Thread: New to reloading

Hi all looking at getting into reloading and looking for the gears to reload my 7mm08 and 223. Anything for sale out there?

Check out Lee gear as a starting point. Watch and wait.Take your time about buying.

Have a look around at some of the old threads on this topic as it has been gone over before. So there’s a load of good advice on here! You just need a bit of patient looking for it. If your getting into reloading your going to need a bucketload of that

I have some 223 dies I can sell,lee ones from memory.

What brand are they?

Whats your budget. If you have the coin jump on into a good package deal. Redding, RCBS, Hornady. 6-700 will set you up with the gears

If you're gonna shoot about 200rd per year for each cal, look for a single stage 'o' frame press.

It's the simplest strongest press you can get.

When i started reloading there was a significant cost advantage as well as projectile choice available that made it a no brainer, hell back then reloaded shot shells were less than half the price of factory.
Today i only use the shot press to make solids or novelty rounds.
My rifle gear does the non mainstream cals i shoot 6.5x55, 7.62x54r 250 savage 22 250 etc. Although i still reload some 223 and 308 for most of my shooting ive switched to belmont as the quality and consistency is excellent and the price is better than I can reload for.
I can improve accuracy slightly by reloading and use different weight projectiles for specific tasks if i wish but most hand loaders settle on a favourite load and stay with it.
Belmont are comissioning a 7 08 machine i hear so to get yourself a good supply of brass to start reloading that could be a good option.

Keep an eye on TradeMe. Sometimes a whole bench setup comes up as a result of someone retiring from shooting.
Watch for "Specials" online at retail gun shops.
Shop around and ask for quotes from reloading specialist online shops. One recently price check I did was $125 vs $95 with free delivery for the same thing. Another was $900 vs $750. Always compare apples to apples.
Decide whether you want to buy by Brand or by budget.
Buying second hand is cheaper and relatively safe ie most gear is not flogged to death.
Good luck and shoot straight!

Originally Posted by cookie

Hi all looking at getting into reloading and looking for the gears to reload my 7mm08 and 223. Anything for sale out there?

How much do you expect to load P.A.?

@cookie my mate just bought a Howa 223, then went hunting for cheap ammunition, which he found at GunCity 1000 rounds for $1000. Unless you already have a bucket of brass, and buy your components really cheaply, you will struggle to reload 223 for less than a dollar. If you split your purchase with a mate it's viable option. Those $1 rounds shot 3 in a thumb print at 100 YARDS, then hit a gong at 300m no trouble at all. Just saying.....

At 2019 prices he better stock up while he can.

Without going too deeply into it, because I have before, the best way to do it is to find someone local who already reloads. Have a go on their gear before you buy anything. You won't have to go far to find someone who has dies for a .223 that you can have a go with.

Hopefully he has it all sorted 5 years later