New toy

[RobC]

Got a Rcbs press and accessories to start reloading. Pretty excited because I've been debating for about a year about spending the money. Well yesterday I got what I think is a pretty good deal. Got the press, scale, lube and tray, hand primer, primers, a couple trays for shells, powder and 25-250 dies for $160. I don't own a 22-250 I want to load .223 (5.62). So anyone interested in those dies let me know.

[Lawdwaz]

Good for you!

Start slow, read all you can on it and then blast away!!

Might as well hang onto the 22-250 dies, that will be the next logical purchase you make!! (Hell, you have the dies so you may as well buy a gun to fit it!!)

[RobC]

I like your thinking lawdwaz. I wonder if I can use that excuse on the mrs lol.

[Pygmy]

Exciting news Rob...Welcome to the world of handloading..

[NFA-ADK]

My buddy has been doing it for a few years now. You can make very good rounds realativly cheap. Nice when you get up in caliber or shoot a lot. Please be careful. Remember to match round with rifle and check powder charge for that rifle not just the round... Congrats on a whole new reason to shoot!!! Remember the primer is most vital... Makes me want to get one, ok im jealous.

OK Story time...

Hunter goes to my buds cabin in Roscoe and NEVER EVER see's a deer in the woods while hunting. He is at the cabin with my buddy "owner" and a buck walkes through and he asks if he can shoot it. This is a huge no no at this cabin by his rules but he makes a exception due to the hunters lack of success and some compasion by him. "Go ahead take him" he says reluctanly. Hunter lines up his shot takes aim and Click, "Dam realoads suck" he says in disgust as the buck bounds off the property owner laughing on the floor...

True Story

[RobC]

Ya I hear you guys. Spent the last two days reading manuals and load guides. I did get a table set up and mounted the press set up lights. Like a kid with a new Christmas gift.

[jusputtn]

RobC,

I've been reloading for years with no reliability issues. Just pay attention to what you're doing & enjoy.

[RobC]

On my way to get some more toys. Looking at a tumbler, powder dispenser, and a swagger tool because I've got a ton of crimped primer cases. I have a question though..... Will I have any problems removing the primers that are crimped with my dies? Or do I need a special tool to de- cap too?

[jusputtn]

I haven't reloaded 223 military brass but with 30-06 military brass I was breaking de-capping pins. I ended up buying an RCBS Universal Decapping Die. It has a heavier decapping pin. Still broke pins but fewer and farther between.

[Pygmy]

I have had the same exerience as jusputten...

I was given a large quantity of quality military 30-06 brass ( Lake City)..

I managed to de cap quite a few cases with my standard decapping pin, but it eventually broke. I would advise buying several heavy duty decapping pins. They are not very expensive.

So far I have managed to remove the crimp with my standard RCBS chamfering tool , but it requires quite a bit of elbow grease..I suspect that a swaging tool for this operation would be a good investment, if you have a lot of military brass to deal with.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[RobC]

Well I'm running my first load of brass in my new tumbler. The media came with a pack of white powder suppose to make them look polished so I gave that a try.

[NYBowhunter]

I dont reload, however I know a gunsmith that uses unscented cat litter in his tumbler instead of buying media. Like I said I dont reload, but just thought I'd throw that out there.