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Picking components

Classifieds on this forum will save you tons of cash... if you live in the USA.

Most likely you will get deep into this hobby like the rest of us. You can start with saving cash here and there by buying stuff that's not as expensive. But unfortunately you will never be satisfied with the results no matter how little or how much you spend on the hobby. So buy once and cry once !

If you want to save yourself lots of money, look at what the best shooters are using and copy them !
Maybe it sounds like a sure way of spending tons of money, but believe me you will look at it this way eventually.
 
Hey Brody, First, thanks are in order for serving. As others have posted, figure out your mission, find others doing the same thing and go from there. Although guys on this board, me included, love spending other people's money, someone who has the same interests as you will be your best resource, and the cheapest.
Thank you for the support and the response. The more I see it, the more it makes sense. It's the same way I started reloading, I had someone show the ropes on the basics and I went from there.
 
You’re starting out the right way. Asking questions and doing research will save you tons of money and time.
 
Hey Brody,
First, thanks for you service!
Don’t mean to pressure you but if you can decide which style shooting you will be doing this weekend there are deals everywhere! Being “Black Friday “ this is one of the biggest discount days there are. Of course , if you don’t need it , it’s not. Check out “ grafs and sons”
 
Hey Brody,
First, thanks for you service!
Don’t mean to pressure you but if you can decide which style shooting you will be doing this weekend there are deals everywhere! Being “Black Friday “ this is one of the biggest discount days there are. Of course , if you don’t need it , it’s not. Check out “ grafs and sons”
Nice to meet you Brody, I was on the first crew of the Enterprise. Enjoy your duty, you will look back and know it was the best time of your life. Take time to research all that there is. Read the right books to learn all you need to be a good shooter. Those that are reload better ammo than you can buy because it is tuned to your rifle. A very good book for any rifle shooter is Tony Boyers book of rifle accuracy. Good Luck.
 
Evening everyone, have a few questions as I sit waiting until we start the trek home.

I have a base knowledge of reloading, started when I was 21 with .40 S&W on a Lee Pro 1000 that I bought used, then I ventured into reloading .223 Rem for my AR15. I'm getting more into the bolt action/precision rifle game and I have to ask, how does everyone go about picking components?

Every caliber I look at that I would like to reload for seems to have 10 or 15 different bullet styles/weights (especially .223 Rem) and just as many manufacturers. Powder and primers are almost the same way as well. So, how do you do it? Others persons suggestions, or blind picking?

Currently not in a position to try suggestions (stuck on an aircraft carrier), but once I get home I'm planning on getting my reloading setups back up and running. Any suggestions or info you can provide would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Brody
Thank you for your service is number one"
I recommend you firstly define your mission then proceed.

If finances permit a custom action is a great place to start
 
It’s pretty straightforward. PRS is not terribly demanding accuracy wise (compared to benchrest or f class).

Start with a heavy for caliber bullet that has a good BC. Berger, Sierra, Lapua, and others make good bullets. Pick one based on price and performance. Search forums and you’ll find some common choices.

As for powder, there are usually one or two that will work for your chosen cartridge and bullet. Again, search the forums. If you’re spendy, get QuickLOAD.

Lapua brass is the gold standard. Unless you’re going to be losing it in the weeds, cheap domestic brass is a false economy. If your cartridge of choice comes in both small and large primer versions, get the small. It’s more durable. Some of the new American companies like alpha and Peterson are reportedly making good brass in addition to Lapua. Norma isn’t bad either.

Generally speaking, primers don’t matter for PRS. I like the Federal blue box (non match). Stay away from CCI 400s. They’re thin and designed for small cartridges.

Then it’s just a matter of getting it to shoot, which requires a systematic load development process. Seating depth is probably going to be the most useful thing to vary. Don’t kill yourself trying to chase accuracy that your rifle isn’t capable of - know when to stop. Not ever rifle is good for a consistent 1/2 MOA.

When I lived in an apartment I used a small folding workbench and an RCBS partner press. You can bolt your press, case trimmer, etc to plywood and clamp them to the bench as needed. It works fine and the partner gives up absolutely nothing in terms of accuracy. It’s a very good, underrated, small press that deserves more attention than it gets. With this setup you can put everything in a closet when you’re not using it.

Skip the tumbler for apparentment living. It’s not worth getting the media everywhere. Clean brass is a luxury.

That’s all I can think of to start. Best of luck.
 
Well those of us that have been to more than a few critiques "aka fact finding missions" would recommend you check out the pages on 6mmbr.com under the caliber you like and pick a load to replicate. If 223 is your game the 69 gr smk seems a about as well rounded as they come. Cases is easy lapua or hornday for a bolt gun, which leaves primers cci br4. Powder choice depends on how you want to measure. If you are using a powder measure I like tac because it meters like a dream and works in a lot of cases. 308 is good with tac also. Varget is my other preferred powder but it does not meter very easy. Again the kiss method is to choose an accuracy load, and do small adjustments. A seating depth test followed by fine tuning the load and done. Your final choice will have a huge impact on recommended parts. Alpha and Peterson dont make 223 but they do for 6.5 and 308. I prefer to recommend a caliber you have already to reduce cost and let your efforts and money spent make better loads for all your guns.
 

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