Thread: Reloading begginer info needed

I have found when full length sizing size a case, try it, and If further adjustment is needed select another case, make the adjustment, try this case.
What I found is that if using the same case and making small adjustments till satisfactory bolt closure the next case sized ends up oversized.
I think this is caused by hysteresis/springback with small adjustments.

However, I now anneal every firing so the above may hold hold true anymore.

I reload for one deer rifle (6.5x55) and do it as an extension of my shooting hobby. I have not saved any money doing if but I am (pretty) confident my reloads are more accurate than factory.
I bought a Lee anniversary reloading kit and it is fit for my purpose. There is everything in the Lee kit you need to get going and if you look at the list from @Magnetite minus the comments from @mimms2 you pretty much have the Lee kit. The Lee kit has a manual and a quick start guide too.

I have added a set of digital calipers and the thingy to measure OAL from the olgive as well as a neck resizing die.
Using the Lee power thrower and scales is a slow process but I can get accuracy down to single grains (individual powder pieces, not grains of weight) of powder and I only reload for one rifle so I don't care.
I do spend a lot of time f***ing around when I seat my projectile to ensure the OAL is exactly what I want and I suspect a higher quality press might help here but again, one rifle, hobby, I enjoy it.

The Lee is not to everyone's taste and is a "less expensive" set when compared to others but it is fit for my purpose, it might be fit for yours

Cheers

Countryside, having a mentor to guide you would be a great way to dip a toe in and hopefully a local can offer an olive branch. I often offer my services to folks getting started. if they take it up it's up to them, but i encourage you to think on it.

You don't need to spend a fortune to reload quality ammunition. If you're needs are a small volume each year, say a few hundred per rifle and two rifles. You can load with a lee hand tool, a set of scales or dippers, a lube pad and lube. A set of verniers will also help. I did it this way all through uni in my dorm and worked just fine.

Next step up is a small press (hand or bench) and dies. Like any hobby you can spend as much or as little as you want depending on your objectives.

Originally Posted by 7mm Rem Mag

I have just been gathering a bit of reloading gear together myself and $4000 later Im getting close.

In the current climate probably not a good time to start as its a sellers market and there is a shortage of everything but enough $ will buy anything.

Only advice would be to buy good quality but others on here will be able to help you better.

Good luck.

Shit I got cracking for about $250

Originally Posted by Kelton

Shit I got cracking for about $250

That didn't even amount to 10% of my scales alone

Sorry 20%

Originally Posted by Kelton

Shit I got cracking for about $250

me to...and i actually LIKE the gear made by LEE...

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

me to...and i actually LIKE the gear made by LEE...

Lee make some good gear. Their single stage presses are awesome value for money and are right up there in quality. I spent a lot of time because I'm bloody minded getting an old Pro 1000 working properly after someone gave it to me in bits in a box but I would not wish one of those on a beginner. The Dillon 550 is twice the price but a superb bit of kit for volume. All my rifle loading I do on a combination of an old Lee 3 hole Turret, a Lee Challenger single stage cast aluminum press and a Lee heavy cast iron classic single stage. Only really need one but hey.... The old 3 hole turret is amazing for what it can put out for a cheap old press.

Ive had lee challenger forever...and Mrs spotted a 3 turret press in bargain bin for $15 so Ive got one of them now too....there is a bit of slack in it but once adjusted to take it into account....my micrometre says its doing job just as good.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Ive had lee challenger forever...and Mrs spotted a 3 turret press in bargain bin for $15 so Ive got one of them now too....there is a bit of slack in it but once adjusted to take it into account....my micrometre says its doing job just as good.

The play in Lee turret presses is a non-issue that people who don't know how they work love to diss them with. Yes there is play, it has no effect on the finished goods, they are designed to have the play in them which is taken up in action and has zero effect on any of the reloading processes. The worst thing about the old 3 hole turret was the auto index. Totally unreliable and frustrating. Ultimately abandoned by Lee. So a bit agricultural for volume Pistol loading with manual index but still doable. Rifle is a diffent story. The dies can be set up and left. You can then do batch mode or take a case from size and decap to powder to bullet seating and a finished round. The turrets are cheap enough to have several calibres permanently setup. Great for storing the dies. Folk have cottoned on I think and you'd be lucky to find one for $15 these days.

$30 new for the 3 hole turret itself...not the press just the bit the dies screw into...yes spotted the indexing COULD be issue....but I RECKON a couple of felt pen marks will do fine...it doesnt move much and I worked out the slack bit on first round...seated 40 .270 rounds without issue and micrometre says they all same length overall...so it works fine.......just as well as unscrewed ols challenger to fit this one on bench...it has been altered,one of the four legs has been removed and a cut up projectie box held in by bolt in its place to catch primers as the y pop......its rock solid on three so cant see any issue.

Originally Posted by jakewire

Stuck case remover.

LOLLLL

Originally Posted by keneff

LOLLLL

Lee and Dillon dies have published methods for using the die itself to remove a stuck case. just read the directions BEFORE you commence operations. otherwise you're back to drill 'n tap...