Ready to get into reloading, and need your help

[8mm mauser]

I'm ready to get into reloading and think I've decided on what I want to order from Midway USA. I've decided on the Lee Anniversary reloading kit on this page: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=820810
In the product description, one of the items included in the kit is a cutter and lock stud. Then it says in parentheses that the case length gauge and shell holder are sold separately.
I've looked on the Midway site and can't find this elusive case length gauge or the shell holder. What are they talking about?
I don't want to buy this kit and then find that I can't get started without ordering something else, so help me out and tell me about this case length gauge and shell holder, and where I can find it on the Midway site, if possible, so I can order everything at one time.
If there are any other items you think I'll need to order, please let me know.
I will be ordering the Lee Pacesetter 3-Die Set 30-06 Springfield seen here: http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=520790 Is this the right die set? I'll be reloading for hunting purposes. Later I'll order dies to reload for my .223 and my .45 ACP.
I'll be getting my primers, powder, and bullets at a local mom-and-pop gun shop, unless somebody can recommend a better way.
Any suggestions are more than welcome.

[Val]

The cutter and lock stud are used to trim the brass casings to length. As you use them and resize them for reloading they stretch in length and you have to trim them to size. The case length gage and shell holders are made for each individual caliber so you buy them as you start to reload each different caliber.

Look at the following Lee web site:
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1171397109.1662=/html/catalog/casecon.html

Scroll down until you come to case length gage and shell holder.

[Val]

I would recommend that instead of the die set you selected, that you purchase the following one:
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=257541

The set you are thinking about has a crimping die and it's not necessary to crimp 30-06 bottle neck casings (crimp for straight side pistol or rifle cases). The set I recommend has a collet neck sizer, full lenght sizer and the bullet seating die. When you first reload, full length size the brass, after the brass has been fireformed to your  gun chamber, then neck size the brass for the subsequent reloading. When the brass feels a little resistand to closing the bolt, it's time to full lenth size again. Neck sizing makes the brass last longer and doesn't require lubing the cases like full length sizing. Purchase a good reloading manual (two or three different ones is recommended). They have pretty good write-ups on reloading and they will give you reloading recipes. I've had pretty good luck using the Nosler manual and the load they soecufy as the most accurate powder tested and the most accurate load within that powder call out.

Check the cost of brass and bullets at Midway, it may beat the price of your loacal source. Powder and primers you should buy locally due to a $20 hazmat shipping fee.

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

8mm Mauser,

Just in case you couldn't find it:

Lee Case Length Gage and Shellholder 30-06 Springfield
http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=459337


Bill

[8mm mauser]

Thanks Bill.  I looked and couldn't find it until you pointed me in the right direction.

[8mm mauser]

Val, I changed my order to the dies you recommended.  Thank you for cluing me in.

[8mm mauser]

   Do you guys have a favorite load for the .30-06?  I'll be using a bolt-action rifle (Mossberg ATR100).  Cheap rifle, but it shoots exceptionally well for my needs.
   One more thing (for now): can I use the same powder for the .30-06 AND a .45ACP?  Or do pistol rounds use a different kind of powder than rifle rounds?  I won't be ordering dies for the .45 right now; I'll probably get them next month - darn that budget.  I actually live within my means.

[OR-E-Gun Bill]

Here's a look at some powder profiles that might give you an idea of pistol powders vs. rifle powders.

http://www.imrpowder.com/pp.html

http://www.hodgdon.com/HomePage.php

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Each powder company has similar info on their websites and a wealth of reloading data that you will find helpful.

At times, the amount of reloading info may seem overwhelming but just take your time, be safe and enjoy.


Bill

ps. there are no STUPID questions, only the ones that aren't asked.

[Val]

Get the recipe for pistol pwders out of a reloading manual. Generally rifle powders are too slow burning for pistols. There are shotgun powders that work real well in pistols.
I use Bluedot shotgun powder in my 44 mag and 9mm.

My recipe for a 30-06 load uses 165 grain Nosler Accubonds and 57 grains of IMR 4350. A lot of 30-06 rifles like this load.

[beemanbeme]

+1 on what Val said.  If you buy a 30-06 and it will not shoot a good 165gr bullet pushed by 57grs of 4350 very well, sell the rifle and save yourself a lot of grief.  The only bad thing about that load is if your start out with it, the rest of your load developement is probably pretty much wasted effort. 
Oh, don't fall in love with the magic bullets.  A 30-06 lends itself very well to standard Hornady/Speer/Corelokt bullets.