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Reloading Advice and Recommendations
Posted on 1/3/12 at 7:12 am
Posted on 1/3/12 at 7:12 am
I am interested in reloading rifle and pistol rounds. I do not have any experience at all doing this. My goal is to load high accuracy/performance rifle rounds. The pistol rounds can come later.
I am looking at the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press. Rock Chucker on Amazon
I am not sure where to start, so if anyone has any experience or advice on how to get started that would be great.
My goal is to load for long range shooting on a 300 win mag. So, I am looking at HIGH BC on bullets (.525 and better) and any powder recommendations are welcome. I just want to be able to get started and learn, so I am going with the single stage.
I am looking at the RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Press. Rock Chucker on Amazon
I am not sure where to start, so if anyone has any experience or advice on how to get started that would be great.
My goal is to load for long range shooting on a 300 win mag. So, I am looking at HIGH BC on bullets (.525 and better) and any powder recommendations are welcome. I just want to be able to get started and learn, so I am going with the single stage.
3
Posted on 1/3/12 at 7:14 am to NimbleCat
I have a 300 and been interested in reloading as well.
Posted on 1/3/12 at 7:18 am to NimbleCat
We reload our 30-06 bullets
my dad and I have both taken shots of 200+ this season and hit perfectly both times (245yds and 203yds)
ETA: reloading is the way to go!
my dad and I have both taken shots of 200+ this season and hit perfectly both times (245yds and 203yds)
ETA: reloading is the way to go!
This post was edited on 1/3/12 at 7:19 am
Posted on 1/3/12 at 7:20 am to mylsuhat
I`m confident to 300 with my factory loads. Only taking a couple shots beyond that because cond. were not perfect.
Posted on 1/3/12 at 8:26 am to BarDTiger81
I am going to get going with this soon if the pricing looks worthwhile. I need an at home hobby that is hunting related (watching other people shoot high fence deer on T.V. is not outdoor related IMO). I live in Houston, and will likely have this underway in a month. I just need some advice on what not to spend/waste money on.
I have passed on the beer brewing idea because I cannot drink 108 bottles of beer in a month.
I also think I can load pistol rounds and 5.56 rounds for the upcoming zombie apocolypse. 40 S&W rounds and 5.56 rounds would just be fun to make and hoard.
I have passed on the beer brewing idea because I cannot drink 108 bottles of beer in a month.
I also think I can load pistol rounds and 5.56 rounds for the upcoming zombie apocolypse. 40 S&W rounds and 5.56 rounds would just be fun to make and hoard.
Posted on 1/3/12 at 9:13 am to NimbleCat
It's like anything else, you can spend as much or as little as you want. The rock chucked is a good press and the kit they put together is a good value and a good place to start. I'm on my phone, but I'll try to remember to come back and give you my experience with it.
Posted on 1/3/12 at 9:20 am to INFIDEL
I LOVE reloading love it. I use a Dillon Precision progressive press and Dillon dies.I will not use anything but Dillon.
Before I started to reload I read a ton of books about it and there is a wealth of info out there. I use W231, H110 and Unique powder and I reload for .45 .44mag .38 .357
Before I started to reload I read a ton of books about it and there is a wealth of info out there. I use W231, H110 and Unique powder and I reload for .45 .44mag .38 .357
Posted on 1/3/12 at 9:24 am to INFIDEL
Thanks for any input. I am a TOTAL NOVICE on this, but want to become a skilled reloader. I have looked at the kits on Cheaper than Dirt, and don't really know where to start.
I want to load 40 S&W and 9mm ammo for handguns and rifle ammo in 300 win mag, 7mm-08, 7STW, and 5.56 to start. My first set of dies? will be for the 300 win mag and 40S&W (two guns I shoot the most). My 7mm-08 is an Ackley Improved and I want to start doing my own handloads instead of buying someone else's. The AR has plenty of Lake City Ammo, and I don't know if it is a value to try and load 100s of them to make it economically viable. I don't know that "Hog Rounds" would be worth the grief on an AR scale production capacity/necessity.
ETA: I will look at the Dillon Presses as well. I just don't know a brand-style that I need. I was told to get the single and not the progressive due to experience level. I think the Rock Chucker is upgradeable to Progressive, not positive though.
I want to load 40 S&W and 9mm ammo for handguns and rifle ammo in 300 win mag, 7mm-08, 7STW, and 5.56 to start. My first set of dies? will be for the 300 win mag and 40S&W (two guns I shoot the most). My 7mm-08 is an Ackley Improved and I want to start doing my own handloads instead of buying someone else's. The AR has plenty of Lake City Ammo, and I don't know if it is a value to try and load 100s of them to make it economically viable. I don't know that "Hog Rounds" would be worth the grief on an AR scale production capacity/necessity.
ETA: I will look at the Dillon Presses as well. I just don't know a brand-style that I need. I was told to get the single and not the progressive due to experience level. I think the Rock Chucker is upgradeable to Progressive, not positive though.
This post was edited on 1/3/12 at 9:27 am
Posted on 1/3/12 at 9:39 am to NimbleCat
For the pistol ammo your gonna want to go progressive and dillon seems the way to go in that respect. I only have a single stage as all I reload is rifle ammo. I have a Forster single stage and I really like it, but it a little more expensive then the rock chucker.
Posted on 1/3/12 at 10:41 am to INFIDEL
RCBS is owned by Dillon I believe and Dillon's customer service is the best I have ever encountered in any field by any company the reps will take you through any process step by step
so the initial cost of reloading is not cheap but once you get all the goods you realise that you are shooting very often
also people at my public range dump all kinds of .40 brass and its also pretty cheap to buy it in bulk
Dillon makes awesome rifle dies
I suggest call Dillon and just ask them all the questions you have by the end of the convo I promise you will have a great understanding and a game plan.
Purchase a reloading handbook from Sierra Bullets it has it all
so the initial cost of reloading is not cheap but once you get all the goods you realise that you are shooting very often
also people at my public range dump all kinds of .40 brass and its also pretty cheap to buy it in bulk
Dillon makes awesome rifle dies
I suggest call Dillon and just ask them all the questions you have by the end of the convo I promise you will have a great understanding and a game plan.
Purchase a reloading handbook from Sierra Bullets it has it all
This post was edited on 1/3/12 at 10:55 am
Posted on 1/3/12 at 10:43 am to ninthward
get a progressive press
when I was learning I just did one round at a time especially just to see how my powder was metering
since I started reloading I shoot about 150 rounds a week in my .45 1911
when I was learning I just did one round at a time especially just to see how my powder was metering
since I started reloading I shoot about 150 rounds a week in my .45 1911
This post was edited on 1/3/12 at 10:45 am
Posted on 1/3/12 at 10:58 am to ninthward
Go with a single stage press if you are looking for accuracy. That way you will retain precise powder measurements and seating depths. Reloader 22 and Hogdon H4831 are both good powders for the 300 win mag. Play with load sizes and bullets until you get the groupings you want.
Posted on 1/3/12 at 11:11 am to Ray69
um I get exact measurements in my progressive but to each his own and accuracy and bullet seat depth is a no issue and makes me wonder how is bullet seating depth differ per press its the same dies
Posted on 1/3/12 at 11:44 am to ninthward
The Dillon progressives are great for an experienced reloader but I wouldn't recommend one for someone just coming into it. Rock Chucker is about as good as it gets in that regard.
Just be safe. Doesn't take but one mistake reloading to kill somebody or maim them.
Just be safe. Doesn't take but one mistake reloading to kill somebody or maim them.
Posted on 1/3/12 at 11:56 am to faxis
Dillon progressive was my first press like I said just do one round at a time to start
Posted on 1/3/12 at 12:07 pm to ninthward
Every load session check powder level manually with a scale for the first 10-20 rounds, this means every round individually,after that check a round powder level manually one every 10 rounds
This means charge every 10th round take it off the press and dump all the powder from the case to your scale
This means charge every 10th round take it off the press and dump all the powder from the case to your scale
Posted on 1/3/12 at 2:05 pm to ninthward
quote:
RCBS is owned by Dillon I believe
Actually, RCBS is owned by ATK Corporation who also owns Outers, Weaver, Alliant Powders, CCI, Speer, Federal and others. Dillon Precision Products is owned by Michael Dillon.
Interesting trivia point in that RCBS is an abbreviation for "Rock Chucker Bullet Swage."
This post was edited on 1/3/12 at 4:15 pm
Posted on 1/3/12 at 2:45 pm to TigerOnThe Hill
I made that assumption because there are RCBS die kits for sale on the Dillon site
Posted on 1/3/12 at 3:16 pm to ninthward
Rock Chucker is the standard single stage press. If you want quick change dies on a single stage, look at the Hornady single stage Lock N Load.
I have a number of presses. I like the Hornady Lock N Load progressive better than Dillon, blue is almost cult like, and when I had them the customer service was not great, but that is what you always hear. They are fine, but H LNL has 5 holes/stages versus four for RL 550, big step up in price to go to their 6 stage.
If you want to look ahead [and many many people reload all their needs on single stage due to quality control and progressives can mess up 3 or 4 shells at once if it gets ahead of you], consider a Lyman T Mag II, or the really nice Redding Turret lets you spin the dies.
Redding dies are the way to go for accuracy IMO, you can stay with neck sizing only to extend case life and theoretically improve accuracy if you only shoot one rifle, in a given caliber. Otherwise their regular dies are great, second I would put Hornady on dies from my experience.
I have a number of presses. I like the Hornady Lock N Load progressive better than Dillon, blue is almost cult like, and when I had them the customer service was not great, but that is what you always hear. They are fine, but H LNL has 5 holes/stages versus four for RL 550, big step up in price to go to their 6 stage.
If you want to look ahead [and many many people reload all their needs on single stage due to quality control and progressives can mess up 3 or 4 shells at once if it gets ahead of you], consider a Lyman T Mag II, or the really nice Redding Turret lets you spin the dies.
Redding dies are the way to go for accuracy IMO, you can stay with neck sizing only to extend case life and theoretically improve accuracy if you only shoot one rifle, in a given caliber. Otherwise their regular dies are great, second I would put Hornady on dies from my experience.
Posted on 1/3/12 at 4:37 pm to CCTiger
Nimble,
Welcome to handloading. It's a hobby that can certainly provide you lots of enjoyment. The MOST important thing is SAFETY. Remember, you're basically making a bomb. You need to buy a couple good reloading books, both for the step by step instructions, as well as the specific load data. My favorites include Nosler, Sierra, Hornady and Hodgdon. Hornady, Hodgdon and Alliant (and others, as well) have lots of load data on the 'net.
Lots of good points re: equipment made by CCTiger. I don't have any Dillon equipment, but certainly a lot of Dillon supporters there.
Single stage presses, like the Rock Chucker, are very useful. Progressive presses like the Dillon are really nice, moreso if one is turning out very high volumes of ammo. The only press I've ever used is a Lee 3 hole turret. Bought it about 30 years ago. When developing loads or loading for deer season, it's used as a single stage press (30-60 rounds/hour). If loading higher volume, prairie dog hunt or centerfire pistols, it's used more like a progressive (couple hundred rounds/hour). Folks seem to either love or hate Lee products, but I've been happy w/ mine.
You'll also need primer seater (Lee's is hard to beat), primer pocket cleaner, deburring/chamfering tool, case lubricant (I like Redding's), case mouth powder (Redding here, also), powder measure (I'd go electronic) and powder funnels.
As far as dies, I own dies made by Redding, Forster, Hornady, RCBS, and Lee. I'd rank their quality in that order (although RCBS and Hornady are prob equals). I own more Lee than any others, depending on the intended use. Varmint guns are usually Redding. If accuracy is not THAT important, I end up w/ Lee.
Two really good sites for ordering handloading equipment:
www.natchezss.com
www.midsouthshootersupply.com
Feel free to ask any questions. As long as I've been loading, I still have to look things up or ask a question periodically.
Welcome to handloading. It's a hobby that can certainly provide you lots of enjoyment. The MOST important thing is SAFETY. Remember, you're basically making a bomb. You need to buy a couple good reloading books, both for the step by step instructions, as well as the specific load data. My favorites include Nosler, Sierra, Hornady and Hodgdon. Hornady, Hodgdon and Alliant (and others, as well) have lots of load data on the 'net.
Lots of good points re: equipment made by CCTiger. I don't have any Dillon equipment, but certainly a lot of Dillon supporters there.
Single stage presses, like the Rock Chucker, are very useful. Progressive presses like the Dillon are really nice, moreso if one is turning out very high volumes of ammo. The only press I've ever used is a Lee 3 hole turret. Bought it about 30 years ago. When developing loads or loading for deer season, it's used as a single stage press (30-60 rounds/hour). If loading higher volume, prairie dog hunt or centerfire pistols, it's used more like a progressive (couple hundred rounds/hour). Folks seem to either love or hate Lee products, but I've been happy w/ mine.
You'll also need primer seater (Lee's is hard to beat), primer pocket cleaner, deburring/chamfering tool, case lubricant (I like Redding's), case mouth powder (Redding here, also), powder measure (I'd go electronic) and powder funnels.
As far as dies, I own dies made by Redding, Forster, Hornady, RCBS, and Lee. I'd rank their quality in that order (although RCBS and Hornady are prob equals). I own more Lee than any others, depending on the intended use. Varmint guns are usually Redding. If accuracy is not THAT important, I end up w/ Lee.
Two really good sites for ordering handloading equipment:
www.natchezss.com
www.midsouthshootersupply.com
Feel free to ask any questions. As long as I've been loading, I still have to look things up or ask a question periodically.
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