Considering reloading 270

R&R Rancher

R&R Rancher

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Manitoba's Interlake
I'm considering starting to reload for my .270. I really don't need to, but just as shotshell reloading became an extension of my clay target shooting, I'd like to try it for rifle. I've already got a Redding scale. A buddy sold me a Lee Challenger press and a Lee hand press for cheap. From my farm shop I already have a digital caliper.

What manuals do you recommend? What other equipment will I need? After I have my equipment, I'll ask about component and load recommendations in another post.

John
 
A set of dies, loading block, funnel, powder measure, shell holder and deburring tool...as well a bunch of lube...a lube pad can be useful but I prefer my fingers. When you start reloading used casings, a trimmer is quite useful.

The ABCs of reloading will get you started, and then many other reloading books can be purchased which show the recipes. I reload for my Browning .270 and am very pleased with its performance. Much better than store bought ammo for sure.
 
A little case length trimmer from Lee and a Lyman manual and a set of dies - hmm - a little funnel - and some components and you are rolling. Oh - some case lube - the spray-on kind is nice to work with - and if you forget that, you will need a stuck case remover. A bullet puller is a safety item - so if you are not sure about something, you can pull it and check.
 
"...reload for my .270..." Reloading will let you tailor the ammo to your rifle. It'll make your rifle far more versatile by just changing the bullet weight. Hodgdon's site, for example, gives loads for bullet weights between 90 and 180 grains. Varmints to moose.
"...What manuals do you recommend?..." Lyman. Has more loads using more powders and bullet weights than any bullet or powder manufacturer's book.
"...What other equipment..." Look at what comes with an RCBS Beginner's Kit.
 
I reload for my 270. I can get touching groups at 100 yards most of the time.

To reload you need:
A manual. One of the Lyman books would be okay. Read it twice and then once more before you start.

Press ( you have it)

Dies (Start with LEE and when you are ready buy more expensive ones)

Lee length sizer (Make sure you get both pieces.One is needed for any caliber. The other is for your caliber)

Reamer/Chamfering tool. Get the big one. It does all calibers.

Case lube. The spray on works well and I do a lot of reloading.

Powder Scale. Don't go cheap get a good digital. About $50.00 but such an improvement.

Calipers (you have digital)

Loading supplies. Powder, primers, projectiles, and lastly brass.

Optional Items

You will want a tumbler/vibrating brass cleaner. Makes the brass look like new.

Loading blocks. It really helps. For now use a board and drill out holes to hold your brass.

Everything else you see. Being a reloader means wanting the newest best stuff.

Good luck.
 
tbrwlf said:
Everything else you see. Being a reloader means wanting the newest best stuff.

Good luck.
Click to expand...

It does?? I thought being a reloader means getting to shoot more... I am happy with quality second-hand stuff you guys seem to want to get rid of to buy the newest, best stuff. and I'm good with that.
 
R&R Rancher said:
I've already got a Redding scale. A buddy sold me a Lee Challenger press and a Lee hand press for cheap. From my farm shop I already have a digital caliper. What manuals do you recommend? What other equipment will I need? After I have my equipment, I'll ask about component and load recommendations in another post.
Click to expand...

For sure:
- Lee 3 Die Deluxe set (about $40)
- Some sizing lube, but STP works as well as anything. Use very very little.
- Primer pocket cleaner - Lee one is fine
- Case mouth inside and outside bevel/clean up - Lee if fine
- Not right away, but sooner or later you need to trim case lengths. You need a Lee cutter/Holder, and then a pilot and case length gauge kit for the .270 (total less than $10)

Nice to have:
- A manual is nice, but you can get buy with on line stuff. I'll post a few links.
- You can do a better job of priming with a hand primer like the Lee Auto Prime. Lot better feel than using the press.
- You can speed up powder weighing by using a powder measure like the Lee Perfect Powder measure to charge the scale pan to about 0.2 grains less than the exact charge. Then you use a powder trickler to top up the pan to the exact weight.

What to avoid:

- Case tumbler is purely cosmetic -- not necessary
- Digital scale -- Have to spend $300+ to get a good one. A balance beam like the Redding is excellent.

Some links:

http://mysticplayer.netfirms.com/articles/reloading.htm

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Hope that helps some,
 
When I started reloading I bought a Lee Anniversary reloading kit. It has everything to start reloading including the manual. Some even come with a set of dies like the hand press kit by Lee.
 
the basics

I have a full lyman/rcbs setup at home in BC, but I've been working in Calgary and itching to work up some loads for my .270. For $65 I bought a Lee hand-press kit (WSS), complete with dies. Another $40 for a cheapo digital scale, a few bucks for a loading block and lube, and I'm in business.

Using Berger 140 grain VLDs ($40 per 100), I figure I'm paying about fifty cents a round, which means I can shoot a lot with a budget of $100 a month. Good times. I miss my elaborate setup, but it only takes a couple hours to knock off 50 rounds sitting in my easy chair with the hand-press, but the output is quality, and did I mention I can do it from my easy chair?

Bill
 
Anyone close to you who reloads?
If so, get invited over and go through the motions of watching them.
Helps to learn from someone elses experience.
Apprenticeship again.
Stay focused on task at hand when reloading.
IMHO.
Find a reloading book that you find easy to read.
Maybe check some out at the local library and then make the
investment in them.
I have a few books here and find I only use two of them.
Have some fun with it.
 
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