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Reloading Presses
- BUILDING MY SASS
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12 years 11 months ago #10625
by AR260rem
Replied by AR260rem on topic Re: Reloading Presses
Thank you all for your insight and advice!
zfk, your setup looks like what I inspire to hopefully have one day
I would classify myself as a wannabe benchrester/long range shooter, maybe 6 or 7 yards deep, :lol: always chasing the one hole group, .25" or less. My ability in the wind and overall probably limits me as much as my tools, but that's why I reload, so I can try as many possible combos and get as much practice as possible. I enjoy the loading part almost as much as the shooting. I find it fascinating with the endless possibilities. I think I'm addicted! The UPS guy and postman probably hate me with all of the bullets they've delivered. I'm not even sure how many/different 30 cal bullets I have, dozens of boxes I would guess
I agree that great equipment doesn't necessarily equal great loads. You get out of it what you put in. I used the Lee Anniversary kit for many years while I was learning to reload. I have upgraded everything over the years and added things I didn't know about when I started (concentricity gauge, neck turning tools, flash hole deburring tools, powder dispenser/scale combo, OAL gauge etc).
I learned recently there is a big difference in dies (possibly shell-holders too, is that too anal?). When I started I figured all were the same. Most are just a machined piece of metal, no moving parts except maybe in the bullet seater. I have several duplicate sets of dies from different manufacturers now, which the concentricity gauge and my shooting results prove the difference. If there is that much difference in dies, what about the press?
I liked the Lee press but sometimes it just is too light/small of a press plus it threw spent primers everywhere (i did fashion a little piece of metal to help with this). There was also a little slop in the ram/linkage, perhaps from hard use? Some nickle plated 300 RUM brass is what finally killed it. I was also swaging some 50 BMG primer pockets with a CH4D setup on it the week before. That might have really did it :silly: I did manage to load 15K+ rounds (375 Rem Ultra-223 Rem and 454 Casull to 380) over the years and make some really fine ammo (.5" at 100yds out of my 700 R5 Milspec 308, .6" out of my 260 AR-10T, .7 from my R-15 VTR, and .75 in the 300 RUM Sendero, factory ammo I've tried in 308/223/300RUM won't do that good, and the price :huh: ). Thinking of a custom 6.5x284 now.
Does that mean I won't use Lee dies or presses to load ammo for a 2" .38 or my 45-70? Of course not, I think they make great stuff for the money and their stuff works pretty good at a fraction of the price of others. Just bought their new hand priming tool and it works great, way better than the RCBS I spent double on. I just figure all tools have their place, just like any other hand or power tool. I've wondered for a while if a great press would give me more out of the guns that are capable of it. Until 2 years ago I never had a target rifle or one that would shoot under 1 MOA, now I'm addicted and always in search of better accuracy.
Thanks for the advice zfk and BMS.
Here is a pic of my setup, I really need another bench
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zfk, your setup looks like what I inspire to hopefully have one day
I would classify myself as a wannabe benchrester/long range shooter, maybe 6 or 7 yards deep, :lol: always chasing the one hole group, .25" or less. My ability in the wind and overall probably limits me as much as my tools, but that's why I reload, so I can try as many possible combos and get as much practice as possible. I enjoy the loading part almost as much as the shooting. I find it fascinating with the endless possibilities. I think I'm addicted! The UPS guy and postman probably hate me with all of the bullets they've delivered. I'm not even sure how many/different 30 cal bullets I have, dozens of boxes I would guess
I agree that great equipment doesn't necessarily equal great loads. You get out of it what you put in. I used the Lee Anniversary kit for many years while I was learning to reload. I have upgraded everything over the years and added things I didn't know about when I started (concentricity gauge, neck turning tools, flash hole deburring tools, powder dispenser/scale combo, OAL gauge etc).
I learned recently there is a big difference in dies (possibly shell-holders too, is that too anal?). When I started I figured all were the same. Most are just a machined piece of metal, no moving parts except maybe in the bullet seater. I have several duplicate sets of dies from different manufacturers now, which the concentricity gauge and my shooting results prove the difference. If there is that much difference in dies, what about the press?
I liked the Lee press but sometimes it just is too light/small of a press plus it threw spent primers everywhere (i did fashion a little piece of metal to help with this). There was also a little slop in the ram/linkage, perhaps from hard use? Some nickle plated 300 RUM brass is what finally killed it. I was also swaging some 50 BMG primer pockets with a CH4D setup on it the week before. That might have really did it :silly: I did manage to load 15K+ rounds (375 Rem Ultra-223 Rem and 454 Casull to 380) over the years and make some really fine ammo (.5" at 100yds out of my 700 R5 Milspec 308, .6" out of my 260 AR-10T, .7 from my R-15 VTR, and .75 in the 300 RUM Sendero, factory ammo I've tried in 308/223/300RUM won't do that good, and the price :huh: ). Thinking of a custom 6.5x284 now.
Does that mean I won't use Lee dies or presses to load ammo for a 2" .38 or my 45-70? Of course not, I think they make great stuff for the money and their stuff works pretty good at a fraction of the price of others. Just bought their new hand priming tool and it works great, way better than the RCBS I spent double on. I just figure all tools have their place, just like any other hand or power tool. I've wondered for a while if a great press would give me more out of the guns that are capable of it. Until 2 years ago I never had a target rifle or one that would shoot under 1 MOA, now I'm addicted and always in search of better accuracy.
Thanks for the advice zfk and BMS.
Here is a pic of my setup, I really need another bench
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- BUILDING MY SASS
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12 years 11 months ago - 12 years 11 months ago #10628
by BUILDING MY SASS
Replied by BUILDING MY SASS on topic Re: Reloading Presses
Well first off.. :lol: Nice set up...much like my own...you need some center supports on those shelves on the wall... :whistle: and If I may...go to wally world and pick up a couple of the small 3 shelf book shelves, that would help with your organization..."which is outstanding" :woohoo: by the way...you could fit two side by side I think and clear up some space on your bench...I will try to post a pic of mine to date...here is one of my earlier set ups...
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Believe me there is alot more on the shelves now than there was then... :pinch:
As for your press...I would have to agree...messing with anything 50 BMG on the smaller press would most likely Kill it...
that is why Lee makes a 50 cal BMG Press :pinch:
As for loads...well I am still a Novice..lucky if they make it out the end of the barrel... :silly: Not really... :dry:
I personally don't shoot for the "one" hole wonder...I was taught...One Target, One Bullet,..so I can take a Shoot N See Sight In target and punch all 5 diamonds @ 100 yards...Now given my Rifle is limited as far as Range and Accuracy..being a AR-10 "B" A4 CB...with a 16" barrel...400 to 500 yards is the best I can hope for and I do hit the target...unfortunately I am not hitting dead Center with factory ammo...I don't have the time and money it takes to "Develop" loads which is the best for my rifles...I merely make ammo that works..to the best of my ability...As for You being "Annal" :ohmy: ...Nothing wrong with that...
I myself am extremely Annal when it comes to making my own Ammo...Pistol or Rifle...so...
I wish you the best of luck...and as I said..I will try to post an Updated Pic of my Bench...
Take care and Target On...
BMS
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Believe me there is alot more on the shelves now than there was then... :pinch:
As for your press...I would have to agree...messing with anything 50 BMG on the smaller press would most likely Kill it...
that is why Lee makes a 50 cal BMG Press :pinch:
As for loads...well I am still a Novice..lucky if they make it out the end of the barrel... :silly: Not really... :dry:
I personally don't shoot for the "one" hole wonder...I was taught...One Target, One Bullet,..so I can take a Shoot N See Sight In target and punch all 5 diamonds @ 100 yards...Now given my Rifle is limited as far as Range and Accuracy..being a AR-10 "B" A4 CB...with a 16" barrel...400 to 500 yards is the best I can hope for and I do hit the target...unfortunately I am not hitting dead Center with factory ammo...I don't have the time and money it takes to "Develop" loads which is the best for my rifles...I merely make ammo that works..to the best of my ability...As for You being "Annal" :ohmy: ...Nothing wrong with that...
I myself am extremely Annal when it comes to making my own Ammo...Pistol or Rifle...so...I wish you the best of luck...and as I said..I will try to post an Updated Pic of my Bench...
Take care and Target On...
BMS
Last edit: 12 years 11 months ago by BUILDING MY SASS.
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