I want to start reloading

[hower610]

I have never done any reloading & I want to start to dabble in reloading now that I that I have an AR. I know this will take forever to reload a mass quantity but will this work to get me started?

>Click Here<

[AZXD]

I have heard of people using them at the range to fine tune a load as they shoot, and yes it would get you started. But I think it would be a verrrrry sloooooowww process, and might cause you to give up on the idea of reloading.

But yes, it will get you started.

[rgeliske]

Yes it will work but you will not really get the fun of trying different powders and bullets with it. The dipper works but you will be limited with out a scale and the degree of accuracy is dependent on too many variables. I suggest you look for a used single stage press many complete set ups with the press, scale and all the accessories are usually for sale on ebay. Make sure you get a good reloading manual as well.

Enjoy

[KrayzieVanh]

My suggestion is to start out with a kit from Lee. I ordered the breech lock set and it has started me out well. All you'll need extra, equipment wise, is the case length gauge for trimming the 223 casing (which you can get from Lee) . Optional items would be a caliper and a tumbler. I bought those at Harbor Freight for cheap. Everything you would need are consumables (brass, bullets, powder, primer).

[Shruggerxd]

Hower,
The kit looks like it would work, HOWEVER (and there is always a howerver) the description states that it only sizes the neck. This raises a flag. The reason this would be a problem is because of the fact you are using it for an AR. It is recommended that you full length size when reloading for semi-auto weapons because of the tolerances and fast action of a semi auto.

When a round is fired, the brass expands due to the intense heat and pressure, pushing on the sides of the brass. After the bullet has been fired the brass begins to cool off, but it has now been "fire formed" to the shape of the chamber. If you were to neck size this round and use it again, it could work but you will probably have jamming issues because the case is so closely shaped to the chamber.

Now I neck size for my .308 bolt rifle, but that is because I am the one physically pushing the round into the chamber and if there is a little resistence I can push through it (unless it is too much and then the round would be removed and resized). Semi-auto rifles don't have as much forward force on the bolt as you would think so jamming can happen relatively easily. Full length resizing removes this problem by pushing the brass back to its original tolerances.

OK sooooooo... That was a huge response to a simply question but I am just trying to give you as much info as possible to make a more appropriate decision.

My Suggestion:
If I were you I would get the Lee Challenger breech lock kit, you can get them for like $80 through midwayusa.com, or natchezss.com. This gives you everything you need to reload, except for caliber specific dies and case length guage (and of course components like brass, bullet, powder and primers). I have the lee anniversary challenger kit and I have now been able to reload .308 (neck sized), .223 (full-length sized), and 9mm all with the same press with excellent results.

I hope this helps.

[hower610]

Thanks for your help.

[fredj338]

DON'T BUY ONE! This is probably the most frustrating way to "dabble" in reloading. The minimum:
Buy Tha ABCs of Reloading &/or at least two good reloading manuals, read them, then read them again.
Buy a single stage press, carbide dies, a good scale & volumn powder measure, calipers & I like the Lee hand priming tool. THis will get you into handloading very cheap, about $200-$250 if you buy cheap Lee stuff. With a single stage press, you can easily turn out 40-50rds/hr. Doing that on a hand tool, maybe 25-30rds & you'll be working three times as hard to do it. If you decide reloading is not for you, sell your gear for 1/2 the cost & you'll probably have saved enough money on 500rds of 223 to pay for the original gear. As always, JMO.

[Riflemanz]

Don't waste your money with that hand held crap.Buy a RCBS or Lee aniversary single stage kit.I went RCBS master reloading kit and i'm very happy with it.Very easy to learn with this kit.Buy this kit!Let me know if you need help,i'm off 86th&capitol dr.Milwaukee
Natchez Shooters Supplies - RCBS Products - RCBS Rock Chucker SUPREME Master Reloading Kit

[HntnFsh]

Wally World had the Rockchucker Supreme for $239 the other day

[hower610]

Hey Riflemanz, how is life on the north side? Some of us are looking at getting together in the near future. >info here<

I went to GM near my house and the guy at the gun counter gave me a lot of info on reloading and he got me turned onto a RCBS starter kit. Thank you all for your input.