bullet puller - if you don't have one, you're going to want one for correcting those mistakes.......

**Unclenick** · August 17, 2009, 01:56 PM

I don't think you'll find the RCBS lube applicator works with the Lee lube because the Lee lube (water base) dries out. The RCBS applicator will use either their lube or it will work with a $1.50 bottle of STP oil treatment from Walmart. The Lee is fingered on. I prefer Imperial Sizing Wax which is also fingered on, but this gets into personal work method preferences. I'd suggest you try both the Lee by finger and the RCBS roll pad, and see what you prefer to do?

I also don't see any IMR or H4198, which I have found to most accurate in my AR with the 55 grains bullets and lighter. H322 shouldn't be too bad with them if the case is full, but my experience has been the 60 grain and up bullets do better with the powders you listed. YMMV.

LuckyStrike · August 17, 2009, 06:33 PM

+1 on getting a caliper, a simple stainless steel one will do fine. I'm not sure if it was in your list but also some shell holders and a couple of 50 rnd bullet boxes would be very helpful. Depending on what type of bullets you plan on using I recommend getting a reloading manual from that company (Sierra, Hornady...).

A chronograph is also a great investment. You can get one from Midwayusa.com for around $80. This way you can tell the true velocities you are getting as apposed to what the manual will tell you, you can also find out what your standard deviations in muzzle velocity will be, helping you find the perfect powder charge/bullet combination's.

Soon you will be spending all your time reloading in pursuit of the 'perfect' load. Good luck

BigJimP · August 17, 2009, 06:44 PM

I would also add :

a case gague

a good set of allen wrenches .

Another item I find really useful - is a Halogen desk lamp / the one I have mounted to my bench has an articulated arm / head rotates, it gives me some real good light, at the right angle, on the press.

This is a link to the one I use .......
http://www.amazon.com/Architect%2527...0548957&sr=1-2

Dragon55 · August 17, 2009, 06:49 PM

Well.... you may as well go ahead and procure a lawn mowing service and someone to do a lot of the little chores you usually do.

Reloading is addictive.

LuckyStrike · August 17, 2009, 07:49 PM

You also may want to get Pizza Hut on speed dial.

August 15, 2009, 10:42 PM	#1
mmtecg Member Join Date: August 15, 2009 Posts: 26	Is this everything? Hi, I'm new here but not to guns. I have never reloaded but would like to start so I did extensive research on reloading for an AR-15 (which is what I am reloading for, .223) and have now bought everything (I hope) that is needed to start reloading. ________________________________________________________________ I'd like anyone who sees something that I missed to please let me know what it is, and also to give any "secret" reloading tips that you might have. ________________________________________________________________ Lee Classic reloading kit from Kempfgunshop.com (This kit comes with... Lee Classic Turret Press Lee PaceSetter Dies (3 Die set) Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure Lee Saftety Prime System (Large or Small) Lee Auto Disk Riser Powder-Thru Rifle Charging Die Case Lube Double Disk Kit Pro auto disk powder disk measure (upgrade) ________________________________________________________________ Possum Hollow Kwick case trimmer Possum Hollow power adapter (for drill) 2X4 Basics reloading workbench Cabalas case tumbler kit (includes everything for case cleaning) Forster original case graphiter Forster in/out de-burring tool RCBS case lube kit RCBS primer pocket uniformer SMALL RCBS flashhole de-burring tool .22 RCBS primer brush ________________________________________________________________ RELOADING COMPONENTS Remington Per 1000 Primers 7 1/2 SMALL Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullets 60SPZ 100 Nosler Ballistic Tip Bullets 55 SPZ 100 Sierra Rifle Bullets 69 GR HPBT 100 Sierra Rifle 65 GR SBT 100 Sierra Rifle 60 GR HP 100 Sierra Blitzking Bullets 55GR 100 Sierra Rifle Bullets 55 GR FMJBT 100 Hodgdon Powder H335 1 LB Hodgdon Powder H322 1 LB Hodgdon Powder VARGET 1 LB

August 17, 2009, 01:56 PM	#11
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,738	I don't think you'll find the RCBS lube applicator works with the Lee lube because the Lee lube (water base) dries out. The RCBS applicator will use either their lube or it will work with a $1.50 bottle of STP oil treatment from Walmart. The Lee is fingered on. I prefer Imperial Sizing Wax which is also fingered on, but this gets into personal work method preferences. I'd suggest you try both the Lee by finger and the RCBS roll pad, and see what you prefer to do? I also don't see any IMR or H4198, which I have found to most accurate in my AR with the 55 grains bullets and lighter. H322 shouldn't be too bad with them if the case is full, but my experience has been the 60 grain and up bullets do better with the powders you listed. YMMV. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle Last edited by Unclenick; August 17, 2009 at 02:01 PM.

August 15, 2009, 10:59 PM	#2
albsch Member Join Date: July 13, 2008 Location: Illinois Posts: 32	I do not see a reloading manual or two on your list. Does the Lee Classic kit include a scale?

August 15, 2009, 11:01 PM	#3
mmtecg Member Join Date: August 15, 2009 Posts: 26	Thank you.

August 15, 2009, 11:02 PM	#4
mmtecg Member Join Date: August 15, 2009 Posts: 26	And yes, the kit includes a scale.

August 16, 2009, 12:31 AM	#5
Bud Helms Senior Member Join Date: December 31, 1999 Location: Middle Georgia, USA Posts: 13,198	You should have bought a reloading manual (or two) and read them before you spent a penny on hardware. Then you probably wouldn't be asking, "Do I have everything I need?" Don't put them on the shelf. Read 'em.

August 16, 2009, 05:42 AM	#6
SKULLANDCROSSBONES65 Senior Member Join Date: August 19, 2008 Location: Far Nth Wst QLD Australia Posts: 992	G'day. Have you considered a chronograph? It cah help show your consistancy and highlight a potential hot load.

August 16, 2009, 09:25 AM	#7
jepp2 Senior Member Join Date: December 24, 2008 Location: Loveland, CO Posts: 1,476	I load for various AR's. Two items I use that you don't have listed: Case length gage. I use it to adjust my resizing die correctly. You can also use it to check case length to see if they need to be trimmed or not, and it is a good check on loaded ammo. Not very expensive and extremely useful. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=268983 Inertia bullet puller. If you ever have to pull the bullet on loaded ammo (find your load is too hot, or whatever), you will appreciate this. I am guessing that most of your bullets ran $14 per hundred or more. If you want cheaper plinking ammo, try Montana Gold or Roze for 55 gr FMJBT bullets. They run about $8 per hundred, shipped.

August 16, 2009, 11:32 AM	#8
CrustyFN Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,258	I would suggest a caliper to check OAL and case length. Check out this video for some tips for loading 223 on a classic turret. It's very close to the way I do it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOpN9iYOyE8

August 17, 2009, 12:41 PM	#9
30Cal Senior Member Join Date: December 3, 2002 Posts: 1,264	+1 on the caliper and case gage (or better yet, a case comparitor so you can measure fired cases). You really shouldn't be using an FL die without some way to measure what you're doing to the case shoulder.

August 17, 2009, 01:30 PM	#10
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	didn't see a kinetic bullet puller - if you don't have one, you're going to want one for correcting those mistakes.......

August 17, 2009, 06:33 PM	#12
LuckyStrike Member Join Date: May 5, 2009 Posts: 69	+1 on getting a caliper, a simple stainless steel one will do fine. I'm not sure if it was in your list but also some shell holders and a couple of 50 rnd bullet boxes would be very helpful. Depending on what type of bullets you plan on using I recommend getting a reloading manual from that company (Sierra, Hornady...). A chronograph is also a great investment. You can get one from Midwayusa.com for around $80. This way you can tell the true velocities you are getting as apposed to what the manual will tell you, you can also find out what your standard deviations in muzzle velocity will be, helping you find the perfect powder charge/bullet combination's. Soon you will be spending all your time reloading in pursuit of the 'perfect' load. Good luck

August 17, 2009, 06:44 PM	#13
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	I would also add : a case gague a good set of allen wrenches . Another item I find really useful - is a Halogen desk lamp / the one I have mounted to my bench has an articulated arm / head rotates, it gives me some real good light, at the right angle, on the press. This is a link to the one I use ....... http://www.amazon.com/Architect%2527...0548957&sr=1-2

August 17, 2009, 06:49 PM	#14
Dragon55 Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2009 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 811	Well.... you may as well go ahead and procure a lawn mowing service and someone to do a lot of the little chores you usually do. Reloading is addictive.

August 17, 2009, 07:49 PM	#15
LuckyStrike Member Join Date: May 5, 2009 Posts: 69	You also may want to get Pizza Hut on speed dial.