Help advice needed on equipment

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

Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Cooper » 10 Feb 2019, 9:12 pm

I started with the Lee kit and have Forster Co-Ax press now. The Lee press is still bolted the bench and I probably still do the bulk of my reloading work on it. I guess that sounds kind of stupid. Why buy a better press and not use it all of the time? I don't really have an answer but I generally do the larger centre fire stuff on the Co-Ax and crank my bulk hunting stuff (223/204) on the Lee. It works perfectly fine.
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by bladeracer » 10 Feb 2019, 9:41 pm

Dossa456 wrote:Hi bladeracer, no I’m not sure of twist rate on my 222. It Is an old Rem 788. 1980s I think.

I’d be interested in reloading for a few other calibres also. But will start with the 222-. My poor old 22-250 ruger American has been given the back of the safe since I picked up the 222. Something about blued barrel and timber you gotta love.

I might buy myself a good reloading book and have a read up- any suggestions on books?


Magic, in 1983 the 788 in .222Rem was my first centrefire rifle! It's what I learned to reload on :-)

I have books but I think these days you're better served just looking online. Youtube videos make learning easy.
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Dossa456 » 10 Feb 2019, 9:56 pm

Bladeracer can you remember what the common twist rate of the 788s were by any chance?
If not all good. Cheers Dossa
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 10 Feb 2019, 11:18 pm

Regarding books, if you get a Lee kit it comes with their book, which is quite decent. Nick Harvey is Australian, lots of people love his book.
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by bladeracer » 10 Feb 2019, 11:43 pm

Dossa456 wrote:Bladeracer can you remember what the common twist rate of the 788s were by any chance?
If not all good. Cheers Dossa


Not offhand, but my most accurate load used the 53gn Sierra HPBT from memory. I couldn't get 55gn FMJ's to stabilise so I would guess it was the standard 14"-twist.
According to here http://www.exteriorballistics.com/reference/pdf/twist%20tables_rifle.pdf it's 14".
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by bladeracer » 10 Feb 2019, 11:45 pm

Ziad wrote:Regarding books, if you get a Lee kit it comes with their book, which is quite decent. Nick Harvey is Australian, lots of people love his book.


The book is only with the Deluxe Kit.
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by bladeracer » 10 Feb 2019, 11:53 pm

Check your Private Messages Dossa.
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Cooper » 11 Feb 2019, 7:07 am

Ziad wrote:Regarding books, if you get a Lee kit it comes with their book, which is quite decent. Nick Harvey is Australian, lots of people love his book.


I found the Lee manual a really good read. I mainly use the Hornady manual as I mainly shoot Hornady projectiles. The other two I use are the ADI manual and Nick Harvey. I mainly use the Nick Harvey for trim lengths (they are in mm and I find the data the easiest to find and read). Nick Harvey's max loads are usually a bit higher than some other manuals. The Hornady loads are pretty conservative in most case.
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Dossa456 » 11 Feb 2019, 7:24 am

Thanks for all the advice it’s much appreciated. I can see myself already getting hooked. Got a good bench off a old mate late last night for a couple of beers. Keen to nock of work so I can get the bench in and everything setup. The missus will be happy I’ll stop cleaning my rifles on our tassie oak dining table now :)
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Oldbloke » 11 Feb 2019, 8:41 am

Dossa456 wrote: The missus will be happy I’ll stop cleaning my rifles on our tassie oak dining table now :)


How long have you been married?! :wtf:
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by bigfellascott » 11 Feb 2019, 8:58 am

Nick harveys Reloading manual is the go mate, don't bother with the yank offerings as they call their powders different names and you will need to find out what they are here in Aus. Easier to just go with Nicks book - costs around $50 and well worth it as it spells out how to do everything in easy to understand language.
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Dossa456 » 11 Feb 2019, 11:41 am

Getting married in March this year oldbloke.
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Gamerancher » 11 Feb 2019, 11:50 am

Dossa456 wrote:Getting married in March this year oldbloke.

In that case, go and buy as much gear as you can,.... NOW! :lol:
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Sergeant Hartman » 11 Feb 2019, 1:24 pm

Lol
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Bent Arrow » 11 Feb 2019, 1:35 pm

Gamerancher wrote:
Dossa456 wrote:Getting married in March this year oldbloke.

In that case, go and buy as much gear as you can,.... NOW! :lol:


X2
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by TassieTiger » 11 Feb 2019, 1:46 pm

Gamerancher wrote:
Dossa456 wrote:Getting married in March this year oldbloke.

In that case, go and buy as much gear as you can,.... NOW! :lol:


Buy now?? Or run lol
Tikka .260 (Z5 5x25/52)
Steyr Pro Varmint .223 - VX 3
CZ455 .22 & Norinco .22 (vtex 4-12, bush 3-9)
ATA 686 U/O 12g & Baikal S/S 12g.
Adler a110 reddot
Sauer 30-06 - VX 3
Howa 300 win mag. SHV 5-20/56
Marlin SBL 45/70
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Oldbloke » 11 Feb 2019, 5:37 pm

Gamerancher wrote:
Dossa456 wrote:Getting married in March this year oldbloke.

In that case, go and buy as much gear as you can,.... NOW! :lol:


X3 :D
And a couple of new rifles and at least 1 12g
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Dossa456 » 11 Feb 2019, 6:20 pm

I think I am one of those lucky ones, probably why I am marrying her.
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Oldbloke » 11 Feb 2019, 8:14 pm

Thats what we all say!

Suggest you also buy a few kg of powder and 2k bullets & primers.
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Daddybang » 12 Feb 2019, 7:27 am

Try to get her shootin too...it makes life a sh@tload easier!!! :lol: :drinks:
This hard living ain't as easy as it used to be!!!
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Gamerancher » 12 Feb 2019, 7:29 am

Yes, but it also involves more reloading. ;)
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by wanneroo » 12 Feb 2019, 10:52 am

I think you will find with most brands that they have their strengths and weaknesses along with different price points.

Lee I think for most of their stuff will get you in the ballpark and get you started. I have found some of their stuff doesn't have longevity or durability but keep in mind I load 10000 to 20000 rounds a year, depending on what is going on.

RCBS I found over hyped and some of their stuff is not all that well designed and fiddly. I'll take a Redding die any day over RCBS.

Hornady I have found is alright. The jury is still out for me on their progressive press. I'll have more to say about that once I load a few thousand rounds.

Redding is made two hours away from here and it's well made precision stuff. If I was to do it again I'd get a Redding T-7 and will probably plump for that at some point.

When I got started I didn't have any brand loyalty, I just looked for what worked and what was at a reasonable price point. Over the years you find what works and also what improves and automates processes. For instance a hand crank trimmer might work for someone loading a few dozen here or there but for me loading thousands that will take years. Of course the more you automate or have powered equipment the more the cost goes up.

Dossa you will never regret making yourself self sufficient in ammo. Buy primers, powder and bullets in bulk.
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Re: Help advice needed on equipment

Post by Dossa456 » 12 Feb 2019, 6:52 pm

Thanks for the advice wanneroo- have everything I need now to get a round out the door so to speak - except powder.
I got a Mixture of brands on all sorts of the bits and pieces. Spent the last 2 hours making space to setup the bench.
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