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I want to get back into reloading.

Posted on 12/1/14 at 9:34 am
Posted by ReelFun
Behind dugout
Member since Apr 2012
1003 posts
Posted on 12/1/14 at 9:34 am
I used to reload for my rifle back in the early 80's. I used RCBS equipment. I bought a used work bench and brought it up to the deer camp this week. I have a dehumidifier from the fishing camp that I will keep in the room. So now all I need is to get the equipment to get at it again.

I will primarily be reloading rifle for the boys and I for accuracy. we shoot 35 weelan, 7mm mag, 270, 22-250 and 270 swm.

Any suggestions on equipment and loads would be appreciated.
Posted by bapple
Capital City
Member since Oct 2010
11910 posts
Posted on 12/1/14 at 11:28 am to
quote:

Any suggestions on equipment and loads would be appreciated.



If you want a very compact single stage, I strongly suggest the RCBS Partner Press.

Partner Press
Posted by OntarioTiger
Canada
Member since Nov 2007
2122 posts
Posted on 12/1/14 at 11:32 am to
Good luck finding powder, I am a shotgun reloader (or wannbe) and haven’t seen any powder available since late spring, should have bought a keg then…. Its either obama going after all your guns/ammo or people prepping for the up coming zombie apocalypse – I haven’t figured it out. Best answer I get is powder should be available in spring 2015
Posted by TigerOnThe Hill
Springhill, LA
Member since Sep 2008
6815 posts
Posted on 12/1/14 at 5:56 pm to
As far as specific loads, you'll get recommendations all over the place. Having said that, my favorite loads for my personal 270 rifle used IMR 4350, IMR 4381 and, most recently, Reloder 22. For bullets, I liked the 130 gr Hornady SP and 140 gr Nosler Ballistic Tip.

Data Manuals: Some of the component manufacturers have good online load data available. Nevertheless, I rec you buy 2 or 3 complete handloading data manuals for the extra handloading instructions. I'm partial to Sierra, Hornady, Hodgdon and Nosler. If you want to save a few bucks, Hodgdon publishes a data manual annually that's in a magazine format and only costs $10-12. After looking in a couple manuals you'll get a good idea of what's normally a good powder for a particular round.

Equipment: The only press I've ever had is a Lee Turret that I've had for >30 yrs. I use dies made by Lee, RCBS, Hornady and Redding. Lee is least expensive and Redding are the nicest looking. W/ propper load work up and a sufficiently accurate rifle, any die should be able to produce accurate loads. I bought a small electronic scale from MTM, but I've found myself going back to my old RCBS balance beam scale.

Primers: Use what's reliably available to you. I routinely use Remington primers in all my rifles and handguns, mainly for simplicity's sake. I've never found a significant change in accuracy from one primer to another. I even bought some Tulammo primers this summer just to try out. Guess what....they shot 6/10" groups in a gun that normally shoots 1/2" groups.

Powder: Buy locally, IF YOU CAN FIND IT locally. If you can't find it, you can order online. Each shipment will cost an extra $28 hazardous shipping fee, in addition to the actual shipping fee. Once you find what will be your go to powders, order online. Powder Valley and Third Generation Shooters have been good to me. You can also order primers online, but will have the same fee. If you mix primers and powder in same order there will only be one hazardous shipping fee. Gun Bot is a great site to find what's currently in stock. Graf's, Widener's, Natchez Shooter's Supply, Midway USA and Midsouth Shooter's Supply are good companies, as well.

Bullets: I order all my bullets online as there are no local stores that carry much of a supply. I use the same vendors as w/ powders.

Brass: If the guys you're going to load for will provide their once shot brass, you'll be fine. Otherwise you'll be in for some frustration. Some brass is just NOT available right now. I've been on multiple email notification lists for 7-08 brass for >1 1/2 yrs and still don't have any. Some brass can be found only be going to more expensive brands such as Lapua, Norma, Hornady and Nosler.

Good luck and keep us up to date.
Posted by weagle99
Member since Nov 2011
35893 posts
Posted on 12/1/14 at 6:10 pm to
Powder is tricky right now...
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