I am getting into reloading 5.56/.223 as well as some basic pistol calibers. I have been picking up equipment on Craigslist and am ready to start preparing for my first batch of rifle reloads.
My questions are:
1. Should I use virgin brass or is once-fired ok to use?
2. Anything I should be warned about?
3. What are the names of the vendors who have the best deals on brass and supplies?
Thanks for your help. :bier:
1. If loading for accuracy, once fired is o.k., but I'd make sure that it is all the same headstamp (manufacturer). Brass from different manufacturers can be different enough to cause slight variations in point of impact and thus affect group size. If you're loading plinking ammo, then mixed headstamps are o.k.
2. Military brass is sometimes thicker which means less internal volume. Most sources will recommend that if using military spec brass that starting charges be reduced by as much as 10% when working up loads. Some sources say that for 5.56/.223 there is very little difference between commercial and military case volume. Just be cautious.
If you have more than one loading manual, the one thing you may notice are wildly different data for the same caliber. One thing I have started doing is that when confronted with different data, I always default to the manufacturer of the powder that I use. Every major powder manufacturer (Hodgdon, Accurate Arms, Alliant, Ramshot & Vihtavuori) have load data on their web site. One thing I like about Nosler is that they actually have some loading data for their bullets on their web site. It seems that most bullet manufacturers are more interested in selling loading manuals than they are in providing easy access data so that you'll use their bullets.
3. For supplies, I do the most business with Midway for equipment and bullets. For brass, powder and primers, Powder Valley usually has good prices if it's in stock. Others I've done business with and had good luck are Mid-South Shooter's Supply and Natchez Shooter's Supply. Dillon Precision has great equipment but there components always seemed over-priced to me.
You didn't say, but if you are loading for an AR type rifle, you may find that you need a
small base sizing die (if you don't already have one) to guarantee feeding in your AR.
For lubing your cases, I highly recommend Hornady One-Shot in either the
aerosol or
pump bottle.
Have fun.
Hoss