Dunkield Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 So, what kit do you use, and what do you recommend/not recommend? Costs, suppliers etc. Calibres would be .223 and 6.5x55. Thanks in advance. Edit: Having spent the time practicing what we preach (search before posting ) It looks like most folks are happy with the Lee Anniversary Kit + some nice dies. Do you not find the single action OK? would a multistage press not be better? Neck sizing or full length is the next question? Hunting is the main application (although range shooting is also a must to get it going right) and I have a cupboard full of good quality once fired brass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 Stuartp I have the Lee Anniversay Kit and i just bought an extra press from flea bay. One is set up to just do Neck sizing as i was told i would not need the full resize provideing the cases had been shot in my gun. The other one is set up for the bullet heads. I cannot believe how much more accurate home loads are in comparison to factory loads.. The cost for home loads with the powder / primer and bullet heads that im useing works out at 22p per shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rarms Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 I have been re-sizing only the neck recently on my .308 and find some of the thicker cases are harder to chamber when only neck sized. Having said that I am working with a batch of PRVI brass at the moment and that seems great. I have a lee 4 hole turret press, took out the auto indexer and I have in there: Lee full length re-size, Lee bullet seater, lee factory crimper and an RCBS neck sizer. I only really use the neck and the seater now if the brass has been fired in my gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markbivvy Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 some top lads on here regarding this bit of the sport.so i wont even try to answer.good luck with it stuart, its addictive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted November 22, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 Thanks for the replies so far lads keep them coming My mate has been reloading for some time now so he will be my main mentor, but I always like to hear what others have to say. He is very anti neck sizing as he had a cartridge stuck in his rifle on the range, and didn't want that to ever happen in th field - each to their own, IMHO as a beginner I would thing fire formed brass would only need the neck resizing if it is to be used in the same rifle, but what do I know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miffy Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 I tried neck sizing my fireformed brass years ago when i started to reload, i had a few problems such as cases jamming and i have never neck sized since. I also don't see the point in neck sizing for a few shots then full length sizing as some folk seem to do. The Lee aniversary gear is good stuff for the money and i know Ive uses it with no problems at all . I use a RCBS Rock chucker press which is superb, the RCBS dies that i have are better than the Lee dies i bought for the .243 I would also recommend that you purchase a set of digital scales rather than the balance scales. As Mark says it can be addictive and the hours soon pass when you have a big batch of cases to prep. I showed Ive how to go with regards to reloading and i don't think he will be putting much more factory ammo through his .223 .........not even them american eagles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadeye ive Posted November 22, 2006 Report Share Posted November 22, 2006 I showed Ive how to go with regards to reloading and i don't think he will be putting much more factory ammo through his .223 .........not even them american eagles I am saving mine for Frank at a enhanced rate when they sell out and become like rockinghorse poo Stuart My early conclusion is the lee anniversary kit from smart reloader.com is plenty good enough even though i cut my teeth on Mffys quality RCBS gear .............Use good quality dies (EG Deluxe set )and a set of decent digital scales and the end result should be exactly the same whether your using £100 's worth of gear or £250 's worth . Ps Smart reloader throw in the dies FOC and there is no import tax and shipping is 15.99 euro anywhere in europe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted November 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 Thanks again lads. I always take a good bit of time off work over the Chistmas break, so I normally line up something to do other than eat/drink to excess of course. It has been fly rod building/ tying flies/making sticks & knives in the past, this year I will mainly be reloading by the looks of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning Posted November 23, 2006 Report Share Posted November 23, 2006 Stuart, I bought a Lee reloading kit about 15 years ago, and it's served me very well indeed. I always use RCBS dies, and RCBS balance scales, and hopefully Mrs Browning will have some electronic scales in my Christmas stocking. I used to neck size the .22-250, but suffered badly from jammed cases, so since then I've always full length re-sized all calibers. A good extra purchase would be the Stoney Point Overall Length Gauge and a good pair of digital calipers. Good luck with it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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