Bello wrote:Hi Mate
Reloading can give you tighter groups. If you are punching paper this is great.
But if you only need minute of Deer accuracy, (By this, I mean, you are going out hunting occasionaly) then the ADI 223 and 308 ammo alreadly loaded is accurate enough, and will save you a load of time.
Once you start on the road to reloading your garage/shed will swell with all the lovely stuff you will aquire along the way such as hand trimmers, then electric trimmers, sonic cleaners then tumblers, different dies, hand primers and different hand tools and powders and more powders and primes and the different projectiles and then more different projectile weights, and cases etc etc....it can get away from you..
Some of us reload for accuracy others for fun.
As for reloading, it can be dangerous, I have had cases seperate on me, no injuries luckily.
Read as much as you can about reloading, then read some more. Watch Youtube, ask anyone who reloads and even reload with then to get the basics if possible. Always start with the lowest powder levels and build your powder charges up and stop when u see the preasure signs.
Always use safety gear such as protective eye ware and earmuffs.
In Sydney, reloading clases are sometimes held at Silverdale rifle range on a weekend, this may help with the basics.
On this forum there are lots of past topics on reloading, if you can, have a read.
The guys and gals on here can be very helpful.
good luck and be safe
straightshooter wrote:Everything depends just how anally retentive you are.
My suggestion for an initial setup is sets of Lee collett dies in your desired calibers, a basic cast steel single stage O frame press, a hornady or similar hand priming tool and the paraphernalia for dispensing, measuring and pouring powder into the case.
The other items are 'nice to haves' but not essential especially if you are a low volume reloader.
A tip if you embark on wet tumbling and that is to ensure that internally the cases are bone dry. If there is any moisture remaining when the cases are reloaded then the consequences could range from troublesome to serious.
LawrenceA wrote:I hunt and reload for maybe 12 calibres for about 40 years.
Can do 100 45-70's for about $25 and 500J for about $35 with cast pills.
All I have is a Lee kit but good scales and reasonable dies.
I have never had a trimmer other than Lee and do not own a tumbler yet.
But I have weird calibres and use cast bullets.
As said above if you are just hunting occasionally don't bother as the 2 calibres you mention are about as cheap as any and readily available.
If you intend on doing volume or getting the absolute best than reloading may be for you.
Robin wrote:Thanks all, this has given me alot of information, and alot of reading, keep it coming.
FYI if you can, download the digital copy of the reloading manual as it only costed me $26 for the Lyman 50th Edition, compaired to $60 for a paper copy.
Oldbloke wrote:Robin wrote:Thanks all, this has given me alot of information, and alot of reading, keep it coming.
FYI if you can, download the digital copy of the reloading manual as it only costed me $26 for the Lyman 50th Edition, compaired to $60 for a paper copy.
That's a shame.
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthrea ... nd-current
That link was in the thread I posted yesterday.
Oldbloke wrote:And if you have some time on your hands:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=13453
And some of this is OK too. It is ONLY cheap but things like tricklers are far from rocket science. Scales are different. Get decent scales later.
https://www.xhunter.com.au/brand/smart-reloader/
To start off really cheap,
MUST HAVE
smart-reloader Press 27
smart-reloader Hand priming tool 30
Lee RGB Dies 223.. 308 about 90
Lee perfect Powder measure or DIY scoops 55
Case holders-come with pace setter Lee dies
$202
LATER
smart-reloader Tricker 10*
Decent beam balance Scales ?
smart-reloader Trimmer 102
smart-reloader Neck brush 10*
smart-reloader Deburrer & handle 28*
smart-reloader Lube pad 10*
smart-reloader Bullet puller 32
$192
DIY Case holder
Many people are very much "Brand" men. Don't take too much notice. Yeh, some is better than the cheaper stuff but to just dip your toe in the water its cheap to start out with the minimum. Scales are about the only gear you need to be fussy about buying.
* these i would just buy at the start as very cheap and save on postage
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/13345259678 ... 8ee50b8912
Robin wrote:Hey guys and girls.
Tax time is coming up and normaly I get a pretty nice return.
Im looking at either a new rifle or reloading, so im gathering as much info as I can about this.
Reloading i am a complete beginner with this and not sure what I need, so far I have seen but not brought the following
Trimmer
Brass tumbler wet and dry
HORNADY H085521 IRON PRESS KIT WITH AUTO PRIME
Scales
and the list goes on.
My question is, i'm only wanting to reload .223 and .308 at the moment, I have about 300 .223 cases and 150 .308 cases that I have kept
What do I need to get started
Dry or wet tumbler - which one is better
Am I going to blow myself up
What is the best way of reloading, ie, wash first then deprime
Any tips would be really handy
Thanks
Robin wrote:As far as brand, I don't really care for brand so much, what I like is something that is good and worth the $$$ im payig for, I don't mind spending abit more to future proof myself up to a point , as long as I can get spares and parts I need, then im all good.
Downunder wrote:Buy once cry once......get quality
If your low volume reloading MOA< and only for 2 cartridges then a kit will do (SS press, deburring tools, flashhole brush, case neck brush priming tool, trimmer, beam scales, powder funnels, powder scoop, vernier calliper (extras may include powder thrower))
Consumables - Caselube, powder, projectile, acetone to wipe cases.
Calibre specific FLR And decap die, proji seating die (including VLD stem if needed) and case head specific case holders
If you want to keep building on your handloading for accuracy and or speed then half the kit will become redundant pretty quick as your substitute more high end and faster tools.
If your looking for bling then shiny enema flushed brass needs cleaning, tumblers, ultra sonic....
If you thinking of making a meal and not a snack out of hand loading and have the coin then I’d suggest future proofing to a degree with assembling tools Into a kit after doing some further researched.
Downunder wrote:If you thinking of making a meal and not a snack out of hand loading and have the coin then I’d suggest future proofing to a degree with assembling tools Into a kit after doing some further researched.
Robin wrote:I'm looking at future proofing to a point, am not fussed on shiny brass as it's just going to get dirty pretty quickly, and if thats the only reason to have a ultra sonic or wet tumbler, then i'll live without it, might just get a dry tumbler if it does the same job, might save on drying time.
I do like the idea of making up some ammo before a shoot.
Robin wrote:I managed to find the below site, it explains abit, also I have now downloaded Lyman 50th Edition Reloading Handbook on kindle
https://ultimatereloader.com/2020/03/23 ... reloading/