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Never reloaded before -- starting out
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ben589
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Location: Highlands Of South Alabama, Alabama USA
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 Posted: 3 May 2008 01:13 PM

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Well, I'm finally getting into reloading. 

I've got a few guns here and there, including a .416 Rigby and .50 Beowulf, and still never got into reloading (and yeah, I've shot that Rigby a fair amount on factory ammo).  The one that finally pushed me over the mark was a .35 Whelen I'm having made now.

The Whelen I'll have to talk about it more later, maybe once the smith sends me some pictures of it.  As it stands now Lilja's making me a barrel like I want it, the smith's making the stock, Remington action, and Schmidt & Bender scope, and that's as much about the Whelen as I can give y'all.

 

As to reloading, I think the fellas over at Crater Outdoors did a pretty fair job telling me what to get.   All I want to say is Thanks Uncle Sam for that economic stimulus incentive ...

RCBS Vibratory Case Tumbler 110 Volt
Lyman Turbo Brass Cleaning Media Corn Cob 6 lb "Easy Pour Container"
Lee Universal Depriming and Decapping Die
Lyman E-ZEE Powder Funnel 22 to 50 Caliber
RCBS Chamfer and Deburring Tool
RCBS 2-Die Set 416 Rigby
Redding 2-Die Set 300 Winchester Magnum
Redding 2-Die Set 35 Whelen
Redding 2-Die Set 25-06
Redding Carbide 3-Die Set 45 ACP, 45 Auto Rim
Alexander Arms 4-Die Set 50 Beowulf
Lyman Universal Trimmer Power Pack with Case Trimmer, Power Adapter and 9 Pilots
Lyman Case Trimmer Pilot #416, 416 Diameter
Lyman Case Trimmer Pilot #25, 257 Diameter
Lyman Case Trimmer Pilot #50A, 500 Diameter
Hornady XTP Bullets .50 Caliber 350 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Magnum Box of 50
Hornady InterLock Bullets .257 Caliber
Hornady XTP Bullets .45 Caliber 230 Grain
Nosler Partition 400 gr. Spitzer .416 caliber
Nosler Partition 120 gr. Spitzer .257 caliber
Nosler Partition 250 gr. Spitzer .358 caliber


Winchester Brass 25-06 Remington
Remington Brass .35 Whelen
Hornady Brass .416 Rigby
Federal Pre-Primed Brass .45 ACP


MTM Deluxe Flip-Top Ammo Box with bullet tray (multiple)
Franklin Arsenal Flip-Top Ammo Box (multiple)
Hornady Universal Ammo Tray (multiple)
CB-10 Ammo Box with Styrofoam Tray (multiple)


Hornady One Shot Case Lube 5.5 oz Aerosol
Hornady One Shot Non-Hazardous Case Lube - Spray
Hornady One Shot Case Sizing Wax
Frankford Arsenal Electronic Caliper 6" Stainless Steel
RCBS Accessory Base Plate 2 for Trimmer, Powder Measure Stand, Priming Tool, Partner Press and Rock Chucker Press Mounting
RCBS Rock Chucker Supreme Single Stage Press
RCBS Rock Chucker, Rock Chucker Supreme, Partner, Reloader Special-5 Reloading Press Dust Cover
RCBS ChargeMaster 1500 Powder Scale 110 Volt
RCBS ChargeMaster Powder Dispenser for ChargeMaster 1500 Scale
Redding Match Grade 3BR Powder Measure
Redding RS-6 Powder Measure Bench Rest Stand
Redding #5 Powder Trickler


RCBS Stuck Case Remover
Redding Case Preparation Kit


Lee Universal Depriming and Decapping Die Pin
Lee Auto Prime 2 Press Mounted Priming Tool
Hornady Shellholder #5 (257 Weatherby Magnum, 7mm Remington Magnum, 300 Winchester Magnum, 338 Winchester Magnum, 416 Remington Magnum)
Hornady Shellholder #1 (22-250 Remington, 243 Winchester, 270 Winchester, 308 Winchester, 30-06 Springfield, 45 ACP)
RCBS Shellholder #37 (416 Rigby)


Nosler Book "Reloading Guide #6" Reloading Manual
Loadbooks USA "35 Whelen" Reloading Manual
Speer "Reloading Manual #14" Reloading Book
Hornady "Handbook of Cartridge Reloading: Seventh Edition" Reloading Manual
CCI #200 Primers
CCI #250 Primers
CCI #300 Primers
CCI #350 Primers
H4831SC Powder
Reloder 15 Powder
Reloder 22 Powder
Hodgden Li'l Gun Powder
Hodgden Unique Powder

 

And that's where things are now on the reloading front.  I've got a lot to learn, but one of the guys from the Crater said he would come down and help me set it all up.



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sdb777
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 Posted: 3 May 2008 08:53 PM

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Only thing I saw missing was a bench....

Great shopping cart!  Looks like the guys helped you out pretty well.

 

 

 

Scott (don't forget the delivery drivers tip) B



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Paul Tummers
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 Posted: 3 May 2008 09:04 PM

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Perhaps some spare decapping pins? They are prone to break when shops are closed and you really need the ammo to make.

I personally would add a good beam scale to that redding powder measure and the trickler, and perhaps buy the Automatic bench mounted priming tool from RCBS in stead of the Lee tool.

You already do have the case holders for your dies, these can be used in the RCBS tool, which is a dream to work with,but Lee requires special case holders for their priming tool



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ben589
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 Posted: 4 May 2008 12:42 AM

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Hrmm, wasn't aware Lee needed a special caseholder for theirs.  I bought the Lee priming tool because one of the guys on Crater Outdoors said he used it and well recommended it.  I bought 2 decapping pins for the depriming tool not on the list above.

I'll look into an RCBS too though if the Lee won't work with the shellholders I've got.

I've thought of a beam scale, and I may add one of those in - I've been thinking about it, but I've already spent enough on the stuff above I'm a little gunshy about buying anything else just yet.  Maybe in a couple months -- but it is on my to-get list.

I'm building a bench for this stuff, and my one requirement for the new house my wife wants in South Carolina is that it has to have somewhere for me to reload. 

I'm going to try and scrounge/steal the digital camera from my wife to take back home with me to Alabama.  I may be able to take a couple pictures of my bench in progress.

 

As it stands now, I've got it framed out in 2x4s, but I don't know what to put on top of it for the actual table part.

I've got some 1/2" plywood and was thinking of either doubling up on the plywood for 1" thick, or maybe drilling/nailing some 2x or 1x4s under the plywood so it's 2.5" thick across the top?  I want to have plenty of strength/support for the bench.

I have no experience with this so I don't know if that 1/2" plywood will be enough by itself not to warp.  Maybe I could do a few more ribs of 2x4s so I'd have plenty of studs to nail the plywood into and that would work?   I've got a surface mounting bracket for the Rockchucker, but I don't want to torque the wood.

Last edited on 4 May 2008 12:42 AM by ben589



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Poset
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 Posted: 4 May 2008 01:26 AM

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Wow!  Quite a list... must have used your wife's part of the rebate as well.

Agree on the need for a beam scale.   I have a digital for "production" runs, but when developing loads I may load with two or three different types of powder, so the beam is quicker and easier.

Just a thought on the bench:  The stress/strain and torque comes when using the press.  After "wallowing out" two tops (3/4"), I now mount my press on a piece of 1/4" steel plate top and bottom of the bench top - run the press mounting bolts thru the press, top plate, bench top, second steel plate, tighten.

runfiverun
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 Posted: 4 May 2008 01:49 AM

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i like to build my bench tops out of the kitchen countertops

they look good are easy to keep clean and are pretty tough if you can get scuffed up ones they are a real good price also.

one suggestion instead of the rcbs trimmer get the lyman one ,  especially the

power trimmer ,you donot need to get separate shell holder things and are powered

 which speeds up this tedious process.

Charley
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 Posted: 4 May 2008 08:49 PM

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My benchtop is 3/4 inch plywood, doubled where it overhangs the framing. Finished it with polyurathane. Looking back, I should have glued a layer of white laminate to it, makes it smoother and easier to find small parts and pieces. Might retrofit it when I have time.



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Oddbod
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 Posted: 5 May 2008 12:17 AM

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Have a look at the Rockchucker Supreme Master Reloading Kit, available at a good price from Midway & Natchez Shooters supplies among others.
You get the press plus the following for $249.95 from Natchez or $269.95 from Midway

5-0-5 Mechanical Scale,
Hand Priming Tool,
Uniflow Powder Measure,
Case Lube Pad,
Case Lube-2,
Case Neck Brushes,
Case Loading Block,
Powder Funnel,
Hex wrench set,
Debur tool
Speer Reloading Manual

See if you can find a supplier of the Plano ammunition boxes, as they have proper hinges rather than the fliexi plastic type & are FAR more robust.

The Lyman 48th edition Reloading Handbook is something else I'd recommend: Clear, concise & full of useful information.

ben589
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 Posted: 5 May 2008 02:44 AM

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hehe ... all the stuff in the list above is sitting in boxes in my living room at the moment.  Anything else is gonna need to be real important at this point to throw it in, but I'm considering the beam scale. 

I may look at another power trimmer too one day, but I've got the one I've got for now.

Beam scale I can probably squeak one in without my wife noticing.

I may get a beam scale. 

I'm also taking notes on the bench.  I can double-up the plywood for now.  Since I'm building it in Alabama, and am going to re-install this stuff in another house in Greenville once I go there, I may do things differently up there and include some steel plate into the equation.



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OkieHunter
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 Posted: 5 May 2008 07:55 PM

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ben589 wrote: Hrmm, wasn't aware Lee needed a special caseholder for theirs.  I bought the Lee priming tool because one of the guys on Crater Outdoors said he used it and well recommended it.  I bought 2 decapping pins for the depriming tool not on the list above.

I'll look into an RCBS too though if the Lee won't work with the shellholders I've got.

I've thought of a beam scale, and I may add one of those in - I've been thinking about it, but I've already spent enough on the stuff above I'm a little gunshy about buying anything else just yet.  Maybe in a couple months -- but it is on my to-get list.

I'm building a bench for this stuff, and my one requirement for the new house my wife wants in South Carolina is that it has to have somewhere for me to reload. 

I'm going to try and scrounge/steal the digital camera from my wife to take back home with me to Alabama.  I may be able to take a couple pictures of my bench in progress.

 

As it stands now, I've got it framed out in 2x4s, but I don't know what to put on top of it for the actual table part.

I've got some 1/2" plywood and was thinking of either doubling up on the plywood for 1" thick, or maybe drilling/nailing some 2x or 1x4s under the plywood so it's 2.5" thick across the top?  I want to have plenty of strength/support for the bench.

I have no experience with this so I don't know if that 1/2" plywood will be enough by itself not to warp.  Maybe I could do a few more ribs of 2x4s so I'd have plenty of studs to nail the plywood into and that would work?   I've got a surface mounting bracket for the Rockchucker, but I don't want to torque the wood.
If you load allot the Lee AutoPrime will wear out fairly quick and will not seat the primmers all the way i would take a serious look at the RCBS. Just my $.02 Also take a look at the RCBS Case prep staion it is well worth the money.

Last edited on 5 May 2008 07:57 PM by OkieHunter



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ben589
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 Posted: 6 May 2008 03:01 AM

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Ok thanks, I'll check into those.



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TasunkaWitko
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 Posted: 6 May 2008 03:34 AM

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welcome to the HB, ben! glad to see you over here!

looks like you've gotten some good advice so far. i no nothing about loading for the cartridges you mentioned, so i will bow to the wisdom of the folks here. i will say that it looks like you're on your way.

as to the lee auto-prime, it is a good tool and in my opinion is hard to beat. you do need to buy lee's proprietary (sp?) shell holders, but they are dirt cheap and, like any shell holder, usually work for several different catrtridges. of the four rifles i own, one shell holder works for three of them, plus most of my dad's rifles.

as for the beam scale, let me know if you have too much trouble getting one. i might be able to help out with that.



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sako06
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 Posted: 15 June 2008 06:08 PM

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Here's sites with information  http://www.eabco.com and http://www.stevespages.com  .My favorite reloading manuals are Lyman & Nosler

Paul Tummers
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 Posted: 16 June 2008 02:08 PM

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About manuals:

Be sure you always stay updated when it comes to these, because for some nasty reason some powder manufacturers do change the burning rate of their powders from time to time- Vhitavuori seems to be on top of the list!

A 15 year old manual well can give you the OAL of a cartridge with a given bullet but NOT the maximum load anymore!

Paul.



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 Posted: 16 June 2008 04:15 PM

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Paul Tummers wrote: Perhaps some spare decapping pins? They are prone to break when shops are closed and you really need the ammo to make.

I personally would add a good beam scale to that redding powder measure and the trickler, and perhaps buy the Automatic bench mounted priming tool from RCBS in stead of the Lee tool.

You already do have the case holders for your dies, these can be used in the RCBS tool, which is a dream to work with,but Lee requires special case holders for their priming tool

:ditto:



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 Posted: 16 June 2008 06:50 PM

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And somewhere down the road - if you really want to get finicky about powder charges, an electronic powder scale is a nice addition. I use mine to find out which powders my RCBS powder measure throws accurately and which ones it doesn't do so good with. It's been surprising with some. Tite Group, for example, "bridges" more often that I thought it would, while Trail Boss meters very accurately. Guess you can't predict accuracy solely by the size/shape of the powder granules.

For my favorite hunting loads (.30-06) I hand weigh every charge - but on the electronic scale now, whereas before I used the beam scale.



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Paul Tummers
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 Posted: 16 June 2008 06:58 PM

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I own 2 electronic scales, but when it comes to accuracy I use a beam scale;perhaps Iam too old, but I can never get myself that far to rely on an electronic scale.



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 Posted: 17 June 2008 01:06 AM

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I guess it depends on the quality of the electronic scale. The cheap ones offered on Ebay & elsewhere just aren't up to the job.
I just brought an RCBS Loadmaster scale/dispenser combo back from my latest visit to the US & checking its readings against my 5-0-5 has shown no measurable discrepancies whatsoever over a couple of hundred loads.
Better yet, the dispenser has only thrown ONE charge that was 0.1gr over & that was closer to 0.05gr on checking.
The only downside is speed: loads take around 20 seconds to dispense, which is more time than I need to seat a bullet on the previous loaded case.

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 Posted: 4 November 2008 06:41 AM

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+1 on the old countertop for a reloading bench ... i found an old chunk of countertop covered with the formica and mounted it to a main wall in my basement with some HEAVY brackets i found somewhere....   works great!

swampshooter
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 Posted: 4 November 2008 12:43 PM

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The Lee priming tool gives me a better feel than the bench mounted RCBS. +1 for the Lee priming tool. :thumbs: I also find the balance beam scale very useful. I would avoid the cheap Lee scale. It's a pain. Lyman makes good balance beam scales. For shooting the .45acp it's hard to beat a good 200 gr. cast lead bullet and 3.9grs, of Bullseye. Also standard cup and core bullets are much cheaper to shoot in the rifles and imho actually better for deer sized game. PS. Good .45acp loads can also be loaded with 200gr. cast bullets and Unique powder. Imho mounting the press on a steel plate is superior than just wood. Good luck.



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