Reloading 5.56 and 9: What's the total investment in good equipment?

[Klaatu]

My point is that Im assuming if I invest in higher quality equipment, I can always skimp on primers, etc. for a cost of accuracy, just as you said. I think* I can't go the other way around and expect cheap machinery to turn quality primary materials into quality. There is no conflict in my statements.

My accuracy goals, if I'm going for accuracy, for 556 are slightly sub 1 moa out to 600 yards, so, basically hitting head sized objects out to there reliably. Beyond that, I'm not shooting 5.56 (my original question).

You seem to be talking about other calibers, which is not what I am asking about. If you want to talk about 300wm, 50bmg or lapua or even 6.5cm this is not the discussion.

The stated conflict is now clarified by the first paragraph in your reply. Thanks. I am not talking about 5.56 out to 600 and sub-MOA. No other calibers are being referred to in this thread.

Sub MOA in 5.56 out to 600 yards is reliably doable, but depends on rifle, shooting setup, and of course the ammo, plus the shooter. I can get well under sub-MOA in 223 using a quality single stage press, higher end dies, digital scale/dispenser, sorted brass, high quality bullets, powder the rifle seemed to like, and methodical reloading processes. That process is slow. A less tedious and cheaper setup MAY deliver what you are looking for, but impossible to say with certainty.

 

[Klaatu]

"Accuracy can be extreme and very costly, depending on what your expectations. Please tell us what that is. 1 MOA, 1/2 MOA, 1/4 MOA, etc?"


Ok I'll bite what equipment for 1/4 moa for 9mm and 5.56?

I was asking what the original poster's (OP's) goals were in terms of desired MOA. I was NOT suggesting any specific MOA could be achieved by any round. If the OP said I want reliable 1/4 MOA at 600 yards with 5.56, I would have told him, "not going to happen".

All I can speak to in the context of this thread is achieving what I have done, which is 1/2 MOA more often than not, for 223 (not 5.56). I know people who can shoot under 1/4 MOA pretty regularly, but these are benchrest guys with exotic calibers, rifles, tools, and processes. For me, my equipment is:

• Accurate single stage press.
• Higher end dies, including micrometer style bullet seating die, and occasional use of a collet die.
• Bullet and case neck runout indicator.
• Accurate digital powder scale and dispenser.
• QuickLoad software.
• Single primer load hand held priming tool.
• Ultrasonic case cleaner.
• Case trimmer.
• Primer pocket cleaner.
• Primer hole tool.
• Dial calipers.
• Chamber measurement tools.
• Probably some other stuff I cannot recall at the moment!

I did not include anything about the selected ammo components such as bullet, case, powder, or primers, nor anything about loading practices, rifle, or shooting setup (all critical).

 

[anono]

The stated conflict is now clarified by the first paragraph in your reply. Thanks. I am not talking about 5.56 out to 600 and sub-MOA. No other calibers are being referred to in this thread.

Sub MOA in 5.56 out to 600 yards is reliably doable, but depends on rifle, shooting setup, and of course the ammo, plus the shooter. I can get well under sub-MOA in 223 using a quality single stage press, higher end dies, digital scale/dispenser, sorted brass, high quality bullets, powder the rifle seemed to like, and methodical reloading processes. That process is slow. A less tedious and cheaper setup MAY deliver what you are looking for, but impossible to say with certainty.

Thanks. Do you have equipment suggestions for said AO? I'm super pragmatic person. If shooter sucks, nothing else matters. Like I said, I know nothing about reloading. I am not a precision shooter and really have no interest in it.

So, if you could offer equipment suggestions that would be awesome. Also, like I said, I know that you get what you pay for, so I'm looking for advice on high quality first, I'll figure out how to pay for it later

 

[Klaatu]

Here are some specifics on equipment I use to reload ammunition.. I do not yet have a case neck annealer, but that is coming. This list does not include anything about the rifle, shooting setup, cartridge components, reloading steps, or testing. Reloading using these tools and associated processes definitely takes time and is best suited for making small batches of ammo.

• Forster Co-Ax single stage press.
• Forster dies, including micrometer style seating die. Sometimes use a collet style full length resizing die.
• Sinclair bullet and case neck runout indicator.
• Sinclair case trimmer.
• Case length gauge (case base to a shoulder datum line).
• Case neck mandrel.
• RCBS Chargemaster 1500 powder measure and dispenser.
• Quickload software.
• K&N hand priming tool.
• Sinclair primer pocket cleaner.
• Sinclair primer hole deburr tool.
• Case neck deburr tool (inside and outside neck).
• Ultrasonic case cleaner. Changing to tumbler with steel pins.
• Dial calipers.
• Sinclair & Hornady tools to measured distance to lands.
• Redding dies, including one with carbide neck button.
• Probably some other stuff I cannot recall at the moment!