Author Topic: New to reloading (Read 1003 times)

jpbar · « **on:** June 24, 2008, 08:05:05 AM »

Hi i want to start reloading my 22-250, i have been using those cheap winchester American 45.gr jhp bullets but i want some more accuracy with making my own, I know i wont save much money but i think it would be a good hobby. I would like if someone could explain the process of reloading and if this LEE kit is all i need other than powder, bullets and shells.

http://www.sirmailorder.ca/show_prod.php?product_id=748338&cat_id=10&subcat_id=107&PHPSESSID=acd9c39e1c797f139954c47f1ca9a9eb

PA-Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2008, 08:15:44 AM »

That kit does not include a powder scale or micrometer and the powder spoon is only good for a couple of types of powders. To improve accuracy you have to adjust the powder weight and COL. If your cases need a lot of resizing the hand press may not be adequate. It would be good if you were neck sizing only for the same rifle. Also as a started press you will end up dumping a lot of powder from the hand held unit.

Tom W. · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2008, 09:09:38 AM »

The Lee Challenger Breech Lock Single Stage Press Anniversary Kit would be a better deal, if you want Lee products. It's around $90 without dies. You may get a better price if you shop around....

Look at the tips and tricks post, too.

Tn Jim · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2008, 10:42:14 AM »

I have to second what Tom said. I've used nothing but a Lee Challenger press since '91 for seven different calibers and with Lee push through bullet sizers and it's still going strong as ever. Definately get a scale and powder measure. The dippers are too limited to what you can do with them. A set of digital or dial calipers are a must too. Believe me, as you get more into reloading you will need these things. You will also need a way to trim your cases after a few firings. Lee makes a very inexpensive case trimmer too. Some people will trash talk Lee stuff, but I and alot of others have had good experiences with it.

Catfish · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2008, 10:51:34 AM »

I would recomand that you get RCBS or other reloading equipment. Lee will work for a while, but it is so cheaply built that it will not hold up to alot of loading. I know that there will be someone say that he has been loading with the same Lee press since 1900 and froze to death, but I can tell you I have probly loaded more ammo in 1 week than he has in his life. There is a very good reason Lee is the cheapest on the market. I personally will not buy anything Lee again. Every thing Lee I`ve owned has let me down.

corbanzo · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2008, 11:21:32 AM »

Good for you. I have loaded over 1,500 rounds in a single week on my lee classic turret. It still works.

Got the lee classic o-frame, you ain't gonna bust that thing anyhow. What is your definition of "cheap?" Did you buy the tiny $25 lee press and break it? Proabably, the one that says it isn't made for use with large cases? You have to get the right press for your loading type. And lee is just fine.

Kurt L · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2008, 12:10:01 PM »

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,145415.0.html
This is info on a great video to help you step by step.

Tn Jim · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2008, 12:50:37 PM »

I don't know Catfish. 2100 rounds of .223 last month alone. Plus 500 rounds of 45acp. I didn't buy it to collect dust. By the way, only my press and case trimmers are Lee. Everything else is RCBS.

Tom W. · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2008, 02:58:14 PM »

I started out with a Lee turret press way back in the 70's and it was good, but I traded it and got a Lee Challenger press and a lot of Lee stuff, because it was what I could afford. I loaded a lot of .30/30, .30-06, .270, .44 mag, .38/.357 and .45acp. It served me well for over 20 years until I started changing almost everything to RCBS. I Just gave the press to a friend of mine who lives in Seminole, Alabama, and it looked as good as the day I got it.

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2008, 03:57:15 PM »

jpbar

First thing that I would recommend is for you to read through the posts in the new to reloading and links for new & old loaders stickys at the top of this forum . That will give you some ideas as to were to start .

As for equipment , that will depend on what $$s you have to spend , I'm not even going to do the Red vs Blue vs Green thing . Also if you know anyone that loads , sit down and talk to them , and you will be surprised as to what your local library has in the way of reloading info .

stimpy

Freezer · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2008, 05:03:27 PM »

Wiat one minute! The Lee Aniversary kit had a scale! As for you'll use if for a while... I've had mine for 10 years and haven't had a problem yet and I've loaded tens of thousand of rounds with it. Lee is a VW but it works. The only thing you'll need is calibers and dies to get started.

charles p · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2008, 12:31:08 PM »

I like the Lee tool that seats primers. My presses are RCBS and Pacific. Dies are mostly RCBS with a few others.

I think it is wise to get a strong press (whatever the brand) if you are going to be full length sizing any brass. A second press for seating saves a lot of time.

beemanbeme · « **Reply #12 on:** June 26, 2008, 05:37:24 AM »

You will never see a more dedicated bunch of product addicts than in the reloading room. (Well, maybe Remington-Savage would be a close 2nd) You will see folks swear that xxx is an absolute POS that has never had their hands on one or even seen one in real life.
Best thing you can do is what Stimpy said. Once you get your kit built up, lotsa good info in here.

Tom W. · « **Reply #13 on:** June 26, 2008, 06:03:20 AM »

Product addicts!!!!

Usses?

As long as it's Green ( light or dark) it's good! Who among us would be brand loyal

??

jpbar · « **Reply #14 on:** June 26, 2008, 04:22:56 PM »

Thanks for the input, see i don't want to erupt some " EH!, or out in a bout!" haters( because i have before on other forums). But im Canadian and theres not much up here for selection. This site thats on my previous link is the only place i have access to reloading equipment, and there's nobody i know, at all!, that reloads around me. I'm out in the boonies so this mailorder stuff is coming from half way across the country.

The only things on the site are, Hornady, RCBS, and lee. Im willing to spend about 500$ for everything including bullets scales, presses, powder to! lol

Tom W. · « **Reply #15 on:** June 26, 2008, 04:40:44 PM »

As I was sitting on the throne perusing a Hornady products magazine, I noticed that they had a starter kit, too. It looked pretty darn good, and I know the price listed in the literature would be more than asked by your local (?) mail order company.

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_session=2146667b784e3cc4774cd8c93ba08db0&page=shop%2Fbrowse&category_id=e04de17793339f7a7c12a3124e64c1e5

stimpylu32 · « **Reply #16 on:** June 26, 2008, 04:50:16 PM »

jpbar

The Hornady kit wouls be a very good start, and as Tom said your Mail Order house should have it for around 20% less that Hornady lists it for .

That should leave about $150 to $200 for powder , primers and bullets . With out having someone to help with the hands on part , make sure that you read as much as you can before you try to load your first round of ammo .

If you come across something that you don't understand , just ask , no such thing as dumb ?? when your learning to load .

stimpy

Freezer · « **Reply #17 on:** June 26, 2008, 05:38:45 PM »

As I said before I'm a Lee fan. Why because I'm a broke butt. Lee is a VW if you can afford a Porche by all means buy it. If I had a second choice, and I do now (it's still in a box) RCBS is what I'd chose. The Rock Chucker has a piggie back system that lets you convert a single stage press into a progressive press if the need arises. Honaday RCBS and all the others have starter kits. See, NO Flames.

There's allot of good equipment out there. I'd avoid only one, Dillion. From what I understand they have propriority threads on their dies, meaning you can only buy Dillion dies. All the other presses have the same thread on their dies so you can use RCBS dies in a Lee press and so on. As for mail order, you can get any of the equipment mentioned on mail order. The powder you'd be better off buying when your in town to avoid the Hazardous Materials shipping charges. Your other option is to bite the bullet

Chose a bullet that suits your needs, select a powder and buy it all mail order then work up the most accurate loads you can with what you have. In most cases you'll be surprised with what you'll end up with.

Tom W. · « **Reply #18 on:** June 27, 2008, 07:48:51 AM »

The Dillon Square deal uses dillon dies, the other, more expensive Dillon presses will use anyone's dies.

OR-E-Gun Bill · « **Reply #19 on:** June 27, 2008, 08:04:58 AM »

The fact is, coyotes don't ask what color you used. Red or Blue and all the other colors in between, a dead coyote is still dead.

Bill

jpbar · « **Reply #20 on:** June 28, 2008, 12:09:41 PM »

Thanks everyone for answering my questions.
is this all i need,
http://www.sirmailorder.ca/show_prod.php?product_id=742604&cat_id=10&subcat_id=107&PHPSESSID=8391f5fc9341f2b78fbfbda260abba04

OR-E-Gun Bill · « **Reply #21 on:** June 28, 2008, 01:58:46 PM »

If you opt for that setup you will still need to buy the dies as they are not included.

Unless I'm missing something, which happens quite often, the price seems a bit high compared to this one at Midsouth.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00005085003

Bill

Tom W. · « **Reply #22 on:** June 28, 2008, 06:48:58 PM »

Nice price, but the man is in "the true North, proud and free." And Costly.

OR-E-Gun Bill · « **Reply #23 on:** June 28, 2008, 07:18:22 PM »

Thank you Tom W.. I learned yet another new thing (import-export laws) because of GBO today.

Bill

jpbar · « **Reply #24 on:** June 29, 2008, 07:03:10 AM »

ya there are heavy import laws and no things even related to guns can be shipped from those companies
i tried from cabelas they said no, i tried to get a riflescope,NO!, lol but anyways.....