Reloading for Idiots

[NightShade]

I do, I have a lee single and a progressive. No does yet. First I will be slowly getting the equipment needed, tumbler, dies, etc. I don’t have anything set up to be taught, but if you are in town, we could have dinner and talk a little maybe!

Well figure a caliber you want to reload and grab a set of dies. I would say get the carbide ones if you can, it makes it a lot easier. And IMHO opinion start off with something in a rifle caliber. It will be a little harder to full length size but a little more forgiving in powder fluctuation. A pistol caliber will sometimes have a differential from min and max charge of half a grain while a rifle caliber will allow you nearly two grains. But you are welcome to pick my brains sometime. Doesn't matter if you make it in to Guthrie or I make it that way, lol.

 

[swampratt]

If you have a free place to shoot that is close that is a good thing as you can test different loads without spending a fortune on range time.
It is not difficult and you can do it without a tumbler and still have very accurate ammo. Sub MOA.

I have reloaded at the range from the back of my car a few times.
Crude but accurate.
Fire the factory ammo .. brush off the crud and brush out the neck.
Deprime and Lube and resize the case.
Remove lube.
Measure OAL and trim if necessary.
Chamber the trimmed case mouth.
Brush again and Prime.
Measure powder and trickle it into the case.
Seat a bullet in there.
Some cases and projectiles like lead need a bell on the case mouth.
A few other things like measuring OAL when finished.

It sounds like a lot of things but it goes pretty quick.

 

[okierider]

https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Reloadin...1543629364&sr=8-1&keywords=lee+reloader+press
https://www.amazon.com/LEE-PRECISIO...43629428&sr=8-1&keywords=45-70+reloading+dies

I started out with the press in the first link and the Lee 45-70 dies are cheap. Dies are $33 and the press is $30 !!!
Think I sent you some reloading and booolit casting info after the ENS where I got to shoot your rifle but if I didn't let me know and I will get it to ya!!

 

[cdschoonie]

https://www.amazon.com/Lee-Reloadin...1543629364&sr=8-1&keywords=lee+reloader+press
https://www.amazon.com/LEE-PRECISIO...43629428&sr=8-1&keywords=45-70+reloading+dies

I started out with the press in the first link and the Lee 45-70 dies are cheap. Dies are $33 and the press is $30 !!!
Think I sent you some reloading and booolit casting info after the ENS where I got to shoot your rifle but if I didn't let me know and I will get it to ya!!

I can’t remember, my mind has been 90-0 since then lol. I’ll look though and let you know.

 

[beastep]

The collage in Tish used to offer a course on reloading in their gunsmithing classes. Might look at it. I remember seeing the room set up when I took a few classes there. Classes are during the summer.

But buy a book. A book by the same company as the bullets you plan to shoot is a good place to start. For instance, the loads for a 300WM with a 168gr Sierra may not be the same as a 168gr hornady.

 

[swampratt]

Lyman 49th is an excellent one to have

 

[cdschoonie]

Hornsby, RCBS, or Lee dies and holders?

 

[NightShade]

Personal preference. I have all lee dies and they have worked well. I use an RCBS primer pocket swage tool. Lee RAM prime. Lee quick trim dies for length and a K&M neck turner for the converted 300blk brass. If you have lee presses you will likely have to use their holder system though. The ones that have the clamp system are really nice if you never want the die to shift or move with the single stage presses. But the regular ones are a bit cheaper and with a little over tightening of the o-ring part they are nearly solid.

 

[dennishoddy]

I'm a little far off in Ponca, but if you ever want to go through a loading session, I'd be happy to get you started. Been loading since 1980 with a dozen or so centerfire rifle calibers, maybe a dozen pistol calibers and shotshell loading as well.
I've helped a few on this forum get started and worked through some issues that come up as they progress.

 

[FreeSpiritBalloon]

Personal preference. I have all lee dies and they have worked well. I use an RCBS primer pocket swage tool. Lee RAM prime. Lee quick trim dies for length and a K&M neck turner for the converted 300blk brass. If you have lee presses you will likely have to use their holder system though. The ones that have the clamp system are really nice if you never want the die to shift or move with the single stage presses. But the regular ones are a bit cheaper and with a little over tightening of the o-ring part they are nearly solid.

Your thinking of the Lee breach lock adapters. Only a couple of their presses use one. It’s a quick change 1/4 turn to release and swap dies without loosing your adjustment as long as the die doesn’t turn in it which is what make the ones with the locking collar nice. You could get by with one and change the die in it each time just like it wasn’t there but I wouldn’t want to. They came out with a 4 position progressive this year that uses them. It’s like a cross between a turret (priming arm) and a progressive (rotating shell holder). I haven’t got one yet but am tempted.


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