- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Reloading 5.56
Posted on 12/15/13 at 4:25 pm
Posted on 12/15/13 at 4:25 pm
Looking to get some reloading equipment as a Christmas gift to myself.
I just ordered 500 rounds of 5.56, so my plan is to shoot those and reload them as a start. I know Ill need powder, bullets and primers; but I'm a little unsure of what equipment I'll need.
I'm looking specifically at this kit:
LINK
Would dies be the only thing I would need? Would a case tumbler be worth getting as well?
Thanks for any help
I just ordered 500 rounds of 5.56, so my plan is to shoot those and reload them as a start. I know Ill need powder, bullets and primers; but I'm a little unsure of what equipment I'll need.
I'm looking specifically at this kit:
LINK
Would dies be the only thing I would need? Would a case tumbler be worth getting as well?
Thanks for any help
8
Posted on 12/15/13 at 4:37 pm to soco790
Paging bapple
Posted on 12/15/13 at 4:46 pm to KingRanch
well first bit of info I need is what brand of 556 did you order?
that kit is great to start, order it now.
that kit is great to start, order it now.
This post was edited on 12/15/13 at 4:50 pm
Posted on 12/15/13 at 4:49 pm to soco790
Refer to my monster thread from the FAQ at the top of the forum to learn some more then come back if you have more questions:
Cartridge Reloading Tutorial (Information and Videos)
Cartridge Reloading Tutorial (Information and Videos)
Posted on 12/15/13 at 4:51 pm to ninthward
Federal ammo (Lake City brass)
quote:
that kit is great to start, order it now
This post was edited on 12/15/13 at 4:52 pm
Posted on 12/15/13 at 4:51 pm to bapple
yep its all there ^^^ everything you need is one that page from bapple
just come back with questions
just come back with questions
This post was edited on 12/15/13 at 4:53 pm
Posted on 12/15/13 at 4:53 pm to bapple
Bapple vids
This post was edited on 12/15/13 at 4:55 pm
Posted on 12/15/13 at 4:59 pm to CBLSU316
quote:
Bapple vids
I agree with Ward though. That's a great kit. RCBS is higher quality than Lee stuff.
I have since changed my priming tool to an RCBS Universal Priming tool versus the original Lee one since making that thread.
As long as you stick to that basic formula for the supplies you need, you should be fine. You will need a swaging tool or reeming tool to be able to prime those cases though. They will have crimped primer pockets.
Posted on 12/15/13 at 5:07 pm to bapple
The Rock Chucker is a great press to start reloading.
But damn! I can't believe how expensive all the reloading stuff has gotten.
I started reloading in 94 or 95 and my Master Kit cost $125.
LC
But damn! I can't believe how expensive all the reloading stuff has gotten.
I started reloading in 94 or 95 and my Master Kit cost $125.
LC
Posted on 12/15/13 at 5:10 pm to LongueCarabine
quote:
But damn! I can't believe how expensive all the reloading stuff has gotten
The main reason I asked is because I was told by a reloading shop I wouldn't be able to get everything I need for under $600.
And thanks for the link. I'll be watching those videos tonight
Posted on 12/15/13 at 5:18 pm to soco790
that kit you have is pretty affordable not sure you can get it all separately for under that, will mention to check craigslist and armslist in your area, there were a lot of people out here who bought a bunch of stuff during the last crisis but never got into it, and sold their stuff cheap
Posted on 12/15/13 at 5:57 pm to ninthward
quote:
there were a lot of people out here who bought a bunch of stuff during the last crisis but never got into it, and sold their stuff cheap
Solid point here!
An RCBS press hardly ever goes bad and if you do have an issue there's a lifetime warranty. So if you find a cheaper press available used, then get it anyway. If it's broken they'll replace it for you.
My favorite single stage press is the RCBS Partner Press. I mounted it to a small desk in my bedroom and it is SUPER compact. Compared to my dad's chucker it's about 2/3 the size. It's also around $80 on Midway.
Posted on 12/15/13 at 6:32 pm to soco790
If your going to spend that kind of money, then I would highly recommend a Dillon. Their warranty service is phenomenal and other than setting up the amount of powder they throw, they come set up and ready to run without adjustment. For that much money you can get a machine that will tear out a lot more ammo a lot faster. Dillon Precision
A case tumbler is a must as you will need to clean that brass before reloading.
Lastly, if you are using any type of military 5.56 ammo you will need some a primer pocket swagger.
Good luck!
A case tumbler is a must as you will need to clean that brass before reloading.
Lastly, if you are using any type of military 5.56 ammo you will need some a primer pocket swagger.
Good luck!
Posted on 12/15/13 at 7:05 pm to soco790
Id also invest in a reloading manual. Either Lyman or Hornady.
Posted on 12/15/13 at 7:26 pm to bapple
Outlines? 
I do like your tutorials Bapple.
I do like your tutorials Bapple.
Posted on 12/15/13 at 8:29 pm to soco790
quote:
Id also invest in a reloading manual.
Excellent point, but it looks like the kit comes w/ a Speer manual. I really like the format of the Sierra manual in that it's a 3 ring binder. Hodgdon has a LOT of cartridges listed.
A tumbler is good to have, but not essential. I'd been reloading for 20 years or so before I bought a tumbler.
RCBS products are high quality. A single stage press (like the one in your link) is slower than a multi stage press (like the referenced Dillon) or a turret (like my Lee). Nevertheless, I think a single stage press or turret press is good for the beginner. One can make a lot of ammo w/ a progressives (like the Dillon), but most of us don't really need such high quantity of ammo.
Yes, you'll need reloading dies. I've got reloading dies from all the die makers except Lyman. As far as quality, I'd rank them as: Redding>RCBS>Hornady>Lee. Not sure where Lyman ranks, but not better than Redding. Having said that, I've never had problems developing safe and accurate loads using all brands of dies.
You will need a pair of 6" dial calipers. I bought a pair like these MANY years ago and am still pleased w/ them. Calipers You might also want a Hornady Overall Length Gauge bolt action and Hornady 223 Modified Case. The Lee Powder Dipper Kit is something I use nearly every time I load some rounds. Some folks really like using a Powder Trickler, but I use the powder dippers more.
What kind of powder and bullets are you thinking of using?
Posted on 12/15/13 at 8:48 pm to soco790
If you plan on getting into reloading I would seriously consider a progressive press. Dillon has several to choose from at different price points. I think the 550b is most versatile. Might as well spend a little bit more, it will save you hours and hours when loading rounds.
Posted on 12/15/13 at 9:03 pm to TigerOnThe Hill
quote:
TigerOnThe Hill
Thanks. Lots of useful info.
For bullets I was looking at Barnes TSX. Was gonna do some 55gr and some 62gr to see what my rifle likes better. It's only seen 55 so far.
Would like to do 300BO later on also.
This post was edited on 12/15/13 at 9:04 pm
Posted on 12/15/13 at 9:31 pm to soco790
Soco,
Barnes makes some good bullets. What will you be using the gun for?
Barnes makes some good bullets. What will you be using the gun for?
Page 1 of 2
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News