I need to reload for 6.5 Creedmoor. Can I buy just the minimum equipment for $100 and if so what do I buy??

[charliebrown1999]

I did I dumb thing a bought a new bolt rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. I just barely could afford the rifle and no way can I afford the ammo a $1.26 each. Can I buy just the basic press and dies for under $100 and if so what would I buy??? I have been reloading for .357 and .44 magnum and have a 505 balance scale. I also have 49 once fired Hornady brass cases that I picked up at the range from a guy firing a new Tikka TX3 Tactical .I got sucked in to the 6.5 CM thing and need help.

 

[Sharpshooter3]

What do you have as far as reloading equipment goes already?

 

[Iamero]

You can make it work, but you'll probably get a lot of guys on here telling you to save and invest in better stuff. I reloaded with a Lee single stage press and RCBS dies for years but slowly accumulated better gear. If you're shooting for extreme spread under 10 and low SDs as well, then you'll want to invest in more/better stuff, but if you're shooting paper and hammering steel then you can get away with it.

Lee single stage press
RCBS die set
H4350 or H4831SC powder is the way to go in Creed
Loads of various 140gr bullets that work great (I have extras I could make you a deal on)
Buy the Hornady ogive measuring tool and a 6.5 creed modified case and calibers if you don't already have a set

There are some more of the basic tools you may have already like primer pocket cleaners and such. As mentioned before me..what do you have already?

 

[Deleted member 113831]

A match grade die set alone would cost you more than $100. But, if you wanna make it go bang, there is this:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/807734/lee-breech-lock-reloader-single-stage-press
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/782777/lyman-2-die-set

 

[47guy]

for a hundo your not quite going to make it but like these guys have said lee is your best bet on that tight of a budget and will get you close.

 

[spife7980]

If you’re already loading for those pistols then I assume you already have some stuff, what do you have? Let us know and we can fill in the blanks.

The thing about going with cheap stuff is that you end up paying for it in labor. It will take 2x as long to do everything. But if you’re content to just make it go bang every once in awhile and not 50 rounds a week then that’s not so bad. I used a little lee loader hand die for a decade as well as the 505. I just wanted ammo to hunt with and occasionally shoot for enjoyment and that was fine. Once I started shooting what used to be a years worth of ammo in a single day I found my need to upgrade.

 

[charliebrown1999]

You can make it work, but you'll probably get a lot of guys on here telling you to save and invest in better stuff. I reloaded with a Lee single stage press and RCBS dies for years but slowly accumulated better gear. If you're shooting for extreme spread under 10 and low SDs as well, then you'll want to invest in more/better stuff, but if you're shooting paper and hammering steel then you can get away with it.

Lee single stage press
RCBS die set
H4350 or H4831SC powder is the way to go in Creed
Loads of various 140gr bullets that work great (I have extras I could make you a deal on)
Buy the Hornady ogive measuring tool and a 6.5 creed modified case and calibers if you don't already have a set

There are some more of the basic tools you may have already like primer pocket cleaners and such. As mentioned before me..what do you have already?

Thanks for the help. I do have an RCBS made in China caliper, that's it.

 

[charliebrown1999]

If you’re already loading for those pistols then I assume you already have some stuff, what do you have? Let us know and we can fill in the blanks.

The thing about going with cheap stuff is that you end up paying for it in labor. It will take 2x as long to do everything. But if you’re content to just make it go bang every once in awhile and not 50 rounds a week then that’s not so bad. I used a little lee loader hand die for a decade as well as the 505. I just wanted ammo to hunt with and occasionally shoot for enjoyment and that was fine. Once I started shooting what used to be a years worth of ammo in a single day I found my need to upgrade.

Thanks for the help. I do have an RCBS made in China caliper, that's it.

 

[charliebrown1999]

What do you have as far as reloading equipment goes already?

Just a 505 RCBS balance scale and caliper

 

[spife7980]

Thanks for the help. I do have an RCBS made in China caliper, that's it.

How in the heck are you reloading your pistol stuff then with just a scale and a caliper?

 

[charliebrown1999]

You can make it work, but you'll probably get a lot of guys on here telling you to save and invest in better stuff. I reloaded with a Lee single stage press and RCBS dies for years but slowly accumulated better gear. If you're shooting for extreme spread under 10 and low SDs as well, then you'll want to invest in more/better stuff, but if you're shooting paper and hammering steel then you can get away with it.

Lee single stage press
RCBS die set
H4350 or H4831SC powder is the way to go in Creed
Loads of various 140gr bullets that work great (I have extras I could make you a deal on)
Buy the Hornady ogive measuring tool and a 6.5 creed modified case and calibers if you don't already have a set

There are some more of the basic tools you may have already like primer pocket cleaners and such. As mentioned before me..what do you have already?

This ogive measuring tool and modified case measuring stuff is way beyond my abilities. I am an asthmatic septuagenarian with quickly degrading eyesight and hand and finger strength. I probably should just bite the bullet and buy new ammo which is expensive here in CA with the new laws.

 

[Iamero]

I would save the $100 you would spend on the press and the dies, plus the extra money for bullets, brass, and primers and other tools and just put it toward a case of ammo. Shoot that and then reload down the road when you have all the brass already.

If o-give and all of that is beyond what you want to do, then you probably aren't after super precise handloads and accuracy anyways. In that case, check out the Sellior & Bellot 6.5 creedmoor ammo. It is much cheaper than Prime or Hornady match grade ammo and should probably do everything you need it to.

 

[Codiekfx400]

You could try laxammo they are in California. Hornady American gunner is the way to go on a budget

 

[ken226]

Your budget is $30.00 below the cheapest full reloading kit on the market. I used one of these kits from age 18 to anout 25. Ive loaded a couple hundrrd thousand rounds of rifle and pistol ammo with this setup. Its got everything you need.

Now, skip two meals to save that extra 30$

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/163043322076

 

[spife7980]

This is about the cheapest press/kit there is. 130 bucks
https://www.brownells.com/reloading/reloading-kits/breech-lock-challenger-kit-prod54175.aspx
That has a press, scale (redudndant but oh well), a hand primer, trimmer and chamfer tool


Then you would want dies, 50 bucks
https://www.brownells.com/reloading...recision&avs|Cartridge_1=BCC_6xzzx5+Creedmoor

To go withthe quick trim in the press you would want a creed trim die. 11 bucks
https://www.brownells.com/reloading...331.aspx?avs|Cartridge_1=BCC_6xzzx5+Creedmoor

So the nicest cheap route is about 200 bucks.




If you were to piece it together it would be 70 for the breech lock press, 20 for the auto prime and 4 bucks for the auto prime shell holder, 6 bucks for the trimmer gauge, 13 for the trimmer, holder scrapper chamfer, 10 bucks for sizing lube. Plus the die set for 50 makes the total of 173 for the absolute minimum.
Probably want to add on a couple lock rings for 10 bucks for 2 so that you can save the settings on your dies. 5 bucks for a funnel. brings us up to 188.



If you want to size your cases accurately the hornady comparator body is 13 and 10 bucks for a sinclair bump guide that would go in the body. Those go on your calipers to measure the fired case shoulder and the sized case shoulder so you can see how much you are actually sizing the cases with the difference between the two.
You can get a case gauge instead but thats less accurate and less informative.

 

[pitdog85]

OP I bought that cheapest lee reloading kit that these guys are talking about still using it, manage to get single digit SD for a 15-20 shots for most loads on my 6.5x47l with that POS LEE beem scale.

I feel ya dog when ya got no money ya got no money man

 

[charliebrown1999]

I would save the $100 you would spend on the press and the dies, plus the extra money for bullets, brass, and primers and other tools and just put it toward a case of ammo. Shoot that and then reload down the road when you have all the brass already.

If o-give and all of that is beyond what you want to do, then you probably aren't after super precise handloads and accuracy anyways. In that case, check out the Sellior & Bellot 6.5 creedmoor ammo. It is much cheaper than Prime or Hornady match grade ammo and should probably do everything you need it to.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[charliebrown1999]

OP I bought that cheapest lee reloading kit that these guys are talking about still using it, manage to get single digit SD for a 15-20 shots for most loads on my 6.5x47l with that POS LEE beem scale.

I feel ya dog when ya got no money ya got no money man

Thank you for the information.

 

[charliebrown1999]

Your budget is $30.00 below the cheapest full reloading kit on the market. I used one of these kits from age 18 to anout 25. Ive loaded a couple hundrrd thousand rounds of rifle and pistol ammo with this setup. Its got everything you need.

Now, skip two meals to save that extra 30$

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/163043322076

Ok, I don't smoke, never have, and don't drink but I do eat. However I could skip a couple of meals and get this press. I would still need dies, right? What manufacture would you recommend that will fit that press?

 

[charliebrown1999]

This is about the cheapest press/kit there is. 130 bucks
https://www.brownells.com/reloading/reloading-kits/breech-lock-challenger-kit-prod54175.aspx
That has a press, scale (redudndant but oh well), a hand primer, trimmer and chamfer tool


Then you would want dies, 50 bucks
https://www.brownells.com/reloading/reloading-dies/rifle-dies/ultimate-rifle-4-die-sets-prod65608.aspx?avs|Manufacturer_1=lee+precision&avs|Cartridge_1=BCC_6xzzx5+Creedmoor

To go withthe quick trim in the press you would want a creed trim die. 11 bucks
https://www.brownells.com/reloading/case-preparation/case-trimming/trimmer-case-holders/quick-trim-dies-prod56331.aspx?avs|Cartridge_1=BCC_6xzzx5+Creedmoor

So the nicest cheap route is about 200 bucks.




If you were to piece it together it would be 70 for the breech lock press, 20 for the auto prime and 4 bucks for the auto prime shell holder, 6 bucks for the trimmer gauge, 13 for the trimmer, holder scrapper chamfer, 10 bucks for sizing lube. Plus the die set for 50 makes the total of 173 for the absolute minimum.
Probably want to add on a couple lock rings for 10 bucks for 2 so that you can save the settings on your dies. 5 bucks for a funnel. brings us up to 188.



If you want to size your cases accurately the hornady comparator body is 13 and 10 bucks for a sinclair bump guide that would go in the body. Those go on your calipers to measure the fired case shoulder and the sized case shoulder so you can see how much you are actually sizing the cases with the difference between the two.
You can get a case gauge instead but thats less accurate and less informative.

Thank you so much for all the detail. I am an accountant or use to be in another live and I like detail. I will just have to bite the bullet and save more to get what is needed.

 

[spife7980]

Thank you so much for all the detail. I am an accountant or use to be in another live and I like detail. I will just have to bite the bullet and save more to get what is needed.

And brownells often has 10% off plus shipping etc, never by something from them without googling brownells coupons and somewhere like retailmenot will have them listed.

You could also try hornady or rcbs dies, they often have rebates for 100 free bullets or 10 bucks.

I just like the lees for your particular application. You can lube the outside with the wax and do the full length resize without the expander ball and then just wipe them off by hand with a towel or some rubbing alcohol. Then the collet will allow you to set the neck diameter at the appropriate size for proper tension without having to lube the inside of the necks and then clean it out. With a hornady or rcbs 2 die sets you would want to lube inside the necks, and then to clean them you would want to tumble. The lees add in extra step in that it is 2 separate steps but it saves buying a tumbler or ultra sonic. And if/since you’re retired from the sound of it I assume you have plenty of time lounging around so the extra time spent isn’t a big deal. I do it all sitting in front of the tv and don’t mind keeping my hands busy.

If your hands hurt though wear gloves, I have the cheap neoprene covered cotton gloves that come in a three pack in the aisle bins at Lowe’s, and get the power adaptor for the trimming. It’s 20 bucks or so but it will be worth chucking a drill up to it instead of cranking it by hand after the first case.

 

[pitdog85]

Forgot to add I don't own a tumbler or anything like that either, all I do is clean the soot of the neck with 0000 steel wool and reload. Every 5th or so firing I might clean the whole case with the steel wool but the rest of the time I only clean the necks.

I anneal by hand with torch and drill old school as well. Reloading can be done much cheaper than the rich guys with similar results but like I think spife mentioned it will cost you time which is ok with me.

 

[charliebrown1999]

And brownells often has 10% off plus shipping etc, never by something from them without googling brownells coupons and somewhere like retailmenot will have them listed.

You could also try hornady or rcbs dies, they often have rebates for 100 free bullets or 10 bucks.

I just like the lees for your particular application. You can lube the outside with the wax and do the full length resize without the expander ball and then just wipe them off by hand with a towel or some rubbing alcohol. Then the collet will allow you to set the neck diameter at the appropriate size for proper tension without having to lube the inside of the necks and then clean it out. With a hornady or rcbs 2 die sets you would want to lube inside the necks, and then to clean them you would want to tumble. The lees add in extra step in that it is 2 separate steps but it saves buying a tumbler or ultra sonic. And if/since you’re retired from the sound of it I assume you have plenty of time lounging around so the extra time spent isn’t a big deal. I do it all sitting in front of the tv and don’t mind keeping my hands busy.

If your hands hurt though wear gloves, I have the cheap neoprene covered cotton gloves that come in a three pack in the aisle bins at Lowe’s, and get the power adaptor for the trimming. It’s 20 bucks or so but it will be worth chucking a drill up to it instead of cranking it by hand after the first case.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with me. It appears you have been reloading for rifle long enough to have learned all the tricks.

 

[charliebrown1999]

Forgot to add I don't own a tumbler or anything like that either, all I do is clean the soot of the neck with 0000 steel wool and reload. Every 5th or so firing I might clean the whole case with the steel wool but the rest of the time I only clean the necks.

I anneal by hand with torch and drill old school as well. Reloading can be done much cheaper than the rich guys with similar results but like I think spife mentioned it will cost you time which is ok with me.

Thanks-I have a tumbler but will use your method.