Brand spanking new reloader

Reloading equipment, methods, load data, powder and projectile information.

Re: Brand spanking new reloader

Post by SCJ429 » 23 Jun 2018, 10:44 pm

For short range a 150 SMK will perform well, I get groups in the low .5s. For longer range the 210, 220 and 230 have the BC you want. I get three inch groups at 500 with 220 SMK but for hunting the 220 Hornady ELDX works great out to 800 if you want to hunt that far out. They load pretty long so you may have to single feed them as they may not fit in your magazine
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Re: Brand spanking new reloader

Post by SCJ429 » 23 Jun 2018, 10:50 pm

2209 might be a bit fast for the Win Mag, try something a bit slower with the heavy projectiles. 2217 and 2225 are a bit cooler and kinder to your barrel. Using bore paste is a good idea to help the barrel life of this caliber. Slows down the fire cracking.
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Re: Brand spanking new reloader

Post by vmaxaust » 24 Jun 2018, 6:49 am

I'm trying to decide between the Hornandy LNL Classic Reloading Kit and the Lee 50th Anniversary Kit. I just have very little experience in this sort of thing. One store has said the Lee is better another store said the Hornandy is better.
If you have another option, i'm all ears.

Funny how everyone has had different experiences with different brand reloading equipment. I can't speak for any other brands but I'm a bit tired of the Hornady bagging that goes on...crummy dies, this doesn't work, that's no good.

I can't advise on the single stage presses but I have four Hornady LNL progressive presses, use only Hornady dies (not the cheaper ones but the upper quality range) I reload 45ACP, 9mm, 38 Special in handgun and .223, 300AAC Blackout and 303 British. I've never had issues with any of my setups except when cleanliness was sub par. Maintaining everything is the key no matter who's machine you buy. Setting up dies carefully and using case gauges to confirm what you are achieving is important. Measuring your rifles headspace in conjunction with the Hornady bullet comparator as Blade said will ensure you size cases to best suit YOUR rifle.

It's not rocket science but a methodical check and measure, set the dies and keep checking (things move and wear) using a case gauge to confirm you are achieving consistent results. The brand of the equipment often has very little to do with your success. However the Hornady bashing is hilarious to me considering my situation but I've also had problems during loading with machines apparently acting up. 98% of such problems were ME and not the machinery. I'm a mechanical person who built high powered V8 engines for 43 years. I could grind a crank to a tolerance of .0001" in size, journal taper and out of round and even I screwed up in the reloading process.

The machinery can be flawed sometimes. Designers get it wrong. Sometimes you simply have to improvise to overcome problems or ask suppliers if there is a factory fix. Reloading is like any other mechanical endeavour, it's not factory mass produced ammo coming off expensive automatic machines. You have to be prepared to adapt yourself to the possibility that you may need to alter equipment to improve the results you are getting. It's not cut and dried...buy a press and some dies, set them up once and then everything is perfect forever. That's not going to happen. Each brand of equipment has their quirks and once you identify this you will adapt either procedures or adjustments to achieve consistently great results.

Most importantly, don't be put off and decide not to reload yourself. Lot of satisfaction firing your own reloaded rounds and being able to experiment till you optimise a combination. Take head of the ADI loading manual to give you baseline loads and stay conservative at first.

Sam
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Re: Brand spanking new reloader

Post by SCJ429 » 26 Jun 2018, 5:42 pm

Jashman have you loaded your first rounds yet?
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Re: Brand spanking new reloader

Post by jashman61 » 28 Jun 2018, 6:44 pm

SCJ429 wrote:Jashman have you loaded your first rounds yet?


Nah not yet.
Still got to get all the equipment.
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Re: Brand spanking new reloader

Post by SCJ429 » 30 Jun 2018, 9:48 am

Hopefully you have some time this weekend, load on Saturday and shoot them on Sunday. That is my plan anyway.
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Re: Brand spanking new reloader

Post by MrMickyD » 07 Jul 2018, 8:40 pm

Have a look at Redding their gear is very good , the best imo, but thats just me.
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Re: Brand spanking new reloader

Post by SCJ429 » 08 Jul 2018, 2:06 pm

Micky, are you using a bushing Redding die?

Redding S Competition dies are very good, I use them for a 6mm and 30 BR. Wilson and Forster also make quality dies however not every novice reloader wants to spend $100 plus per die. You can make some very straight ammo using Lee dies if you are careful.
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Re: Brand spanking new reloader

Post by Blutius Maximus » 10 Jul 2018, 4:17 pm

i don't know if you've got your kit yet, but you mentioned the Lee 50th Anniversary. if you're going to go Lee, get the Breech lock Challenger instead. From memory, the two kits are the same, except the Challenger includes a hand prime as opposed to priming on the press (better feel/control). The hand primer I think is better than the 'on press' safety prime. I'd have to check if there were any other differences.
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