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Noob needing advice re handloading.


Trigger73

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Hi all, I've been chatting to a few different folk over the past few months regarding hand loading and had a view of some clips on YouTube to get an idea of the process. 

After doing so it sparked an interest and I think it's something that I think I would like to have a go at. 

My question is, if I do go down the route of hand loading, what equipment is a must and are there any brands to avoid etc? 

I will be reloading 223 and at some point possibly 308.

Any help would be much appreciated. 

 

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Spend money on a good balance............in 223, a little powder can make a big difference. And decent dies..........I use Redding body, full sizing, and seating dies + Lee collet die for neck sizing for 223.

And one of these: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPGYgceltKI

Pete

 

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You need a good reloading manual.  Lyman 50th edition is excellent, loads of general instruction and advice as well as the all important load data.  I suggest you get that and read up as much as possible before spreading the cash.

By all means watch Youboob, there's some excellent stuff but do be aware there's a lot of poor practice and down right rubbish on there too.  Any video by a manufacturer like Hornady or RCBS is a good start.

There's loads of good stuff second hand on eBay.  I would recommend you get a good press like a Rock Chucker, it's the heart of your system.

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Consider Dauntsey guns reloading course.

Get you off to the right start and answer all questions in one go.

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good afternoon,try and locate a reloader in your area,get them to show you how they do it and then ask your self is it for you .if you fire less than 300 223 rounds a year it will not be cost effective! if how ever you find a reloader who already loads 223 you could discuss that you buy the bullet of choice for your loads and share the cost of powder and primers with the reloader. reloading is not for every one and you don't always save money.

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3 minutes ago, banus02 said:

good afternoon,try and locate a reloader in your area,get them to show you how they do it and then ask your self is it for you .if you fire less than 300 223 rounds a year it will not be cost effective! if how ever you find a reloader who already loads 223 you could discuss that you buy the bullet of choice for your loads and share the cost of powder and primers with the reloader. reloading is not for every one and you don't always save money.

Good idea re finding a reloader as long as they're competent (I've seen some horror shows).  It's not just about cost saving is it?  Most target shooters reload for accuracy.

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4 minutes ago, Popsbengo said:

Good idea re finding a reloader as long as they're competent (I've seen some horror shows).  It's not just about cost saving is it?  Most target shooters reload for accuracy.

good afternoon,yes accuracy is required but I have found that ggg loaded rounds are as accurate as home loads and almost as cheap!   £86 per 100, 86pence a round com pared to my 76pence a round.but each to their own ,good luck to the op.

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14 minutes ago, banus02 said:

good afternoon,yes accuracy is required but I have found that ggg loaded rounds are as accurate as home loads and almost as cheap!   £86 per 100, 86pence a round com pared to my 76pence a round.but each to their own ,good luck to the op.

maybe as accurate as your home loads 😁

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Thanks for the replies folks.  I'm thinking about reloading not as a cost saving exercise but more of the fact that for me it's another thing to learn and have more shooting related knowledge, added to this I'm slowly going down the target shooting route and I've been told that if you get your loads right then your consistency will improve as allegedly you're removing a possible negative variable? 

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8 minutes ago, Trigger73 said:

Thanks for the replies folks.  I'm thinking about reloading not as a cost saving exercise but more of the fact that for me it's another thing to learn and have more shooting related knowledge, added to this I'm slowly going down the target shooting route and I've been told that if you get your loads right then your consistency will improve as allegedly you're removing a possible negative variable? 

You're on the right track, reloading is a fascinating subject on its own and you will be able to get the best out of your rifle as you can tune the load to be spot-on for your set-up.

Best of luck with getting started.

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3 minutes ago, Popsbengo said:

You're on the right track, reloading is a fascinating subject on its own and you will be able to get the best out of your rifle as you can tune the load to be spot-on for your set-up.

Best of luck with getting started.

Thanks Pops, much appreciated 👍

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Hi Trigger, if you was a member of a club there might be some some advice for related information. I purchased a reloading manual Lee Aniversary.

Lee along with other reloading companies do offer reloading kits. Might be worth thinking on how much money you have to spend first. 

Thanks nick 

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Don’t forget decent Calipers (I used cheap Frankfort Arsenal for years but now use the better Mitutoyo).

Also the Hornady comparator (screws onto your calipers) with calibre appropriate bullet inserts. This allows you to measure the length of your loaded bullets, from base to O-give, enabling you to know where the bullet will contact your rifle’s lands.

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You won't go far wrong with an rcbs rockchucker supreme kit. It should have everything you need to get you started, Just add dies.

 

I have been reloading now for about 6 years and still use the same set up and don't feel the need to change any bits.  If you buy cheaper stuff you may end up adding new bits as you go and it's just false economy. Buy good to start with. 

 

 

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2 hours ago, rhhudson said:

You won't go far wrong with an rcbs rockchucker supreme kit. It should have everything you need to get you started, Just add dies.

 

Sound advice RCBS make some good stuff.

I’ve been reloading for years now, not to win competitions, but simply to enjoy shooting well and I still use the first press I bought, a Lee single stage. I think Lee make some good equipment and imho, they are underrated. 

I started with the Lee start up kit (can’t remember what they call it) which I bought from Henry Krank. It served me well and helped my confidence in my technique grow. Within a year I’d moved to RCBS for my beam scale which has proved a great piece of kit. The Lee powder thrower is variable and can’t be relied on tone precise at every throw, but I supplement that with an RCBS trickler I’ve had for years too. I tend towards Redding dies now as they seem more repeatable in my experience but still use the Lee dies for my trusty .303’s and K31.

If you are serious about competition then spend a bit more as rh suggests, but don’t dismiss Lee because they’re cheaper. A Ford Escort will still get you from A to B but maybe not in as much style, comfort and reliability as a Lexus 🙂

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  • 2 months later...

Most of my tools are RCBS dies too. Make sure you read the caution/intro to reloading in a good manual, perhaps a mentor who loads would be ok with hands on instruction. In my experience the hands on was valuable to me. If you were in my area Wyoming Usa I would be glad to help.

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