Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: winchesterSX2 on May 25, 2007, 11:13:41 AM

Title: loading ammo
Post by: winchesterSX2 on May 25, 2007, 11:13:41 AM: Hey i was just wondering about some basic loading tips. Does anyone have any good products they use? any good tips? thanks
Title: Re: loading ammo
Post by: Ghost Hunter on May 25, 2007, 01:30:01 PM: I've only been at it for 5 years or so, still learning. I would recommend picking up a couple of reloading books and starting there. Good used equipment can be found if you look around.
Title: Re: loading ammo
Post by: Slenk on May 25, 2007, 02:56:20 PM: I have been reloading about 25 yrs. . And still not an expert . I have found that RCBS stands behind their products a lot better than anyone else . I started with a hodge podge of stuff but have swicthed over to RCBS 100%.
They have even sent me new parts for stuff that I bought on Ebay and had to fix. Not to knock Ebay as you can get some good buys there ,I have bought stuff 1/2price or less and very satisfied .
Title: Re: loading ammo
Post by: boneaddict on May 26, 2007, 06:58:42 AM: I agree with Slenk. RCBS has been around a long time, they are proven and have everything you would need, and fair price wise.
Title: Re: loading ammo
Post by: brush hunter on May 26, 2007, 05:56:07 PM: I've had good luck with RCBS, Lee has some good stuff too. What do you plan to load?
Title: Re: loading ammo
Post by: Idabooner on May 26, 2007, 09:12:08 PM: I've been loading for longer than I care to count, never loaded for anybody except myself and kids, just counted my die sets, 13 caliber's, not including any black powder or shot stuff. I have all RCBS and LYMAN products, I swear by them. It's important to keep records of every shot when you are working up a load, several times I have gone back a few years to check a record on a certain load for a caliber. Be smart, be safe, don't take short cuts. Like said above, get 2 or 3 good loading manuals, compare and study them. It's a never ending, very rewarding hobby. Years ago I believed hand loads could be more accurate than factory, and much cheaper except you shoot a lot more. Now factories have improved so much it's doubtful but it's very rewarding to put game on the table with your own ammo. Good luck. :)
Title: Re: loading ammo
Post by: brush hunter on May 27, 2007, 11:32:19 AM: Do your research, and take your time. A good pair of safery glasses wouldn't hurt either.
Title: Re: loading ammo
Post by: littletoes on May 28, 2007, 08:53:01 AM: Handloading is very rewarding, and much simpler than many think.
You can have a much larger selection of bullets to caliber than what the factory offers.

The advice given to pick up a couple of relaoding books is good advice, and the bullet manufactues have done some great work.

Pick the bullet that you like best, and start with their manuel. Sierra is my personal favorite, and I would have to say that none of the other manufactures have done as much for the shooting sports as Sierra.

Nosler, Speer, Hornady, etc. all have some very good manuals that contain the basic information needed to begin.

You can start with a basic "Starter Kit" such as the RCBS. It is a good start, and you can decide from there if you want to add to your tools, or not. Basicly how serious you want to get.

Once you get there, many of us here can help guide you to your next purchase.

One thing you will need, A PLACE TO WORK! It should be comfortable, and with no distractions. You don't want to through a heavy load by accident when kids are running around.

As said above, the best advice=KEEP RECORDS! This can not be over emphasized! You will not remember what you did, especially if you load for several cartirges.

Good Luck, and have a blast!
Title: Re: loading ammo
Post by: fremont on July 15, 2007, 09:51:25 AM: I'm one of those guys who has had good luck with Lee products. Selectively....meaning I still use a RCBS Uniflow powder measure, but--for what I consider to be the idiot-proof stuff like dies and single stage presses--I don't think you can beat what Lee gives you for the money.

Back about five years ago, Lee was running a promotion (anniversary?) where they essentially gave away their lowest quality press when you purchased other things. At the time, I had been using a RCBS Rockchucker for close to 20 years, which I had attached to my reloading bench with C-clamps, because I'm a little space-constrained. Since the Lee was considerably smaller, I put it at the far end of my bench and bolted it in. I've never used the RCBS since and have loaded up through 416 Remington with it. Great little press.

Lee dies are also a great value, and their "specialty" dies (e.g., mouth belling die, factory crimp die, neck collet die) are required around my bench. You can also get a full set of dies (full-length sizing, neck sizing, factory crimp die, seating die) for under $30.

Anyhow, infomercial mode off.....I expect a few Lee critics will pop up >:(......good luck.
Title: Re: loading ammo
Post by: littletoes on July 15, 2007, 04:25:50 PM: Ya know, I remember reading once, in a very reputable magazine for benchrest shooters, "If you can't aford the best, buy Lee..."

I don't think you have to worry about critics here, that was some sound advice.