Going to start hand loading, need help

[zwickeyman]

Would like to start hand loading for a 300 win mag. Haven't done it since I was a kid. Really could use some help getting started. Will eventually load for 270 win, 22-250, 9mm and 10mm

Don't know if a kit would be the best way to go or buy individually

I know a bunch of you guys have a ton of experience and would appreciate any advice you could give


Thanks in adavnce

[jasnt]

 I offer my canned response regarding what a new reloader needs to get started (with my recommendations):

First, read lots of books and manuals:

The ABCs of Reloading
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1440213968
The Beginner's Guide to Reloading Ammunition
http://www.amazon.com/Beginners-Guide-Reloading-Ammunition-Apartment/dp/148207379X
Lyman 50th Edition Reloading Manual
http://www.amazon.com/Lyman-50th-Edition-Reloading-Manual/dp/B01N76GD2F
Lee Precision - Modern Reloading
http://www.amazon.com/Lee-Precision-Modern-Reloading-Format/dp/B000N8OKAU

And watch videos:
http://www.youtube.com/user/ammosmith/videos?flow=grid&view=0&sort=da

t=58s

And conduct other research:
http://rcbs.com/Resources/Introduction-to-Handloading/Step-by-Step-Reloading.aspx
http://ultimatereloader.com/

Equipment: Start out with a single-stage press. A single-stage press will force you to focus on each step. You should master each step before you attempt to combine them into a single-pull of the lever. Further, turret and progressive presses add complexity and points of failure that single-stage presses don’t have. You will always have a use for a single-stage press on your reloading bench, and you may find that you never need anything more than a single-stage, so get a good one

The Bare Minimum:

□ Books & manuals (You can never have too many books and manuals)
□ Reloading press* (Single-stage - RCBS Rock Chucker)
□ Scale* (Balance beam scales; pref. Ohaus, RCBS, Lee, etc.)
□ Priming tool* (Frankford Arsenal Perfect Seat Hand Priming Tool)
□ Case lube* (Imperial Sizing Die Wax)
□ Funnel*
□ Calipers ($10 eBay Stainless .001")
□ Shell holders (Lee Universal Shell Holder set)
□ Dies (for the specific cartridges you will be loading)

Near Essentials:

□ Bullet puller (Frankford Arsenal Quick-N-EZ Impact Bullet Puller)
□ Primer crimp remover (Dillon Super Swage 600)
□ Case trimmer (Lee Deluxe Quick Trim)
□ Chamfer/deburring tool*
□ Case headspace gauge (L.E. Wilson; for each cartridge you will be reloading)
□ If loading .223/308 for AR platforms: Small base sizing die(s).
Note: If you need them, you need them; regardless, highly recommended, particularly if reloading for semi-autos.

Very Nice to Have:

□ Powder measure*
□ Loading block*
□ Plastic cases for your loaded rounds

Other stuff to make your job easier:

□ Hornady Lock-n-Load bushings (adaptable to many presses)
□ Digital powder measure (RCBS Chargemaster; 1500 or Lite)
□ Brass tumbler (Rotary/wet: Cheap - Harbor Freight Dual Drum; Best - Extreme Rebel 17. Once you go wet, you never go back)

* Included with most starter kits (RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Kit)

Note: The RCBS Rock Chucker is probably the best-selling single-stage press ever made. The other tools in the kit are also top quality and, no matter how far you “advance” in the reloading game, you will always be able to use every component in the kit and they will outlive you. It is a little more expensive than some of the other kits but remember that this is a lifetime investment; it is not money wasted but a solid foundation to build on. RCBS customer service is as good as any.

Things you do NOT need first rattle out of the box:

A Dillon Super 1050 or XL650 progressive press (yes, they really have been recommended as a first press) no matter how hard the blue fanboys try to convince you that your life will be miserable and wasted, and your crappy reloads will kill you if you settle for any other inferior "junk".

A Forster Co-Ax single-stage press. The Co-Ax is a great press but it has some frustrating limitations that the Rock Chucker doesn’t. Converted to use the Hornady LNL bushings, the Rock Chucker can do everything the Co-Ax can do for less money, and then some.

[zwickeyman]

Jasnt,

Thanks for taking the time to respond so thoroughly, great info

[Snakeriver]

What are the limitations of the co ax press?

[jasnt]

What are the limitations of the co ax press?

imo torque. You can work a D press way harder if need be.

[Jonathan_S]

If I was starting all over again, I would not buy anything until I had $1,000-2,000 saved up and could just "buy once, cry once"

I'm a fan of RCBS equipment    Like @jasnt mentioned, there are only a few "must haves" but the list of "really nice to haves" is extensive.

[C-Money]

I got a RCBS Rock Chucker kit for Christmas many moons ago...This with a Nosler reloading manual and a Lyman caliper.
I followed the recipes in the book, and have had very good success. The 300 win mag likes H1000 powder with a 180gr bullet. Look at RL19 & IMR4831 for the 270, and Varget for your 22-250. Enjoy!!

[Jonathan_S]

I love Varget but man, hard to not think H380 when starting off with a 22-250

[Evil_EdwardO]

If you are reloading rifle, Between bare minimum and near essential, I would put a powder trickler.

I also hate those impact bullet pullers, I went with a RCBS collet puller.

When I got into reloading most people I asked questions said most single stage presses work well but just make sure to get one that is cast iron and not aluminum.

With that said, I ended up getting the Lee turret press because I was going to reload pistol also. I've been very happy with it so far (3 years) and I bought it as a kit. The only thing I replaced in the kit was the beam scale with a Frankford Arsenal digital scale.

I also you only need lube if you are going to factory size your rifle brass. If you are going to use your ammo in multiple rifles, you are going to need to factory size your brass. I neck size my brass since I only shoot it out of one rifle (all the rifles I own are different calibers from each other) and lube is not needed.

[N7XW]

Tagging along on this one.  Good info for sure!
 

[hogslayer]

I live very close to you in Snoqualmie and have some extra reloading gear that i have collected along the way.  Including Hornady powder thrower with scale.  30 cal 200 ELDX, 200 berger hybrid, 215 berger hybrid, H1000, RL 26, FED 215 primers, Redding 300 win mag dies.  You should give me a call and swing by and i can show you my process and how i do things.  Just to warn you, You start off with basics then it gets worse from there.  I am deeeep into the dark rabbit hole of reloading.

Ryan: 360-801-2299

[yorketransport]

I went very cheap when I got into reloading because I was a broke kid. I bought a Lee Anniversary kit for $100 when I was 17 and I loaded on that press for 15 years and close to 15000 rounds before I finally replaced it. The only thing I added was an RCBS case trimmer and a pair of Cabelas dial calipers.

Like everyone else, I'll suggest reading all the load manuals you can find. I still think Hornady has one of the best manuals for new shooters even if you don't use Hornady bullets.

For components, just use your once fired brass and sort it by head stamp then just trim them all to the same length. Pick an inexpensive bullet to start with so you aren't launching $1.25 down range each shot while you're still trying to get a feel for the whole process. Don't over think the powder or primer selection either, just go with what's readily available in your area. There's nothing worse than being committed to a specific powder/primer and then not being able to find it anywhere.

Don't over think the equipment and don't feel like you need to spend a ton of money to get into this. I loaded everything on my Lee single stage press using Lee dies for years and I have piles of targets with 5 shot 100 yard groups in the .2-.3" range and a decent number of targets in the .1-.2" range. When I switched to a Hornady press my groups didn't get any better. I was able to cram a CheyTac case in there though! 

 Buying the highest quality equipment from the very start isn't a bad idea but it certainly isn't necessary. Very few shooters are capable of shooting so well that they need top end reloading equipment at any point.

[fly-by]

Zwickeyman-

Since you're shooting .300 WM it's likely a low volume proposition, so a high quality single stage is a good way to go.  Spend the difference on making the whole process easy so it's fun and not a chore.  A good wet number and integrated case prep machine are good to have. Second the recommendation of a collet puller. You will make some mistakes, and the inertial pullers ruin bullets.  I'm in Snoqualmie and have a loading area if you want to get some ideas.

[jasnt]

Zwickeyman-

 You will make some mistakes, and the inertial pullers ruin bullets. 

how do they ruin bullets? I assume your talking about the hammer style.

[zwickeyman]

Thanks for all the info.

Ryan and Fly-by. Thanks for the offers, Would love to see your set ups.  I'll get a hold of you guys after Turkey season

Thanks again, Dave