morning guys,
looking to start reloading and wanted some advice on what set to buy.looking at a Hornady or a RCBS set.
Also any extras ill need to purchase besides dies, consumables etc?
Any advice at all about reloading would be appreciated.
cheers
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morning guys,
looking to start reloading and wanted some advice on what set to buy.looking at a Hornady or a RCBS set.
Also any extras ill need to purchase besides dies, consumables etc?
Any advice at all about reloading would be appreciated.
cheers
I’d suggest first things to buy would be a couple of reloading manuals and spend some time on YT. You’ll get a good feel for what you need and what to do. Also if you can find a mate to show you his setup.
@kayneb, what cals are you reloading for and how many rounds per year do you think you'll use?
ie, 100 per year, 1000 per year etc.
If it's 100 or so, you can do it with some pretty basic lee stuff.
(Cue barrage of swearing from RCBS/ Hornady/ Redding/ Lyman owners)
Besides the press gear, I'd definitely get a case gauge for your cal /cals. This is an exact copy of the proper specs for the inside of your rifles's breech.
If you've run your brass through the sizing die and they fit into one of those sweetly, you know you've got the shape of it right.
As you fail to mention what caliber you wish to reload, specifics are difficult. Best advice I can give is (say you are reloading 223) get onto the internet and Google
RELOADING 223
then select and view the many videos. The result of this search which can be seen at this link
https://tinyurl.com/y3m3p943
should give you a good overall idea of what you are about to undertake.
Buy 2nd hand where you can. Most reloading equipment lasts for years
I own the Lee kit and wouldn't reccomend it to anyone (the lee press has a lot of flex in it making it hard to get consistent results especially if your learning) :D either the hornandy or rcbs kit would be more than sufficient, I would look at what case prep tools the kit comes with make sure it has decent case chamfer and pocket reamer tools and if like me you prefer digital scales then get a set of them (I use the hornandy lock and load bench set and found them to be great).Quote:
Originally Posted by Max Headroom
Also get some imperial sizing wax, no other case lube comes close, some cotton tips and green sctotchbrite for cleaning case mouths and bases.
That being said you can get great results with the lee kit with a bit of patience, I am getting my 270wsm shooting under 1/2 MOA, you really have to learn how to get the best of the lee press and work around its short comings.
Just my 2 cents....oh and definitely get a manual and see if anyone local to you can help.
Redding and Forster are my go-to's. For the cost of decent gear vs factory ammo, it's worth it.
A Lee kit gives all you want at a competitive price. You do get what you pay for - but it gets you started - and you can load decent ammo.
I am slowly replacing the odd bit as time goes by - but to buy all top notch gear at the start would have been near $1,000 as opposed the $250.
In terms of accuracy - hell I not doing three shot ragged holes - but I shoot most stuff I shoot at - so I aint going to start blaming the gear I use.
Do not overlook second hand.
i bought the hornady "kit" pretty much everything you need apart from dies.
cost me 700, make me an offer as i no longer own what i bought it for, done less than 500 rounds.
223 and 7mmrm dies extra
Great offer thereQuote:
Originally Posted by gonetropo
Buy a decent cast iron press straight up. Redding, RCBS. Look for good second hand. If you decide to quit as some stage you will recover your investment.
Buy a good set of mechanical balance scales. Don't bother with the cheap digital shite. Just because scales have digital displays it doesn't necessarily make them precise and repeatable. The cheap stuff use old strain gauge technology - they are fery prone to zero drift. I still have my old Ohaus mechanical scales sitting in the back of the cupboard, despite owning a super expensive digital AnD. The Ohaus were second hand when I got them that many so moons ago that I'd rather not recollect. They came out a year ago whilst my AnD was down due to a failed power supply.
As already suggested, find a competent reloader in your district who can show you the ropes. Make your purchase decisions from there.
Oh, and a decent vernier caliper.
Thanks guys, I’ll mainly be reloading my 243 sako 85 to start as Its shooting like shit with cheaper factory so moved to Hornady super performance but I find it ain’t really economical to be bombing goats up at over 3 dollars a shot,
I’ll be moving to 22 250, 7mmRM and likely 223 in the future depending on how I go I guess.
Quote:
Originally Posted by gonetropo
I’m definitely keen but wouldn’t know what to offer
What sort of grouping are you getting with the factory ammo and what is it ?
Buy Forster and Redding if you got the money and want the best result. Otherwise Hornady, RCBS etc there are lots of options for you to choose from whatever budget you are on. If Reloading 223? don't bother, just buy some factory ammo and shoot. Cheap enough from Belmont Ammo.
I have an RCBS on T/M at the moment it has a bid of $102.00 if it goes for that it is a good buy, used it lightly for 30yrs bomb proof press in my opinion.
i used Remington core lokt 100gr, shot MOA with it when i first bought the rifle new about 8 years ago, hadn't shot it in a while missed a few shots so i checked to see where it was shooting and turned out it was spraying allover the place like a mad womans piss, would start throwing after the second shot out to about 3 inches, being a newer box of Rem i thought they may of changed something in it at some stage. the hornady ammo seems to of helped alot but still not shooting great partly down to my shit shooting i figure.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bagheera
Id go redding or rcbs. they are both nice. I have a redding big boss 2 and i love it. the rock chucker it also a great press. go green i think.
I load about 4000 rounds per year of 308 for competition.
I started with a Lee kit, still use the press..
Bought a second hand Chargemaster and new Redding dies.
Bought quality cases.
I full size after every use and clean with an ultrasonic cleaner.
Talk to an experienced shooter who you know and trust. They should put you right.
I learnt to reload with a good mate of mine using his gear. Once I knew how it all worked and what was what etc I bought my own. I bought everything individually as opposed to a pre set kit. Main reason being there was a lot of stuff in the kits that I would have just upgraded or not used at all. By the time you buy a kit and then change or add things to complete everything you need, you could well have just got it all individually in the first place buying individual brands for each component etc. There was plenty of time spent studying and pondering options on my behalf but I'm bloody happy with the setup I have now.
I would buy ether the hornady or rcbs kit both are going to be muchness and muchness
Id just grab the cheapest one of the 2
Some of the lee stuff isn’t too bad but the kits are shit and you will end up replacing most of it
I still have and use the lee primeing tool that came with my lee kit when I started loading 15 years ago
Apart from that all of it was replaced very quickly
So its a case of buy once cry once when it comes to gear
Remember you won’t save money reloading but you will get far better quality ammunition custom made for your rifle at arround the same price as a reasonable quality factory ammunition the gains in accuracy and ballisticis what you’re looking for
If you want to save money you are better off buying cheap factory ammunition unless you shoot 1000’s of rounds
Out of the 2 I'd go hornady kit purely for the press, I found the rcbs partner press a little small and finicky. That being said I bought everything individually and ended up with a redding big boss press. Go on serious shooters and they have some very good deals on presses. As said above If you go digital scales keep a close eye on them and also try get gear that is compatible with one brand of shell holder.
Regardless Make sure you take your time and enjoy it, it can be quite therapeutic
In all of this @kayneb, you also need to establish exactly why the rifle is grouping badly.
I suggest asking somebody who you know to be a good shot to shoot your rifle and ammo and see what that does to the grouping.
I have done this, and the result hurt my pride, but I then realised that I was the problem, and ever since have come to suspect that I am most likely the weak link in my gear.
@kayneb gidday. As Max has said have you established why your rifle is shooting poorly? Do you have a moderator and have stored the rifle with this still fixed?Quote:
Originally Posted by kayneb
As for what to by. The first thing I’d by is Nathan Fosters reloading book. It gives a good run through of all the brands and a pretty good idea of what to get, what to look out for! See Danny doesn’t get on with his lee reloader but I like mine, could not stand the lee balance beam scales so brought Hornady ones which are much better.
Anyway good luck:)
not exactly sure why the rifle is shooting off, more than possible that is me although changing to premium ammo has certainly helped.
i did look at changing the scope from a vx-1 but thought it was unlikely and the barrel is practically new condition no mods or anything either.
after moving around the countryside a fair bit with farming i havnt been able to meet anyone who reloads or is a crack shot in my area yet so if i figure if i watch enough YouTube vids and ill figure it out one way or another.
Check all your screws are tight. Action, stock, bases, scope.
@kayneb run through the 1 o’clock test on your rifle.
To do this. Stand your rifle up, buttpad on table so your looking through the trigger guard. Then tilt it towards 1 o’clock push with your left hand if right handed and vis versa if left handed. Take a screw driver and slowly unscrew the top action screw and watch your barrel at the same time. If the barrel rises up out of the stock. Then it’s not sitting in the action. This could be the course of why your shots have started to go amiss.
You can go for a bedding job that will solve this problem. Look at Nathan Fosters Ballistic Studies website on how to full length bed a rifle. He also has some good utube stuff on how too.
What @stagstalker said is very true wish I’d done that:(
Starting out I would just stick to a good quality 2 die set for around the $80 to $120 mark, have had good results with the Redding ones, but most other decent brands should be good. I use a Lee press and it works fine.
It sounds to me more like the rifle could just be fouled up and need a really good clean with some copper remover.
What I found with reloading is that as I went through the process over time I upgraded my tools and moved more and more to powered or automated equipment. If you are only loading a couple hundred rounds a year, then that isn't as important. If you do 6000-12000 a year like I do, equipment gradually gets upgraded to turn out the ammo.
If I was to do it again I'd probably go with Redding. The rest of the brands though will mostly get it done.
+1 for Nathan Foster's book on Reloading - it the best $60 investment you'll make if you decide to go into Reloading.
And as others have stated above I'd be checking out the rifle/scope set up carefully & thoroughly to eliminate any issues before concluding its all down to the ammo. Copper &/or carbon fouling of the bore can also lead to accuracy problems
To answer the OP
Minimum gear: dies, press, scales, bullet block. I would avoid lee scales (they're tiny and finicky) but their press will do if you're on a budget. Just be smoth and consistent and you can load fine ammo.
Very nice to have is a powder throw (or auto charger-trickler) if you're doing bulk lots.
Priming tools: I don't find priming on press painful, but can see the advantage of a seperate tool.
I've never done the volume to require a progressive press.
I'm all old-skool and no need for crimping or FLS dies.
It can be as cheap and simple or as complicated/expensive as you want to make it (or can sneak past the wife)
I’ll give that a go for sure but now you mention it there was something that made me slightly concerned with the barrel alignment in the stock wasn’t sure if it was an issue. I’ll try to attach a photo of it see what you guys reckon.Attachment 120593Quote:
Originally Posted by Sideshow
run a piece of paper up the barrel channel and see if it "sticks" on way up or slides up no catching.....if it goes up ok no worries....UNLESS you loading pressure onto side/base of barrel before shooting.... another to check is make sure your sling stud isnt coming up and touching barrel...paper should tell you that too. 2nd the check ALL screws...Ive been caught 4 times in last 5 years with it...twice it was the scope bases themselves loose on rifle and twice was the rings not connecting with bases properly......
Ive used LEE press for 25 years,no issues...love lee balance beam scales and by using lee dipper spoons its a quick job to make up loads. if you have lee lube however CHUCK THE SHIT AWAY NOW.....toothpaste...crap...many a fine fellow has torn hair out after having cases stuck in dies when using it "not quite right"
sure you can buy .223 cheaply buts its not as much fun as shooting roll ya own loads.
.243s are generally tack drivers so something is amiss with yours...check them screws and the barrrel channel.
As Micky Duck says!Quote:
Originally Posted by kayneb
I’ve yet to see one that’s completely even.
But don’t believe his hype on the lee scales:sick:;) go the Hornady beam scales soooo much better than sitting there all day waiting for lee to stop playing seesaw:XD:
I can run cleaning patches up it without issue but I’ll try the paper trick aswell, first thing I did was check the mounts as I have had the issue on other rifles .Quote:
Originally Posted by Micky Duck
I wanted to reload since I was a young fella, always intrigued me so I’ll be getting into it regardless of whether I can justify it or Not already given the mrs a spiel about why I need to anyway.
Was looking at the Hornady kit but I see there’s some good ones on the workshop innovation website, I don’t mind spending a bit more on Redding or something with a few more tools if it means I’ll be better off
reloading brings a whole heap more fun to the sport....you can tune load to your rifle and make up loads at both ends of spectrum that you cant buy.
you are in a great bit of the country for hunting. keep us posted on your progress and sooner or later something will click into place and will work out whats going on with your rifle.
Grab that Nathan Foster book! He’s not the be all.....but he dose make a load of sense on the dark art of reloading! Also helps to cut through a lot of the tug of war around X versus YQuote:
Originally Posted by kayneb
Focusing on each bit of kit on its pros and cons.
Love the "sneaking pass wife" bit. haha...... I'm getting good at it as i'm doing it quite often. Jacinda helped a lot.Quote:
Originally Posted by mimms
