reloading gear

[sungazer]

Yeah there is no way they move if you do them up tight to the breech collar. Even so I just bought some of the breech collars that screw tight. Haven't fitted them yet as it is a job to get the die out of the collar its in. They do look like they may make it easier to fit as they give more Knurled area.

[scoobs]

thanks guys.

so far on my list
lee breech lockchallenger kit.
lee duluxe 3 collet die set for 308 and 22-250
reloading blocks
case lube pad
smart reloader media tumbler
media.


what do you guys think? anything else to add?

[Stix]

FWIW...since i purchased my cheap wet tumbler i havnt used my dry/media tumbler.
& the wet tumbler wasnt really much more at all...
Nice clean brass every time & in less time...no dust...
And its another tool to fuel up the OCD in you...!!!
So if buying a tumbler, id seriously consider one of the cheap wet tumblers for basically the same money...!!!

[sungazer]

Yep as Stix said get the tumbler of used guns he sells them on ebay too. I had a 3 kg one I got from China it broke and was too small get the 5kg one. For lube I would use Hornady One Shot works well and is so easy forget pads. The main place for lube is inside the neck when you FLS a pain to do each one with a cotton bud a quick light spray over the top and your done.

[bladeracer]

thanks guys.

so far on my list
lee breech lockchallenger kit.
lee duluxe 3 collet die set for 308 and 22-250
reloading blocks
case lube pad
smart reloader media tumbler
media.


what do you guys think? anything else to add?

I'm really liking the Bleacher style loading blocks.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Lyman-Bleacher-Loading-Block-485-Genuine-Made-in-USA-7728086/282240492166
I don't bother tumbling my brass.
You will need a Quick Trim Die for each caliber as well to keep consistent case length, and a caliper to measure them.

[sungazer]

Good point BR,You will find that the trimmer or at least a basic one will come with the kit. I am sure you will get a few differing opinions here on what to get. I have been purchasing again the lee quick trimmer die and the handle that trims. I have tried the three way cutter not a great result I have been getting with that. The little chamfer tool lee sells is good for the small inside chamfer you need to stop taking brass off the bullets as they are seated. I am giving up on the outside chamfer I dont think it is necessary. More work than for any return.

[Oldbloke]

A vernier caliper to measure case length and coal

[scoobs]

Ah forgot the trimmer die.

As for calipers. I have a few sets of mititoyos already

[wanneroo]

Wet tumbling is my preferred way. I use a Frankford Arsenal tumbler with a bit of Lemishine(citric acid), Hornady case cleaning solution, steel pins and distilled water. Gets cases looking brand new and I don't have to deal with lead soaked dust.

[Stix]

Im not sure if others have suggested this or not, but if getting Hornady gear, see if you can get the comparitor set for measuring length to ogive & shoulder...
They can be significantly cheaper when bought in a press kit, so you can save some dollars from buying them in the near future.

[scoobs]

also, what reloading book do you guys rate the best?

[marksman]

the hornady, sierra, nosler are all good, I used to call the start of the hornady (how to reload) the bible

[Oldbloke]

For some reason I thought the challenger kit comes with a manual/book.

[BRNO_Bigot]

thanks guys.

so far on my list
lee breech lockchallenger kit.
lee duluxe 3 collet die set for 308 and 22-250
reloading blocks
case lube pad
smart reloader media tumbler
media.


what do you guys think? anything else to add?

A decent scale - I'm a Lee fan, but the Lee scale is "serviceable" but not great.

A book or two would also be good.

[wanneroo]

Eventually having a few manuals is good for cross reference. Also if you use a certain manufacturers bullets, like Speer, Hornady, Sierra, it's good to have their manual handy to get exact recipes for that particular bullet. As I recall Speer and Hornady had good sections in the front going through everything to do with reloading if you are new to it. On my shelf I have the Lee, Lyman, Speer, Hornady and Sierra manuals.

[Oldbloke]

Just google Lyman No 44 manual.pdf

[Cooper]

also, what reloading book do you guys rate the best?

I mainly use Nick Harvey and ADI and Hornady. I find Nick Harvey has the easiest to find trim lengths and they are in mm. Also generally Nick Harvey loads aren't as conservative as same. So use with some caution. I usually then double check with either the ADI or Hornady as I mainly shoot Hornady bullets.

I also own the Lee Manual, and Berger manual. I think Seirra has a new manual coming. Be so far I have found most of the Seirra stuff online. You don't need that many manuals. But I think it is good idea to compare loads from a couple of different manuals. Particularly when you are starting out. I just like reading and find Topic of reloading interesting so have bought a few manuals. I also like writing little notes in my manuals. So definaltely prefer Hard copy manuals.

[Oldbloke]

To clarify.
You need two manual types.
1. Data for reloading to give powder minimum and maximum and bullet combinations . The online ADI manual does that very well if you use their powders. Most do.

2. A manual to explain how to actually reload. Which is just resizing and assembling the cartridge. Any of the major manuals will show you how to do this. It hasn't changed for 25 years. Download a free one like I suggested, or go to the local library, or ask someone to show/teach you. Or just buy one of course.

[Oldbloke]

The basic process is,
1. Check case is not split or cracked and length. Trim if required after step 2
2. Deprime and resize in one step. (Clean and shine if you want at this point)
3. Insert new primer
4. Fill with appropriate amount and type of powder.
5. Insert bullet. This is the bit that confused most new Reloaders. Determining coal.

[RoginaJack]

What about the Australian made Super Simple?

[Oldbloke]

What about the Australian made Super Simple?

You mean Simplex. I have their press, trimmer and couple of other items and all very good. I'm not sure if they have "kits" though.

Try. www.simplexreloading.com they are in NSW

[wanneroo]

I found the reloading manuals had some good info for learning how to load, but it helped even more pairing it up with Youtube as there are tons of reloading vids on there. If you do a search you'll find cartridge specific videos as well.

[Oldbloke]

Cartridge specs are available here;

www.saami.org/specifications_and_information/index.cfm

[marksman]

the problem with sammi or cip is the fudge factor that your chamber will not have after fire forming cases in your chamber
to duplicate sammi you may be over sizing your cases
if you really want to learn to reload and shoot go to the range and talk to the guy with the best groups
to start though get a good manual (hornady) and read the first part of the book on reloading 10 times, get your head around what to expect
you can chase your tail for years and not get anywhere, the most important thing is everything has to be straight, concentric and made the same
when you get it its pretty basic and that's the best way to keep it

[RoginaJack]

Thanks Oldbloke, yes Super Simplex. Marvelous what a difference "X" makes...

[Oldbloke]

:lol: Thanks Oldbloke, yes Super Simplex. Marvelous what a difference "X" makes...

[justgav]

I am starting out reloading and I have found just trying to copy a good factory. Have a 223 so am copying the OSA stuff that shoots well in my Tikka. Think I have found a good one!

[tom604]

I am starting out reloading and I have found just trying to copy a good factory. Have a 223 so am copying the OSA stuff that shoots well in my Tikka. Think I have found a good one!

i went the whole ,load up from min to max in .5 increments in my 223 burnt a lot of powder and lead and in the end settled on a load that's pretty close to a hornady load that shot well out of my gun,,the 308 i went straight to a factory load that shot well and copied that ,a lot less tweaking and i had a round that shot a tad under moa and i haven't played with the seating yet (and as its a hunting rifle most likely wont) This may not be the best way to find a load if your going for tiny holes in paper but it works for a hunting load and you don't burn half the life of your barrel trying to find it jmo