Experienced Reloaders?!!

[Slick8]

I think there's some really good advice listed above. None really bad just differing opinions.

To those of you who use the high end powder measures by Harrels or Jones, how do the work with long extruded powder like is commonly used in today's magnums and even some standard calibers...?
I myself used H1000 in my 240 WBY. I know these are precision instruments with the best blades but most bench rest shooter likely use some sort of ball powder.

To my limited knowledge most br guys are shooting 300 yards and less where a slight variation to charge weight doesn't really matter. I feel like charge weight while not the most critical part of loading if you know how to find the sweet spot is one that I can easily control to the smallest degree so why not take advantage of it.

To the OP, these precision measures are $500 plus. IMO-the advantage is they're fast and simple once set up. A quality beam scale is as accurate as it gets but imo is painfully tedious. Which is why I stepped up to a charge master with an electric tricker

One more thing I saw mentioned was a bullet puller. Do yourself a favor and get this one called the Grip N Pull. You won't regret it.

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And as said above, buy once cry once.

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[bphillips]

Wow, he had throws from 43.7 - 44.1. While that is much more accurate than I have ever seen throws I am extremely surprised that this is acceptable without weighing and trickling.

This is what I was wondering. If I'm sitting there reloading I'll have all the time I need to weight each one and make sure they're right on so why not do that and eliminate some inconsistencies.

I also will only reload at home. I've got the room and I try to minimize my time away from the house whether shooting, hunting, or anything else. I already work away from home 20-25 days a month and I try to stay next to my kids when I'm off.

[Slick8]

Very good point above. The bench rest guys are loading at the range and many times during the match which really dictates a precision powder measure.

One thing to remember is they're shooting custom rifles with likely much heavier barrels then the average sportsman along with an extremely accurate cartridge. All this leads to a very forgiving rifle. What I mean by forgiving is that a .5 grain variation in charge weight won't make much if any difference in group size and more importantly poi location.

Google optimum charge weight testing, it's a rather long process that br guys and many others use to find this sweet spot where a small variation in charge weight doesn't move the point of impact. Accuracy is all about harmonics, some barrels have a much larger range of harmony in which there's no change in accuracy. When the pros find this barrel they treat it like a new born baby in gold fleeced diapers.

Also pm dustoffer and ask him to send you his technique he used when commercially working up hand loads for other people. It's focus is on first determining bullet seating depth then working on charge weight. I've used his technique along with a modified version of the optimum change weight theory with great sucess.

Using these techniques last year after receiving a rifle back from warranty work just before a drawn hunt I worked up a load in one morning at the range with about 40 rounds. It shot .5 moa to 600 yards.

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[bphillips]

Very good point above. The bench rest guys are loading at the range and many times during the match which really dictates a precision powder measure.

One thing to remember is they're shooting custom rifles with likely much heavier barrels then the average sportsman along with an extremely accurate cartridge. All this leads to a very forgiving rifle. What I mean by forgiving is that a .5 grain variation in charge weight won't make much if any difference in group size and more importantly poi location.

Google optimum charge weight testing, it's a rather long process that br guys and many others use to find this sweet spot where a small variation in charge weight doesn't move the point of impact. Accuracy is all about harmonics, some barrels have a much larger range of harmony in which there's no change in accuracy. When the pros find this barrel they treat it like a new born baby in gold fleeced diapers.

Also pm dustoffer and ask him to send you his technique he used when commercially working up hand loads for other people. It's focus is on first determining bullet seating depth then working on charge weight. I've used his technique along with a modified version of the optimum change weight theory with great sucess.

Using these techniques last year after receiving a rifle back from warranty work just before a drawn hunt I worked up a load in one morning at the range with about 40 rounds. It shot .5 moa to 600 yards.

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Thanks

[Slick8]

Happy to help.

Btw-dont let that optimal charge weight page overwhelm you with info....it takes a bit to digest and will make your hair hurt in the beginning. It makes good reading on the throne or deer stand....

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[ItsLeo]

Not sure what all is missing from this list but this comes to $2K with die sets (Whidden & Redding) for 5 calibers without skimping and going to the cheapest options. Obviously I'll need actual components also. Does this seem like enough to go quite a while without needing "upgrades" and be happy?

Forster Press
RCBS Chargemaster 1500
Dies
Tumbler
Calipers
Case Trimmer with debur, chamfer, and primer pocket attachments
Priming Tool
Comparator Set
Micrometer
Shell Holders
Bullet Puller
Lube
Reloading Trays

Honestly, that is enough to keep most folks happy reloading for quite a while for most cartridges. The two biggest exceptions are if you are planning on reloading belted magnum cases and any of the proprietary Weatherby calibers.

If you are planning on reloading belted magnums or Weatherby calibers I would add a few items.

Belted Magnum Collet resizing die

http://larrywillis.com/

Lee Factory Crimper for Weatherby cartridges

Stuff to anneal case necks. There are lots of methods.

[bphillips]

Honestly, that is enough to keep most folks happy reloading for quite a while for most cartridges. The two biggest exceptions are if you are planning on reloading belted magnum cases and any of the proprietary Weatherby calibers.

If you are planning on reloading belted magnums or Weatherby calibers I would add a few items.

Belted Magnum Collet resizing die

http://larrywillis.com/

Lee Factory Crimper for Weatherby cartridges

Stuff to anneal case necks. There are lots of methods.

Cool thanks. I have one, a 257wby, in my safe and that's it

[Gunnyart]

Might have been said already...

Get a good beam balance even if you get an electronic scale for work-ups. (Be mindful of where the a/c vent is in the room, it's enough to screw up accuracy too.)

[cattlelackranch]

Wow, he had throws from 43.7 - 44.1. While that is much more accurate than I have ever seen throws I am extremely surprised that this is acceptable without weighing and trickling.

In the middle video it looks like he is using a VERY AFFORDABLE powder thrower. I would bet it has a red translucent hopper on top.

[cattlelackranch]

I've switched to almost all wilson hand dies. I've been very pleased with them.

I have 3 rcbs presses. Rock chucker and two jr's. 2 Dillion 550's and a Sinclair arbor. They all get used.

Reloading won't save you any money. It will make you want to shoot more. For me it extends the sport even more and adds another level of enjoyment and accomplishment. I find manufactured ammo boring and useless.

Welcome to reloading. Have fun, enjoy and be safe.

[bphillips]

I've switched to almost all wilson hand dies. I've been very pleased with them.

I have 3 rcbs presses. Rock chucker and two jr's. 2 Dillion 550's and a Sinclair arbor. They all get used.

Reloading won't save you any money. It will make you want to shoot more. For me it extends the sport even more and adds another level of enjoyment and accomplishment. I find manufactured ammo boring and useless.

Welcome to reloading. Have fun, enjoy and be safe.

Not really looking to save money haha. Just a hobby to have at home and an added level of precision even if I can't shoot good enough to tell the difference. I've got around 10 calibers I could do but only two get shot much so it would give me plenty to do just working loads for a few

[cattlelackranch]

Not really looking to save money haha. Just a hobby to have at home and an added level of precision even if I can't shoot good enough to tell the difference. I've got around 10 calibers I could do but only two get shot much so it would give me plenty to do just working loads for a few

Good because there is a company called Sinclair International that will start getting ALOT of your money! [emoji1]

[JakeGraves]

If you start turning necks, the 21st Century neck turning tool is really good. Grip and Pull puller is top notch as mentioned above.
The Sinclair/Wilson case trimmer is great but I use the power adapter with an electric screwdriver to run it. Turning that handle is for the birds.
I use Wilson seater dies but Redding and Widden bushing sizing dies.
My opinion on powder dispensing is to use the Chargemaster. I haven't bought a high end powder measure like Blake mentioned but do check the Chargemaster periodically on a beam scale. I want to upgrade to the Acculab 123 eventually.
Annealing is another step to aid in consistent neck tension and prolong brass life. I can walk you through building an annealing machine pretty easy. Don't buy $400 automated annealing machines unless you just want to blow money.

[Artos]

How do these Whidden dies compare in price to the upper end Reddings Blake??


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Thanks again for the lead on the Lapua 20 Tactical brass...worked out a good deal to get 150ea.

Whidden threaded dies (set) or Wilson hand dies utilized with an arbor press

Forster co-ax press is very good, or a RCBS Rockchucker Supreme

Harrels powder measurer. http://harrellsprec.com/index.php/pr...powder-measure

Acculab VIC 123 digital scale http://www.affordablescales.com/accu...p#.WHqmRsu9KSM

[Greyman]

I politely disagree as you do NOT have to weigh every dropped charge if you are using a Harrels or Neil Jones powder measure - they were built for precision repeatability within .05 - .1 gr. At times I may double check 1 out of every 10 throws to make sure my loads are still within +/- .1 of a grain.

During benchrest matches, I never weigh my charges and will load around 50 - 75 rounds. The dropped powder charge is already known based on "clicks" from the brass metering device. 1 click = .1 of a grain. Unless you've hand loaded and dropped powder charges with a Harrels, this may all sound Greek

if you have a Lee, Hornady, RCBS, etc... powder measurer I would definitely weigh every load.

Harrels powder measure and how I reload at the range

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IVvAFxb6n0

Wilson hand dies
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbkYet59g7E

very informative video - watch !!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybKjuQeA5kA&t=13s

.

I will stand with my statement. It is bad advise,
Bear in mind we have experience in reloading OP is just getting into it and needs to learn proper procedure.
The second video the powder drop is very inconsistent and unacceptable in long range shooting. Plus He is weighing every charge.
May not need to with a Harrels but that is beside the point.
I have a Stevens rifle I bought for my daughter, it is a cheap gun but I reload with my equipment (RCBS and Lyman, Redding) and can consistently hit a paper plate at 500yds.

I will add spherical powders DO NOT meter like extruded powders and can result in inconsistent charges.