New to Reloading: Advice Please

[dkhunt14]

A Redding body die? How is that possible? To size a case body the die must have shoulder support, if the die has a shoulder it is not a body die. Years ago I was sizing 30/06 cases with an 8mm/06 die and I was sizing 35 Whelen cases with a 338/06 die. And now; reloaders are doing the same thing with a bushing die.

F. Guffey

A body die has a shoulder. It is a full length die without the neck sizing. A ring die does not. It is a die to size just the base in tight fitting chambers or when bases get to tight. The OP needs neither right now. He just needs a full length die or full length bushing die. Matt

 

[Centuriator]

Thanks for the great input and feedback. I do have a .308 precision rifle that I've simply been using Federal Gold Match 175gr SMK with. Might be a great idea to start there and work my up to the Lapua.

 

[J. Gunz]

If you would like the help getting into reloading send me a PM with your contact #. It's easier to tell you how to get started and what you need over the phone then to write. I have a document already set up detailing the steps that are needed. I've given this to several people in my department that wanted to get into reloading. A stranger took the time to help me get started many years ago, I feel the least I can do to pass that on. I reload for 338 lm, shooting a sako trg 42.

 

[jdh47]

On your way up try the 6.5 Creedmoor or 6.5x47 Lapua, or just keep using the 308. Get a RCBS Rock Chucker reloading kit and a couple of good books and a reloading manual. There are a lot of gimmics on the market. I would refrain from acquiring them all at once. They should be acquired over time. Some will be a help and some will make you wonder what you were drinking when you got them.

Most shooters are a gregarious lot and are more than willing to share their experience or lack thereof. It is up to you to determine the difference. Patience and diligence is your friend. Don't forget to practice a lot.

Joe

 

[Brians356]

Thanks for the great input and feedback. I do have a .308 precision rifle that I've simply been using Federal Gold Match 175gr SMK with. Might be a great idea to start there and work my up to the Lapua.

Feeding off a previous comment, start by reloading that 308, with the aim of improving on what the Gold Match ammo can do. Until you can do that, there's not much point in tackling a magnum, or anything else. What size groups does that Federal ammo deliver for you from the 308?
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[Iowa Fox]

Just one more suggestion based on one of the the biggest mistakes I made looking back.

Buy yourself or scrounge( we used to throw them away at work) a big 3 ring note book. Get a package of paper and those stick on sub tabs for keeping sections. Keep good written notes that are well organized.

When I did start keeps written notes they weren't organized well. Yep big mistake and all it would have cost me is a few minutes of time.

 

[msinc]

Just one more suggestion based on one of the the biggest mistakes I made looking back.

Buy yourself or scrounge( we used to throw them away at work) a big 3 ring note book. Get a package of paper and those stick on sub tabs for keeping sections. Keep good written notes that are well organized.

When I did start keeps written notes they weren't organized well. Yep big mistake and all it would have cost me is a few minutes of time.

This is probably the best advice anyone can give to a new reloader...I hate to think about all the times I found a great load and then had no way of knowing exactly what it was, because I loaded it 2 weeks before I finally had time to try it out. What ever it was made sense to try at the time, but then...saving a round and stripping it down to weigh and try to guess which powder just don't work too good. Now, I write down everything and I use a Sharpee to write on the side of the cases. I've had them bounce out of the ammo box into a big pile that all look the same...complete waste of time. Great advice here...write everything down and get decent ammo boxes!!!!!!!!

 

[Homerange]

I run 2 loading notebooks, one for the various loads I'm working on, up or whatever. This is my most used book and has all my load development records. All the basic info so any load can be reproduced to the same outcome: powder & weight, projectile and weight, primer, case, COAL and fps. Some small notes may be added for grouping, observed pressure (primer), range conditions etc.

The other has lists of each rifle's mag length, COAL's for each projectile I use in each rifle (which of course can be longer than mag length) and lastly but most important IMO is a list of notable loads developed for each rifle and projectile combination. Full details of my notable loads are transferred from my bench notebook to this final record. This notebook's information changes little, mostly with the addition of rifles, projectiles or successful load developments.

As I don't have more than 1 die set for any caliber, dies aren't listed or case prep as it's not a variable for my reloading.