New reloader

[mr.theman]

I just picked up the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit this weekend.  Now I just need to build a bench and buy components.  I need to work up a load for my new Encore 22-250 for prarie dogs.  Plan on starting with 52 grain Speer HP's.  What powder would you guys recomend I start with?  I have read the Speer manual and all of the manuals that came with the kit, any other peices of info you guys think I should know before I get started?

Thanks for any info,
SWAT

[bigjeepman]

I started out reloading by buying the same RCBS Kit you did and I love the quality. If you have any issues, their customer service is top-rated. I'd buy another manual if I were you ... possibly a Lyman's Reloading Handbook, Sierra's, or Nosler's are some of my favorites. All of this is up to debate but I would also buy:

1. calipers
2. loading blocks
3. a reloading logbook - you can order one or just use a regular spiral notebook (just keep lots of information)
4. a tumbler - not real necessary but I want my brass as clean as possibly

There will be more suggestions on what to buy or what not to buy. Good luck ... be safe ... follow the guidelines in your manuals ... enjoy yourself!

[PaulS]

I just picked up the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit this weekend.  Now I just need to build a bench and buy components.  I need to work up a load for my new Encore 22-250 for prarie dogs.  Plan on starting with 52 grain Speer HP's.  What powder would you guys recomend I start with?  I have read the Speer manual and all of the manuals that came with the kit, any other peices of info you guys think I should know before I get started?

Thanks for any info,
SWAT

I would recommend that you start with H4895, if you do you may have no need of WW 748, IMR3031 or H380. 36.5 is listed as maximum in my Speer manual with 35.5 as listed maximum in my Hodgdon manual. I would say start with 32.0 grains and work your way up until you get really small groups - that is going to happen between 33 and 34.5 grains (my educated guess). Don't wory about velocity you will have more than enough to do what you want to do with your gun. Just get a load that shoots under 3/4" at 100 yards (you will probably find a load that shoots to 1/4" or slightly larger).
If you need a small, portable bench let me know I have plans that are in dimensioned drawings that you can build in about 1 1/2 hours and take with you where-ever you go. I have three of them - one for pistols, one for rifles and one for shotgun reloading. I got tired of leaving benches behind when I moved. My brother needed one for his apartment and I wanted one that traveled easily. It takes up about 2 1/2 x 4 feet of floor space. It is great for loading just a few different kinds of rounds or if you have to have something that fits in an apartment or one that you can take with you when you move. These benches are rock solid with no flex even when forming cases and have an optional cabinet for bullets, powder and primers. There is room for trimmer, press, scale, powder measure and extra dies and miscellaneous tools.
Send a request to paulstephens2@comcast.net with "reload bench" in the subject line. I will email the drawings back to you immediately. You can feel free to send donations if you feel so inclined - They will go to my church.

[PlacitasSlim]

I have been using X-Terminator in my .223 loads and have been very happy with the performance. It was designed for this type of shooting.

[beemanbeme]

H380.  Its a ball powder that flows thru a measure like organic fertilizer thru a tin horn.  If you're loading up several hundred rounds for a Pdog shoot, you don't want to be cutting little IMR logs in two.

[Wingman26]

I prefer the ball powders since they meter so well, and I have shot some extremely good groups using ball powders, Winchester 760 has been a good one for me, also Accurate Arms 2460 is another good one.

Here's a group shot at 100 yards using Varget with the Hornady 52 gr Amax bullet, good accuracy but the Varget is a pain to run though a powder measure.

[millwright]

I have been using 39 gr of H380 and a Hornady 52gr hpbt match in my 22-250.  Not real impressed at this point.

[beemanbeme]

Try some Sierra 53gr hp bullets.  My 22-250 just doesn't like bt bullets. 

[mr.theman]

Thanks for all your replies.  I started with the H380 and sierra 52g HP.  Got a few different loads worked up last night but the weather this weekend is supposed to be nasty . 

HH
SWAT