Newbie started a derimming die.

I've been lurking for a month or so. Saw Ammosmiths video a few years ago about making .223 from 22lr and have been intrigued ever since. (The main reason I reload rifle, pistol, and shotgun, is not being able to purchase when I want to. Now it's getting to where you can find components.) I've done a lot of research on the internet and finally decided to start with couple of grade 3 and grade 5 bolts. Today I started on a grade 3 bolt, turned the head down to shaft diameter and knurled the non threaded section. Then I drilled it out to 3/8". Maybe this weekend I can bore it out to .500 inch for the drill bushing to insert, and make a punch out of the 7/16" grade 3 bolt.

Also ordered a 3' piece of .250 W1 drill rod, and a 3' piece of 4140 pre hardened in 7/8", that will be at the local Grainger store tomorrow. I'll have to wait 2 weeks for the 2 drill bushings I ordered, one for derimming and one for core swaging, if I can make it work. So far I figure I could have bought at least 500 .223 projectiles for what I've spent. I also noticed that they carry the cast iron rod, so I'll be ordering some of that too.

Thanks for a great site and all the info,
Ken

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getting started w/ amazon gift card...

I wound up with about $150 on an Amazon gift card, and figured what the heck (I was lurking on this site when the card arrived) figured I might as well get started. I've been shooting for 35yrs, reloading for 25, and shooting cast on and off most of the time.

For the first caliber, I figured I'd start with 357 mag. Here's whats in my cart so far:

Lyman 2 cavity handles
Lyman 358430 DC mold
Lee Precision 358 lube/size kit
Lyman big dipper furnace
Lee Dipper

(edited to add: I have the lyman cast bullet handbook....)

What am I missing / What am I buying that I don't need / What would you do if starting out with one caliber and < $200....

Thanks.

Nate

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Getting Started

I am not sure I know what to post!!
I would like to try swaging but not sure it is a game I want to continue .
Is there a simple way to "give it a try" so to say without spending a lot of money for something that I might not really get into.
It isn't that I don't have the money, what it is is I do not want a lot of equipment piled up in the Garage ( nan cave) like so much other stuff (junk) that I bought and later found it just wasn't for me and can never recoup my money.

Maybe it will be a " try it you will like it" and maybe not.

beekeeper

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