I'm finally ready. Be gentle.....

[SmTx]

Normally it is, but this is the internet. Everyone here can shoot 1/4 MOA all day every day in 25mph winds.


I make due with a single press and hand weighing each round. Takes me 1 minute per round on average.

Makes the big batch jobs take a long tIme, but it can make quality rounds.


Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

daaaaang. i need some 308, too

[sir shovelhands]

This is great advice. Keep it coming guys! I've decided for now I dont want a progressive press. At least at first, I won't be looking to crank out thousands of rounds. For working up new rounds, I think a turret press is the most economical. Is there a reason to get a single stage over a turret?

Fify , you will later, but they are a hell of a big investment.

Get the turret for your pistol and the co-ax (or another single stage) for your rifle. I started out with a turret and while it's turned out good pistol ammo for me, I find the co-ax has been significantly more consistent, and it's about the same speed since this is my loading order: decap (universal decapper), tumble, lube, resize, trim, prime (hand tool), charge, and then seat. I also don't like powder throws on auto dispensers at higher volumes with non-ball or disk powder.

[caa4612]

I would suggest starting out with the basics to get you going. Learn how to use these basic items and as you learn more, and load more, you will figure out what YOU need. Everyone tends to create their own system of reloading, and each person has their own preference on this gadget or that gadget. I started out with a single stage RCBS that was given to me along with some of the other basics (scale, trimmer, powder measure). I made the mistake of running out and buying parts and pieces I didn't need because I didn't really understand some of the steps involved, and found some of these gadgets are unnecessary. I've since bought a progressive press, which I use for high volume (AR's, pistols) loads. For my bolt guns I still use the old single stage. I want precision and consistency with the bolt guns and I feel like the single stage gives me that. YouTube is a great resource, but be careful, some guys on there can lead you down the wrong path, so watch others to verify or debunk some of what you see.

[bdubb]

Normally it is, but this is the internet. Everyone here can shoot 1/4 MOA all day every day in 25mph winds.


I make due with a single press and hand weighing each round. Takes me 1 minute per round on average.

Makes the big batch jobs take a long tIme, but it can make quality rounds.


Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Nothing wrong with a Lee Classic. Quick question though, are you right handed?

[stxhunter]

Mike D gave some good advice on what to purchase.

I started out with a lee turret press, which I still have, and have loaded quite a few pistol rounds and some very accurate rifle ammo. For the rifle ammo I used the lee press for sizing, Chargemaster for weighing. and wilson hand dies for seating.

The original kit I purchased sits in the garage and was largely unused as I upgraded fairly quickly. My suggestions is to pick and choose what you want/need from the get-go and skip the all in one kits. Spend a little more now rather than spending twice!

My recommendations:
Hornady OAL Gauge/comparator
Press (There are several good ones, Frankford Arsenal, Forster, MEC)
Dies of your choice (I prefer bushing dies to control neck tension)
Electric powder measure (not necessary, but very nice to have)
Chamfer/debur tool
Primer pocket cleaner
Primer seater if not done on press
Stainless steel case cleaner with media ( I like the Frankford Arsenal setup)
Loading blocks
Caliper
Load Manuals
Boxes to organize ammo for range day

Of course you can add all kinds of widgets and gizmos to the above list, but this is what I've settled on that works for me.

My advice would be to buy a few different bullets in different grains/ manufacturers along with a common powder for your caliber of choice. Pick a primer manufacturer that you can find in stock and buy the best brass you can (Lapua if they make it for your caliber). Components are somewhat hard to come by right now, this is where I would start shopping first. No sense in having all the reloading gear if you don't have components to load.

You'll be tuning the following:
Powder type and charge weight
Bullet type and seating depth
Neck tension (to a lesser extent)

Quick Loads helps narrow down powder and bullet choices "virtually" without having to overly experiment at the range. When you head to the range with your loaded ammo be sure and have the different charges well labeled. Be sure and keep a notebook with observations.

Good luck. It's a fun process, can be tedious at times, but it's very satisfying seeing your work at the range and in the field.

[BlessedVeteran0305]

Are you selling .308 and 5.56? If what are your prices of ea per 50 rds?

[howabouttheiris]

Nothing wrong with a Lee Classic. Quick question though, are you right handed?

Interesting observation.

I handle the brass with my left, actuate the handles with my right. If I get what you implied from the question correctly, I agree that I could swap the charge stage to the left of the press to increase ergonomics.

[bdubb]

Interesting observation.

I handle the brass with my left, actuate the handles with my right. If I get what you implied from the question correctly, I agree that I could swap the charge stage to the left of the press to increase ergonomics.

You're onto a portion of what I was thinking. A lot of people do it but it has seemed odd to me to have the more dexterous hand just pushing a lever up and down. Since you mentioned time per round, I wanted to suggest trying a few sessions with your left arm working the press and see if your time improves over a given round count, if right handed. Do all the detailed movement with your dominant. Just food for thought...

To me it made a difference and felt better. Less mishaps etc. To others it might not, but it's an ongoing observation I have had for a while now and used to get questioned about the orientation of my setup.

I don't consider myself a 5S type person, but the idea tends to lean that way.