going to start reloading, what do i need?

[SoonerMan]

hi guys. i'm going to start reloading soon, as i'm coming into about $300. i've done some researching and have decided on getting a rock chucker.

but besides the basic press, what else do i need? give me a run down of the equipment you have and what things are absolutely necessary. eg.scales, primer....etc

thanks cw

[Sharps Shooter]

Welcome to a rewarding and frustrating passtime. Aside from the components (powder, ball, primer and cases) these few tools will stand you in good stead.

1. Trimmer w/ chamfer/debur tool.
2. primer tool.
3. dies w/shellholder.
4. scale
5. micrometer.
6. press.
7. case lube.
8. method of case cleaning/tumbler
9. powder measure(s)
10. loading blocks
11. cartridge boxes for finished product.
12. other miscelaneous and cool gadgets as they come along like a headspace gage.
13. Two manuals: Metallic Cartridge Reloading by Mic McPherson and the Sierra manual. Read, understand and follow these instructions. They are relatively simple, but the consequences for failure to abide may be catastrophic.

Preferences
I like my RCBS electronic scale/powder measure combo, but use the Lee Perfect powder measure most of the time. I like Hornady and RCBS aerosol case lubes and my midway tumbler.

In my experience the Lee dies, trimmers, and powder measures seem to work the best for ease of use and repeatability, and staying put in the press. Midway sells cool loading blocks. The lee autoprimer is the standard by which the others are judged. I have loaded tens of thousands of rounds through mine over the years and it just keeps on ticking. Depending on what you are loading a headspace gage like the stoney point setup is really helpful in conjunction with your calipers.

Hope this helps. http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/smile.gif
Regards,
Sharps Shooter.

[SoonerMan]

thanks SS. what is the purpose of using a headspace gage?

[Crash N. Burn]

I think what he might have been referring to is the Stoney Point OAL gauge which measures your cartridges optimum Total Overall Length. Without getting too overly detailed what it does is measures how far your bullet has to jump from the case until it hits the rifling. While I totally agree that this is a fine tool and I own two of them, if you are getting into reloading and you are going to be reloading for an AK-47 you don't really need one. The OAL/Headspace gauge will help you get your best accuracy but it will only be noticable in a target/varmint/BR type gun. I don't think an AK has the accuracy for an OAL/Headspace gauge to make a difference. For 7.62x39 or 5.56 ammo just load it to the recommended overall length in your chosen reloading guide. Then it will fit the mags and function reliably. I should qualify that by saying I just bought my first AK a week ago but I have been handloading for about twenty years. Since I was 9 years old. In my DPMS 24" Super-Bull with the JP trigger, free floated barrel and bipod, OAL makes a difference. I don't think it will in an AK.

I started out with the RockChucker Master reloader kit and would recommend it to anyone. It will have just about anything you need to reload most pistol and rifle cartridges except the dies. Another thing to consider since you are loading for an AK (and other stuff) is the Dillon stuff. Their 550b is a steal at 350 bucks or so and you can really crank out the ammo in them. A buddy has one of those and we load all our pistol and .223 stuff on it. You can easily reload a thousand shells in a few hours. The AK's seem to have a voracious appetite for shells and a 550 would be nice. But the RockChucker or even the Partner starter kits will get you started just fine.

Good luck, Reloading is a rewarding and entertaining hobby in-and-of-itself.


crash


Originally posted by SoonerMan:
thanks SS. what is the purpose of using a headspace gage?



[This message has been edited by Crash N. Burn (edited 12-17-2000).]

[Gremlin]

The number one thing is PATIENCE

[jsherman]

Since you are on the AK site I can only suspect you are going to reload either 7.62x39, or .223 Remington. I doubt you are going to consider the plunge into 5.45x39. I reload a lot of cartridges, I have nothing against reloading. But with the advent of cheap Russian 7.62x39 and even .223 those are two plinking cartridges that just don't get reloaded much anymore. Except for some accurate .223 for prairie dog shooting with a Remington 700 varmint rifle, the poor dies and brass just sit there. Buy Russian ammo with your money and skip fooling around reloading.