Want to start reloading....

NoahbodyImportant

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Jan 18, 2011
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trying to figure what equipment I need. Looks like an awesome group buy for Redding reloading equipment. This is what I think I need, but Im sure there is more that is needed. Looking for suggestions please.

Looking to reload for .308 and .223

Versa Pak Reloading Kit
Big Boss II Press Kit w/ .308 + .223 Series A Full Length Die

What else needs to be on my shopping list?

Much Appreciated
 
Re: Want to start reloading....

Aside from the obvious (brass, powder, primers, bullets) I'd say the Versa Pak is an excellent start. However you will ultimately need a tumbler and media to clean the brass after it is fired. Another thing you'll want is a good set of digital calipers and possibly a micrometer. Possibly an Overall Length Gage and Bullet Comparator. The OAL helps you know how deep to seat the bullets and the comparator gives me (maybe not you) more consistent measurements. This is due to it measuring off of the Ogive of the bullet rather than the tip.


Things that I have/would upgrade but are not required:
-Good Digital Scale (faster)
-Powder funnel with a >< contour rather than a >= contour. I spilled a bit of powder trying to use the straight tube on smaller calibers with thinner necks (.223 vs .308).
-Fancy new cases for your fancy new handloads
-Priming tool. I've reloaded with plungers and I've reloaded with hand-held priming tools. I prefer hand-held as they are considerably faster.
-A smaller wallet. This gets addictive AND expensive.
-Case prep station similar to the one offered by RCBS. Case prep is my least favorable part of reloading from the primer pocket to the deburring, to the trimming, it all wears on me. The automatic stations make it a lot faster/smoother.
 
Re: Want to start reloading....

Ive got a RCBS JR press, trimmer and 505 scale, the rest is a Hornady powder measure and mostly Hornady dies. Lee makes a heavy duty press thats called.....
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/317831/lee-classic-cast-single-stage-press
This is what Id buy if I were getting a new press today. Since youre going to be reloading 308 Id get some Hornady Match bushing dies, probably the Full length sizer model instead of the neck sizer model, Ive got both, they work very well. of course youll have to buy the correct size bushing as you dont wanna overwork your brass, .334 bushing works good for Lapua and fed brass, .331 for Win brass, havent sized any Rem brass with them yet.
 
Re: Want to start reloading....

It cost a little more, but the Giraud trimmer is a must if your reloading lots of shells at a time. There's nothing worst than knowing you have 1000 rounds to push threw traditional trimmers, AKA pencil sharpener.

Once you get the Giraud dialed in, that 1000 rounds is gone in just under an hour for me. I actually like reloading now, since I got my Giraud. LOL!

Just my 2 cents.
 
Re: Want to start reloading....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: THUNDERBOLT68</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Where do you buy the Giraud trimmer </div></div>

http://www.giraudtool.com/

Picked one up last month and can honestly say its my favorite tool on my bench ! Finished up 200 .308 cases and swapped it over to .223 and did another 600 cases.
Very fast and extremely clean and easy to use.