Need help in getting started.

[gunner]

Ok...I am basicly new to this and am looking at getting a LEE Load-Master progressive press. What do I need to start off reloading .223? There are so many choices in dies! What do I need besides the dies that come with this press? Do I need a lube die? Does anyone make one for .223? What about a neck/case reforming die?
I already have some stuff because I reload .45-120 black powder cartridges.

Stuff I have:

Lyman #55 blackpowder measure
Lyman Case trimmer
RCBS Case Master Gauging Tool
Calipers
Micrometer
Deburring tool
Bullet Puller
Lyman Tumbler
Primer pocket cleaning brush
Lee hand primer
Dies for .45-120
Lee hand press
Various other stuff

Stuff I need:?
Press
Scale (to weigh powder)?
Lube and sizing stuff? (do I need this and what do I need)
What else?

Thanks



------------------
"I wish it to be known that I was the last man of my tribe to surrender my rifle."

Sitting Bull
July 19, 1881

[xebec]

I have used the Load Master for some time now in both pistol and rifle calibers-- it is an excellent progressive press, but is a little more finicky about setup and tuning than some other brands. Once you get the Load Master set up and tuned it works flawlessly.
The Loadmaster kit (~ $200) is pretty complete-- you can load without any additional hardware, but I would definately reccomend a good quality powder scale to chech your charges. With the Lee "Perfect" (rifle) powder thrower it would seem that the scale would be necessary (unlike with the disc thrower used for pistol calibers.) As for lube-- you will need to lube for this rifle caliber. For a progressive press your best bet would be a drying type spray lube (Minute Lube or Spray 'n Size from Midway, or Hornady's One Shot) -this will keep the lube from "gumming up" your progressive press, which is more sensitive to fouling, etc.
The Lee dies are great-- you should not need anything else. Also you should remember that with an autoloading rifle you always need to full--length resize, so a neck--sizing dies won't be very useful here (unless your .223 is a turnbolt). HTH

[PoiDog]

Gunner, I've just gone through the same stuff as you. I'm a new reloader and the answers are real fresh in my mind. http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/smile.gif
I use an RCBS reloader special press, lots of people use the rockchucker. Both work real well, but compared to a progressive they're slow. So far I've reloaded .45acp, 9mm, .357Mag .308, and .223. I've used Midway's Lube to great effect. I put the cases in a cardboard box and let 'em have it. Works great. You can also use carbide sizing dies and you won't need as much lube. Some say no lube, but I err on the side of caution. I use the Lee hand primer, it works great. You'll definitely need a scale and a trickler. This is so you can get close with a scale and then get the weight exact with the trickler.
Also get a powder funnel, invaluable for returning powder to original container. I suggest some kind of cartridge blocks for holding the cases during the reloading process. MTM makes good ones, RCBS does too. I use the little plastic racks that come with factory ammo for this purpose too. You already have the bullet puller, good move getting that. You WILL be using it as you learn. http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/smile.gif Lyman makes a case prep kit I like, very small case holds primer pocket brushes, pocket reamers, neck brushes and a handle. For the Lee autoprime you'll need shell holders, they are different from the press version. You can get a box with the most common sizes at gun shows, red is for the autoprime, green box for presses. The difference is the ones for the autoprime have a flat bottom. Other than maybe brass polish for your tumbler, you seem to have it pretty well covered. My shooting friend just bought a Dillon 550B, progressive press. Man is it fast! Once it's primed, you get a finished round with every pull of the handle.
For a beginner, though, you (and I) can't go wrong with RCBS presses. Sorry to ramble, but I really love this hobby!

[JA]

Got my Loadmaster set up for .308Win/7.62x51mm. Changed the 1/4" bolt that holds the case feeder tubes to the press with one that is 1-1/2" longer so it feeds .308 and 30-06 cases now. About one in every 20-25 cases will tip over when being fed from the tube to the shell plate. I just set them upright with my finger and keep going. I have a RCBS lube die in station 1 and it deprimes the cases as it lubes them.
In station 2 is the full length resizing die with the depriming/neck sizing rod pulled up into the die so the depriming pin doesn't touch the primer. But not so far that the neck sizing part of the rod interfears with the case being resized. Station 3 powder measure,station 4 bullet seating die,station 5 factory crimp die.
I use Lee dies for most of my reloading. Out of about 30 sets of dies I have 8-RCBS,1- Hornady,2-Lyman,1-Pacific, and the rest Lee.
www.midwayusa.com (http://www.midwayusa.com) has it all in reloading at good prices that include shipping.
RCBS makes 2 sizes of lube dies and size #1 is for .223. It is great not to have to spray lube the cases.
The Loadmaster setup for .223 from Midway is $204.99 delivered(order #618-843) to your door with everything needed to load .223 except powder,cases,bullets,and primers.
The only must have accessory is the "Case Collator". Instead of dropping the cases into the 4 case feeder tubes one at a time. You just attach the case collator to the top of the case feeder tubes. Drop a handfull of brass in it and shake. All the cases fall into the tubes right side up.
If you get a Loadmaster and have problems with it after reading the directions just email me and I will be glad to help you.

[HKgnnr]

I've been going through the catalogs for weeks http://www.ak-47.net/akcgi/smile.gif and have finally decided on the following:

Lyman T-MagII Expert kit. I like the idea of a turret press as I can still learn step by step, but still not have to swap out dies with each step. Of course the dream machine would be a Dillion, but I'm just starting out, and know that the T-Mag will still serve a purpose when I pick up a progressive. Natchez has it on sale for $219.

Along with that I'll be picking up all the necessary additional stuff, like a tumbler, dies, shell holder set, case prep tools for I figure a total cost of around $360.

Natchez seems to have the best prices (this month) even with shipping.

Anyone use a univeral decapping die? I've considered one aside from a regular die set, is it worth the expense?

[JA]

I use a Lee handpress and Lee depriming die when working on large amounts of military brass(38spl,9mm,223,308,30-06). I watch TV and deprime cases. Then use a Hornady hand tool to remove the crimps in the primer pocket and a Lee case length trimmer. After doing this I load them on my Pro 1000's or Loadmaster.