Lee Anniversary reloading kit

[jack19512]

I decided on the Lee Anniversary reloading kit.  Got it yesterday.  Been reading the reloading book that came with the kit.  I will be reloading the 223, 30-06, and Swiss 7.5X55 for now.

If anyone has any pet loads for any of these calibers please let me know.  I am going to reload the original brass for the berdan primed Swiss 7.5X55 so I will have to find me some primers.

My 30-06 seemed to prefer the 180GR ammo over the 150GR in factory ammunition as far as accuracy goes so should I stick to reloading the 180GR for it?

I may be asking a lot of stupid questions in the future so I hope everyone stays patient and keeps in mine us newbies don't know squat, but we're willing to learn.   :-)

[cattleskinner]

While I didn't buy the anniversary kit all at once, I do have all the pieces of it now except for the powder measure.  I just can't get over using a scale for everything...just being safe I guess.  That being said, I only use the press for reloading .44 mag. shells right now, and when I get dies for my .223 then I'll FL resize about 250 pieces of brass I shot in another .223 I had.  Right now I'm using a Lee Loader to reload my .223 shells, weigh the powder on the scale, then "hammer" the bullet in.  It works good for my purposes though, as I don't shoot that rifle as much as my handguns, and I get 1/2" 5 shot groups out of my handi-rifle...so no sense in messing with a good thing.  For the .223 my rifle likes to eat a 50gr. v-max bullet, Lake city brass, CCI BR-4 primer, and 27.3gr of Varget powder.  Since I'm using the lee loader, the shells are neck sized only.  Might be a load you would want to try.  Good luck.

~~~Amos

[cattleskinner]

I forgot the part about the 30-06.  It all depends on what grain bullet you want to use, and what you want to hunt.  You can pretty much choose the bullet you want to use, and then tinker with different amounts of powder, or change any number of components to get what you're after with any bullet.  That's the nice part about reloading, is you aren't constrained by what the factory uses, and even though the 180gr. bullets are what shoot good with factory shells, you just may be able to shoot one hole groups with the 150 grainers.  And about the questions, ask away,and digest any info. you can find.  I just started reloading last year, and with the help of the guys on here, and reading anything I can get my hands on, this stuff seems a heckuva lot easier, and much less confusing than when I started.  Also, I would recommend a lee trimmer for your rifle shells.  There is no need to set anything with them, they're cheap, and work really well. If you need anymore help, ask away.

~~~Amos

[mountainview]

Jack,
In 223 my Savage loves the 55 grain SP Hornady w/cannelure and most any charge of Win 748 w/in proper limits. Note though that it has a fast 1 in 9" twist. Still working on the pet load for my 30-06 but IMR 4350 seems to have a large following for this caliber. My 30-06 likes 150 grain factory loads and since I do mainly deer hunting and have had good success with Hornady, I'll likely work with that bullet and IMR 4350 or Win 760 to see what I come up with. The beauty of handloading is that there are numerous possibilities to work with, the possible downside is that there are numerous possibilities to work with. A lot will depend on what your rig likes, it may well like your loads in 150 grains whereas factory loads don't give the groups you want, then again it may only like 180 grains. Only sure way is to try it. Good luck and safe shooting.

[Ifishsum]

My favorite load for .06 is 57grains of H4350 behind a 165gr Hornady SST.  All 3 of my .06s seem to like the combo.  Below published max but use at your own risk - in Federal brass it's kinda hot.

+1 on the Lee case length trimmer gauges - they're cheap and easy to use, and your kit should have come with the trimmer and lock stud.

[jgalar]

Forget about reloading the berden primed cases. Its a pain in the @ss and expensive to reload berden primed cases. You have to order the primers and pay hazmet fee. You will have to break off the decaper from your die.

Buy some 284 Winchester cases and run them thru your Swiss dies. They work fine in the Swiss and you can use store bought boxer primers.

[jack19512]

I sure hate to see all of the Berdan primed brass I have for the K31 go to waste.  I will check into the 284 brass though.  My NEF 223 Ultra Varmint loves the 45GR Winchester Varmint ammo from Walmart.  I don't know if I am gonna be able to reload better ammo than it.  Maybe I can reload it cheaper though, I don't know.


I am keeping a book of all the info I gather.  What works for most should do alright for me too I would think.  Eventually I would like to load some good ammo for my Mosin's in 7.62X54 also.

Anyone know where the best place to buy brass would be?  Thanks

[AZ223]

I sure hate to see all of the Berdan primed brass I have for the K31 go to waste.  I will check into the 284 brass though.  My NEF 223 Ultra Varmint loves the 45GR Winchester Varmint ammo from Walmart.  I don't know if I am gonna be able to reload better ammo than it.  Maybe I can reload it cheaper though, I don't know... <snip>  Thanks

I have the same rifle, and while I can't reload any cheaper, I have a lot of fun doing it. Lately I've been getting sub-moa groups with 26gr Varget and 50gr Nosler BT's, CCI Primers. I don't know the velocity of this round, but the relative ballistics seem the same as the Winchester white-box. Plus after all the Winchester ammo I bought before starting to handload, I have enough brass to last me quite a while.

BTW -- You may also want to look at the Ultramax ammo; 40 & 50 grain V-Max bullets, and they shoot as well as anything I've found. Lotsa that brass lying around too...