Where to start?

[Hunter333]

I posted a message in the generl forums before I saw this one...... I have a 30-06 and have thought about checking into reloading so here I go :) Cost of equipment?Advantages over factory made shells? Is it really cost effective? Thanks for your imput.

[Ricciardelli]

Cost effective? No! For what you will pay for a reloading set-up, plus your initial supply of components, you can buy more than 50 boxes of good factory ammo.

[Steve in MI]

I would have to agree to a point to reload for hunting purpose's you are better off getting a few boxes of factory premium ammo. Unless you a bench rest shooter or I shoot ipsc 45 cal and 40 cal so I shoot a high volume it makes sense there is also skeeting or trap shooting. That would save money on reloads but for normal use factory ammo has come along ways. For example I can buy a box of Remington premium vmax shells that will shoot .80 groups at a 100yrds. My hand load for a 223 are a match king 52 grn hpbt bullet 18 grns of varget will shoot .40 groups. To me that is better to some it makes no differance. But... you have to remember that at 500 yrds my groups are in the 2.0 range where as the other ammo is in the 5.0 range. I shoot long ranges , it makes a differance it i hit the wood chuck or not. It comes down to how picky you want to be in a rifle , some guns will shoot factory ammo better than any hand loads (very few) but the cost to get started is a rather large sum of money. And reloading for rifle and pistol can be a rather trying ordeal finding the "right" load for your gun. I.E. alot of time at the reloading bench not much shooting until you get the load just right. You might want to get the Hornady reloading book and read through it it wil give you an idea on what is reloading is all about. I have over 14 differant kinds of powder and at least 25 differant boxes of bullets. Trial and error is a big part of reloading. Meaning try a load and it still doesnt groups as well you try more or less pwder or a diffeant kind and start all over. If you do reload you MUST have a log to document everthing you do with a load. That way you wont get a load that you love but forgot whaat was in it. Happened to me, never did get it right , close but not the same. I now log all the items in the shell type of powder how much what lot number the powder is and bullet weight, how far i seated the bullet OAL of shell. type of primer, legnth of case.

I am not suggesting any one try the load that i listed. It is for my gun only , i worked that load up slowly. Please read from a book before trying a load , work the load up slowly checking for signs of presure.

Sorry for long text. here is a link for reloading, www.varmital.com (http://www.varmital.com) You can e-mail me if you have any other question i have only been reloading for about 9 years so some things i am not be able to help you with, but may others can, or i can get you a anwser from a reloading board that I am on.

Good luck.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Sorry, but I have to disagree with the above two posts. Reloading can save you money, but it happens over time and depends upon how much you shoot. The more you shoot, the better hunter you will be, and the more you will save. As for buying 50 boxes of 30-06, lets say that they cost you $10/box(a VERY conservative estimate). That is $500, and you can more than adequately equip yourself with a press and supplies for that amount of money. As for "premium loads", who really needs them? Deer have been falling to standard .30-06 loads for years, and will continue to do so. If you feel you need these for elk, moose, ect, fine.....if you like using them for whitetails, fine! But they are hardly necessary. I started reloading with LEE load all kits, at about $20-25 each, and never had any regrets. Plus, there are ways to save money on reloading equipment. I use a LEE hand press and have never saw the need to go to anything bigger or better, and I reload .30/30, 30-06, .308, 6.5x55 Swede, 9mm, .38 special, .357 mag, and .44 mag on this little press. Also, the LEE line of hand tools, such as case cutters, can save money, esp. if you plan on reloading a box or two for the range. You may also wish to check your local pawn shop for presses, dies, ect. for extra savings. Reloading isn't for everybody, but it is a fun hobby that has broadened my interest in the hunting/shooting sports, and I am glad that I started doing it. Please feel free to Email me if you have any questions I might be able to answer.
Mr. 16 gauge

[Benchshooter]

Hunter,
I agree with Mr. 16......It may not be for everyone but it goes along with the sport..Lyman has a good book and Hornady has it for your puter, always cross check, with your books..... safe that way..also make a spot for just doing this because it is safer that way.. The Lyman book tells you all the steps ..good book..also has a nice price to start out..
Gun and Ammo have a reload in it too..

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Benchman

[Hunter333]

Thank you for the info! I am getting into reloading for a few reasons: it will encourage me to shoot more, I can do it in the down time in the winter, and I enjoy trying new things. Will I save money? We shall see I guess :) Thanks again for your help!

[Cag]

Hunter take a look at where you originally posted or where it was moved to. I responded to you there. I agree with 16, and Bench. Handloading is cost effective over time.As time goes by you acquire more stuff and knowledge. Rome wasn't built in a day. Take a look at the sites I posted and pay them a visit. You'll learn.

I enjoy shooting a .280 which has a wimpy factory load due to that the original rifles chambered for this caliber were pump or slides and are loaded to withstand the pressure for that action. In a bolt rifle that load can be improved quite a bit. The only way to get the most out of it is to handload. Although factory ammo is much improved it still is not as good as a load that's been developed to your rifle. I think that with handloading you can improve on every factory load that is out there.

Benchshooter, I responded to you too. I'm from Miami, Florida. Was it the double post as to why you were asking if I was a Michigan old man or was it in reference to my technique in reloading?

Ricci, I'm surprised, you didn't encourage Hunter a little more. Being that you have an extensive reloading page posting loads and all????

Best of luck....Cag

[Hunter333]

Cag, I checked them all out and now my head is swimming more than ever :) I go back now and then to remind myseof what was where. Thanks a lot for the help!!

[Hunter333]

I have taken a look at the RCBS Rockchucker Kit at my local gun place and their price is $299.99. I like what I saw and I was wondering if there is a site that I can save some money on this kit. Any advice?

[Hunter333]

I was looking at auctions and found a couple of 30-06 RCBS dies for $16.75 brand new. Exactly what do I need dies for and is this a good price? Also, what does MOA stand for?

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Hunter,
I would like to suggest you check out MidwayUsa (their website is www.midwayusa.com). (http://www.midwayusa.com).) I have dealt with these people over the years and have been happy with their service. They carry a several lines of presses, bullets, accessories, ect. They have a LEE 35th anniversary reloading kit that has the press, powder measure, scale, case cutter, chamfer tool, primer pocket cleaner, shell holders, and priming tool for $74.99. Also, there latest catalog shows RCBS reloading dies at $25.99. The dies are used to resize and decap the case, and to seat the bullets (there are two dies, one for each process). You can use RCBS dies on a LEE press (I speak from experience). MOA stands for minute of angle, and if I am correct I beleive that this term means that the gun/cartridge combination will shoot 1 inch at 100 yards, 2 inches at 200 yards, 3 inches at 300 ect. Also, you may want to check out the LEE website at www.leeprecision.com....sometimes (http://www.leeprecision.com....sometimes) they have presses, dies, ect with cosmetic flaws at a discount. Good luck!

[Hunter333]

Mr. 16 Guage, I tried to email you with a ? but the mail got returned..... Do you have a direct link for that price on the Lee Kit? I couldnt find one at that price, only $99.99
Thanks

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Hunter,
Surprised that I didn't get your question! Other people from the site have Emailed me before; Please try again and I will do my best to try and answer it. Also, I just looked at the Midway catalog that I got the Email address from, and it is from April (Midway puts out a catalog monthly), so the price may have gone up--Sorry! Hope to hear from you soon.

[Hunter333]

Well, I bit the bullet :) and purchased a Lee Kit. I know that it is not the most expensive or fancy press but I think that it is a good place to start. Someday maybe I will upgrade to RCBS, unless that turns out not to be an upgrade. I got a lot of responses that said they love their Lee equipment and have used it for years. Thanks to you all for your help. I will keep you updated unless I blow myself up :)

[Budweiser]

Hunter333
I think you will be very happy with your new Lee Reloading press.Upgrading can come later if you want.You now have a new hobby that can
keep you pretty busy sometimes.What I want to tell you is this.That I really don't save any money reloading.The reason being is I shoot a lot;lot more than I ever used to.But this is something I like to do.

ENJOY!

Striaght Shooting

Budweiser

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Budweiser

[Hunter333]

I am VERY happy with my Lee kit. I have loaded about 300 rounds and have no complaints! I screwed up my depriming holder, wrote Lee, and got a new cap today. I cant say enough about the qualtiy of service that I have received from my equipment as well as the customer service area. I do not plan on doing any switching anytime in the future.