Thread: Newbie minimal setup

Originally Posted by SmokeyJason

Im still happy whacking about. After yrs of trying this and that, spending tons of time, powder and different projectiles down range ive come to the conclusion that an all round cup n core at a cheap price or a partition if you're wanting more penetration is the way to go.
After sighting in if rechecking point of aim, fire first shot and then fire another, if it's within 1/4 inch it's damn accurate, NO need for more wasting as that's all you'll need. The more shots that you fire the more can go wrong.

Jason is right, the lee classic will work and cheapest way to dip your toes into reloading
If you decide upgrade later there is always a market for them.

Nothing wrong with cup and core. I use them on fallow.
Shot sambar with inexpensive hotcores and interlocks.

Greetings Again,
This thread has awakened memories of my early handloading fumbling a little over 50 years ago. I bought a Lee loader for my .303 and was of to the races, or so I thought. My sized cases would not chamber. I bought a press and dies. Now the cases would chamber but were longer than they were before sizing. A case trimmer was next and some scales as I was using AR2201 powder. Finally some cartridges were loaded but a new problem arose. The case necks split on the second or third firing. I sold the .303 and bought a .308 which I still have.
Fast forward 40 years and another .303 crept into the safe. Cartridges are loaded with a Lee Loader. Cases chamber easily and do not stretch. Necks are annealed with a candle and don't crack. priming is with a hand tool. Powder is weighed but could be scooped which I will try. Accuracy is excellent.
So what changed? Knowledge was the difference gained over decades. This is the reason I always recomend a mentor.
GPM.

Originally Posted by grandpamac

Greetings,
One thing not suggested and to me is essential is a mentor to guide you at first. The answers to your question will differ depending on your rifle and your needs. Tauranga has an excellent range and Deerstalkers Club which would be a good place to look for someone to help you at first. You may be able to load on their kit while you decide what you actually need. PM me if you want some specific suggestions for your needs if you would prefer.
Regards Grandpamac.

This and the post above. There are a few nuances in reloading that you can't learn off the net.

And if you want to really use the best reloading equipment for the least amount of money, an occasional box of beers or bottle of whiskey to someone who has taken the opposite approach and bought every little doodad made for reloading, in exchange for an occasional run on their equipment is another way to go.

BYO brass, primers, powder and projectiles, and your away.

Lets face it, most reloading benches are idle more than they are busy.


The other option is to stock up large on brass and do the above in large batches for resizing, cleaning, trimming etc. Then at home, in your own time, you can load your brass and all you need for that is a priming tool, scales and a way to seat projectiles (like a hand press).