newbie question

[Neilo]

I am reloading .243 ammo with a classic Lee loader and a wooden mallet, and no info is given about the depth the bullet (100grs.) should be seated, so I'm pounding 'em in about the same as the Factory Winchester ammo. I notice the Federal factorys are seated much deeper. I gotta lot to learn. how deep?

 

[1000yardstare]

Not clear if you are shooting a hunting rifle or a target rifle.

If a hunting rifle, then as long as the ammo fits the magazine, you are getting good accuracy, the rounds feed smoothly from the magazine, the bullets are held firmly in the neck and pressures are reasonable, it doesn`t matter what the seating depth is.

If a target rifle then you are in for a world of reading. I have been reloading for 45 years and still feel like I am learning. Buy a good reloading manual from one of the bullet manufacturers and start reading.

If you are serious about bullet seating depth then buy a bullet seating depth gauge such as the Sinclair and learn how to use it. Start with the bullet 20 thou off the lands and then move the bullet slowly in by 5 thou and see what effect this has on accuracy.

Welcome to the world of reloading.

Bill

 

[jonbearman]

Sounds to me you are ready to buy a lee press(classic cast press).You will be better off using a real press and it is safer.You can buy a lee kit pretty chap at midsouth or natchez shooters supply or midway.This is the way to go if you want better accuracy and the ability to see what you are doing.

 

[artbosco]

I am reloading .243 ammo with a classic Lee loader and a wooden mallet, and no info is given about the depth the bullet (100grs.) should be seated, so I'm pounding 'em in about the same as the Factory Winchester ammo. I notice the Federal factorys are seated much deeper. I gotta lot to learn. how deep?

STOP!!! Don't Pound Bullets into Cases. USE these tools:

http://harrellsprec.com/index.php?crn=205&rn=382&action=show_detail

and this

http://lewilsondirect.com/bulletseaters.aspx

after talking to an experienced reloader.

 

[K0na_stinky]

STOP!!! Don't Pound Bullets into Cases. USE these tools:

http://harrellsprec.com/index.php?crn=205&rn=382&action=show_detail

and this

http://lewilsondirect.com/bulletseaters.aspx

after talking to an experienced reloader.

The hand tools worked fine for me. Why does he have to stop useing them?

 

[Neilo]

Thank you all for the info. Good info Bill. Neilo
Thanks KO_na Stinky. Complicated ain't neccessarily better.

 

[BBTC48]

Please tell me this someone's version of a gag, because my sense of humor is sometimes a little behind on certain things. Why do I get a vision of a mallet blown to smitherines and blood everywhere?

 

[1000yardstare]

Neilo.........I think some people have a mental vision of you taking a 2 handed swing with a 5 lb sledge at your Lee loading die.

Might help if you assure them that you are tapping the die with your mallet just as shooters have been doing with Wilson dies for 50 years.

And all of this has nothing to do with your original question concerning bullet seating depth.

Bill

 

[artbosco]

STOP!!! Don't Pound Bullets into Cases. USE these tools:

http://harrellsprec.com/index.php?crn=205&rn=382&action=show_detail

and this

http://lewilsondirect.com/bulletseaters.aspx

after talking to an experienced reloader.

The hand tools worked fine for me. Why does he have to stop using them?

He doesn't.

The two tools mentioned above are hand tools.

A reloader can use a small mallet to tap on the top of the bullet Seater, if one is predisposed to using a mallet, vice an Arbor press.

 

[wapiti25]

BBTC48- This Lee tool is a very basic loading set. Yes, you use a "hammer" to deprime, size, and seat. I bought a used one for the old style priming tool in 22-250. You can load with little money invested. Lee made tools so you can reload without breaking the bank.

Neilo- Please! have a clean, smooth surface to set the die on when you are seating the bullet. You have a live primer in the case at that time. Good luck and shoot often- Wapiti

 

[Neilo]

Gentlemen: Thanks to all who are concerned for my safety. I appreciate it. I always wear glasses and I never put my head over the die or cartridge, and yes, it's been done for years like this with few mishaps. How many times can I reload a particular piece of brass? The Lee die only resizes the neck. I have calipers.

 

[K0na_stinky]

Gentlemen: Thanks to all who are concerned for my safety. I appreciate it. I always wear glasses and I never put my head over the die or cartridge, and yes, it's been done for years like this with few mishaps. How many times can I reload a particular piece of brass? The Lee die only resizes the neck. I have calipers.

There is no set number for how many time you can reload a case. In my Savage .270win I have 6 reloads and I don't think there will be any problems loading them a few more times. They aren't hot loads tho.

 

[Neilo]

Thanks KO_na stinky. and everybody.

 

[headhunter1111]

+1 for a press. Doesn't cost much it isn't "complicated" at all... You can actually tell what you're doing and do it repeatably, fast, accurately and with a lot less work on yourself.

 

[Larryh128]

My 1st press was a Lee Challenger kit for about $80. Really, it was a decent press for the $ & included a powder measure, scale etc. Pretty much what you need to get started & loaded decent ammo for a beginner that didn't have much experience with metallic. It would be a big step forward from hand tools without breaking the bank.