which dies

[Gamerancher]

Well said Bill, I've seen blokes trying to get a "cheap" hunting rifle to shoot miracle one hole groups. Once in a while they almost fluke one, most of the time they don't.
The benchrest boys spend upwards of $5-6k on a rifle, over a grand on rests and then many years/shots learning how to load, tune and read wind to shoot tiny groups.
Anything around an inch @ 100m is more than adequate for hunting purposes.

[Mongrel]

Well said guys
And yes mine is a hunting rifle and im doing this mainly to keep the cost of shooting down with the bonus of getting better grps and i enjoy working with my hands.
Id be the happiest guy at the range if i can get around 1" at 100m grps

[deadkitty]

Bill, yep you're right of course, but I really enjoy reloading in between shooting the odd dog, fox and cat, A guy needs a hobby....other than shooting fishing and chasing the missus around the house.....

[Bills Shed]

Bill, yep you're right of course, but I really enjoy reloading in between shooting the odd dog, fox and cat, A guy needs a hobby....other than shooting fishing and chasing the missus around the house.....

Totally agree, somewhere along the line I got into swaging, maybe because the wife had a big stick! Reload, shoot and be merry.

Bill

[wanneroo]

I find with Lee that some of their stuff is great and good value for the money and some is not so great. I still use their dies for 9mm and 45 ACP. RCBS is ok but I find their dies fiddly to adjust and have started migrating over to Forster and Redding dies for rifle and I am much happier. Forster and Redding cost more but are easy to adjust and seem to have that extra bit of precision and quality of the materials

[brett1868]

+1 for Redding dies, especially their premium range. I use genuine Dillon dies in the XL650 press and find them head and shoulders above the rest for pistol cases. General rifle reloading I use RCBS because they a generally more available and easier to find compared to some others.

[bladeracer]

I find with Lee that some of their stuff is great and good value for the money and some is not so great. I still use their dies for 9mm and 45 ACP. RCBS is ok but I find their dies fiddly to adjust and have started migrating over to Forster and Redding dies for rifle and I am much happier. Forster and Redding cost more but are easy to adjust and seem to have that extra bit of precision and quality of the materials

Does anybody other than Lee do collet neck dies though?
The collet dies are a huge step forward in my opinion, no more lube and minimal working of your brass.

What are you adjusting other than bullet seating depth?
On Lee dies that only requires turning the big knob on top of the die, no lock nut required. Couldn't be any easier.
Thread pitch is 1.5mm so one full turn is 1.5mm or 0.060".

$60 for both of those dies and a shell holder is an absolute steal in my opinion.

[deadkitty]

Well said Bill, I've seen blokes trying to get a "cheap" hunting rifle to shoot miracle one hole groups. Once in a while they almost fluke one, most of the time they don't.
The benchrest boys spend upwards of $5-6k on a rifle, over a grand on rests and then many years/shots learning how to load, tune and read wind to shoot tiny groups.
Anything around an inch @ 100m is more than adequate for hunting purposes.

Yeah and I've seen blokes spend a motza on a fancy gun who can't shoot for s**t...... here's what the basic Lee kit can do with a novice reloader behind it...before I try the new collett die

[Mongrel]

Nice groups there kitty
Was that at 100m?

[bigfellascott]

Buy yourself a copy of Nick Harveys Reloading Manual, lots of great info there to help you get going and all the local powder brands and load data to suit.

[bladeracer]

Buy yourself a copy of Nick Harveys Reloading Manual, lots of great info there to help you get going and all the local powder brands and load data to suit.

When I started loading I used to write actual letters to Nick asking about loads for whatever I was trying to do and a couple weeks later I'd get a reply back in the post with things to try, awesome bloke!

[Gamerancher]

Not knocking the Lee gear. I will usually recommend the Lee Kit to any newby starting off in reloading. That's what I use myself. Lee press, various brands of dies including Lee, Lee powder thrower. I reload for 23 or more calibres, both competition rifles and hunting, and have been reloading for over 30 years. I don't see a need to change brands. I get more than enough accuracy with the Lee gear. When I miss it ain't because of dodgy reloads, its always the "nut loose on the trigger". Yes there are "better" brands but value for money, I reckon it's hard to beat.
These groups were shot @ 100m while running in my latest build, 6.5 Creedmoor on a Model 70 Winchester action. Loaded using LEE DIES. After bore sighting, first shot went low(see bottom rhs) adjusted up and got on with it. They are 1/2 inch circles. She looks like she might shoot.
I'll be using it this week-end at the Silhouette Nationals in Canberra. Anyone interested in coming along?

[Mongrel]

Nice shooting Game, looks like lee dies should do the job nicely. im heading to LGS after work tomorow will let you guys know how i go.
I may not have time to post anything beforehand as were heading down to NSW for a few days camping/shooting..

[wanneroo]

I find with Lee that some of their stuff is great and good value for the money and some is not so great. I still use their dies for 9mm and 45 ACP. RCBS is ok but I find their dies fiddly to adjust and have started migrating over to Forster and Redding dies for rifle and I am much happier. Forster and Redding cost more but are easy to adjust and seem to have that extra bit of precision and quality of the materials

Does anybody other than Lee do collet neck dies though?
The collet dies are a huge step forward in my opinion, no more lube and minimal working of your brass.

What are you adjusting other than bullet seating depth?
On Lee dies that only requires turning the big knob on top of the die, no lock nut required. Couldn't be any easier.
Thread pitch is 1.5mm so one full turn is 1.5mm or 0.060".

$60 for both of those dies and a shell holder is an absolute steal in my opinion.

I think there are other manufacturers out there of neck sizing dies. Honestly don't pay much attention to neck sizing dies as a lot of my brass gets fired in a full auto or semi auto gun and must be small base full length sized.

Yes the Lee dies are easy to adjust, it's the RCBS dies that are a bit more of a pain in the butt with the little wing nut and lock ring nut.

I have no particular fandom for any brand. Anytime I buy something I research all the options, read reviews, read forums and then make my choice. As a result I have mixmaster of reloading equipment, Lee, Hornady, RCBS, Forster, Redding, Lyman, Frankford Arsenal, all on my bench. For most of Lee's stuff it is good value and will get someone started in reloading.

[bladeracer]

I think there are other manufacturers out there of neck sizing dies. Honestly don't pay much attention to neck sizing dies as a lot of my brass gets fired in a full auto or semi auto gun and must be small base full length sized.

Yes the Lee dies are easy to adjust, it's the RCBS dies that are a bit more of a pain in the butt with the little wing nut and lock ring nut.

I have no particular fandom for any brand. Anytime I buy something I research all the options, read reviews, read forums and then make my choice. As a result I have mixmaster of reloading equipment, Lee, Hornady, RCBS, Forster, Redding, Lyman, Frankford Arsenal, all on my bench. For most of Lee's stuff it is good value and will get someone started in reloading.

The government here protects us from having to full-length size our brass, and they're working on completely eliminating feeding problems by restricting us to single-shot only

I know others make neck dies, but basically they all work the same as using a full-length die to neck-size only, I haven't seen anyone else using collets to do it.
Oh yes, RCBS are annoying and I can't believe they haven't bothered make their seating dies more user friendly.

I'm similar and I'm always hesitant to recommend something to anybody, simply because we're all different in how we work and what we want.
But the Lee dies are something that I can't imagine anybody could find fault with.

[deadkitty]

Nice groups there kitty
Was that at 100m?

Not quite, my range finder says it's109 mtrs.. .and yes 5 shot groups, I only do three shot groups for load development at the start then all are five. I'm new to reloading, but not to shooting, been doing that since 1965 Cheers

[deadkitty]

Buy yourself a copy of Nick Harveys Reloading Manual, lots of great info there to help you get going and all the local powder brands and load data to suit.

Hi Scott, does that manual have ADI powders listed ?, I find most are aimed at the American market and the reload data is based on IMR, Aliant etc etc.

[bladeracer]

Buy yourself a copy of Nick Harveys Reloading Manual, lots of great info there to help you get going and all the local powder brands and load data to suit.

Hi Scott, does that manual have ADI powders listed ?, I find most are aimed at the American market and the reload data is based on IMR, Aliant etc etc.

ADI do their own manual for $10 or $15.
http://www.adi-powders.com.au/handloaders/
I've bought the last three of them each year.

[Gwion]

I've bought the last three of them each year.

Do the hard copy manual change much year to year?
I just look up loads and powder info on their web site.

[deadkitty]

ADI do their own manual for $10 or $15.
http://www.adi-powders.com.au/handloaders/
I've bought the last three of them each year.[/quote]

Yeah Thanks for that, I have the ADI handbook already, unfortunately since I'm new to reloading, I need something that expains the steps, pitfalls and the finer points, the ADI reloaders manual doesn't have some of the bullets I use listed i.e. 50 Vmax, 64gr Nosler interbond. Really I need to learn the finer points of reloading skills not actual load data, but thanks for responding anyway

[Gwion]

DK.
Nick Harvey's will explain all you need to know. You can also download old editions of Speer, etc online for free. I found it good to have a few different ones as they all cover things a little differently and I got a better understanding of different processes from different manuals.

You'll never have a manual that covers every bullet. I just cross reference for bullet weight and design to get a safe starting point and a rough max so I know not to go to far without close attention to pressure signs. Always work up your loads gradually.

[Gwion]

Ps: look up "hornady reloading maual free download pdf" and replace the brand name with various bullet manufacturers. You will soon find a few manuals to read.

[deadkitty]

Ps: look up "hornady reloading maual free download pdf" and replace the brand name with various bullet manufacturers. You will soon find a few manuals to read.

Thanks thats exactly the sort of info I'm looking for thanks heaps

[Mongrel]

Well after all the help you guys gave me, i went to LGS to pick up my ammo supply for the weekend and my reloading gear.
And they just sold the last one....Bugger
Then as soon as the mrs found out i had "spare cash" in my wallet...it was like Magic..one second it was there next it was gone LOL
Guess i can wait a little longer :/

Thanks again guys

[bladeracer]

Do the hard copy manual change much year to year?
I just look up loads and powder info on their web site.

I doubt they change much, but I haven't sat going through them side-by-side looking for differences...until just now
Comparing 2015 to 2016 in calibers I'm interested in:
.204 data is identical.
.223 data is identical.
.243 they've added loads for AR2213SC and 90gn, 100gn, 105gn and 107gn bullets.
6.5 Creedmore data is identical.
6.5x55mm they've added loads for AR2213SC in all bullet weights except 85gn.
7mm-08 they've added loads for AR2213SC in all bullet weights heavier than 150gn.
.308 data is identical.
8x57mm data is identical.
So, for me, it appears the only difference is the addition of a new powder.

I use the online data as well, but it's nice to have hardcopy without having to go down to the house to print it.

[Gwion]

Cool... Good to know.

[bladeracer]

Ps: look up "hornady reloading maual free download pdf" and replace the brand name with various bullet manufacturers. You will soon find a few manuals to read.

I really enjoy reading Richard Lee's book.

[Oldbloke]

Well after all the help you guys gave me, i went to LGS to pick up my ammo supply for the weekend and my reloading gear.
And they just sold the last one....Bugger
Then as soon as the mrs found out i had "spare cash" in my wallet...it was like Magic..one second it was there next it was gone LOL
Guess i can wait a little longer :/

Thanks again guys

Western firearms harem last time I looked.

[sandgroperbill]

They didn't have the dies or didn't have the press?

The dies should be easy enough to find

[deadkitty]

Well after all the help you guys gave me, i went to LGS to pick up my ammo supply for the weekend and my reloading gear.
And they just sold the last one....Bugger
Then as soon as the mrs found out i had "spare cash" in my wallet...it was like Magic..one second it was there next it was gone LOL
Guess i can wait a little longer :/

Thanks again guys

If you get too impatient I'm pretty sure you can find them on ebay...usually via midway.... Yeah wives do that!