Chris
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Using some $$ I saved, plus a gift from my dad, I'm planning to break out some reloading stuff I've picked up over the years, buy some new stuff, and try doing something with the 223 and Beowulf brass I have. I have not done this since I took a class many moons ago with Walter Roger. Since I've picked up a bunch of stuff cheap on the second hand market, I wanted to see what kind of opinions more experienced reloaders have on some of the stuff and work up a shopping list accordingly. Here goes....
I managed to pick up a hardly used Hornady LnL single stage as a press which I think is fine, but I'm not sure about some of the other stuff I've collected. This is a much better press than the old Lee 'C' style I had. Came with the primer feeder. Should take care of my primer needs.
Forster 223 dies? Came with the press. Woman didn't know anything and I have not heard of this brand. Was all her late husband's stuff. Probably work, but are they closer to Lee or Redding in terms of quality? I just have the 2 dies and the case, no other info. Even the label is gone. All I know is it is Forster by the embossing on the case and there is a 223 marking on the seater. Not the type with the micrometer, just some knurled adjusters. Is there a way to tell if it is a full or just shoulder sizer? That's really my biggest concern since I'll be loading for the AR. There is another set for .308 that is labeled as Bench Rest Full Length. She also said that her husband made ammo for his "Army Guns", so it's likely that they were auto loaders and not bench rest bolt guns. I just need a way to be sure about the neck vs full.
Got a Lee decapper die - worth using? What are the concerns? I think I recall someone saying it has a problem that needs to be modified.
Was given a NIB Hornady ultrasonic cleaner that seems designed for cleaning cases. It is small. I know everyone seems to say buy a tumbler, but would this work well enough? Not seeking to process thousands of cases now. Would love to avoid buying a cleaning setup if I don't have to.
I have a ton of shell holders, but all seem to be different brands. They appear to be built similarly and seem to fit the Hornady press. Are they really universal?
Press came with a couple of trimmers called World Best Trimmer which I don't see a lot of comments on. They appear new and are caliber specific. One is 223 and the other is .308. Is this a decent trimmer, or should I think about getting one of the mini-lathe types? They are not cheap at Midway, and seem to get good reviews, but if I can hear from someone here I'd feel better. Also, there are no directions. From the look, I set a depth and just stick the case in and it is all automatic. Anyone have some tips?
I picked up some Beowulf dies real cheap. They are Lee which seems to be shunned here, but frankly I've not seen any other alternatives. Any reason they won't work? If it matters, it is a 4 die set.
I own a really nice set of dial calipers. Any reason to buy a case gage now, or will these suffice for now?
I'm hoping to not have to buy too much to replace stuff I have so that I can spring for a RCBS Chargemaster and replace the questionable powder drops and beam scales I have. Scales are probably OK, but the powder drops look filthy and I'd eventually want the electronic powder center. I figure I can set up a beam to double check the electronic scale. Other than being an expensive toy, any reason to not do this?
Oh, and I scored a Lyman XPRESS case prep center in the Cabela Bargain Cave for only $45. I figure even if it doesn't work well for me, I can get at least that much back in reselling it. Don't see any parts missing, just didn't have the box. Anyone have any experience with this? I've got an array of hand tools, but the powered tool seemed like a nice upgrade and I'm sure if I gave it another moment of pondering it would have been gone. Seems to run OK. Nice and quiet.
Anyhow, unless someone can think of a reason to toss something mentioned above, my list left to purchase seems to be:
Some kind of powder measure - Chargemaster!!!
Some current reloading manuals
Case cleaning and lube products. Figure I'd just use vinegar and dish soap in the ultrasonic for now. Will get some sizing wax for lube.
Components. Probably keep this simple for now.
Telepathically uploaded via my iPhone 13.
I managed to pick up a hardly used Hornady LnL single stage as a press which I think is fine, but I'm not sure about some of the other stuff I've collected. This is a much better press than the old Lee 'C' style I had. Came with the primer feeder. Should take care of my primer needs.
Forster 223 dies? Came with the press. Woman didn't know anything and I have not heard of this brand. Was all her late husband's stuff. Probably work, but are they closer to Lee or Redding in terms of quality? I just have the 2 dies and the case, no other info. Even the label is gone. All I know is it is Forster by the embossing on the case and there is a 223 marking on the seater. Not the type with the micrometer, just some knurled adjusters. Is there a way to tell if it is a full or just shoulder sizer? That's really my biggest concern since I'll be loading for the AR. There is another set for .308 that is labeled as Bench Rest Full Length. She also said that her husband made ammo for his "Army Guns", so it's likely that they were auto loaders and not bench rest bolt guns. I just need a way to be sure about the neck vs full.
Got a Lee decapper die - worth using? What are the concerns? I think I recall someone saying it has a problem that needs to be modified.
Was given a NIB Hornady ultrasonic cleaner that seems designed for cleaning cases. It is small. I know everyone seems to say buy a tumbler, but would this work well enough? Not seeking to process thousands of cases now. Would love to avoid buying a cleaning setup if I don't have to.
I have a ton of shell holders, but all seem to be different brands. They appear to be built similarly and seem to fit the Hornady press. Are they really universal?
Press came with a couple of trimmers called World Best Trimmer which I don't see a lot of comments on. They appear new and are caliber specific. One is 223 and the other is .308. Is this a decent trimmer, or should I think about getting one of the mini-lathe types? They are not cheap at Midway, and seem to get good reviews, but if I can hear from someone here I'd feel better. Also, there are no directions. From the look, I set a depth and just stick the case in and it is all automatic. Anyone have some tips?
I picked up some Beowulf dies real cheap. They are Lee which seems to be shunned here, but frankly I've not seen any other alternatives. Any reason they won't work? If it matters, it is a 4 die set.
I own a really nice set of dial calipers. Any reason to buy a case gage now, or will these suffice for now?
I'm hoping to not have to buy too much to replace stuff I have so that I can spring for a RCBS Chargemaster and replace the questionable powder drops and beam scales I have. Scales are probably OK, but the powder drops look filthy and I'd eventually want the electronic powder center. I figure I can set up a beam to double check the electronic scale. Other than being an expensive toy, any reason to not do this?
Oh, and I scored a Lyman XPRESS case prep center in the Cabela Bargain Cave for only $45. I figure even if it doesn't work well for me, I can get at least that much back in reselling it. Don't see any parts missing, just didn't have the box. Anyone have any experience with this? I've got an array of hand tools, but the powered tool seemed like a nice upgrade and I'm sure if I gave it another moment of pondering it would have been gone. Seems to run OK. Nice and quiet.
Anyhow, unless someone can think of a reason to toss something mentioned above, my list left to purchase seems to be:
Some kind of powder measure - Chargemaster!!!
Some current reloading manuals
Case cleaning and lube products. Figure I'd just use vinegar and dish soap in the ultrasonic for now. Will get some sizing wax for lube.
Components. Probably keep this simple for now.
Telepathically uploaded via my iPhone 13.