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I'm wanting to start reloading but am a little overwhelmed. I'm looking at this starter kit.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/423...nniversary-kit
I plan on using the ammo for hunting and plan on using 180 gr accubonds for my 300 win mag. What kind of powders and primers should I start with? Also whats a good manual that I can buy to start with? Should I just buy a set of Lee dies to go with the press?
The first thing I would do is get a copy of Metallic Cartridge Reloading, and, or, The ABC's of Reloading. Read them and it will all make sense. These are great books for learning what reloading is all about. The Lee starter kits are a good way to stick your toes in the water if cost is a factor. If money is not an object I would probably go with the RCBS Rock Chucker Master Kit. This is what my daughter is getting for Christmas. All the manuals are very good. I tend to buy most of them, but to start out I prefer the manuals that cover a wide range like Lee and Lyman. Good luck with it.
What makes the rcbs kit better then the Lee kit
That kit would be an excellent start. The funny thing is for the cost Lee makes some of the best stuff out there, but you have to be careful not all of it is good. In that kit, I would put the Press, powder measure, and scale up against anything else commercially made. I feel that the press, and the powder measurer are two of the best ones out there. There is a couple of things I would add to that kit. I would get a lee hand primer, to prime cases, and get a case trimmer. In case trimmer I would get a Wilson, it is the best for the money. Now on dies, IMO I would not buy a lee die, they are by far the worse things on the market. Stick with RCBS, Forster, or Lyman for dies. As mentioned get the ABC's or reloading. You may also want to buy Sierra bullet's CD on reloading.
The hand primer comes in the other Lee kit. The difference in the Anniversary Kit and the standard kit is priming method. I agree with 82boy in the fact that Lee makes some nice stuff, I have quite a bit of it. The RCBS Rock Chucker is an old industry standard and is a great press. I have a Rock Chucker, a Lee turret, and Forster co-ax. I use Lee for collet neck sizing dies and Factory Crimp Dies, for full length sizing I prefer RCBS, but also own Redding and Lyman.
I'm quite fond of the Lee dies and own a Lee deluxe die set for each caliber I own that they make them in. Heck I still use all the stuff that came with an Anniversary kit my wife bought for me about 20 years ago. I have added lots of stuff along the way but Lee makes good stuff that will serve you very well.
I like the Lee dies because they come with everything you need including the shell holder,The collet die in the deluxe set doesn't require case lube and sure makes things easy and the neck sized ammo is super accurate. The Lee loading manual (Modern Reloading by Richard Lee) Is how I learned to hand load. Just read everything up to the load data in the back and keep the book handy and you're safely ready to go.
Ok I've decided on the Lee kit in my first post. I have a 30-30 and a .300 win mag. Can I use the same dies and for both
Nope dies are caliber specific. You're going to need a case length gauge and shell holder for each one also,http://www.midwayusa.com/product/432...-30-winchester ,http://www.midwayusa.com/product/695...r-magnum(these are caliber specific also and used to trim your brass and aren't expensive) you'll get the cutter and lock stud for use with these with the kit, also I would recommend going ahead and getting a copy of modern reloading by Richard Lee
out of stock at midway but they can probably get it pretty quick or you may find a used copy at amazon.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/639...loading-manual
The Lee Case Trimmer Cutter and Lock Stud is sold out at midway do they sell a similar kit? Every TIM I use their search I get back 150,000 results
Also I seen some dies that were something like $150 is that normal
You only need the case length gauges and shell holder for each caliber you're going to load. The cutter and lock stud come with the kit and will work well to start off and learn the processes with.
I would get these die sets
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/342...-30-winchester
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/162...chester-magnum
Ok besides the kit I have dies; case length gage and trimmer; shell holder and bullets. Anything else besides primers and powder? And where is a good place to start on those two?
I plan on shooting 180 gr accubond bullets and looking for around 3120 fps to match the reticles on my scope
And since I'm shooting nosler bullets should I get their reloading manual or stick with lee's
Also I read somewhere that when buying powder online there is a hazmat fee so should I just buy locally
Tim
Welcome to the amazing world of reloading
I know you have a lot of questions, just like myself and everyone else when they began.
You have asked some very good questions with some very good responses from everyone.
I would get two or three manuals and read the front of them before I tried to load any rounds
THE manuals are the most important thing to a loader for learning and loading
Nosler would be good as would the suggestions everyone has already given
As far as the powder and primers, you are right there is a hasmat fee when ordered
I would try to find locally to start with
Something I have found with my loading --there is always something else I should have ordered LOL
Good luck, read, read, read, and don't hesitate to ask questions
Jack
I still have my orignal RCBS kit I got when I was 13 from my dad for Christmas. That was 35 years ago. Only thing I have ever replaced was a scale arm that I dropped and promptly stepped on and broke. RCBS was good to me and sent me another.
Lets see, powders:
You will be pleased with any of the following for 300WM. RL-22, the 4350's, the 4831's, Ramshot Magnum using 180's or heavier. There are a few others that I have not tried that others report great success with as well. Get what you can find. You might as well order online and buy 8# jug of it because you will use it and primers and pay the hazmat. I have seen Magnum on several sites and I do use quite a bit of it. It works well getting me some extra velocity that the others won't.
Read, read, read. Youtube can also be your friend but reading knowledge is necessary to sort the useful from the useless.
Welcome to the club. You will enjoy it!
One other "Must Have" is a set of check weights. I don't care if the scale you have cost a dollar or a grand there isn't any other way to verify a scale is weighing accurately across it's entire range, within a given weight span or the charge target weight.Quote:
Originally Posted by *tim*
For example, if I'm tossing 40g of something I'll verify the scale I'm using with a 40g check weight. I don't care about the zero or a weight above or below my target.
Bill
All good advice. Manuals are the best source and tool you'll ever get.
Only other thing I'd add to all of above is my opinion of Lee dies: Not a fan of them BUT, the Lee Collet Neck Sizer is a great one. You will learn that with anything but pumps and auto loaders you will have the option to "Neck size only" when reloading, rather than "Full length Sizing" the brass before reloading. I prefer neck sizing only, and the Lee Collet neck Sizer does a great job of keeping the bullet cneterred or concentric to the rest of the cartridge. This is important for accuracy, so as to avoid the bullet being angled or off-kilter.
You asked about $150 die sets. Never used them. They are designed for keeping the bullets concentric and very specific amounts of neck tension on the bullet. (Maintains consistent grip on the bullet.) For most people, this is over-kill. Bench-rest shooters who want extreme accuracy (less than 1/4 inch groups at 100 yds) use these. You might want that some day, but it is way beyond your limits and experience at this point. I doubt I'll ever get there, my rifles can't tell the difference anyhow.
Good Luck. Get the Lee collet neck sizing dies. :)
On the $150.00 dies, there are many people that buys these because they are expensive so they must be the best, or they believe that this is what Benchrest shooters use. These dies are no better than what can be purchased for a lower price. They are not what Short range Benchrest shooters use.
The thing is most short-range Benchrest shooters use Wilson hand dies, and they are far from that price. Many more modern Benchrest shooters use a custom made full length sizing die, and they range in price from $60 to you name it. So they may have two presses, one small o press for the sizing die like a RCBS partner, or custom made, and then they will seat bullets with an arbor press using Wilson hand dies.
Long range Benchrest shooters are more diverse, and you would be more likely to see then use some of these dies, and maybe not.
If you get lee dies they will come with a shellholder so you can scratch that.Quote:
Originally Posted by *tim*
Powder is usually best sourced locally. even if it's a couple of bucks more per pound it's a wash because you don't have online shipping and Haz mat fees.
Shooters pro shop is a great place to get Nosler bullets if they have what you need. I like the over runs and blems. Never had a problem with any of them and the price is right.
Quite a while back I got a great deal on .30 cal 180 Accubond blems that had the wrong color tip. They were orange instead of white and half the price of the white ones. They shoot great.
The only other thing I need is a way to clean my old brass. I read about soaking in a five gallon bucket then baking them in the oven for a while to get them perfectly dry. This seems cheap and effective way but I'm open to more expensive and better ways
I just started loading for my first time in Sept 13. I had the cash, and went with the rock chucker supreme kit. I have not used my uniflow powder measure cylinder yet, since I have been experimenting with loads (7.62x39 w/308 proj.) One item I found very useful is a powder trickler, and the lee improved powder measure kit. I did a little reading of the manuals, but I learned mainly from speaking with a friend at work that has been reloading for 20 years. The only dumb question is the one not asked.
About buying primers and powders. The price to ship is to much, so I buy local. Now, its difficult in these times, you need to find a shop, and speak with them, and hopefully they let you know when shipments come in, and you can at least get your hand on a lb. or two.
About cleaning brass, I have not bought anything yet, im just using new brass. My pal at work said he would clean my brass for me, but eventually, I want my own too.
Also a bullet puller will be needed. I use a kinetic puller.
I needed it because I had no idea where to set my die at to seat the bullet. So I took a lubed case with no primer, and experimented. I kept adjusting the die, pulling the bullet, and reseating it till I got the desired COL-case overall length.
I hate to admit it, but I cheated on a few manuals. I will end up buying the sierra and hornady eventually, only have speer atm. Found a manual opened, and I snapped a few pics to help me get started.
Not sure if it has been mentioned but a good set of calipers is a nice thing to have on sight mainly for COAL. In buying some of the lee packages, it will include the lee loading book witch has an enormous amount of info about reloading. If you can get by the advertising of lee items in it. I have Sierra's Nosler's, Hornady's and lee's all are very informative when it comes to loading But lee has the best info on how to get to the bench and actually start reloading. My 2cents
Monty
Depends on how much shooting you want to do. When I buy powder online, I don't just buy a 1lb container and pay the $25 hazmat. I'll buy an 8lb container, ask some other reloaders if they need powder or primers, see if anyone wants me to buy any cartridges online; in essence try to reduce the pain of that hazmat fee.Quote:
Originally Posted by *tim*
The other scenario is if you have to have the powder right now, and you can't buy it locally. In that case, I would still buy the 8lb container if possible. I paid roughly $190 for IMR 4895 with shipping and hazmat fee. That works out to a little more the $23 a pound something I couldn't get in stores. Something to consider.
Hey guys new to the site and found this thread. I have been kicking around reloading for a few years even have a nice stash of once shot brass piling up. I just want a ball park figure what it cost you guys to load a box of 20. I will be starting with reloading my .270 since I shoot it the most.
It's hard to calculate, Tuf. Kinda like a drug. I started just like you said, and got hooked. Now I shoot so much that I am spending much more than I ever imagined I would, because it is so much fun and addicting. "Can I tweak it just a little more and get a little better group?" Wonder if I should try something else? How would a different caliber shoot? Ooohhh... I like the way that looks and feels... :)Quote:
Originally Posted by tufrthnails
On average, though, I would say my rounds cost much less than 1/2 of factory loads. The "problem" is, my activity has gone up exponentially. Good luck. Have fun. Ask lots of questions. There's a ton of knowledge and experience here that is also ready, willing and eager to share.
Considering I was paying 40 bucks a box for Federal .270 w/ 150gr Nosler - Vital Shoks ammo, I'm now happy to make my own for about a buck a piece.
Or, are you trying to convince your 'ol lady that you'll be saving money by reloading your own?
Forget it. They never fall for that line.
Just buy everything, sneak it in & set it up. Explain & take your licks later.
LOL! Even if I was trying to do it for saving money she would not believe me. We have a good setup my overtime money is mine if there are no emergency (and I mean Emergency not your hair dryer broke). So how I spend that portion is up to me. I want to shoot more that is why I was trying to figure out an idea on how much more I could shoot if I was reloading.
Yeah.... Right.Quote:
Originally Posted by tufrthnails
That's what she's letting you believe now. Wait.
One day in the not too distant future, you'll have a bench equipped with all kinds of reloading stuff, a cabinet with 8 - 10 cans of powder & many boxes of bullets. Maybe a few more guns hanging out, too.
That's when she walk in, looks around and s-l-o-w-l-y turns toward you and you get "the look."
You might not be married long enough yet. Just wait. It happens to all men. Maybe not all but at least 97%. It happens when you buy guns, fishing gear, tools, hunting gear or anything a man deems necessary for his personal enjoyment.
Let's hope you don't have to learn like some of us here. Married 3 & 4 times....
Its an "economy of scale" thing, too. Obviously it takes a bit of shooting to overcome the start-up costs. But when your wife calls you on your cell phone and hears shooting in the background and not sleazy stripper music, you're much more likely to be able to sleep in you own bed that night. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by tufrthnails
I have no idea what made me imagine such a scenario.
+1.... That's when she gets the boot. I'll only tolerate just so much. ( on wife #3)Quote:
Originally Posted by fgw_in_fla
Quote:
Originally Posted by foxx
No, no - don't think your point is not valid.
Anything to not get "the look." Or coming home & finding your clothes in bags sitting on the curb.
Also, you'll find you have more ammo when you reload so now you can shoot more. Which, in turn, now you have to make more so you can shoot more. But you can't shoot more until you make more....
See: Post 6 of this thread. My public service announcement.
http://www.savageshooters.com/showth...ading-addictin
How 'bout this one:
"Maybe I should try a different powder?
It's only $23 for a pound..
But, what if I like it and they sell-out tomorrow?
I better get the 8 pounder."
LOL! I know how this works. I get "The Look" every she walks in the shop and looks at the Jeep/Crawler. She hasn't left me in our first 9 years of marriage and I got more in that toy in the shop then I could dream of putting into ammo. I am way to busy to sling that many rounds. Don't worry in a year or two you can tell me I told you so if I am wrong!
9 years?...Quote:
Originally Posted by tufrthnails
A whole 9 years?...
Rookie.
Rest assured, we'll ALL be there to tell you "We told you so."
Married to one women 22+ yrs and darn proud of it. I get all I want within reason, and she gets all she wants within reason, and we don't do it "on credit". (A key to success) And no, we're not wealthy. It's what you make it.
You're right, kd.
Hey, it ain't just us, either. I know of women who have entire closets dedicated to shoes.
SHOES!!!!!
For crying out loud, what's wrong with these women?
Don't ask.Quote:
Originally Posted by foxx
Don't tell. Lol.
Congrats KD. Sad to say but that is not the norm in our current society.
KD I have made it 49 years to the same woman through her 5 closets of clothes and my basement shop, with 8 presses and other assorted equipment. I don't shoot as much as I once did but it is not because of her. I still get the look at times when the brown truck shows up with a new barrel but she doesn't say anything anymore. You know you can learn to live with a tooth ache if you have it long enough.
Some words of wisdom here.Quote:
Originally Posted by bythebook
49 years?!?!? if add all of mine up I can't get that. God bless...
When my wife squawks about the big brown truck coming by 3 - 4 times in a week, I play the dumb act which isn't hard for me to do sometimes.
When she screeches "Are you listening to me?" - I blame my hearing loss / tinnitus.
Ps - A lot of us are at that age where we don't shoot much.
Quote:
Originally Posted by foxx
I got lucky in that resect foxx. I have way more pairs of boots then she does shoes. Now if you want to talk about Coca cola crap hanging on the wall. She takes the cake. We both give and take at this point. If she gets to the point were she starts nagging about "The Brown Santa (UPS)" showing up to often. I just make it a point to order something little for her mustang and schedule the delivery when we are both home then egg an uprising out of her. Once she has thoroughly exploded I toss her the box and sit back and laugh, but to each his own. My way works for me and I usually get a good laugh out of it. Then end up installing whatever "do dad" I have bought. Now what I would like to hear is what works for you "Experienced" guys that have 20+ years married. Us "Rookies" are doomed to repeat your mistakes if you don't teach us your history.
I joke with mine and tell her women like stuff like jewelry, and all you can do is look at it. At least we can actually do something the stuff we like.
This might not work with everyone, but when I decided I HAD to have a .260, I convinced her it was for her.
She fell for it, hook, line and sinker.
That's not entirely, true... I just like to pretend I am foolin' with her. In truth, I am really a lucky guy. She supports and encourages my shooting sports and hunting very well. I did get her a .260, but it was an honest attempt to find her something she can shoot that was different that what I already had. I am in the process of building her a nice .260AI. I used to shoot archery competitively, after a while she got into it, too. We've had a lot of fun together. Of course, I take the lead, but the shooting sports have been something we both enjoy as a couple.
You know you got a good thing going when you tell your wife you plan to go deer hunting in the morning, and, after sleeping in, she wakes you and proceeds to scold you for not getting up and going!
I would buy several loading manuals including the manufacturer of whichever bullets you plan on loading. Yes there is hazmat fee for buying powder on the internet. Better if you can find locally. Read absorb and make sure you are not distracted while reloading.
Good od luck to you Tim
What I always tell people who ask about it,is how much do you plan on shooting...
If it isn't more than a couple box's per year,it's a waste of time,and money...
But if it's going to be a new hobby,then dive into it,head first.....