Another new reloader looking for help/comments

[billf]

I have read what seems like hundreds of these kinds of posts, on various sites, asking for help on deciding what to buy and how to get started reloading. After reading all of your collected wisdom, and doing a lot of research and dragging out making a purchase for way too long, I decided to buy today.

So, this thread/request is a little different since I already purchased, I am no longer asking what I should buy, I am really asking for some help to see if I missed anything that I am going to need to get started in this (already expensive) reloading world. Sorry for the long winded post - I tried to be complete with all the things that are usually asked on these requests.

A few details:
I am reloading for .308 only, target shooting out to 1K with primarily an AI AE, but also for my Rem 700 5R. My main goal is to increase consistency/accuracy in the ammo I am shooting, but also to cut down on the rising costs of ammo. I live in CA, and it "appears" come Feb. of next year there will be no more internet ammo sales - so it was time to take control of my own destiny given the price of match ammo locally.

Here is what I purchased:

Forster Co-Ax Press
Redding Competition Bushing 3-Die Set .308
RCBS Chargemaster 1500
RCBS Trim Mate w/primer pocket uniformer
Hornady Concentricity Guage
Hornady Trimmer w/.308 shellholder
Hornady Comparator w/inserts
Hornady Headspace Guage Set
Lee Auto Prime Tool w/ shellholder
Hornady OAL Guage w/.308 case
Hornady Lock Rings for Redding dies in Forster press
Imperial Case Sizing Wax
Redding Powder Trickler
Satern Powder Funnel
Lyman Reloading Manual (I have a couple of other manuals already)
I already had Brown & Sharpe calipers and mics (at least I did not have to buy those too…)

Sierra MatchKing 168gr (100)
Sierra MatchKing 175gr (100)
CCI BR2 primers
Varget (8 lb) - seemed like the best powder to start with, I am sure I will try others also
I have about 500 once fired brass from 168 & 175 Federal Match that I will start with

Competition Electronics ProChrono Digital Chronograph

I am still deciding on how I am going to clean my brass, normal tumbler/media, stainless steel or ultrasonic, that is one decision I still have to make. I may have left a few things out of that list, but any comments or things that I did not think of - please point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance for any help & thanks already for all the answers you have given to others that I was able to glean and of course the great "stickies" that Doc has put together on this forum.

bill

 

[427Cobra]

Re: yet another new reloader post for help

Shit can the Federal brass, keep the plastic shell holders, get a cheap vib tumbler some walnut shells from the pet store, and get busy

 

[repiv]

Re: yet another new reloader post for help

You are off to a really good start with that list.

Add the following for the Trim Mate.

Position 1

Position 2 (yes it fits)

Position 3

Position 4

Position 5

I also did not see where you bought bushings, you will need those.

Redding Bushings

Buy Lapua Brass and be done with it. You have too good a list of equiptment to use any other brass.

Also pick up some of these for your dies. You will be glad you have them.

Hornady Sure-Loc Die Locking Ring 7/8"-14 Thread

I personally like the sonic cleaner AND THE HORNADY SOLUTION if you go that route. It can clean 50-60 cases REALLY fast. It may not get cases as perfectly shiney as the stainless way but its way faster and the cases are pretty close and certainly good enough.

These are nice too

Frankford Arsenal Perfect Fit Reloading Tray




Thats all I can think of right now.

 

[billf]

Re: Another new reloader looking for help/comments

Thanks for the feedback so far, please keep it coming.

Sounds like I will be ordering some Lapua brass today. I had planned on going with it in the near future, but I thought maybe I should "get my feet wet" with the Federal that I have to start with since it is here. I should have added that I do have about 200+ Hornady cases from their 168 & 178 match ammo, what is everyone's take on reloading that?

On the bushings for the dies, that one had me a little stumped and I have not measured to figure out what size(s) I need to buy yet, any guidance on that would be appreciated. The only thing I would have to measure here now is the Federal 168 & 175 and the Hornady 168 & 178, which I can do and then subtract .002" to .003" from this diameter and get those bushings - but is that correct way to go about it?

I did buy the Hornady lock rings for the Redding dies, the primer pocket uniformer for the Trim Mate and I should have added that I picked up the great looking machined loading blocks from the current Group Buy that Tomekeuro85 has going on.

I thought the Trim Mate came with a flash hole deburring tool, but I see now that it does not, so I will get that added in too.

thanks,
bill

 

[billf]

Re: Another new reloader looking for help/comments

I decided to try out the ultrasonic cleaning route to start with and see how I like it. Just a few more decisions to be made and I will be done with all the "normal" equipment bits.

bought this one:
http://www.harborfreight.com/25-liter-ultrasonic-cleaner-95563.html

Can anyone help with the bushings for the Redding dies? I continue to read many things, but I am unsure about this:

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">On the bushings for the dies, that one had me a little stumped and I have not measured to figure out what size(s) I need to buy yet, any guidance on that would be appreciated. The only thing I would have to measure here now is the factory Federal 168 & 175 and Hornady 168 & 178, which I can do and then subtract .002" to .003" from this diameter and get those bushings - but is that correct way to go about it?</div></div>