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Equipment To Get Started Reloading Rifle Ammo For Less Than $230

wer0206

I just put together a video covering this:


I’d recommend not spending too much money at first to see if you stick with it. Reloading ammo can be tedious detail oriented work so it’s not for everyone but at the same time it can save some money, be very rewarding, tune ammo to your rifle, and mainly enables you to shoot more. Start with a simple single stage press and if you stick with it you can start upgrading in certain areas.

The other thing re: cost savings depends on where you live (commie state vs non commie state). One of the main motivators for me to get into reloading was in Cali we can't get ammo shipped directly to our houses, it can only get shipped to an FFL which then charges extra fees for background check, and for using their services and all the bs paperwork they have to file (their fee is usually a flat rate or % of total ammo order). So this setup essentially adds a logistics tax (I have to take time out of my day to drive over to ffl just to get ammo) and monetary tax (gas + FFL fees). Eventually after doing that song and dance a few times I said fuck this I'll just make my own ammo and not have to deal with all that extra red tape bullshit. Making the initial investment in all the equipment sucked at first but it definitely enabled me to shoot way more than I would have if I had to keep going to the FFL every time I needed more ammo and after a year or so I have more than paid off the initial investment.

If I lived in a different state the calculus would change quite a bit re: if it's worth it or not.

All that being said, below is an example of all the equipment you’d need to reload/handload 223 Rem/5.56 NATO on a tight budget:
Total: $229

*Note, the first thing to upgrade would be to get the Lyman Ideal C Frame Press (# 7726500) ($105) or other single stage press of your liking (I would also look at RCBS Partner/Special-5/Rockchucker, Redding Big Boss II, etc.). The hand press will get the job done but it's hard on your arms/hands after a while
 
Using the parts described in the OP below is my process for weighing powder / charging cases


Part numbers for equipment used (for 223 Rem):
Total: $175

Steps covered in this video:
  1. Find load data using free info from bullet manufacturer (Hornady, Sierra, Barnes, etc.), powder manufacturer (Hodgdon, Vitahvori, etc.) or other source (reloading manual from Lyman, Lee, etc.).
  2. Using RCBS check weight set calibrate GEM20 and beam scale with check weights closest to your target weight
  3. Using the appropriate scoop from a Lee scoop set add powder to powder tray about 1 grain below target weight
  4. Using RCBS 5-0-2 beam scale and Frankford Arsenal powder trickler, trickle up to target weight
  5. Double check powder charge using GEM20 Digital Scale ($33), and hand trickler with RCBS 5-0-2 beam scale
  6. Using satern powder funnel speicific to your caliber and reloading tray specific to your case dump powder into case then put bullet on top to signify the case has been charged
  7. When done charging all 50 cases double check under each bullet to make sure the case is charged
  8. Move to next step - seating bullets
------------------------------------------------
My process for seating bullets:
 
Last edited:
Nice job.

Reloading can be fun and give you the ability to tune your load to your gun.

When I got back into reloading I used the Lee press (made out of aluminum).

Since then I upgraded to RCBS turret press.

You don't need to spend $1000 - $2000 on equipment just find out it isn't your thing to do.

You can also use this forum for getting info on your caliber and load data.

Lot's of good people here and lot's of experience.
 
One of the best ways to get started in reloading is to purchase a reloading kit, Lee, Lyman, RCBS, they all seem to offer them.

Years ago, although we did have a Dillon 550, I acquired a used Lyman Spar-T Kit LNIB with some dies. That little turret press was a nice step up from the "C" frame presses we had.

This kit had the Spar-T press, the #55 powder measure, a beam scale (an Ohaus same as RCBS used back then), a lube pad, dies and some misc. gizmos. Everything needed to start reloading.
 
spudgun said:
Nice job.

Reloading can be fun and give you the ability to tune your load to your gun.

When I got back into reloading I used the Lee press (made out of aluminum).

Since then I upgraded to RCBS turret press.

You don't need to spend $1000 - $2000 on equipment just find out it isn't your thing to do.

You can also use this forum for getting info on your caliber and load data.

Lot's of good people here and lot's of experience.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I started with the Lee hand press and after a few batches of 50 I knew I would stick with it and upgraded to the Lyman Ideal Brass Smith for about $100 that I mounted to a 6x6x1 piece of HDPE that I mount with C-clamps. It's been perfect for me and I've loaded several sub 0.5 moa bolt gun loads and sub 1 moa gas gun loads with it (10 shot groups).
 
wer0206 said:
I just put together a video covering this:


I’d recommend not spending too much money at first to see if you stick with it. Reloading ammo can be tedious detail oriented work so it’s not for everyone but at the same time it can save some money, be very rewarding, tune ammo to your rifle, and mainly enables you to shoot more. Start with a simple single stage press and if you stick with it you can start upgrading in certain areas.

The other thing re: cost savings depends on where you live (commie state vs non commie state). One of the main motivators for me to get into reloading was in Cali we can't get ammo shipped directly to our houses, it can only get shipped to an FFL which then charges extra fees for background check, and for using their services and all the bs paperwork they have to file (their fee is usually a flat rate or % of total ammo order). So this setup essentially adds a logistics tax (I have to take time out of my day to drive over to ffl just to get ammo) and monetary tax (gas + FFL fees). Eventually after doing that song and dance a few times I said fuck this I'll just make my own ammo and not have to deal with all that extra red tape bullshit. Making the initial investment in all the equipment sucked at first but it definitely enabled me to shoot way more than I would have if I had to keep going to the FFL every time I needed more ammo and after a year or so I have more than paid off the initial investment.

If I lived in a different state the calculus would change quite a bit re: if it's worth it or not.

All that being said, below is an example of all the equipment you’d need to reload/handload 223 Rem/5.56 NATO on a tight budget:
Total: $229

*Note, the first thing to upgrade would be to get the Lyman Ideal C Frame Press (# 7726500) ($105) or other single stage press of your liking (I would also look at RCBS Partner/Special-5/Rockchucker, Redding Big Boss II, etc.). The hand press will get the job done but it's hard on your arms/hands after a while
Click to expand...
Great perspective! Too many times a new reloader asks for equipment input and gets the “buy once, cry once” response. What a crock. Get a basic setup and decide which features are important to you. Then with real-time experience move in your direction. What works for one person will be terrible for another. A few of my reloading items remain from my first attempt. Most have been upgraded/replaced.
 
Another way to get some really excellent equipment is to check with local smiths / shops that buy firearms and equipment from estate sales of deceased shooters / reloaders or learn of such sales from fellow shooters.
 
joshb said:
If I had to use that hand press, I’d quit. I would find a used “bench mounted” press on eBay . I also hate electronic scales. The beam scale is perfectly adequate.
Click to expand...
I agree with your observation about the low end electronic scale… One, they are subject to plenty of interference from other electrical devices but for me it was the fact that it kept turning off if it sat idle for more than 45 seconds…
A beam scale will get you started and as for a trickler it can be as simple as a teaspoon lightly tapping out a granule at a time.
Once you decide that you want to reload for sure and particularly if going into close accuracy such as benchrest or F class, PRC over just good enough for hunting ammo then upgrading to much better equipment is the order of the day…
“Speed cost money… How fast do you want to go?”
True for race cars as for any other type of competition…
 
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