Just took my first (small) step into handloading. I ordered a Lee anniversary kit. I figured (and most of y'all said) this should be first so I can look at loads, powders, etc. before I jump into the press and dies and all of that.

So, my coming obsession is on y'alls' shoulders! :D

it's really fun to load your own better than factory ammo and you save money too....... might as well go all the way and get a production pot and cast your own bullets too......

it's really fun to load your own better than factory ammo and you save money too....... might as well go all the way and get a production pot and cast your own bullets too......
I knew it! You guys are like drug dealers. "Just a little more", "Liked that? You should try this", "Here's a new way to...". :)

I knew it! You guys are like drug dealers. "Just a little more", "Liked that? You should try this", "Here's a new way to...". :)


Trust me dude, you are hooked and you don't even know it yet. You will soon learn how to get your fix. ;)

you AIN'T gonna save money!!!!! :eek:

you'll spend more; just the actual cost per shot goes way down. By the time you shoot your 10,000(?)th bullet, counting the initial(and ongoing) equipment purchases, you might save some money. You know that tho.

But, but, it's alot more fun than going to Wally world and buying ammo...or driving 50 miles oneway if you ain't got 30-06, .308, .270,etc. and living with what you get. :D

Just took my first (small) step into handloading. I ordered a Lee anniversary kit. I figured (and most of y'all said) this should be first so I can look at loads, powders, etc. before I jump into the press and dies and all of that.

So, my coming obsession is on y'alls' shoulders! :D

Hehe, yeah, its easy to get reeeealy hooked on loading...then you get into bullet casting, building new rifles simply because you now know you can assemble loads to make them perform at their utmost, buying a second press so you can have one set up to size and one to seat...Have fun!

Hehe, yeah, its easy to get reeeealy hooked on loading...then you get into bullet casting, building new rifles simply because you now know you can assemble loads to make them perform at their utmost, buying a second press so you can have one set up to size and one to seat...Have fun!
I'm leaning towards the Lee 4 hole as I know me and I will want to make one complete Boolit (that is the accepted spelling is'nt it? :p ) at a time.

What 'cha think?

I'm leaning towards the Lee 4 hole as I know me and I will want to make one complete Boolit (that is the accepted spelling is'nt it? :p ) at a time.

What 'cha think?

Yep, i think its spelled "boolit" hehe

I dont have any lee presses, i like my single stage presses a bit better, but i am never in any sort of hurry whenever i do...anything. My best friend only uses a progressive, a few people i know use turret presses, they all make ammo that works just as well as mine. Just whatever you decide on, learn how to adjust it properly and i am sure youll love it! For me, single stage presses are easier to use. And as i am not very smart, ease of use is a huge factor!

Presses all seem to be a matter of personal needs and preferences. A press is a pretty simple device in the world of machinery, so the maker vs maker debate i think, applies less to presses than to other types of loading equipment like dies or scales (and even then, everyone has their favorite)

Occasionally i will take my 15 dollar Lee loader, some brass and bullets and a pound of powder and head to the range. And it shoots well!

...

Occasionally i will take my 15 dollar Lee loader, some brass and bullets and a pound of powder and head to the range. And it shoots well!
Wow! What caliber and barrel length is your Lee? (can't help myself I'm just a natual smart a$$ :rolleyes: )

Wow! What caliber and barrel length is your Lee? (can't help myself I'm just a natual smart a$$ :rolleyes: )

My lee is 30-06 caliber, and it has a barrel approximately 1 and 3/4 inches long. You must master the proper technique to hold and fire a weapon that uses such a potent cartridge in such a short barrel, not to mention remembering to keep your fingers well clear of the "muzzle" of the lee loader.

*please kids dont try to fire your lee loaders!*

Azure

I too decided to jump into this hobby. I have been lurking here for a while but this is my first post. I have been studying reloading for several weeks now and my wife gave me an early Christmas present Friday (Lee Anniversary Kit). I ordered the Lee Deluxe 3 die set for .308 to get me started and a few other essentials. I will primarily be loading .308 and .270.

I have been reading the ABCs of Reloading and also ordered a couple of manuals. I am primarily interested in developing highly accurate hunting ammo. I have not purchased any bullets or powder yet as I want to do some load data studying before I jump into this. I do have a foundness for a 130 grain BT bullet in my 270 and a 165 or 168 in the .308.

Seems like there are some very knowledgeable persons on this board. So, if anyone has any friendly advice for a newby or any loads you have found to be particularly accurate you don't my sharing I'm all ears.

I do have a couple of questions already if you don't mind. Information I gained originally lead me to believe that I did not need to crimp bottle neck cases for my rifles. Then I have heard others say that if they are to be used for hunting you should crimp. What's the scoop on this....crimp or not? If I do crimp it will increase pressures, right?

Last question for now: I have not received my dies yet but Lee states that you don't have to use lube on these dies. I have several boxes of once fired Gold Medal Match brass that was fired in my rifle. I plan on neck sizing this. Will lubing the cases help in anyway or would I be just wasting time on another step I don't need. Thanks.

Welcome. There's a ton of good information on the forum, almost too much.

A few things to get you started.

If you really want good ammo, and are willing to invest, you should consider both a chronograph, and one of the bullet-runout measuring tools like the RCBS Case Master. You can get good results with cheap dies and components, sometimes, but you can't get good accuracy with crooked ammunition.

Generally speaking, best accuracy is going to happen when the bullets are loaded long, somewhere near the rifling (you'll have to experiement to find out where). Again, a proper tool makes this easy - RCBS Precision Mic, or Stoney Point has one also, and their may be others.

Some of these tools may set you back more than the cost of your initial setup. I can assure you, however, they'll more than pay for themselves in time and components used.

So..... along with the other good advice you'll need good components, loaded precisely, and tuned to your rifles.

If you have the Lee Collet dies, you don't need to lube. At some point you may need a full-length resizing die, but you can see how far your brass goes without one.

Don't need to crimp hunting rounds on bolt-action guns. I assume that is what you have.....

Don't need to crimp hunting rounds on bolt-action guns. I assume that is what you have.....

Yep, both the 270 and 308 are bolts. I just found some other info on the net about crimping that was a pretty good read. I see that it is only needed in semi-autos due to the inertia of the bolt slamming forward as it goes into battery.

Yes these are the Lee collet dies and I got the 3 die set so I have the FL sizer also. I will have to check out the other tools you metioned as I am interested in adjusting the OAL for my particular gun(s). I'm pretty sure I have everything I need to get started other than primers, powder, and bullets and I intend to wait on that until I have everything set-up properly and have studied some load data more. I do plan on buying a chronograph in the near future. Thanks for the friendly advice :)

No matter what the cost or quality of your equipment, CONSISTENCY is the name of the game! You have to be consistent in every step of reloading. If you shut your left eye and stick your tongue out when you resize one round, you should do the same for every round. My reloading friends laugh at some of the steps I take but they don't laugh at the groups I shoot.

After some time you will be hard put to decide if you reload to shoot or shoot to reload!!!

Mike B.

Glad to hear there are people new to the hobby.

As a reloader for 20+ years, this is my only piece of advice:

I usually stick with loads 4-7% below the "maximum listed" loads.

If you are tempted to load up a max load, at least have a solid reason to do so. The animal/target you hit probably won't know the difference. I can just about assure you at one time you will have a problem with a load that's pushing things. If not it will probably wear out your rifle/handgun and definately go through cases quicker with a max load than something a few notches lower.

Hazcat and Range Junkie...

Yer DOOMED :D

Hazcat and Range Junkie...

Yer DOOMED :D

Yep, already too late for me. Is there a 12 step program or something for reloading addiction? Took my first loads out yesterday. I had loaded 165 grain Nosler BT over 42 gn, 43 gn, and 44 gn of Varget (five rounds of each) just for some testing. My first five were .92" measured on the outside. Needless to say I was all smiles and very proud considering these were the first 5 rounds I had ever loaded in my life.

I'm taking everyones advice and staying away from the max charges at this time and also only loading one caliber, with one bullet, and one powder and until I have some time under my belt. I have been very meticulous in my loading procedures. I loaded up 20 more as soon as I got home from the range. I can't wait until next deer season. I really want to harvest a nice buck with a cartridge that I built with my own hands. That has to be the ultimate feeling of accomplishment.

Hazcat, I skipped the Anniversary kit and went with the Lee Classic Press, Makes things a lot easier. And yes, they ARE worse than drug dealers! I've been doing this a month and every week it is something new! First week it was every other day :rolleyes:

Well, I stay away from Max charges, but it is 2 different caiburs, 5 bullets and 4 different powders already!

Oh, I though my wife had gotten on here and started this thread about something else (anything, it doesn't matter; It's always my fault!)

Andy

Hazcat, I skipped the Anniversary kit and went with the Lee Classic Press, Makes things a lot easier. And yes, they ARE worse than drug dealers! I've been doing this a month and every week it is something new! First week it was every other day :rolleyes:

Well, I stay away from Max charges, but it is 2 different caiburs, 5 bullets and 4 different powders already!
I got the anniverary just to get the book (great read) and my son gave me the new speer (#13) for Christmas. I have ordered the lee 4 hole turret deluxe kit and dies for 44 spec (44 mag) and 44 LC (454 Cas). I will buy powder and boolits locally.

Haven't loaded a cartridge yet and I probably have 20 plus hours in reading and load research!

I'm afraid it would take a HEAVY intervention type thing to 'un-hook' me now. :)