1. always a good idea to use brass that you know. Never know how many times that brass has already been reloaded, and being new to loading you probably dont know what all to look for in used brass. you will still have to run the new brass through a sizer because alot of the cases get damaged in shipping and handling.
2. hunting loads will be fine with just about any brand case and I agree Lapua is pricey for hunting loads. If you mix your brass be sure to seperate them by weight, this will tell you the volume of the case. some cases are thinner or thicker which changes volume which changes pressures on 2 identical loads.
3. you can just back the full length die off a little and use it like a neck die, but Lee collet dies are fairly cheap and one of the best neck sizers out there.
4. everyone has their own way of doing it. I shoot groups of 3 changing load by .5gr until i get in ballpark, then I shoot groups of 5 changing .1gr until I find a sweet spot. then I start working my seating depth.
5. I start my hunting loads about .005 off lands and move it .005 at a time
6. 100 is more practical for hunting and takes alot of human error out of the equation
7. thats a good scale but I always have a beam scale handy.
these are however just my opinions. good luck
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