First real reloading experience....

I went to SGMJody's this afternoon after work to get started on some .223/5.56 brass. Three hours later we were done with step one. I guess really it is step two because the brass was already cleaned. He weighed it and he guessed it is about 1100 rounds. So, I have it all sized and decapped. Next up will be cleaning case mouths and primer pockets. Then we will polish, charge and seat the bullets. I am excited as I have never done any real reloading. It really helps to have someone who knows what they are doing, as opposed to reading from a book and trial and error. We are going through alot of trouble on this brass, but I have seen some of the groups he fired and it will be well worth it if my rifle is up to the task.

Well, Well - welcome to a new world!! Looks like you have teamed up with an great instructor .... I would suggest that for all new reloaders .... Nothing like seeing it done or doing it with some experience looking over your shoulder!!

Way to go, guys!!

After about half of the brass, he asked me if I was tired. I told him my shoulder was killing me and he just laughed and laughed. The good thing is, I don't figure I will be doing that much brass at one time very often. We have our house sold and will hopefully be buying another. The one we want has a room under the carport that will become the "MAN CAVE!" I will be able to set up my reloader, finally. His setup is so nice, I may just camp out there!

+1 to neck on members helping each other, and man it is so nice to have a mentor over a book or video.

That 1100 rounds won't last long after you get it stuffed.

You can reload cheaper than buying ammo. That's what the line always is. Truth is, there is no savings, because you shoot alot more than you think when you roll your own.

Best thing about it is making a load that your weapon shoots well.

A "Man Cave" everyone needs one.

I have really enjoyed watching jbpmidas "work" on his brass. Like he said, we're going to get this batch ready to prime and load and go from there. We're going to the range in a couple of days and try some of my "match 223" loads from the bench with his AR. We'll test loads and find some that shoot very well in his barrel. It is an enjoyable experience having someone who enjoys doing the same things that you enjoy doing and working together to accomplish the same goal. jpb is a supernice guy and I enjoy having him over to share our "hobby".

Thank you, Mr. SGMJody!

My learning was trail and error. Through family visites, reunions, I did get to visite with an uncle. I may have primed, expanded, charged or seated 25 to 50 cases per visite. He had all dies set to where they were needed to be. So when I got my press and dies, it was an all new ball game.

Like everyone has said +10000 on someone to keep an eye on us rookies. This is how I started reloading for my pistol.

Another step completed this afternoon at Mr. Jody's. Got the necks cleaned and just a few of the primer pockets. Man, this reloading thing is easier when you have the right tools. A portable drill mounted to a table really takes care of the necks and pockets. Next, I have to finish the primer pockets and then polish. But, tomorrow we shoot! Finally!

We shot today, finally! I posted some pictures in my topic under the firearms gallery. The rounds we fired were SGMJody's home brew. He can tell the recipe if he wants. I thought they did really well.

We fired some factory loaded Federal 55 grain FMJ loads to warm up the barrel and to start the zero procedure. We then fired 69 grain Nosler HPBT match bullets in front of 23.0 grains of H335 to finalize and confirm the zero and also shot these at 100 yds after zeroing. Next was 69 grain Sierra HPBT match bullets in front of 23.0 grains of H335 and finally 75 grain Hornady HPBT match in front of 22.0 grains of H335. We had an excellent day at the range.

The Nosler load fired the two groups I have posted in the Firearms Gallery section under "My AR put together."

i am cursed when it comes to reloading for any ar 15 . my rcbs resizing and depriming die is messed up i keep getting crooked necks . i had to use a old die somone gave me awhile back to get by because i needed the bullets to varmit hunt with thursday . the die im using made the cases to long so i had to trim them with a trimmer that had a broken handle because the handle for my rcbs trimmer has dissappeared. it took me about 3 hours to make 28 223s. the 69 gr noslers group great for me with 26 grains of varget . i always have hell workn with 223.

If you give up, I need your .223 stuff!

Yet, another comes over to the dark side.

AR's are fun to shoot, but they have to be fed.

Having the right tools makes reloading a joy instead of work. Those tools you purchase as you go so it's not a strain on the pocketbook. In time you have all the things you need, plus a "man cave" in the new house to put them in.

Case prep makes the difference between the 8/9 ring and the 10/X.

Keep having fun.

SGMJody made a believer out of me! To see the difference in group sizes, just using a different brand of bullet. Same brass, same primer, same powder, same powder charge and same bullet weight but different brand bullet made the group double. The sierras made a decent group, probably about 2 inches. But the noslers grouped between 1 1/8 - 1 1/4! And he is diligent on his case prep!

i basicly have 2 whole reloading setups . my rcbs and my junk . I told a guy i wood give him 50 dollars for his rcbs press and he said if he didnt have the press he didnt need the rest of it so he gave me everything exept a scale . I gave him 60 because i felt kinda guilty . so now i use one press for depriming and the other for loading that way i dont have to change out dies. plus about 3 boxes of extra equipment, dies and projectiles . I love my AR best $450 i ever spent .

Worked on my brass some more today. Today, I got all my primer pockets cleaned and am about halfway finished trimming. One batch is in the tumbler, as I type, being poished. And, Mr. Jody said he would have the second batch polished for me. So, I have to finish trimming the brass and polish it, then separate and deswage(?) the primer pockets of the Lake City brass. Then, when the sun and stars align, I will be ready to prime and charge. Whew!!!! Seems like a lot of work, but it will be so worth it!